The Lobby Bar Elora — Restaurant in Centre Wellington

Food: 2 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 5 Stars Sanitary: 3 Stars Overall: 3.5 Stars

Note: Complimentary Invite

The Lobby Bar is a gem of a spot, perfect for a night out with friends, though it does come with a few shortcomings.

First impressions matter, and the Lobby Bar certainly nails it with its décor, music and ambiance. The space may be small, but it’s beautifully designed, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere. The theme is thoughtfully executed, and the vibe strikes the perfect balance between lively and laid-back. It’s clear a lot of care went into crafting a unique experience for guests. The service, too, was exceptional. Staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience.

Now, let’s talk about the drinks. The Lobby Bar’s beverage program is undeniably its strongest suit. The presentation of the drinks is nothing short of artful, and the flavours are equally impressive. As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, I was delighted by their creative non-alcoholic accommodations. The holiday-themed virgin Tom Ford Lost Cherry Drink was a standout for me—beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. The Cranberry Gin Fizz (sans gin and egg whites) was another winner, offering a perfectly sour and refreshing profile. It’s clear the bar takes pride in catering to all preferences, which I really appreciated.

Unfortunately, the food didn’t quite live up to the same standard. While there were some highlights, there were also notable misses. For appetizers, we tried the Black Tiger Shrimp Bowl and the Saikoro Wagyu Tenderloin. The shrimp bowl was a creative twist on a Hawaiian poke, and the flavouring was on point. However, the Saikoro Wagyu Tenderloin fell short. Though flavourful, it arrived lukewarm, and the beef was overcooked, lacking the melt-in-your-mouth quality one expects from wagyu. Having had wagyu tenderloin in the past, I felt this dish didn’t quite do it justice.

For mains, we both opted for the Wagyu Tenderloin Teppanyaki. While the flavour profile was pleasant and the accompanying salad fresh, the beef was again overcooked, which was disappointing. Given the premium nature of wagyu, precise cooking is crucial, and unfortunately, this was a recurring issue during our meal.

Dessert continued the theme of inconsistency. We tried the Japanese Cheesecake and the mochi ice cream. The cheesecake, while tasty, was more akin to a New York-style cheesecake than the light and fluffy texture of authentic Japanese cheesecake. As for the mochi ice cream, the texture was off and didn’t quite replicate the chewy, delicate quality of traditional mochi. While dessert wasn’t bad by any means, it didn’t leave a lasting impression either.

Overall, the Lobby Bar excels as a bar but falls short as a dining destination. The drinks and atmosphere are the stars of the show, making it a fantastic place to unwind with friends. While the food has potential, there’s room for improvement, particularly in execution and attention to detail. With a bit more refinement in the kitchen, this could easily become a 5-star experience.

For now, I’d recommend the Lobby Bar as a go-to spot for drinks and good vibes, with the understanding that the food might not fully deliver on expectations. That said, it’s still well worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for a unique and stylish setting to enjoy a night out.

xx...

My wife and I recently visited Elora for a quick day trip from Toronto to explore the winter market. After a couple of hours of wandering, we came across a chic little bar that looked promising for a drink and a bite to eat. The bar was empty when we walked in, with three staff members standing at the counter near the entrance we just walked in.

I asked if we could sit in the cozy corner spot since we were only planning to have a couple of drinks and maybe an appetizer. One of the staff members declined, saying it was reserved for a VIP guest. We accepted this explanation and, as we were being shown to another table, I asked if we could take a few quick pictures of the space before the VIP arrived. They agreed—it was a very Instagram-worthy spot.

As we settled in, we joked about who the VIP might be and started looking over the menu. A short while later, another “white” couple walked in and requested the same corner table. To our surprise, they were seated there immediately.

We noticed this immediately. I waited to see if the staff member who had turned us down would say anything. They didn’t. At that moment, it became clear: this wasn’t about a VIP guest, it was about us.

Feeling disrespected and unwelcome, we decided this wasn’t the kind of establishment we wanted to support. Before our water even arrived, we got up to leave. My wife calmly but firmly told the staff what had happened. They tried to claim it was a “misunderstanding,” but their actions spoke louder than their excuses. All three staff members were present when we requested that table, so it’s hard to see how it could have been anything but intentional.

Experiences like this are disheartening. Elora is a beautiful town, and we’ll absolutely visit again, but this incident served as a stark reminder that even in charming, small towns, bias can rear its ugly head.

If you’re planning a trip to Elora, there are plenty of fantastic businesses that will treat you with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, this particular bar isn’t...

A friend & I drove out from Waterloo to visit this place after going there this past Halloween. It was too busy that night so we decided to visit again, and man are we glad we did!

We actually chose to go back because we loved the decor so much, and the menu looked like it might be safer for myself (someone who can’t do gluten or sugary foods).

When we ordered, I was worried as usual that the kitchen would despise having a customer who’s “gluten free” (lol), and I honestly almost never go out because I don’t want to put this burden on others, but to my surprise, they had made their ENTIRE MENU gluten free, with the exception of the Udon Noodle dish! Guys…this was such a relief! It immediately put me at ease, and made me want to try everything on the menu.

Our server was super courteous, attending to us at the perfect moments, which was so appreciated.

And the food, my god, it was unreal. My friend felt the portions were a bit on the smaller side as she likes heavier meals, but I tend to eat a bit lighter and felt they were just perfect. I wasn’t hungry by the time I got home a few hours later, just perfectly satiated. I ordered the Chicken Satay, and the simplicity of the dish really let each component shine. So tender, and perfectly balanced flavours. The presentation was gorgeous. The dipping sauce that came with it was perfection, not too salty or sweet.

The drinks, although I didn’t partake, my friend absolutely loved them, and the presentation was also spectacular. The drink combinations looked divine, but I was a bit worried about sugar levels so I lived vicariously through my friend’s experience of them! 😂

Honestly guys, thanks for such a great experience. As I mentioned before, I rarely eat out as I always regret it (either a reaction to the food, the food just isn’t up to par, having to burden the kitchen staff with my sensitivities, or I end up feeling I could just make it better at home as I am a cook myself), but I will definitely be...