Capital ideas

-- The National Gallery of Canada will soon be offering the first major Canadian exhibition of Vincent van Gogh's work in more than two decades. Van Gogh: Up Close is billed as a unique look at the artist's use of close-up view, depths of field and focus, and will contain about 50 paintings that have rarely been viewed publicly. The exhibition opened yesterday and runs until Sept. 3. gallery.ca/en/see/exhibitions/ upcoming/details/van-gogh-upclose-70

-- RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest: This world-renowned music festival first opened its gates back in 1994 and has since hosted numerous A-list artists on open-air stages in LeBreton Flats Park, adjacent to the Canadian War Museum.

Over the years, blues may have given way somewhat to a more eclectic mix of artists including Sting, Bob Dylan, Kiss, The Black Eyed Peas and Van Morrison, so don't let the name mislead you. This year's lineup includes Norah Jones, John Mellencamp, David Gray, Iron Maiden, Blue Rodeo and Nickelback.

The festival attracts more than 300,000 music fans and gets bigger every year. The festival runs from July 4 to July 15. ottawabluesfest.ca

-- TD Ottawa Jazz Festival: A prelude to its big brother in Montreal, the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival has, in its more than 30-year history, attracted many of the jazz greats, including Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck and Diana Krall.

This year, the festival will be held in Confederation Park, right in the heart of downtown Ottawa and the lineup will include Steve Martin, Robert Cray Band, Grammy-Award winner Esperanza Spalding, Dave Holland and Kevin Eubanks. The festival runs from June 21 to July 1. ottawajazzfestival.com

-- Rideau Canal: A UNESCO world heritage site (recognized in the field of Human Creative Genius no less) and the oldest, continually operated canal in North America, the Rideau Canal has connected Ottawa to Kingston since 1832.

You can ply the waters on pleasure boat tours, visit the Rideau Falls or the Bytown Museum (named after Lieutenant Colonel John By, who oversaw the construction of the canal) or simply watch very expensive boats inch their way through the narrow lock system. ottawatourism.ca/en/visitors/top-attractions/rideau-canal

-- Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (Chamberfest): This is the world's largest chamber music festival, with more than 100 performances by more than 250 artists from around the world. It's held in various acoustically unique venues across the city. The festival runs from July 26 to Aug. 10. ottawachamberfest.com/upcoming-features/ottawa-chamberfest-2012

-- Festival Franco-ontarien: Since 1975, this showcase for French-speaking musicians from Ontario and Quebec has attracted francophones and francophiles from across the country. The festival begins June 14. The closing act on June 16 will be Congolese star Mohombi. ffo.ca/accueil.php

-- The Diefenbunker: A National Historic Site located in the town of Carp, a short drive west of Ottawa, Canada's cold war museum is a must-see for any history buff. Over 100,000 square feet and four stories high (all underground), this once-secret bunker was originally built to protect the government from a nuclear attack. Within the bunker, you can visit the prime minister's suite and the War Cabinet Room.

diefenbunker.ca/en--index.shtml

-- Sound and Light Show: Located on Parliament Hill, this is a spectacular (and bilingual) sound and light journey through Canada's past. Take advantage of this free event, which allows you to sit outside on the lawn on a summer's evening and watch history unfold on the walls of the Parliament Buildings. The show runs from July 6 to Sept. 3. mosaika-sl.ca

-- Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute: If, like me, you thought a reduction involved the use of a surgeon's knife, then you had better head for Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute. This Paris-affiliated school (the only one in Canada or the U.S.) is home to some of Canada's top culinary students.

You can sample the fare at the attached Signatures restaurant or take short courses in a variety of gastronomic subjects ranging from improving your knife skills to preparing petits fours and macaroons. lcbottawa.com

-- Casino du Lac-Leamy: Located in the city of Gatineau, on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, the Casino du Lac-Leamy offers more than blackjack and slot machines. Every August, it's also the site of a spectacular fireworks display called Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light -- a pyro-musical competition featuring teams from across the world and recognized as one of the top 100 events in North America. This year's edition runs from Aug. 4 to 18. feux.qc.ca/en

-- Changing of the Guard Ceremony: On Parliament Hill, every day from late June to late August, regardless of weather, enjoy all the pomp and ceremony of Buckingham Palace -- without the airfare. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. sharp and you are advised to get there at least 15 minutes early in order to secure a good vantage point. ottawatourism.ca/en/visitors/topattractions/changing-the-guard

-- Postmedia News

FOOD

Beavertails, 69 George St.

(613-241-1230): Founded in

Ottawa and now an international

franchise, Beavertails are a

fried dough delight, perfect for

that attack of the munchies.

Chez Lucien, 137 Murray St.

(613-241-3533): A charming

pub-style eatery serving some

of the best burgers in the city.

Mello's, 290 Dalhousie St.

(613-241-1909): A real diner and

arguably the best breakfast spot.

Ahora, 307 Dalhousie St.

(613-562-2081): Basement

Mexican restaurant where even

the vegan burritos taste good.

Mill St. Brew Pub, 555 Wellington

St. (613-555-2337): Former

grist mill dating back 140 years,

this brewery is a short hop from

the Bluesfest venue.

La Patate Doree, 153 Eddy

St. (819-777-1914): Across

the river in Hull (now officially

known as Gatineau), this resto

serves the best poutine either

side of the Ottawa River.

Molto, 131 Promenade Du

Portage (819-777-9334): A hip

Gatineau cafe serving amazing

homemade pizzas.

FOOD

Beavertails, 69 George St. (613-241-1230): Founded in Ottawa and now an international franchise, Beavertails are a fried dough delight, perfect for that attack of the munchies.

Chez Lucien, 137 Murray St. (613-241-3533): A charming pub-style eatery serving some of the best burgers in the city.

Mello's, 290 Dalhousie St. (613-241-1909): A real diner and arguably the best breakfast spot.

Ahora, 307 Dalhousie St. (613-562-2081): Basement Mexican restaurant where even the vegan burritos taste good.

Mill St. Brew Pub, 555 Wellington St. (613-555-2337): Former grist mill dating back 140 years, this brewery is a short hop from the Bluesfest venue.

La Patate Doree, 153 Eddy St. (819-777-1914): Across the river in Hull (now officially known as Gatineau), this resto serves the best poutine either side of the Ottawa River.

Molto, 131 Promenade Du Portage (819-777-9334): A hip Gatineau cafe serving amazing homemade pizzas.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 26, 2012 D3