CANADA. SSP Canada has revealed details of an eclectic new restaurant mix at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. It features local and international brands and forms a key part of Ottawa Airport Authority’s YOW+ terminal enhancement programme.
The majority of the concepts are sited within a newly developed food court area called Marché du Canal or Canal Market Hall. Many of them offer a Canadian ‘Taste of Place’, alongside burger and pizza concepts.
Concept snapshots
Bridgehead Coffee: The brand became the first in Canada to offer consumers ‘fairly traded’ coffee, and today operates cafés across Ottawa. The Bridgehead team travels far and wide to bring what it describes as “exceptional” coffees from small-scale farmers, serving them in comfortable, community-focused coffee houses.
The airport concept serves passengers throughout the day with a menu that includes a wide range of hot and cold coffees, espresso drinks and specialty drinks as well as baked goods, cookies and an assortment of grab-and-go items.
La Bottega: This 30-year-old brand is Ottawa’s well-known Italian grocer and supplier of quality Italian foods. La Bottega is ranked as one of the top restaurants in Ottawa on TripAdvisor, with an average rating of 4.5 stars.
Bento Sushi: Bento Sushi was founded in 1996 in downtown Toronto as a small takeout shop. Since then, the brand has grown to become Canada’s largest sushi company. The new restaurant concept offers the brand’s popular grab-and-go sushi dishes such as California, Spicy Tuna and Salmon Volcano.
Also on offer are tuna and salmon poke bowls, plus sides including Seaweed Salad and Edamame.
Big Rig Kitchen and Brewery: The first Big Rig Kitchen and Brewery was opened in 2012 by brew master Lon Ladell, Clocktower Brewpub co-founder Pierre Cleroux, restaurateurs Angelis Koutsos and Jimmy Zourntos, and well-known Ottawa Senators ice hockey star Chris ‘Big Rig’ Phillips.
Bringing together a wealth of knowledge in the industry, the founders have grown Big Rig to become the largest craft brewery in the Canadian capital.
The full-service bar and restaurant concept from the brand at the airport features a line-up of beers on tap such as Gold Lagered Ale, Big Rig Premium Pilsner and Big Rig Dropkick Irish Stout. Ciders, root beer and several national and global beer options are also available.
The all-day menu includes a full hot breakfast selection, wings, poutine, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and more.
SSP America Vice President of Business Development Bob Stanton commented: “We’re honoured to be part of the YOW community and bring this group of local and Canadian concepts to the airport. Our thanks to the entire YOW team led by Director of Operations Graie Messina for their passion and commitment to bringing a ‘Taste of Pplace’ to YOW passengers.”
Ottawa International Airport Authority President and CEO Mark Laroche said: “It’s been years in the making, but we are truly delighted to offer our passengers more choice, local treasures and SSP Canada’s signature ‘Taste of Place’ at YOW.
“Early results confirm that travellers are embracing our iconic brands and loving the bright, beautiful spaces SSP has recently brought to life. And there is more to come.”
SSP Canada now operates in nine Canadian airports, representing a significant portion of the SSP business across North America. 
