The 3 Ds of Lunchtime Cuisine…on Garry Street!

Share

By Lola Ilelaboye

"D". D is for downtown, delicious, delightful, watering holes...okay, so watering holes is two words and begins with a 'W' but you get the picture. Oh wait, do you get the picture? How about I just paint it for those of you still wondering what I'm talking about!

Picture this: A Friday afternoon. It's cold outside; the snow is blowing around your downtown office window like jack frost is having himself a grand soiree. It's almost lunchtime and you're hungry. You didn't bring (read: purposely didn't make) your lunch. You now have options...

Option A: Secretly hope your coworker will offer you a portion of the scrumptious deli style gourmet sandwich they learned how to make "from scratch" at their upscale cooking class (not a chance) Option B: Tough it out until day's end. I mean, you have a lot to do anyway, I'm sure you can "busy" away your growling tummy...*grooooowl*. (Ugh, maybe not). Option C: Head to one of two eateries that encompass the "3 Ds" of lunchtime cuisine: Eat Bistro and Kraut King both conveniently located on Garry Street downtown.

Options C it is. Why the 3 Ds you ask? Simply, Delightful Dining Downtown.

Kraut King: Upon walking into the Bavarian diner you immediately sense the unique warmth of the space. Tucked away under the urban setting of a parkade entrance, colourful blue, white and yellow painted brick-lay adorns the outside – you enter. A staff member greets you and encourages you to have a seat in one of only about 15 swiveling chairs gracing a counter that acts as both the serving station and your lunch table. A space so quaint, you hang your coat on the wall anchoring the narrow pathway behind your stool. Don't be misled by this seemingly David-esque diner in an area full of Goliaths, Kraut King packs a delicious punch! Serving up giant portions of Bavarian wares – bratwursts, and sauerkraut, and schnitezels OH MY – for gaspingly inexpensive prices, you'll walk away with a full belly, a less than dented wallet, and a smile. As the owner thanks you for coming in today and asks you to come again really soon you'll think to yourself, "take that jack frost".

Eat Bistro: Has there ever been a better lunchtime pairing than that of books and food? I think not! Quarky and unapologetic Aqua Books' café, Eat Bistro, is a feast for your mind and belly! As soon as you walk in, pre-owned but no less fabulous books garnish unique shelves creating an almost "Saturday afternoon at the lake" like feel. You're instantly transported into what seems like a cozy summer getaway during cabin season. Enter "grandma's cottage kitchen". The dining area, with its mismatched furniture and table dressings, floral accoutrements and wall papering, pays homage to the timelessness and retro feel of a plot passed down from generation to generation. And the food, ooooh the food! An assortment; from dips to dessert, you'll walk away feeling as sunny as California on even the bitterest of cold winter days! Everything is made with care, much from scratch, ranging from veggie, vegan, celiac and gluten-free options to delectable chicken dippers (in-house crafted chicken fingers to die for) for the meat lovers at heart. Oh and did I mention the dipping sauces?! Choose from about 20 flavor-bursting sauces for your dippers or home made pommes frites or tempura onion rings or to eat by the mini-bowl full... oops, that last one was an inner thought! And the desserts – cupcakes flavors like "root beer float" in mini sizes or the full monty! Footloose and Nut-Free, Eat Bistro serves up delicious fare that'll rejuvenate your senses and get you ready to face those last few hours of work.

So, after my slightly lengthy campaign for lunch, what comments am I able to leave with you regarding these two downtown gems?

Simply, the 3 Ds of lunchtime cuisine, Delightful Dining Downtown...but as our good friend LeVar Burton has taught us, you don't have to take my word for it.