Needs More Iron(y)ing

I wasn't sure where the hipster hang-out is in Ottawa. The Glebe, Elgin, and Westboro are too upscale. The Byward Market is too touristy. I finally decided that there may be a small population near Chinatown. So on Monday, I went to Pressed Cafe for dinner.

Located on quiet Gladstone near Bronson, it fitted to a tee. There was the local artwork: in this case large portraits done with spray paint. There was the eclectic decor: church pews for seats, knick-knacks, and even a non-functional 60s synth organ. And in the corner, there sat a group of pixie-haired 20-somethings wearing boho-chic clothes. But outside of the chef, there was a distinct lack of bearded dudes. No worries, they came in later for the bluegrass music.

By day, the spot offered quick noshes including salads and panini sandwiches. At night, there was a small dinner menu. I opted for the smoked chicken ($16) and a side-order of mac and cheese ($5). The claim that the mac was their best dish was correct: it was soft, gooey, and comforting. Not sure whether the curds added anything. Unfortunately, the main was disappointing. The parsnip smash was too tangy. Combined with the vinaigrette on the salad, and the whole dish puckered the lips. In contrast, the pan-seared chicken was overly salted. Too bad because the skin itself had good texture and the meat was tender. The cafe has a nice vibe but they need to step it up in the kitchen.