It’s not uncommon for a restaurant to open and fold within a year or two, but the team at Fauna Food + Bar has been battling its landlord for nearly that long just to open its doors.
In September, chef/owner Jon Svazas (sixth from left), along with co-owners Billy Khoo and Doug Parsonage, unveiled the casual two-floor, 85-seat eatery at 425 Bank St. in Ottawa. The owners hired Ottawa’s Linebox Studios to create a fun, warm and modern dining experience, sourcing wood tables and banquettes from Drummondville, Que. and installing a handmade flashy chrome Zinc bar, which offsets the restaurant’s natural wood and exposed brick design elements.
Fauna references animals in a particular region or habitat, so meat-centric small plates take the spotlight. Specialties include tuna crudo with coconut, kaffir, chili oil, kombu, grapefruit, scallion and black sesame ($17) and duck breast spaetzle, topped with kimchi, kale, ginger and plum ($18). Drinks on offer include local brews such as Kichesippi Natural Blonde and classic cocktails served with a twist, such as the Kimchi Caesar with soy sauce and black pepper ($10).
