West End Station Bistro
3659 Richmond Rd.
(613) 721-9639
Rating: **** 1/2
Signature Dish: $30 table d’hôte every Friday night
West End Station Bistro is an old friend to me. I have been going there since the early ’90s when it was still at the end of the strip mall that used to house IKEA. Its walls have heard many of my intimate conversations between bites of tasty morsels. Celebrations of births and babies. Discussions about love and marriage. Whispers about health and life.
To start, the tomato soup, included as part of the $30 Friday night table d’hôte, was velvety and rich with just the right amount of tanginess. The New York steak was grilled to perfection, lightly brushed with Roquefort and sage butter, and sitting on a pool of rich Bordelaise sauce. The chicken was accompanied by wild mushrooms and was lightly flavoured with herbs, taken from their garden just outside the back door. Topping the chicken was a black truffle sauce enhanced by a hint of cognac. Everything was well-seasoned, with the perfect amount of salt.
Dessert included the option of a Lindt chocolate torte, a vanilla Bourbon crème brûlée or a homemade sorbet. The chocolate torte was slightly bitter and could have used some sweet cream on the side, but the crème brûlée was completely creamy underneath the shard of sugar.
For me, more than just fond food memories linger at the West End Station Bistro. It’s that perfect combination of fine food shared with friends over intimate stories.
Dining out
Cupcakes The Flour Shoppe is a dedicated cupcake bakery. They offer a selection of uniquely flavoured cupcakes and sweet accessories. Flavours include spicy chipotle chocolate and chocolate peanut butter. 617 Bank St., (613) 695-3752
Saunders Farm Besides all the mazes and hayrides, Saunders Farm now has a bakery and Farmers’ Table walk-up restaurant featuring local foods and the best fresh cut fries in the region. 7893 Bleeks Rd, (613) 838-5440.
In brief
ENJOY a Taste of Wellington at this outdoor food festival that features many restaurants and food outlets in this area Saturday. Wellington Street W. from Island Park Drive to Somerset Street W. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. $15/person. www.wellingtonwest.ca
