As featured in the February 2, 2012 edition of Dining Out, Waterloo Region Record. (photo credit: The Record)
In 1996, when three owners decided to open a restaurant on King Street in Kitchener, it only made sense to call it King Street Trio. Of course, they didn’t anticipate a move to University Avenue in Waterloo four years later, or the subsequent awkward patch to its name: King Street Trio on University. But as of April 2011, the rebranded King Street Trio Uptown is back on King, hipper than ever, and amassing the best of old and new.
Just step inside the revitalized 1903 building and you’ll see what I mean: a jaw-dropping wood ceiling emulating the railway tracks outside, a wall of original tin tiles, bar and tables made of reclaimed wood from Listowel-area farmers, and a gorgeous slate kitchen counter — a pool table in a former life — harmonize with modern décor to create a fresh urban vibe.
The menu is also reminiscent of some old faves with a new earth-and-ocean twist. House specialties include certified Angus beef, handmade pasta and a variety of fresh seafood dishes, clearly influenced by sister company, King Crab Oyster Bar and Grill in Kitchener.
Relaxed upon entering this unique and bustling space, date night commenced with a glass of sauvignon blanc, fresh Italian bread and a shallow dunking dish of olive oil, balsamic and sundried-tomato chutney. It was Friday night, the kids were at grandma’s, Ella Fitzgerald played in the background and everything was right with the world.
Moving onto appetizers, we were tempted by the calamari flowers but opted for the panko-crusted crab cakes ($12), which combined blue crab with red pepper, roasted garlic, fresh chilies and cilantro, crowned with ancho-pepper aioli and fresh tomato. Now I’m pretty particular (read: snobby) when it comes to crab cakes, having tasted amazingly fresh varieties as I overlooked the Atlantic Ocean along Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail. These were better. Hard to believe, I know, but go taste for yourself.
We also tried the walnut-crusted Camembert ($11), which was predictably good and served with grilled flatbread, apple preserves and delicious shaved fennel.
For mains, my husband had the earth and ocean dish ($39): Certified Angus beef tenderloin grilled to his preferred medium rare. It was served with jumbo prawns, which were wrapped in bacon and stuffed with blue crab. While my husband belongs to that minuscule population of men who aren’t big on bacon, this was, hands down, the showstopper for him. I rightly concur. And they were massive!
I had the almond-crusted pickerel ($24), served on a bed of white-wine and asiago-infused risotto (amazing) with sautéed market vegetables and finished in a fiery raspberry coulis. Writing about it five days later has me salivating.
For dessert — because you have to have dessert, especially when they’re made in-house — my husband had a rich chocolate flourless torte ($8), served with Chantilly cream (that’s French for vanilla-flavoured whipped cream) and macerated (that’s fancy for drunk) strawberries.
I had the best vanilla crème brulé ($8) I’ve ever had: vanilla-bean-infused custard with the perfect candied crust, served with berry compote, Chantilly cream and a tulle cookie. Extraordinary.
Brian Plouffe, now sole owner of King Street Trio Uptown, has jazzed up King Street yet again, enhancing uptown Waterloo’s happening new vibe and confirming there’s truth to the saying, “third time’s a charm.”
Hours
Lunch: Monday to Friday starting at 11:30 a.m.
Dinner: Monday and Tuesday, 5 — 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday, 5 — 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 5 — 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, 5 — 9 p.m.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Accessible.
Cuisine
Specializes in certified Angus beef, handmade pasta and fruits de mer. An in-house smoker generates flavour intensity for varied dishes. All desserts are prepared in-house. An open-concept kitchen allows you to witness the culinary mastery yourself. Restaurant accommodates food preferences and allergies.
Reservations
Recommended.
Atmosphere
Fine-dining meets green. Owner Brian Plouffe collaborated with Graham Whiting of Whiting Design, who specializes in sustainable design and green building architecture. Also on the project was building landlord and Uptown Waterloo developer, Jeff Zavitz, who also developed Princess Twin Cinemas, the Waterloo Entertainment Centre, and the Regina Street Commons.
Drinks
Selection of red, white and sparkling wines from Ontario, California, Argentina, Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Available by the glass ($6 — $11), half-litre ($17 — $32) or bottle ($25 — $225). Icewine ($12-$50), grappa ($5), brandy, cognacs and ports ($5-$15). Seventeen ‘twisted’ martinis ($8-$12), 14 creative cocktails, including a daily special ($7), house and premium pours ($5 — $14), lagers, ales and coolers ($4-$8), specialty coffees ($7) and designer water ($3-$8).
Service
Servers and staff performed a graceful ballet around us — pulling out chairs, filling water glasses, gliding platters beneath our eyes, all while mindful of not interrupting conversation.
The bill
Expensive, but worth the splurge. $140.12 (including tax, before tip) for two glasses of wine, two appetizers, two mains and two desserts.
No comments:
Post a Comment