Backdrop Food & Drink

I went here for the first time with my boyfriend for brunch last weekend and the service was awful. The server was unfriendly and seemed like she was really unhappy to be there. The food was also really slow, we waited at least 35 – 40 minutes after we ordered our food before we asked if it would be much longer. The server asked «why? are you in a rush?» instead of just apologizing. Then, when she brought the food she made a snippy comment about having to wait for made-​to-​order food. The food was good but not cheap. I’m not interested in paying $ 50 for breakfast and have the server be rude to me, I would absolutely never go back.

All in all, I give this a ⁴⁄₅ for the dinner experience I had with friends.
It is a really comfortable and great place to grab drinks and/​or food with friends after work. I would definitely come here again.
The décor is eclectic and different (good job to the designer).
The food is good, though a bit more than what my friends and I prefer to pay. But I think it is more or less aligned with prices of similar restaurants in the dt Ottawa area. My friends enjoyed the duck wings. I had the «whitefish and pork belly» ($ 22 or $ 23) which was good and really healthy. I felt a little deceived because I was expecting a big hunking fatty-​rich piece of pork belly, instead the pork belly was more like lardons /​little pieces of bacon. I thought «ok, I guess I’ll be healthy tonight. » I mentioned it to the waiter, and they comp’ed my drink ($ 7.50 non-​alcoholic Backdrop special). I really appreciated that.
Looking forward to another visit!

Went here to see a band play. The place isn’t ideal in terms of seating, but if you’re coming for food then this is a great spot. We got burgers (I know, not very adventurous) and they were surprising good, I mean awesome. The buns are thick and they have this root beer bacon jam that is superb. Would go again for the food, probably wouldn’t stay much longer.

Fantastic! I agree with my fellow Unilocaler’s comments: in a sea of mediocrity, Backdrop is a breath of fresh air. Good prices, great food — simple and well executed — a short wine list but each offering is solid.
If you have the chance, the chocolate & Baileys cake is to die for!
The atmosphere is nice and cozy, the service is unpretentious and friendly: a definite repeat for me!

We enjoyed a busy weekday lunch at Backdrop. Seating can be a little tight in this vibrant (and loud) restaurant located on a busy stretch of Metcalfe. Our meals started with the house’s carrot ginger-​ale soup which was bright, but over-​seasoned. I had the house burger, which was prepared in a large basket with fresh-​cut fries and the kitchen’s own ketchup. My friend handily devoured a goat cheese and raspberry salad that was generously portioned and fresh. Service was courteous and generally attentive but not stellar.
I would have given them four stars if they turned down the blare of the music and had more comfortable seating arrangements.

Went to the Backdrop for the first time today. In a sea of mediocre restaurants in the downtown core I was very impressed. The restaurant is located off to the side from the main streets, but only by a block.
When I first arrived I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone, the servers and the cooks in the kitchen, had such a positive attitude. It always adds to the atmosphere of a restaurant when the staff are clearly enjoying their work. They also had an excellent selection of music playing. Listening to Queen while I eat? Don’t mind if I do!
I ordered the Ricotta Stuffed Meatballs. The presentation was excellent, the portion size was perfect for an afternoon lunch, the spices on the tomatoes were amazing, and the bread served on the side was piping hot. For $ 15 I got, what felt like, a much more expensive plate of fine dining. I walked away absolutely stuffed. *pun intended*
I was ready to leave on a very high note as is, but then the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me in a restaurant occurred. One of the cooks came out of the kitchen to speak to me and ask me about my meal. It turns out they had been experimenting with this particular dish and he wanted my feedback on it. He even went into details on how the dish has changed. I was more than happy to oblige him.
The Backdrop is definitely being added to my *very* short list of downtown restaurants I will be recommending to my friends.

I always have a good time when I come here.
Great menu, great staff, great décor– can’t complain!
Highly recommend!

The atmosphere is really creative. Good music and tasty food. The curry bruschetta was delicious.

Oh dear just got back from Backdrop place looked cool and it was the dinner itself was awesome was totally looking forward to our lava cake desert and bam there it was! burnt cake (not a drop of lava to be found) and crappy attitude from the waitress she actually challenged us on it I was floored when we told her the cake was overdone she comes back with well the cook and I looked it over in the back and it was fine. Can I just say with an attitude like that she is not getting me back in there. :(so sad because the food was really good and I was looking forward to trying something else on the menu

The décor is a bit eclectic and interesting, but the metal piece they had over our table was super distracting and seemed sort of in the way. It made it difficult for some of my coworkers to move around and made the space feel more crammed than it was.
We looked ahead of time on their website for what to eat during lunch and got really excited about the pulled pork pogos, only to get there and be told they changed their menu. We were all really disappointed, but they had a few other items on their menu that we thought might be good, so we gave it a go.
I had the waffle sandwiches — the order came with two different half-​waffle pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, one with a bit more of a BBQ flavor, and the other curried. Both sandwiches also had some slaw added. The texture of the meat and slaw was good, but the waffle itself was too moist for my taste, though not spongy. I had hoped that it would be more toasted/​crunchy on the outside and fluffy inside, especially since it was supposed to be a sandwich, but the texture of the whole sandwich eaten together was like crunchy cabbage and soggy bread. The taste was pretty underwhelming. They were good, but nothing special. It was a good concept, but didn’t deliver. I was also surprised that it didn’t come with any other type of side. Not the greatest value by any means.
Since I didn’t have any sides to supplement my sandwich, I decided to get dessert. Don’t laugh, but I ordered the wafffle s’more. Ok fine, laugh. I figured maybe the waffle wasn’t the best for the sandwich, but how could it be bad with chocolate? Definitely way better.
The service was horrendous. We waited FOREVER for our food, and the whole processes of ordering, asking for water, and paying, were also pretty painful.
Overall, I was excited to try this place but was incredibly disappointed with both the food and the service. All eight people in our group felt the same, though some were more satisfied with their meals than others. I will try to give it another go at some point to see if I experience anything different, but not likely any time soon.

The food is different and interesting but doesn’t taste that good. For eg, pasta is a little too hard, the Cornish hen is just ok.
The food is overpriced. Soup was good however.

Took a chance and ordered the rib-​eye. The squash soup was excellent.. Served piping hot.. It was velvety smooth and pleasingly complex. Not too squashy. just right. Back to the steak. I am kinda fussy.. But it was perfectly done –med rare– a little on the rare side, just perfect. Tasty.. Tender. .a lovely char crust.. Not too much.. Just right. The wine reduction on the mushrooms was a bit too acidic. But I didn’t care as I was basking in the glow of the steak. Good job! Definitely will come back to try the curry lamb burger next. Oh.. And I enjoyed the 90s/​2000s music playing in the lounge.

I went with some colleagues after work last week and had a great time. We were really lucky and had the patio to ourselves. It’s a great location and fairly quiet compared to the hustle of Elgin and Bank streets nearby. The service was great. Some of us have dietary restrictions and she knew the menu thoroughly.
My colleagues order the wild boar burger as part of Burger Week and the One Shrimp Fettuccine. I had the Backdrop Salad which was delicious! I expected more beets than the three thinly shaved ones on top, but otherwise it was delicious.

My first comment when I walked in was «this place remind me of Grounded Kitchen!»
I am not sure what ‘s happening with the décor, it’s kind of all over the place with space ships and a red runway, but I love sitting at the «bar style» tables where you can watch them cook your food!
Music was great, service excellent! I ordered the Portobello Mushroom and it may be one of the best plates I’ve had in the city. My friend ordered a steak salad cooked to perfection, all wine was very reasonably priced and well selected — try the Petite Syrah!
Great for groups!

I am delighted to be the first to review, Backdrop Food & Drink, the second project of the folks who brought you Grounded Kitchen on Gloucester (which I hear has new owners).
Grounded and now Backdrop have a DIY, local-​guys feel but the food, service, and drinks will stack up against anybody in town.
All the things I loved about Grounded are in the new place — great food, innovative and well prepared and a friendly atmosphere — all efficiently managed by the charming and iconically coiffed Amir. Backdrop also improves on some of the things I didn’t love about Grounded. Instead of counter ordering they have full table service. Plus it seems roomier with more seating. I liked Grounded for casual meals but would not have gone there for a business lunch. Backdrop takes it to the next level but is still fun. (Although not so hip or loud as to dissuade us middle-​aged diners.)
Backdrop is in an old house, the former Chianti, and has a good looking bar, dining area, and even a take-​out window. I was there with a party of 6 and food was top notch. I had the corn bread and ginger wanton salad. Only improvement would be to serve the beer cheese sauce as a side for dipping and not a plate drizzle. My cornbread absorbed all the cheese sauce in seconds and left me wishing for more.
Grilled fish, salads, and burgers on the table looked very tasty.