LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2024

SLUG CHEF’S DAY OFF

Playing Favourites Cambridge Mill’s executive chef shares his top picks for exceptional eating and drinking destinations around Kitchener-Waterloo and beyond.

BY JESSICA HURAS

Since 2018, chef Austin Ratcliffe has been devoted to spotlighting seasonal ingredients at Cambridge Mill, a restaurant housed within a charming 19th-century limestone mill. Here, guests are treated to Ratcliffe’s locally driven cooking and stunning views of the Grand River. The restaurant recently launched a Chef’s Tasting experience, giving the kitchen a more intimate format for experimenting. If you’re travelling to the area this fall to check out Oktoberfest or enjoy apple-picking, make sure to explore Ratcliffe’s picks for what to eat and drink nearby.

1 Poppy’s Bagels Waterloo

4 Bardo Guelph

This family business in Uptown Waterloo makes fresh, hand made bagels every single day, and they’re incredible. Grab a bagel and a coffee to-go, then walk around town. I like their Kyrie sandwich, which is named after their son. It’s got turkey, bacon and avocado. atpoppys.ca 2 Lovage Stratford Lovage stands out for using super simple ingredients and letting the food speak for itself. It has an open kitchen, and the service is attentive but not stuffy. It’s very unassuming, but the quality of the ingredients shines through. Stratford has a great

I’m a big fan of Bardo in Guelph, whether it’s dine-in or takeout. They make everything in-house and it’s a great meal to share with family and friends on a day off. I switch up what I order a lot, but their Bee Sting Pizza with spicy salami and hot honey is always a popular one. bardorestaurants.ca

food scene in general. lovagestratford.com 3 Elora Mill Elora

5 The Local Taproom Cambridge The Taproom is a hidden gem on the second floor of 13 Food & Beverage. The vibes are cozy with limestone walls and tables built into window nooks that overlook the Main Street. They often have live music and local artists running workshops. Try their classic Paper Plane. local13.ca/local-taproom

Their whole team is so passion ate and I love how focused on Ontario products they are. The chef goes to the local market every week to see what’s in sea son. Their baker makes amazing sourdough. The dining room is on the edge of a cliff looking down at the Gorge. eloramill.ca

Outside the Region Bar Isabel is a go-to for me whenever I’m in Toronto. It has a great wine list and cocktails, a moody ambience that I love, and probably the best octopus I’ve ever had.

PORTRAIT: STACEY BRANDFORD; PROP STYLING: CATHERINE DOHERTY

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