Speekezzies Cafe & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Brantford

My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of dining at one of Brantford’s hidden gems: Speekezzies. Nestled in an unassuming plaza on Fairview Drive, it’s easy to miss the faded sign above the entrance. Fortunately, I knew what awaited us beyond the aged façade, and it did not disappoint.

Inside, the restaurant is bathed in twinkling lights, creating a warm, relaxed, and inviting atmosphere. The staff are gracious and attentive without being intrusive, making us feel right at home. We were served by a lovely young lady named Brook, whose charm and professionalism made the evening truly special. At one point, the owner, Anthony, stopped by our table, passionately describing the evening’s specials with a flair that was a delight in itself. His enthusiasm for his craft is evident and reflected in the quality of the food.

We started our meal with Bruschetta, a perfect companion to the Valpolicella wine we selected. For the main course, I chose the bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin from the regular menu, while my wife, swayed by Anthony’s vivid description, opted for the lamb chop special. As we waited for our meals, I couldn’t help but appreciate the restaurant’s upscale ambiance—elegant yet refreshingly unpretentious. The professionalism of the staff was evident, and it was heartwarming to see fellow diners enjoying their evening, smiles on their faces as they were attentively looked after.

When our meals arrived, I was greeted by two beautifully cooked tenderloins, served alongside horseradish-infused mashed potatoes and perfectly roasted vegetables. The meat was succulent, seasoned to perfection, and cooked just right. My wife, meanwhile, was completely captivated by her lamb chops, also served with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. I knew she was in food heaven because all conversation ceased as she savored every bite.

To cap off our wonderful evening, we shared a decadent chocolate crème brûlée, resisting the urge to lick the dish clean.

We are truly fortunate to have a local treasure like Speekezzies right here in Brantford. It’s not just a place to eat—it’s an experience that leaves you looking forward to your next visit....

Todays meal brought to you by Speekezzies Winebar. Below is my breakdown

Ambiance: This place was a charming little spot. When you walk in, you are greated by the beautiful smells of good quality food. The lights are low creating a romantic and cozy atmosphere. There are little strings of lights throughout that give it a soft glow. The place itself is beautiful, old school, Mediterranean feel.

Staff: The staff are like a well oiled machine. Instead of the waiters/waitresses having their own sections, you had a primary worker but everyone else checked on you throughout the meal to make sure you were taken care of. Even the chef regularly came out of the back to greet the customers.

Food: We sampled from all courses today and Oh My Lanta are we happy that we did. For the appetizer we shared some bruschetta. The bread was a perfect crispness. The tomato mixture was fresh. The parmesan cheese was fresh and high quality. The only thing that was missing was a bit of sweetness. I would love for there to have been a balsamic glaze. Otherwise it was a fresh and delicious start to the meal. For the main, we got Chicken parm. The chicken was cooked perfectly. It was crisp, beautiful and covered with cheese. I loved the addition of pesto to the top which gave great flavor. The pasta was fresh and the rose sauce was good. I just wish there was more of it because I do love me some sauce. For dessert, the bf convinced me to get Cheesecake. Oh my lanta am I glad that he did. It was light and creamy. The chocolate sauce and whipped cream went perfectly. It was a great finish to the meal.

Overall, this is a great little spot to eat and I cannot believe I missed it all this time. Highly...

I’m sure it’s a great place. Wouldn’t know. Been once it was busy. Informed it was a 2 hour wait so we left. Called another day to see if we could get in. It was 6:20 pm on a Thursday. No room until after 7:30. Guess we won’t be trying it out. ** Update - We were able to try this restaurant out after calling to make a reservation. Upon arrival we were greeted by one of the owners (older lady) and our table was not ready. When we did get a table it took about 10 minutes to get a menu and we had to ask for a wine list. Wine selection was quite limited but we found one. Ordered a Caesar salad for $10.00. Thought it was going to be a killer Caesar for that price. In my opinion it was not worth that at all. My husband and I ordered the chicken Parmesan and roasted chicken with pasta. We almost finished our bottle of wine before our meal came. Patrons that arrived after us, were getting their dinners before us. (I feel bad for the group that was to our right when we walked in. They did not have their dinners by the time we left) The pasta was piping hot and pretty good but both chicken portions were very dry. In the end our server said they were having a very off night and tried to make it right. We were not charged for our meals and given a $10.00 voucher to come back and give it a try again. We appreciate the effort but we won't be coming back. Prices are VERY high for this very outdated restaurant. PS - We arrived at 6:30 and left at 8:15. Be prepared to stay awhile if you try...