A long-running Ottawa seafood market-and-grill where freshly shucked oysters, lobster, haddock fish and chips, shellfish happy hour, and a working seafood counter define the visit.

The original Bank Street Whalesbone is a small Ottawa oyster house where Freshly Shucked Oysters, WBOH Chowder, and whole-fish mains still define the visit.

Metropolitain is strongest when it behaves like the brasserie it promises to be: oysters first, French comfort in the middle, and a room with enough ByWard Market energy to stretch a quick plan into a real night out.