Beckta dining and wine bar
Second stop on the Ottawa Doors Open event was the Beckta restaurant and wine bar. Originally a home, built in 1875 for Dr. James Grant, Canada’s first Surgeon General.
The Grants rented out the back room to the University Club of Ottawa in 1913 to host their meetings. By 1920 the club had bought the house to entertain and accommodate its members. For 37 years, from 1972, the Grant house was home to Friday’s Roast Beef restaurant with a town crier at the front door and a piano bar on the second floor. How many pianos can one drink in an evening?
A larger room for family celebrations.
We met in the wine bar and were escorted through the home with an ongoing commentary of the history and changes to the building.
A large room 
for business parties.
There are rooms of all sizes and all types of dining experiences, corporate, family or intimate.
Special table for a special event. 
The building next door hosts the Canadian Council for the Arts so it is not surprising that the halls and rooms display interesting art that is in keeping with the interesting nature of this home.
It has been said that you should not eat in a restaurant before you have checked out the kitchen. We were given a tour of the kitchen. It is just up a few more steps from the front entrance. ( see the picture to the right above)
So, what do you think? Would you eat here or just visit the wine bar?
The next time I am up that way, I will have to stop in and take a tour!
How very charming!
And oh… I would have some wine as well!
Thanks.