Antheia: Chef Briana Kim's Vegetarian Culinary Sanctuary in Ottawa
Finding acclaimed chef Briana Kim's new restaurant Antheia presents diners with their first intriguing challenge. Located on the second floor of a Chinatown building at 861 Somerset Street West, the establishment's ground-floor signage remains barely visible from the sidewalk. Instead, visitors must look for a discreetly painted red amphora on the wall, venture down the adjacent alley, locate the doorway on the left, ring the bell, and ascend the stairs to discover this culinary treasure.
A Journey of Culinary Discovery
The December 5 opening of Antheia marks the latest milestone in chef Briana Kim's remarkable culinary ascent. Nearly two years after closing her previous restaurant, Kim has created a space that reflects her evolution from a self-taught chef running a vegan café fifteen years ago to winning the prestigious 2023 Canadian Culinary Championship with her innovative plant-based creations.
Kim's international experience includes valuable time spent in the kitchens of world-renowned establishments Eleven Madison Park in New York and Noma in Copenhagen. This global refinement, combined with her expertise in elite fine dining, has significantly influenced Antheia's sophisticated approach to vegetarian cuisine.
An Intimate and Serene Dining Environment
Designed by Montreal's APPAREIL Architecture, Antheia presents a darkened, earth-toned sanctuary that immediately envelops guests in tranquility. The space evokes a spa-like atmosphere, enhanced by piping hot eucalyptus-and-cedar-scented towels offered upon arrival. Moody background music completes the ambiance without overwhelming conversation, creating an exclusive hideaway that seats only sixteen guests.
The restaurant's name honors Antheia, the Greek goddess of gardens and vegetation, reflecting Kim's deep connection to plant-based ingredients and fermentation techniques. This intimate setting represents a deliberate departure from her previous restaurant, Alice, which operated from 2019 until early 2024. While Alice demonstrated Kim's world-class fermentation expertise, Antheia provides more space for deeper culinary exploration.
The Chef's Counter Experience
At Antheia, the optimal dining experience unfolds at the twelve-seat chef's counter, where guests can observe the meticulous finishing touches applied to each dish and engage directly with the culinary team. Kim herself takes center stage, appearing to relish every moment of this new venture. For those prioritizing privacy, two intimate tables for two offer alternative seating, though they provide less interaction with the kitchen's creative process.
Kim describes Antheia as both a restaurant and a culinary research and development laboratory. She actively encourages her team members to pursue cutting-edge culinary experiments, particularly in fermentation. This approach transforms the dining experience into a journey of discovery, where each course reveals new dimensions of flavor and technique.
A Testament to Vegetarian Innovation
The restaurant's limited capacity allows Kim to focus intensely on her fermentation work, with jars of developing foodstuffs visible throughout the space. This dedication to culinary innovation positions Antheia as a significant addition to Ottawa's dining scene, particularly for those seeking sophisticated vegetarian cuisine.
From the initial challenge of locating the entrance to the final moments of a meticulously crafted tasting menu, Antheia delivers a complete and fascinating dining experience. Chef Briana Kim has created not just a restaurant, but a destination that celebrates the artistry and potential of plant-based cuisine while honoring her journey from local café owner to national culinary champion.
