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Full Version: Rich Uncle Tavern (formerly The Berlin)
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We boomers are paying the price for all those years of listening to loud rock music.  It's unfortunate (but was, imho, totally worth it!).  Smile
(01-04-2016, 03:04 PM)nms Wrote: [ -> ]Forget trying to hear the server, if I can't hear my other dinner guests without shouting at them, it's a poor dining experience.  When I go to dinner with 6-8 friends, I'd like to be able to speak to all of them if I needed to without having to switch chairs.

Some lower-noise restaurants that I enjoy, in no particular order:
Bhima's Warung
Ellison's Bistro
271 West
The Metro
The Red House

Ennio's is also not that noise, but it's not one of my favourites! Smile
I was there a few days ago and it's just as good as everyone says it is.
So, I finally got around to dining at the Berlin and was left in a bit of doubt.  The food was undoubtedly high quality, well prepared, and well presented.  That said, it seemed to lack the "wow" factor that I was expecting.  I am not a "foodie", but I am wondering whether I am just not used to Chef Gushue's approach to food?  The flavours of both my starter and my main were, to my palate, subtle.

The space is nice, but I have seen the comments elsewhere about an homage to Berlin (ON) and rustic, Germanic(ish) dining, but apart from the fabulous reclaimed wood, I really didn't see it or feel it.

On the minus side, the service seemed a bit confused at times, although the presentation was well-timed.  The serving of sparkling wine in a (to me) retro coupe rather than a flute left me feeling I was out of touch with some new wine drinking trend.  Perhaps it was meant to be amusing?  There was also a typo on the menu - it happens, but really, attention to detail!

I would not hesitate to return but I said to one of my friends that I could see someone coming up from Toronto based on Chef Gushue's reputation and leaving feeling a bit disappointed.

The place was reasonably busy, with a nicely mixed crowd, so I'm sure they are doing well.  Am I wrong not to have been bowled over?
(04-28-2016, 09:27 PM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]There was also a typo on the menu - it happens, but really, attention to detail!

Keep in mind - they have a different menu basically for every meal. So I think it's a bit different than a typo on a fixed menu.
(04-28-2016, 09:27 PM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]The place was reasonably busy, with a nicely mixed crowd, so I'm sure they are doing well.  Am I wrong not to have been bowled over?

I was there for lunch maybe a month ago.  It was quite nice, but in the end ... it was still just a nice lunch.  Certainly a nice place to take friends or visitors, but I didn't really get the "wow", either.
Here's something I didn't expect - they're the new shirt sponsor for K-W United FC:

[Image: CiSucQeUoAIWhIV.jpg]

https://twitter.com/KWUnitedFC/status/73...7827557376
(04-28-2016, 09:27 PM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]I would not hesitate to return but I said to one of my friends that I could see someone coming up from Toronto based on Chef Gushue's reputation and leaving feeling a bit disappointed.

Not someone from Toronto!
(05-13-2016, 10:16 AM)darts Wrote: [ -> ]
(04-28-2016, 09:27 PM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]I would not hesitate to return but I said to one of my friends that I could see someone coming up from Toronto based on Chef Gushue's reputation and leaving feeling a bit disappointed.

Not someone from Toronto!

Nope.  K-W born and bred.
(05-13-2016, 10:18 AM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]
(05-13-2016, 10:16 AM)darts Wrote: [ -> ]Not someone from Toronto!

Nope.  K-W born and bred.

I meant, the sentiment in the post about someone from Toronto trying having food that isn't fancy enough for their palette.
(05-13-2016, 10:50 AM)darts Wrote: [ -> ]
(05-13-2016, 10:18 AM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ]Nope.  K-W born and bred.

I meant, the sentiment in the post about someone from Toronto trying having food that isn't fancy enough for their palette.


I omitted the context of the conversation - we were discussing the fact that Berlin has been featured in a number of Toronto-based publications, notably the Mop & Pail.  It is cast as a foodie destination.  Based on my experience of the meal I had, and I've only been once, so far, I felt that said Torontonian, having been induced to come down to check it out, might feel let down.  That is particularly true given the range of wonderful choices he or she has locally. 
Not to seem overly critical of Berlin - I would not hesitate to put it in the Region's top five restaurants and I wouldn't object if someone suggested it was #1, as the level of "food craft" is very high.  I just found that it didn't live up to my expectations - maybe I put too much stock in the early hype, or maybe I've an unsophisticated palate.  It just didn't excite me.
I would echo Panamanic's comment. It is a great dining experience and the changing menu is definitely a major positive, but our experience, while good, was certainly not overwhelming. Given the choice in Toronto, the 2 hour plus return driving time would not be worth it, in my opinion.
(05-13-2016, 12:00 PM)schooner77 Wrote: [ -> ]I would echo Panamanic's comment.  It is a great dining experience and the changing menu is definitely a major positive, but our experience, while good, was certainly not overwhelming. Given the choice in Toronto, the 2 hour plus return driving time would not be worth it, in my opinion.

Damn, I usually don't even go 30 minutes out of my way to go somewhere to eat let alone 2 hours
I've been 4 times now, and each visit has been whelming at least. By far the best in this area.
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