Portuguese treats in Kanata

Including a cream puff that is to die for

For those like me, who were dismayed by the closing of Lusa Portuguese Bakery on Wellington last year, you can now rejoice as they’ve reopened at 420 Hazeldean Rd. in the same Kanata strip mall as Office Hub. 

A bigger shock came when Lusa closed their original Gatineau shop shortly after the Wellington closure.

I’ve always enjoyed their products but with the new location it means that I won’t be treating myself as often. I suppose that’s a good thing.

Certainly you won’t find a better pastèis de nata (egg custard tart) anywhere but they’re no slouches in producing very nice cannolis and cream puffs. That cream puff was so richly dense that it almost (almost) sent me into a panic, and I recommend having it with a good coffee to balance all that cream.

Lusa interior

Lusa interior. Ralf Joneikies/Ottawa Lookout

Lusa also cooks up a variety of warm dishes, such as the famous Portuguese sandwich known as Bifana and of course, roast piri piri chicken. 

I happen to love their savoury hand-held bites, pastèis de bacalhao (potato and salt cod cakes) and the rissòis de camarão, deep fried pockets of tender shrimp in bechamel sauce. Both are inexpensive and super delicious, and you’ll want to get multiples. If you’re planning on consuming them straightaway, ask them to reheat them.

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