Chez Elixir — Restaurant in Kitchener

First visit ... and OMG!

Elixir was a very happy surprise.

Nice location on Belmont, and lotsa parking around this resto. We received a friendly greeted and were quickly seated. Upon mentioning that we'd prefer a table further away from the entrance, we were quickly given a table at a much better location.

Service was very friendly and accommodating. Menu and specials were explained in detail, and both drinks and food were perfectly served.

As for the food ... it was flawless. Hats down to the chef, he runs his kitchen like a well oiled machine. 👏👏👏 there were no long waits, all food came out just on time.

Our pre-dinner drinks (Cosmo and Manhattan) were about as good as we ever had in KW. So good in fact, that my wife had a second Cosmo!

We had 3 starters because we just could not decide which two to choose. The steak tartar was utterly divine, the tenderloin was finely cubed/chopped, the seasoning was spot on, and the raw yolk was the perfect glue to bind it all. 😋

The escargots with mushroom were resting a most delicious sauce, and everything was just tender enough. 😋

The shared app was the foil gras ... simply divine. Go try it, I'm not wrong!

My wife's main course was the beef bourguignon, and she swears it was one the best she ever had. I tasted it, and I must concur.

I had the lamb chop special, and again ... protein perfection. I am sometimes wary of lamb meals, as many times in the past I have been burned ... either under or overcooked, or way too gamey in flavour. But not here. Tonight's lamb was amazingly tender, with no overpowering odour or flavour. I supremely enjoyed it.

Dessert was a shared crème brûlée, which we both enjoyed ... our only regret was that we could have eaten a double sized portion!

Overall, our judgement ... one of the best restaurants in the region, easily in top 5 in our humble opinion. Do yourself a favour, and go check it out...

What an unexpected disappointment! We were on a Tour de Gastronomie in Galt: A four-course dinner, each course with cocktails at a different establishment, our way of helping the local economy. We were initially inspired by the table settings: linen on linen with three-course cutlery and a wine glass. We were impressed with having been brought to a table by a mature waiter, not a teenager. So far so good. The wine glass is a cheap dollar store goblet that could double as a doorstop. Upon learning that we were only there for dessert and specialty coffee (perhaps followed by an aperitif) it was obvious that we were not welcome. "We don't really have dessert, only Crème Brulée." We ordered two. "Cappuccino? We don't have that." A French-Italian restaurant with no espresso machine? Then our cloth napkins were removed. Only paper if we insist on staying. The crème was cold and the sugar brulée was so thick and hard the spoon provided was inadequate to manage it without attracting attention. The experience was further diminished by the background music which was the local radio station playing a mixture of old rock and advertisements. I'm sure the full dinner service experience is usually much better based on other reviews and the fact that this restaurant has been in business for quite some time, but with the options for quality dining now available in Galt we will take our...

We were greeted on a quiet Thursday night by a very welcoming waitress, and offered our pick of seating for the evening. The atmosphere is high class, warm, and comfortable with a beautiful ambiance and nice music. The space is open, giving an airy feel, and as a customer, you always feel like you know what is happening in the kitchen and at the bar.

We shared the scallop appetizer which was divine and the scallops were cooked PERFECTLY (this coming from a Maritimer).

I had the steak frites, which is a variable cut; filet mignon which was thick and cooked to order. The “frites” were delightful new fingerling potatoes that were to die for. Great vegetables side including spicy beets.

My wife had the lamb shank and mashed potatoes which were melt-in-your-mouth. One of the better braised lamb shanks I’ve enjoyed.

We finished with the tiramisu which was excellent and the crème brûlée, which was good.

The wine selection was reasonable, I had a glass of their special wine which was a good value for a high quality and enjoyable Merlot.

Overall an excellent night, at a price that is not cheap, but VERY fair and appropriate for the level of service and quality of the food and cooking. Would highly recommend for a special night out with a loved one. A+...