Madame Fortin - Bière & Bouffe — Restaurant in Waterloo

My mother-in-law stumbled on good reviews on FB (and having lived in Foster/Knowlton for 89 years she was surprised after eating she had never heard about it from friends given they have been open for coming up to 3 years).

I looked at the menu online and HOPED that with a varied but limited menu the food would be outstanding......it WAS.

From the phone call to reserve the night before (and discovering afterward that I was speaking with Karin Fortin the owner), she confirmed what I saw online and suggested we wait till 7:30 with a big group coming in at 7pm.

The calamari was not only tender (freshly battered onsite as Oliver our waiter made sure we knew and Karen confirmed this applied to everything), but the sauces and combination were divine and plenty of food for the birthday girl and us. The steak was very tender and the mushroom pie was creamy and not overpowering.

The ambiance was active, full........but what is such a relief is NO SCREENS on the walls, nor was virtually any of the patrons there stuck in their phones. Music was in the background, there but not overpowering.

At the end of the meal Karen Fortin came and introduced herself and we chatted. Everyone was so accommodating to us Ontarian anglophones making us feel even more welcome to return every time we come down to visit Birgit.

Please...

Great vegan options! The vegetable risotto and portobello burger are excellent, and you can add extra veggies to any dish. The fries are amazing — made with Russell red potatoes — definitely try the truffle version with their aioli dip! The dessert menu offers a great variety. The maple crème brûlée is absolutely divine, and there are some great wines to pair with your meal. Service was impeccable — they explained that the owners work directly with local producers, so ingredient freshness is guaranteed! A wonderful discovery if you’re in the area! A must...

Had dinner here after a round at Royal Bromont and it was a great choice. The food was excellent from start to finish, and the staff were warm and attentive. The place feels cozy and welcoming, not fancy or experimental, but truly delicious and satisfying.

As a Korean visitor, I felt very comfortable and well received, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Definitely a spot worth recommending if...