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flar · #1 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 3:28 AM**

- Somerset St. W. Ottawa, Ontario -

Kingofthehill · #2 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 3:43 AM**

Chinatown looking rather desolate..

SpongeG · #3 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 4:19 AM**

theres some serious hideous there

good pics though

Thundertubs · #4 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 5:17 AM**

I dig it.

HomeInMyShoes · #5 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 9:48 AM**

Gotta say that I've never seen a fish manhole cover. And I've walked down those streets before.

hackunion · #6 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 11:38 AM**

Chinatown is the best. Bubblicity, Vietnam Noodle House, My Sweet Tea... I'm afraid I'm a regular here.

harls · #7 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 2:01 PM**

May's garden is great... I recommend it!

this thread is like a fresh, young coconut waiting to be cracked open.

xzmattzx · #8 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 2:27 PM**

Afer visiting and seeing in pictures the Chinatowns in New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Toronto, I am kind of used to Chinatowns that are packed to the brim with buildings and people. Ottawa's Chinatown doesn't fit this mold, so it's a little bit of a surprise. It still looks pretty nice, though.

canadave · #9 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 3:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by xzmattzx

Afer visiting and seeing in pictures the Chinatowns in New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Toronto, I am kind of used to Chinatowns that are packed to the brim with buildings and people. Ottawa's Chinatown doesn't fit this mold, so it's a little bit of a surprise. It still looks pretty nice, though.

I think it's because of a couple of reasons. For one, Ottawa's never been a huge Asian destination, so our Chinatown is pretty small, and what there is is still pretty working class. As well, it's a a fair distance from the tourist areas. It's on the west side of downtown, while most of the touristy stuff is on the eastern side, and it's a solid 30-40 minute walk from Parliament Hill. Plus, it's pretty annoying to drive through and there's no rapid transit that's really nearby. Add it all up, and you get a working class Asian neighborhood with a significantly lower volume of tourists (though locals know it's a great place for cheap, awesome food!) which gives it a much different feel from more prominent Chinatowns. It's an interesting little neighborhood, though there are a few parts off Somerset that can get a bit sketchy, especially to the south, so it's best to stay on the main drag if you're there at night.

Of course, that might just be my perspective, I've never lived there. I've always been more of a Centretown East'er.

bulliver · #10 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 5:12 PM**

Great thread. Would never of guessed Ottawa. And I love the 'raise my taxes' sign.

dktshb · #11 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 5:31 PM**

I'm liking that part of town. It looks very pleasant. Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing.

niwell · #12 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 8:57 PM**

Yeah Chinatown! When I lived in Ottawa I was definitely a regular, favourite places to eat being So Good and Shanghai. Bubblicity was frequented as well.

A former coworker of mine has a sneaker/clothing/graffiti supply shop on the stretch called the Layup Shop. It opened after I moved and I haven't had a chance to visit unfortunately. I know the (legal) graffiti in this picture is linked with the shop somehow: http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...tawa/00026.jpg

ue · #13 Posted: **Jul 27, 2009, 11:08 PM**

What is that gibberish in the title

? Anyways very nice photos. I always love your somewhat gritty feel.

osbort · #14 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 2:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Gotta say that I've never seen a fish manhole cover. And I've walked down those streets before.

I live in Ottawa and I see them everywhere.

osirisboy · #15 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 2:05 PM**

china town is sure dumpy run down looking. thanks for the pics

Stanzmastertron3000 · #16 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 10:04 PM**

Was just in this area last week. A lot grittier than I imagined. The Beer Store in this area has an extensive variety of B.O. to choose from.

Glorious pics as usual.

Mille Sabords · #17 Posted: **Jul 28, 2009, 11:09 PM**

Nice work Flar. I lived in Chinatown years ago, on Spruce Street. I was a regular at many of the places and most are still the same as back then (1995-96-97). The Hung Phat sign is a classic, and so is the Wah Shing Store!!

clemlee · #18 Posted: **Jul 29, 2009, 2:03 AM**

HAHA. I have the EXACT same pic of the Fresh Young Coconut sign...I thought it was kind of cute/funny too

Evergrey · #19 Posted: **Jul 29, 2009, 3:22 AM**

I'm surprised there's such withering criticism for this neighbourhood in this thread... it appears to have a gritty, funky character... lots of ethnic businesses... and the street life appears to be fairly healthy... though perhaps not living up to the impossible standards of some SSPers... it's Ottawa's Chinatown

lovely architectural and people shots, Flar

flar · #20 Posted: **Jul 30, 2009, 12:26 PM**

^^exactly, Ottawa is not a big city, it's very lucky to even have a Chinatown at all. There are no tourists in this part of Ottawa, it's mainly a local commercial strip.

I like this part of Ottawa, there is a bit of grittiness, but not too much. I don't find it sketchy, my rust belt sensiblities feel most at home in the Centretown West area. It's probably the most urban (in an old school way) part of Ottawa too.