SHOPPING

Westboro Bound

By Julie Beun-Chown

Go west! But only as far as Westboro, Ottawa’s ultra-trendy answer to Toronto’s Cabbagetown.

Absinthe Café

A stone’s throw from the Parliament Buildings, Westboro is the kind of urban village that attracts trendsetters; it’s chic and contemporary but also quirky and whimsical.

Before you explore, fuel up on organic java at the city’s premier coffee chain, Bridgehead. Next, get your bearings with a leisurely walk and stake out your gastropub options. You’ll need a break from browsing the wide array of indie boutiques.

Street parking is free, but you might want to consider another mode of transportation – one that’s people-powered. Westboro is a haven for serious bikers, climbers, kayakers and other weekend warriors. Catering to their needs are many outdoor lifestyle shops, several of which are clustered within a few blocks, like Mountain Equipment Co-op, Cyclelogik and Chlorophylle, specializing in über-funky outdoor gear.

Across the street, the shopping mode goes from functional to fashionable at BraChic, a mecca for serious lingerie lovers. The prices are upmarket but so are the exquisite French garments. Not far away, through the pink gingerbread doorway of Tickled Pink, the mood changes again. One of many fun children’s shops in the area, it’s festooned with knight costumes, adorable ladybug bunting bags and hip gear for little ones. The best part? Everything is Canadian-made.

You’ll hear words like “organic,” “local” and “fairly traded” a lot in Westboro, particularly at 10,000 Villages. This outlet for all things fair-trade sells ethical wares, from fragrant Vietnamese cinnamon to Indian soap. Once you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, duck into Newport, a kitschy local landmark known for its delectable homemade pizza. (It’s also the home of Canada’s Elvis Sighting Society.) For a post-lunch indulgence, head to Truffle Treasures and try the Aztec hot chocolate, a mind-bending concoction of preservative-free cocoa, chili, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.

Although Westboro proper ends a few blocks away at Tweedsmuir Street, don’t give up there. Continue past the shops stuffed with trendy decor, antique home furnishings and designer duds, and you’ll find that the village has unofficially annexed Wellington Street West. Check out Nectars Fine Teas for a cuppa or Three Bakers and a Bike for deliciously flaky pastry. If you’re looking for something more filling, this end of the village is renowned for its dining options. The chic French resto-bar Absinthe Café is all about bold flavours, while the deservedly popular Wellington Gastropub provides the perfect end to a perfect day: the finest selection of wines and Scotches in the city.

(Julie Beun-Chown is a magazine writer living in Ottawa. She contributes to Canadian Living, Homemakers, the CanWest newspapers and Good Health & Medicine magazine in Australia.)

Useful information

Tickled Pink, 399 Richmond Rd., 613-288-0529
Three Bakers and a Bike, 1281A Wellington St. W., 613-729-6897

TOP PHOTO: BEN WELLAND
WESTBORO MARKET: DOUGLAS SPROTT