COTTAGE BISTRO, MAIN STREET

Chicken, Bacon and Feta on Organic Greens with Raspberry vinaigrette.

The greens were fresh and lightly dressed.  The chicken tender and the flavour combination worked. 

This is our second visit to Cottage Bistro, located on Main Street.  The first time we came, it was to listen to Bebe perform on the restaurant's stage.  The bistro is dark inside and when you walk in you will imediately see in the corner near the front door there is a permanent musical setup with microphone, keyboard, drums etc. for live music.  In general, live jazz for local musicians and talent is showcased.

On our first visit, Bebe played a piece on the keyboard that she had been learning at her music studio.  It was a jazzy piece and appropriate for the venue and we were happy she was exposed to this kind of scene.  While there, patrons order appies and drinks generally while they listen to the live music; or they stick around and eat a full meal.  The menu highlights plenty of tapas-type dishes and also serves regular-sized entrees too. While listening to her play, we ordered garlic bread and fries with drinks.  We didn't intend to stay too long.

On this second visit, we decided to come at lunch time on the weekend.  We arrived at 11a.m. and it was quiet except for a lone man reading and eating at a table near the window.  The friendly waitress was helpful and attentive.  Stomach noticed the chef in the kitchen...wearing not sweats and a t-shirt but professional white chef's jacket.  He waved as Stomach looked towards the kitchen.  There was a big screen t.v. mounted in the corner near the bar that featured the Food TV channel.

Glass mosaics of jazz instruments and other art from local artists decorated the walls.

I was pleasantly surprised about the attention to the food at a place that features live music.  The menu is HERE.  There were some things that were really interesting (prime rib, seafood,pasta and particularly appies)  that I would have liked to try for dinner, but that will be for another day.

Blueberry Pancakes and sausages.

The kids loved the pancakes. They were tender and yummy.  I snagged all the sausage! hehe!

Eggs, ham and homestyle hashbrowns with toast.

The toast we subbed in with garlic toast.  The chef obliged and actually used freshly chopped garlic! The potatoes were not greasy at all and tasted good. 

Stomach was happy when the bill came.  It was reasonable and we had had good portions.  We will have to come back again for dinner!  What a cool place!

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HENRY’S BISTRO, A.K.A. HENRY’S KITCHEN

Crab Cake appetizer.  5/6
I always like crab cakes.  This one is pretty good with all the value-added greens and drizzles.  I would have like to see more chunks of crab though there appeared to be more thoroughly mixed throughout.  It was good.

Here’s the crab cake exposed. yum!

Linguine with tomato sauce.  5.5/6
Bebe has eaten pasta with red sauce at high end restaurants.  At West and at DB Bistro Moderne, the chefs specially prepared her the kid-friendly dish that often doesn’t appear on any of these high-end menus.  At Henry’s Bistro, the linguine was prepared with attention to fresh flavours and the sauce was intensely tomato.  She liked it.

Cheesey Garlic Bread.  Really made from a base of really soft  foccaccia, this is the kids’ favourite version of garlic cheese bread.    6/6

Escolar with ratatouille topping on a bed of wheatberry pilaf.  6/6
The fish was cooked perfectly and the flavours were great.  I didn’t expect the healthy wheatbery pilaf and was surprised at how good it was.  I truly do love it when a chef takes the time to turn their veggies properly.  Great technique!

There are daily specials on the chalkboard and though I don’t see the bouillabaise anymore (and thus didn’t order it), I was surprised to see it delivered to another table just as we were about to leave.  I imagine if you’re  a regular and/or request it ahead of time, you could get it. 

Beef short ribs with whole wheat pasta.  6/6
Stomach had this tender beef rib dish and was pleasantly surprised by the healthy whole wheat pasta.  Is Henry trying to watch our carb intake?  Good on him!
I didn’t get to taste it but he assures me it was good.

Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce.  You can’t see the blueberry sauce because we requested it on the side because we weren’t sure if the gals would like the liqueur in it.  There was coconut in the cheesecake and it was very good.    New York Style.  Rating:  5/6

There is ample parking at King Edward Mall. 

It is considerably quieter in the restaurant than a few years ago when we last visited.  Business has been slower and the menu reflects that.  The menu has been pared down…rightfully so, I suppose in these economic times.  However, I do miss some of the very French things that were on it before like the rillettes and the bouillabaise. 

You can still see all the certificates and pictures of the classically trained chef decorating the walls, and there seems to be a  pretty good selection of wine.    There are daily specials, usually highlighting local ingredients or seafood on the chalkboard. 

Service is good and attentive…mind you it was quiet when we were there.  Good value for the money for this type of fare.  I personally don't like to order pasta for myself here, though it’s perfect for the kids.  I prefer the seafood dishes especially and meat dishes too.  I hope Henry’s survives these harsh economic times.  This place used to be rocking busy a few years ago.

The menu is HERE.

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