Coming Face to Face with Town ‘N Country History

Yesterday I met a wonderful woman who had stories to tell. I always try to respect people’s privacy, but I was so captivated that she and her late husband once owned the Town ‘N Country Restaurant on Carling and Richmond in Ottawa I had to write about it. At 90 years old this woman has more recollections than I do at 65, and she captivated me in the short time we spoke.

Built in 1943 near the intersections of Richmond, Carling, and Pinecrest, the motel was in a great location to take advantage of the surge in automobility that came after World War 2 — when those were the major roads into the city from the west.

In days gone by there were not many ‘good’ & affordable restaurants in Ottawa and the Town ‘N Country Restaurant was indeed a restaurant on the ‘edge of town’. But where else would your server give you swizzle sticks for your Shirley Temples, or enjoy a Mickey Mouse ice cream Sundae, even if it wasn’t always on the menu.

Even if the Town ‘N Country Restaurant was demolished in 1978 it will still be memories of the place to go for special occasions. It was fondly nicknamed to some the “Green Valley West” with its white linen, dark wood, and very good food.

All sorts of special dinners and events took place here over the years. The restaurant was frequently used for meetings and receptions of all kinds and Chicken Kiev and the French Onion Soup was something to remember.

I asked her yesterday what the most popular thing she served at the Town & Country Restaurant and she didn’t miss a beat and said quite emphatically,

“The roast beef!”

According to the newspaper archives the prime rib was indeed the best in the area and for some it was the very place they enjoyed their first lobster meal. Did you know in the 1950s former world heavyweight boxing legend Joe Louis would come to Ottawa as a celebrity judge or referee and he would insist on coming here for the chicken livers which he said were the best in the world. I had no idea about that tidbit but she told me she had quite the hand in the menu. She would try dishes at home and then ask the chef if he would try out her recipe for the restaurant. Chefs today are finicky about advice but she told me in those days they put all her dishes on the menu. After all she said, you had to have what people wanted and if it wasn’t on the menu they would go elsewhere.

Photo from Lost Ottawa

Along with the the beautiful needlework portraits of old “Quebecois” characters that hung on the dining room walls there was that Duck a L’orange everyone talked about right down to the beloved foot long hot dogs.
Even though a Shopper’s Drugmart has replaced what was once Ottawa’s dining history we must remember that memories are special moments that share our history. Yesterday this woman gave me 100 feelings, a 1000 thoughts and a 100 memories. Today I was able to document a little Town ‘N Country Restaurant history– as even though she was a stranger, in reality we are all strangers with memories. Her name was Dorothy Doucette.

Comments

Steve Fraser

What is also not mentioned is that Alex Dayton brought many of his restaurant and motel creations from his annual trip to Florida. I believe that this was the first “motel” in Ottawa. Prior to the building of the motel, there were only cabins. The building. On the far side of the restaurant in this view was first. The closer building was built later. There were still cabins on the Carling Avenue side as long as the place existed.

Vern Fraser

The post card shown was placed on the desk in every unit along with What’s On in Ottawa and other information about attractions to visit in Ottawa. Our housekeeper worked there as a chamber maid after she left employment with us at The Olde Forge.

I find that there is little recognition in all these comments about the man behind the Town and Country. Mr. Alex Dayton was an astute business man who amassed his fortune by hard work and wise investment. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of that word.

His estate established an endowment fund to aid students who could not otherwise afford the cost of education at Ottawa University. This fund was established in accordance with the will of the late Alexander Dayton. Mr. Alex Dayton was a longtime resident of Ottawa, well known in the restaurant business until his retirement. From then on, he devoted almost his entire time to charitable organizations and pursuits. He was a most active member of Kiwanis for years prior to his last illness and his concern for the community is evidenced by the provisions of his Last Will under which he left most of his estate to charitable, religious and community organizations.

I remember this gentleman with vivid memories. He was always available to greet his patrons at the Town and Country; he drove always a white Cadillac and he proudly showed it to we kids who admired it sitting in front of his home; when I married and lived at Somerset Towers for several years, he had moved to his home on Boyd Avenue which runs south from Carling Avenue right opposite the east building of the apartment complex. I often had conversation with this amazing man.

The Kiwanis Seniors Centre at Carlingwood was named in his honour for his contributions to the people that he knew and generously served with his wealth

Wendy Darwin

In the 1950s former world heavyweight boxing legend Joe Louis (The Brown Bomber) would come to Ottawa as a celebrity judge or referee and he would INSIST on coming here for the chicken livers which he said were the best in the world

Gayle Harvey

The Selby Pumper that stood out front for many years now belongs to the Bytown Fire Brigade. I never got to go to the restaurant but it looked very classy!

Sharron Hodgson

Many good memories of the Town and Country where Carling Ave. met Richmond. Our parents took us here for many Saturday evening dinners in the 1960’s. The wait staff was exceptional and the prime rib was the best!! Between this restaurant and the Green Valley, they were the places to take the family in the 60’s and 70’s. Then for those who liked Italian…who remembers Peter’s Pantry on Richmond???

Tim Houlihan

Where I used to get a “foot long” hot dog when our family used to stop for food when we visited Ottawa. 1950’s

Lynda Donaldson

As my Dad didn’t want my 13 year-old sister going to see Elvis in Ottawa (oh no!) He took us all to the Town and Country Restaurant as it was quite “swanky” (I guess?) And quite a treat for our family….my sister wasn’t impressed!

Gayle Harvey

The little pumper was sent out by train from Ottawa to Russell, which helped to save the village in the June 6th, 1915, fire that threatened to engulf the whole town. It was just on loan in Russell last weekend for their 100th Anniversary of their Volunteer Fire Department!