Ottawa’s a pretty small town. The hunt for annoto seeds, fresh dates, morel mushrooms or cabot cheddar can take you on a pretty wild goose chase. Nicastro’s on Bank street has bailed me out on more than one occasion in those times where I need to acquire a hard to find ingredient for my recipe. It’s a beautifully well-stocked market where you can find fresh produce, pasta, meats and sausages, deli items, cheeses, coffee, cookies and other gourmet foods. If Julia Child had lived in Ottawa, this is where she would have shopped.

Il Negozio Nicastro, 792 Bank Street (at Third Ave), Ottawa

A variety of olives in the deli case.

Find pretty much any mushroom you need for your recipe. Even those very expensive morels.

One of the best assortment of cheese in the region.

The walls are lined with oils and vinegars from all over the world.