General Food and Dining News

[markster]

Since we are on the topic of Downtown Dining, I wanted to remind every one about the little jewel Northern Thai.
We grabbed some takeout on Friday night and it was fantastic. The food was delicious as usual. I don't think there is anything I don't like here, but what was stand out on the night was the service. How can I rave about take out service? Well we placed our order and then the waitress asked if we would like a glass of water while we waited. I know, a small silly thing but on a hot night it was such a nice jesture. The order was ready in 15 mins and we were on the way to enjoy dinner on my patio. If you like thai and have not been here- please go. The owners are doing things right!

A solid little joint. Also, if you get a Downtown Card, it's 10% off! Pretty sweet price/quality ratio there.

[mpd618]

Downtown Kitchener's food scene seems to be growing every day. Grainharvest Breadhouse has transformed their shop across from the market into a coffee and ice cream shop called The Yeti Cafe. Word on Twitter is that it's now open.

[markster]

Yeah, I saw some of the remodelling a few weeks ago. They told me they were going to be open all week. They didn't tell me that there was going to be a whole rebranding exercise.

[rob_929]

I just got thinking how many new restaurants/eateries have opened in the last three years. Here's my tally:

-Crabby Joes
-McCabes
-Firkin
-Honest Laywer
-@217 West
-Silver Spoon (may have existed longer than three years but added a cafe menu)
-The Guanaquita
-Holy Guacamole
-Bread Heads
-Exclamation
-The Yeti Cafe

Have I forgot any?

[panamaniac]

You forgot Marisol on Ontario St. I think at least some of the coffee shops Downtown have opened in the past three years as well. Eg Misty Mountain on Queen St. Isn't there also a Japanese or Vietnamese restaurant on King St W that opened about a year or so ago?

[mpd618]

I just got thinking how many new restaurants/eateries have opened in the last three years. Here's my tally: ... Have I forgot any?

Some of these are not full-fledged "eateries", but: Nova Era Bakery, Coffee Culture, Country Style, Cafe Pyrus, Balzac's Coffee, Mon Ami Pizza, Little Bean Coffee Bar, Rana Taste of Turkish, China Fried Rice, Sushi Stars (I think it's within 3 years), Kim Do Bakery. Of course, there's also a few places that have closed or moved, and some that have opened and​ closed in that time.

Also: Pupuseria Latinos.

[panamaniac]

rob_929's post got me thinking and I remembered that there is also a little sandwich/lunch place in a house on Weber between Frederick and Queen (can't think of the name). It is run by the woman who had the snack bar at the Kitchener Library and she moved to the new location when the Library expansion got underway. I am told it is quite good and "homestyle".

There are also any number of eateries in the Kitchener Market.

[garthdanlor]

Zeke's Outback is closed as of a few weeks ago. I was told an Indian restaurant will take its place.

Just received a flyer indicating that Zeke's location is being filled by Dake Japanese Fusion Restaurant, opening June 11. Says it will have sushi, rolls, fusion dishes, tepanyaki, and a taste and tepan show. Hope they do well. That's a large space (they indicate 400 seats including patio) in a less than visible location.

http://www.dakesushi.ca

[mpd618]

Just received a flyer indicating that Zeke's location is being filled by Dake Japanese Fusion Restaurant, opening June 11. Says it will have sushi, rolls, fusion dishes, tepanyaki, and a taste and tepan show. Hope they do well. That's a large space (they indicate 400 seats including patio) in a less than visible location.

The Breithaupt Block will be open soon. It and the Tannery will bring a lot of people in, I suspect.

[Brando_T]

the restaurant is called D'lish. Recommend the coffee and sandwiches.

She is in a house on the west side of Weber between Queen and Frederick.

[KWrealestate]

Looks like Dake and Breadheads have opened. Breadheads charges $8 for a gourmet pizza. Anyone try any of these places yet?

Pizza looks good!

http://www.breadheads.ca/www.breadheads.ca/Menu.html

[BuildingScout]

Looks like a soft opening.

[mpd618]

Looks like Dake and Breadheads have opened. Breadheads charges $8 for a gourmet pizza. Anyone try any of these places yet?

Breadheads is good. It's also reasonably quick, since a wood-fired oven is hotter than a regular pizza one. In the morning, before they get the oven up to pizza temperatures, they bake bread and muffins in it.

[.FLH.]

I just got back from Mcabe's in downtown Kitchener. I took my father out for a Father's Day beer and burger. Service was alright, they got our order wrong, but overall were willing to fix it and it was enjoyable.

My concern is that at dinner time the place was empty. We were there between 5-6 and the dinning room was just about empty, with one group in the back. I certainly hope that this isn't the trend there.

[mpd618]

My concern is that at dinner time the place was empty. We were there between 5-6 and the dinning room was just about empty, with one group in the back. I certainly hope that this isn't the trend there.

Sunday is probably the least busy time there - I have no concerns that McCabe's is at risk. The place has tons of people most times I go there. It's got both a lunch crowd and a dinner crowd.

[.FLH.]

Sunday is probably the least busy time there - I have no concerns that McCabe's is at risk. The place has tons of people most times I go there. It's got both a lunch crowd and a dinner crowd.

I went on Monday.

[mpd618]

I went on Monday.

Monday is also pretty light. Go later (or earlier) during the day if you want the crowd on other days. Also sit on the side closer to King Street.

[KWrealestate]

I have walked by Breadheads a few times and not too much activity compared to line ups at Holy Guacamole (which is in new larger space next door). Wonder if the $8 for a 9 inch pizza too much for this area or just that word hasn't gotten out? I would have thought maybe slices would have been good thing to sell as well.

Breadheads is good. It's also reasonably quick, since a wood-fired oven is hotter than a regular pizza one. In the morning, before they get the oven up to pizza temperatures, they bake bread and muffins in it.

[bcwessel]

Spent the day wandering around (and loving) Downtown for the first time in a long while, and wound up at 271 West (on King). Not only was the food really good, but I spoke with the owner Ze who informed me that they source as much of their ingredients locally as they can. Local, organic, grass-fed beef, local veggies, fresh bread baked in-house daily, and Flying Monkey's IPA on tap. They will also be removing the two parking spaces out front to make room for an extended sidewalk patio in the near future, so said Ze's son who's name I now can't recall.

[The Comeback Kid]

Spent the day wandering around (and loving) Downtown for the first time in a long while, and wound up at 271 West (on King). Not only was the food really good, but I spoke with the owner Ze who informed me that they source as much of their ingredients locally as they can. Local, organic, grass-fed beef, local veggies, fresh bread baked in-house daily, and Flying Monkey's IPA on tap. They will also be removing the two parking spaces out front to make room for an extended sidewalk patio in the near future, so said Ze's son who's name I now can't recall.

That's good to know. I've been walking past for months now - waiting for my chance to try it. Great to hear about the beer, too. I am _so_ happy that craft beer is becoming widely available (and delicious) here in Ontario - it's waaay overdue.

I'm hitting up 271 West for lunch!