I suppose I was comparing it (in my head) to a great pasta joint on Yonge St. that I ate at last time in TO. Totally casual eat-in or take-out place, pasta cooked to order, delicious and at a super reasonable price. I would love to have a place like that in my neighbourhood and you're mention of The Noodle reminded me of that. Most of my frustration with the Ottawa restaurant scene is in comparison to the funky little eateries that litter Toronto and Montreal.
Guess I should have mentioned that up front.