Scaddabush Italian restaurant opens in Kanata Centrum this September

Canadian restaurant chain Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar will open its first Ottawa location at Kanata Centrum this September.

The restaurant will occupy 625 Kanata Avenue, the former home of the Velvet Room. Service Inspired Restaurants, the parent company of chains including Jack Astor's, Reds and Duke's Refresher + Bar, chose Kanata for its strong Italian dining tradition.

The menu leans toward traditional foods from southern Italy, featuring dishes from across Italy with an emphasis on eggless fresh pastas. A signature feature will be a "mozza bar" where a cook hand-stretches mozzarella made-to-order. The open kitchen is designed to echo the feeling of gathering with family—a nod to the brand's concept of Sundays around the Italian family table spent making pastas and slow-simmered "Sunday sauce."

Each year, the restaurant's culinary and operations teams travel to Italy to inspire the menus. Last year's trip focused on Veneto, so feature dishes and cocktails will reflect what inspired the team. Two rotating feature menus tied to annual Italy trips will ensure variety throughout the year.

When it opens in September, Scaddabush will join 20 other dining locations at Kanata Centrum, including Bâton Rouge, Crazy Horse, Jack Astor's and Milestones.