Loading...
Village Squire, 1978-05, Page 45SQUIRE'S TABLE Stone Crock provides warm welcome but food disappointing Among the most popular dining spots in the Kitchener -Waterloo area have been the two Stone Crock restaurants in Elmira and St. Jacobs. We recently dropped in at the Stone Crock location in St. Jacobs to sample the fare that had come highly recommended by many readers. That the Stone Crock is popular was easily discernable by the long lineups waiting to get into the diningrooms as the evening wore on, even though it was a bitterly cold March evening. To take the chill off the afternoon visitors were welcomed with a glass of hot cider just inside the foyer. There was a choice to be made between the family -style diningroom on one side and the fixed menu on the other. After some consideration we chose the fixed -menu diningroom. The meal began with a trip to the salad bar which was situated so as to be available to diners in either' of the diningrooms. It was an impressive array of salads and could easily have made an attractive meal by itself. The lady ordered the farmers sausage while the writer chose the barbecued spare ribs. The lady found the sausage very good but the portion was just too large for her. The writer found the ribs disappointing. They weren't bad, just didn't tank among the best we've encountered along the way in other restaurants with the meat itself a little tasteless. A big disappointment however was the mint potatoes that came wi•h 'each meal. They sounded interesting but turned out to be simply boiled potatoes sprinkled with a little mint. The other letdown was that old bugaboo of wooden frozen vegetables very tasteless. Dessert provided some interesting possibilities. The lady decided to experi- ment with Shoo -fly pie, the Pennsylvania Dutch treat while the writer chose the old faithful apple pie. The lady had never tasted shoo -fly pie before and was surprised a bit by its taste. It proved to have a little too much molasses for her taste but of course she couldn't compare it to any similar meal as far as quality. The apple pie placed in the average category. The decor at the Stone Crock is simple but pleasant. The service is friendly and fast, with the hostesses dressed in long pioneer -style dresses. Perhaps we carried too high expectations to The Stone Crock when we entered as it had been so highly recommended. We found it a good restaurant but on this night at least was not among our top 10 favourites. 'Still, it's worth your while dropping in if you're in the area. From the high recommendations we've received on it, perhaps it was just an off night. Cost of the meal for two was S13.00 including tip. If you like seafood and a different kind of decor, there's a new experience waiting for you though you'll have to wait for a while. A Kincardine couple, Hank and Thelma Buitendyk recently purchase the Avalon Voyager 11 a 136 foot long ship which will be coming to Kincardine in June. The couple want to convert the ship into a floating diningroom and antique shop but it won't be available for another year. The ship will feature a diningroom with a "down east" flavour and the antiques will have a nautical theme too. The 359 ton ship was one of 10 ships built in Newfoundland to serve the DEW line in the northwest territories. It was launched in 1950 and designed to carry 500 tons of cargo in two holds. Later it became an island trader travelling as far south as the West Indies. The ship will be outfitted with living quarters as well as the diningroom and antique shop and will be anchored at the Kincardine marina. DINING INFORMATION The listings provided are a service to our readers. They are not paid advertisements. LONDON FRIAR'S CELLAR, 267 Bathurst St., London. This gourmet establishment features Black Forest Platter, Chateau-Briand, Whole Dover Sole with gracious service and pleasant music. Dinner for two ranges from $13.90 to $25 plus tax. Hours: Monday to Saturday 12 to 12; Sunday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations advisable at 438-2129. Licenced. Accept: Chargex, American Express, Master Charge, Carte Blanche, Diners Club. THE BARN STEAK HOUSE AND TAVERN, 1310 Huron St., London. This popular dining and night spot features smorgasbord dining and live entertainment in the English Room. Luncheon Smorgasbord: $3.50 per person; Dinner Smorgasbord: $6.50 per person. Hours: Dining room, noon to 2 and 4 to 9 Tuesdays to Fridays; 4 to 9 Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday. English Room: noon to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays. Reservations accepted at 455-0810. Licenced. Accept American Express, Diners Club, Chargex, Master Charge. AQUARIUS RESTAURANT, This spot at 1070 Wellington Rd. in London features a fully -licensed dining room, coffee shop and banquet room, and the specialty is seafood. Open daily 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. Reservations accepted at 681-4430. American Express, Chargex, Master Charge accepted. GOLDEN PHEASANT MOTEL AND RESTAUR- ANT. Located in London on Highway 22, one mile west of Highway 4. The Golden Pheasant specializes in home -style cooking. Open daily 7 a.m. to 9p.m. Sundays and holidays 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations not usually necessary. Master Charge and Chargex accepted. THE BARN STEAKHOUSE AND TAVERN. This popular dining and night spot is located at 1310 Huron St., London and features steak, smorgasbord and nightly entertainment. Open 4-10 p.m. daily. Reservations accepted at 455-0810. American Express, Diners' Club, Chargex, Master Charge accepted. Licensed. CHELSEA HEARTH DINING LOUNGE [THE RAMADA INN). Located at 817 Exeter Rd., London this gourmet restaurant is open for lunch Monday to Friday 12:00 noon to 2:30 0.m. and for dinner daily 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. For Friday and Saturday reservations, phone 681-4900. American Express, Master Charge, Chargex, Diners' Club, Carte Blanche accepted. Licenced. BAYFIELD THE ALBION HOTEL, Main St., Bayfield. The old Albion Hotel takes you back to another age, not the artificial aging some dining places offer with stucco walls and stained wood, but the real thing. The 120 -year-old hotel offers a quiet, homey dining room and is open for breakfast from 9 to 12; lunch 12 to 2; dinner 5 to 7:30. They specialize in spareribs, steaks, fish and roast beef. Reservations are accepted at 565-2641. Dinner for two ranges from $8 to $12. Licensed. Accept Chargex, Master Charge. THE LITTLE INN, Bayfield's Little Inn offers full course meals. It is open daily from May 13 to the Canadian Thanksgiving for lunch from 12 to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Reservations are accepted at 565-2611. They have a liquor license and accept Chargex and Master Charge credit cards. THE BAVARIAN TAVERN. This fairly new establishment on the southern edge of Bayfield specializes in German food. It's open from 12 noon until 10 p.m. It's fully licensed and accepts reservations at 565-2843. Credit cards, American Express and Master Charge. VILLAGE SQUIRE/MAY 1978. PG. 43.