The Mati table that knows the menu orders both ways: oysters and Yellowfin Tuna Tartare from the raw bar first, then a fifty-ounce Tomahawk or a Wagyu Tasting Plate from the charcoal grill. The crudo side and the grill side share top billing on the same list, and the central bar between them runs cocktails through the whole evening. The Preston Street address sits inside Ottawa's Little Italy, in the building that used to house the Black Cat Bistro, and the dining room has been working this two-sided shape since 2017.
The Seafood Tower is where the duality lands in one order. The hot side carries lobster tail, U-10 Atlantic scallops, jumbo black tiger shrimp, and fried calamari; the cold side adds East Coast oysters, lobster wonton tacos, the Mati Roll with sliced salmon and spicy mayo, tuna crudo, and cocktail shrimp. Beside it on the dinner menu, the Charcoal Grilled section runs Canadian prime steaks, the fifty-ounce long-bone Tomahawk, lamb, and A5 Japanese striploin from the Wagyu Beef list. Grilled Whole Branzino with brown butter and capers, Lobster Linguine with PEI mussels in lobster-butter cream, Spicy Vodka Rigatoni with whipped goat-cheese ricotta, and a Wagyu Burger with duck-fat fries fill out the mains. First Bites give the table a way in through Burrata, Arancini, Braised Meatballs, Sourdough Service with marrow butter, and Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with avocado, maple soy, and taro chips.
Mati's strongest distinction is how confidently it pairs raw-bar seafood with charcoal-grilled steak. Seafood Tower, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Tuna Crudo, Tomahawk Steak and Wagyu Tasting Plate create a dinner that can move from bright and cold to smoky and rich.
The restaurant is built for more than a standard table for two. The central bar, polished dining room, Sidecar and Oval Room make Mati useful for date nights, business dinners, birthdays and private gatherings without losing the energy of the main room.
Aperitivo Hour gives Mati a practical entry point. Wednesday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., Fresh Oysters, Duck Fat Fries, Arancini, cocktails and wine let diners use the restaurant for an early bite or a lighter first round.
Mati is built for the planned night out: polished Preston Street room, seafood tower energy, charcoal-grilled steak, cocktails and private spaces. It suits birthdays, client dinners, anniversaries and dates without feeling overly formal.
The raw-bar side has enough depth to define a visit on its own. Fresh Oysters, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Tuna Crudo, Mati Roll and the cold side of the Seafood Tower give the menu a bright seafood spine.
Mati gives date night a clear script: start at the bar, share crudo or oysters, then move into steak, seafood or pasta. The room feels lively and dressed-up enough for a reservation that still wants energy.
Cocktails are part of how Mati works, not an afterthought. The central bar, Aperitivo Hour and Sidecar/private-room layer make drinks useful for a full dinner, an early bite or a smaller celebration.
Sidecar and the Oval Room give Mati a practical private-dining layer. It can handle a small dinner, a larger celebration or a hosted business meal while staying attached to the main restaurant's seafood, steak and cocktail program.
Share the nuances of your visit to Mati in Ottawa — the standout dishes, the room, the service.
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