This is a small space, tucked into the Dollarton Village mall. From the outside it's simple and nearly missable (when we were just about to enter, another couple with a reservation had to ask us if it was the right place) bit once inside the modern decor makes the otherside slightly stark setup more cozy than you might expect.
The menu is as small as the restaurant, but varied enough to provide for all diets - the option of vegan cashew mozzarella for the pizzas caught my attention (I'm not a vegan but the idea of cashew mozzarella was intriguing), but my wife and I opted to have the Cajun Chicken Bun and the Beef Bun as our mains, which we agreed to split, in that it was suggested by our server (who was otherwise almost flawlessly helpful) and my wife decided it was a great idea.
Happily this means I have four dishes to lure you with. We started with the cauliflower wings, literally cauliflower florets lightly battered and fried and then, in this case, drizzled elegantly with buffalo sauce. As artful and well presented as they were, the addition of two generous dips (buffalo and cilantro) was welcome - though the first taste is with the eye, the rest is with the mouth and the mouth likes the buffalo.
As surprisingly simple as they are, the Cauliflower Wings are highly recommended as a lightweight but quite flavorful start to the evening. The buns that followed were both perfectly fine, but neither was a game changer. Each had enough flavor and enough variation in texture to keep your senses occupied, and while the Cajun Chicken had a subtle but welcome kick, the bacon jam (chopped bacon with finely chopped onion, sauteed and reduced into a pleasant condiment) was interesting, but ultimately bacon is bacon and people who like bacon want bacon.
Dessert, the whole.point of dinner, lets be honest, was a choice of two cheesecakes - one a Black Forest, which had my vote to start with as it was the first offered, the other a Chocolate Mocha which, naturally, became the favorite after the first syllable, because I am nothing if not a chocoholic.
Presented in a mason jar with two spoons (again, I blame our server for these romantic, yet slightly annoying, suggestions), it was a surprise to find a lightweight but very flavorful filling topped with equally light and very pleasant whipped cream, both sat on a satisfyingly thick crust that had a great coffee flavor to compliment the sweet chocolatey edge of the filling. Had I had the chance I would have easily and eagerly eaten the whole thing as, like the preceding dishes, it was marvellously light.
Total cost was just over $50 ($17 for each main, one coffee $3.50, about 16oz, very nice and fresh, the starter and the dessert) with no alcohol cos we're both a little ill and figured we'd get drunk on a glass of wine each at home instead.
TL;DR The food is filling, fun, wonderfully presented, and yet light enough that you don't feel like you need a break before doing anything else (like standing up and walking, for example). Prices are mid range, food is mid-upper, so the value is very good. Eat here and leave very happy and pleasantly full!
Footnote: while we didn't make a reservation, arriving at 8pm on a Saturday, the place was otherwise full save for six seats (four at the window bar, two at a table), so maybe make a reservation, since the window bar would be quite chilly in fall/winter and you'd be staring the parking lot, rather than the mesmerizing visage of the company you...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining at Scratch Kitchen, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. From the moment my wife and I walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a cozy ambiance. The star of our dining experience, however, was undoubtedly our fantastic waitress, Jacoba. Her attentive and friendly service truly enhanced our evening.
One of the highlights of our visit to Scratch Kitchen was undoubtedly the pizza. The moment our pizzas arrived at our table, we knew we were in for a treat. The flavors were out of this world, and the attention to detail was evident in every bite. The crust was perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining delightfully chewy on the inside. Each slice was generously topped with high-quality ingredients, creating a medley of flavors that danced on our taste buds.
What impressed us even more was the restaurant's commitment to catering to different dietary preferences. My wife, being a vegan, was thrilled to find a variety of options tailored to her needs. Her vegan pizza was a masterpiece in itself, with a delectable combination of plant-based cheeses, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful tomato sauce. It's not easy to find vegan pizzas that taste this good, and Scratch Kitchen exceeded our expectations.
Beyond the exceptional food, the atmosphere at Scratch Kitchen was warm and inviting. The rustic decor and cozy seating added to the overall charm of the restaurant. The staff members were attentive and friendly, and it was evident that they took pride in providing a memorable dining experience for their guests.
Overall, I highly recommend Scratch Kitchen to anyone seeking a remarkable dining experience. Whether you're a pizza lover or have specific dietary preferences, this restaurant caters to a variety of tastes and will leave you craving more. Make sure to request Jacoba as your waitress for exceptional service. With its phenomenal pizzas, commitment to dietary options, and inviting atmosphere, Scratch Kitchen truly stands out as a...
Read moreLovely space, tasty food, and friendly staff. On a weekday afternoon, there were a few tables, but definitely not super busy. They have quite a lot of seating from along the window, to the bar, and high tops too. I liked the light fixtures and plants along the wall.
We decided on getting the fried chicken, a mushroom, and a brussel sprout pizza. The fried chicken was plated nicely and smelled amazing. The chicken was crisp and still very tender on the inside. I just wish it was a tad crisper on the outside. I loved the pairing with grainy mustard, honey, and pickles. It was a well balanced dish and definitely something I would order again. The pizzas arrived and they're quite large. The crust looked and tasted good. It had doughiness and a crispness. I liked the brussel sprout pizza. It was a mix of sweet and savoury. The onion jam added a nice sweetness along with the honey. The added walnuts gave a nice crunch. I hadn't had a pizza like this before and was glad I tried it. Also, you can ask for chili oil. I thought it would come in a bottle that I could just drizzle on. However, it came in a little container with actual pieces of chilis in the oil. I really liked this and it added a nice kick to my pizza.
Overall, I was satisfied with my meal. Service was fantastic and makes me want...
Read more