Good things come in threes. Stratford is a foodie-town, and there are several great restaurants where you can enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast, scrumptious lunch, or jewel of a dinner, and experience the taste and charm of Southwestern Ontario. Here are three of our recommendations for where to DINE in Stratford now.
The Restaurant at The Bruce
Chef Jacob Leblanc has taken the helm of the kitchen at The Bruce Hotel and made it both expansive and inclusive. The relaxed, spacious dining room of white clothed tables makes us forget where in the world we are. Service is impeccable. Sharing bites like Shrimp Rolls of BC side striped shrimp with crab butter on soft rolls, or crunchy Pomme Frites with chicken salt and truffle aioli are scrumptious openers. Leek and Celery Velouté is a lush scoop of cool Maldon salted-cream, birch syrup and truffle powder, with and an aromatic, table-side pour over. Digby Scallops, pan-seared to golden caramelization, are set on a salad of baby shrimp luxuriating in a confluence of XO Vermouth, smoked mussel emulsion and herbaceous oil. The Bison Burger, lightly charred for a delicate crunch, is elevated with sticky-sweet caramelized onion marmalade, creamy smoked gouda, and a citric pep of lemon aioli for a tantalizing, lean and meaty burger that is out of this world. Read DINE’s full review of The Restaurant at The Bruce here…
Bluebird
The dynamic restaurant team of Chef Aaron Linley and Bronwyn Linley have earned their loyal following and have made Bluebird the feel-good talk-of-the-town with a congenial vibe, and a globally inspired menu that showcases the best of local Ontario ingredients. Delectables like Shrimp and Jicama Tacos, and addictive, pop-in-your-mouth, crunchy bites of Crispy Potato Mille Feuille, along with lip-smacking Korean Chili-Glazed Pork, succulent Grilled Ontario Lamb, a colossal Grilled Veal Chop and delicate Ontario Perch that is perfectly crisped and tender, are all culinary works of art, whisked out of the kitchen to tables of “oohs and ahhs.” Read DINE’s full review of Bluebird here…
Bijou
The innovative kitchen at Bijou is fresh, eclectic and fun. Imaginative dishes punctuate the menu, like Confit Pork Belly with blueberry Texas barbecue glaze; Lamb Almondine with almond pudding and strawberry jus, and a house-made Chanterelles Fettuccine with champagne cream sauce, local chanterelles and Pecorino. Chef Stewart Taylor’s Summer Squash Bruschetta of in-house baked Zucchini Bread is a crunchy crust enveloping a soft but dense centre, generously heaped with zucchini, patty pan squash and cherry tomato, lacquered with an arugula pistou, and held together with an airy, whipped ricotta. I could eat this for any meal, every day, feel completely nourished and be happy. Read DINE’s full review of Bijou here…
