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Waterloo's Top 6 Restaurants
By Matthew KlassenHello Grebel,
Some of you may not know me, but I’m Matthew and I’m a third year Knowledge Integration student and a Grebel associate. When I’m not integrating knowledge, I like to eat. Rebecca asked me last week to write something about local restaurants, so here it is. I didn’t want to do a general restaurant overview, because then there are just too many different variables, restaurants, and opinions involved. So this is about what I think are six good date places in Waterloo. Now these are Waterloo restaurants (so don’t email me about good restaurants in Kitchener) and I have decided to do six restaurants because five is just too small and too conventional. |
Why should you care about this list? Because a lot of you Grebel boys and girls have probably stayed off the dating market in the pre-Christmas to Valentines window (we’ve all been guilty of it) and now it’s your chance! Start dating! Mingle! Lay on the charm! Or just go with a friend and eat good food! Also, I like to think I’ve got a pretty refined palate and am a pretty good dater (or at least I haven’t had any complaints), so mine is an opinion you can trust! Also, KW doesn’t have amazing food in the same way that Toronto or London do, so help and advice is sometimes necessary.
Caveat 1: I don’t like chains, so although The Keg and Milestones are nice restaurants, you won’t see them on this list because they are well known commodities (but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go there).
Caveat 2: The food on this list is not particularly ethnic. Sure there’s a little French, a little Mediterranean, but I don’t have any Asian restaurants on here. You can still have a great date with some Hungarian, Chinese, or Thai food; it’s just that I’m not the authority on that.
Anyways, enough with this useless rambling, lets list it:
Caveat 1: I don’t like chains, so although The Keg and Milestones are nice restaurants, you won’t see them on this list because they are well known commodities (but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go there).
Caveat 2: The food on this list is not particularly ethnic. Sure there’s a little French, a little Mediterranean, but I don’t have any Asian restaurants on here. You can still have a great date with some Hungarian, Chinese, or Thai food; it’s just that I’m not the authority on that.
Anyways, enough with this useless rambling, lets list it:
6. Ennio’s Pasta House
Matt! You said you wouldn’t do chains! You’re right, I lied. However, Ennio’s has two locations in the KW area, so it’s not a big chain (I got out on a technicality). Ennio’s has great Italian food, particularly their pastas. They’ve got a pretty sizeable menu, and I would also recommend their pizza. I think last time I went I had the gnocchi and my girlfriend (no names) had one of the other pastas, and we both enjoyed it. Also, Italian is a great first date meal because most people like it! Now the atmosphere here (depending on when you go) is not extremely romantic, but then the pressure is off. Heck, be a dare devil and go on a double date. This place is a nice, low maintenance date restaurant with something for every Italian lover. Address: 384 King St. North (between McDonalds and Chapters) Price: pastas from $13-21, seconds $16-27, pizzas $13-15 Reservations: not necessary Bus: you can collect the 7 from EV3 and take it to the corner of King and Columbia (or you can take the 201 from BMH) |
5. Mediterraneo
What is with all the Mediterranean food! You know that Italian food is from the Mediterranean right? Yes, yes, I know. But Mediterraneo is different from Ennio’s. First of all, it’s more Greek (so just make sure you bring gum or an Altoid if you want a kiss after your date). It’s also a great lunch place, and there’s nothing better than a lunch date. I like their kebabs and souvlaki, and their salads are great. They also have baklava! I’m not as enamoured with their fish dishes but overall it’s a fun date restaurant with a light, family atmosphere and some food you will love and won’t be able to get at the Grebel caf. Address: 425 University Ave East Price: $13-28 Reservations: not necessary Bus: you can collect the 202 or 12 from Seagram (its in the strip mall with Fresh Co. on the other side of the expressway) http://www.mediterraneokw.com/ |
4. Wildcraft
Okay, here is the controversial one. In my experience people either love or hate Wildcraft. As much as I’d like to say that your dining experience depends on who you’re with, that probably not helpful for you. So I’m one of the people that love Wildcraft. Their service is consistently good and the restaurant has a good atmosphere. I’d recommend any of their red meat dishes or burgers. Of the three places I’ve listed so far, this has the best atmosphere and food for a “date date”, so take someone here that you “like like”. Address: 425 King St. North Price: entrees $14-27, steaks $27-36 Reservations: yes if you are going later at night or on a weekend Bus: take the 7 from EV3 (or the 201), it’s across from Chapters and East Side Mario’s http://www.wildcraft.ca/ |
3. The Village Creperie & Bistro
Who has crepes on a date? I know, I know. But honestly, who doesn’t like breakfast? The Village Creperie should not be mistaken for a one dimensional restaurant. Although it does have fantastic breakfasts and crepes, it also has great dinners and lunches. I would encourage you to check out their Facebook page for interesting events and specials. It’s got a fun atmosphere and is a great place for a date any time of day (or a dinner with the parents, breakfast with friends, etc). Address: 425 King St. North Price: dinners $14-24, breakfasts $9-14 Reservations: yes, sometimes necessary due to small size of restaurant Bus: take the 8 from the corner of Westmount and University to Belmont Website: no website (I know, I’m equally disappointed folks), but check out their Facebook page |
2. Janet Lynn’s Bistro
Numero dos is Janet Lynn’s Bistro, also known as JLB and also on Belmont with the Village Creperie. This is a great place for dinner, and it’s got the three C’s (I just made them up) – it’s cool, it’s classy, and it’s chill. My general rule when I eat out is to order something I wouldn’t usually have at home. JLB is great for this, its seafood dishes are succulent and all of its dishes are different than you would make at home. I would also recommend the duck or beef tenderloin. Address: 703 Belmont Ave West Price: $18-40 Reservations: yes Bus: take the 8 from the corner of Westmount and University to Belmont Website: http://janetlynnsbistro.com/ |
1. The Bauer Kitchen
And then there was one! The Bauer Kitchen, the jewel of my palate, and my go-to place in Waterloo. The Bauer Kitchen has great service, food, and atmosphere. It’s a little more crowded and has more energy and noise, but I like that when I’m dining. Last weekend I had the duck, but I also really like their pastas (particularly the fusilli and gnocchi) and their burgers. From most people I talk to, either food critics or just causal eaters, the Bauer Kitchen is one of the best bangs for your buck.
Address: 187 King St. South Unit 102
Price: burgers $15, steaks $17-35
Reservations: yes
Bus: two ways: take the 8 from the corner of Westmount and University and walk from Belmont, or take the iXpress to Iptown and walk
Website: http://www.thebauerkitchen.ca/
And then there was one! The Bauer Kitchen, the jewel of my palate, and my go-to place in Waterloo. The Bauer Kitchen has great service, food, and atmosphere. It’s a little more crowded and has more energy and noise, but I like that when I’m dining. Last weekend I had the duck, but I also really like their pastas (particularly the fusilli and gnocchi) and their burgers. From most people I talk to, either food critics or just causal eaters, the Bauer Kitchen is one of the best bangs for your buck.
Address: 187 King St. South Unit 102
Price: burgers $15, steaks $17-35
Reservations: yes
Bus: two ways: take the 8 from the corner of Westmount and University and walk from Belmont, or take the iXpress to Iptown and walk
Website: http://www.thebauerkitchen.ca/