Eatdrink Waterloo & Wellington #2 August/September 2018

20 |August/September 2018
The Planet Diner, with candy-apple red
upholstered booths and 50s vibe, is warm
and welcoming with enthusiastic and wellinformed
staff. Owner Dee Christensen says,
“This is where herbivores can bring their
carnivore friends.” Most items on the menu
are derived from plant-based foods, with a
few meat-based options. There’s just nothing
like the Chick’un burger made in-house with
vegan buffalo butter. Try the cashew-based
banana split, bound to be a hit with die-hard
ice cream lovers. 118 Downie Street, 519-305-
5888, theplanetdiner.com
The Prune has been a Stratford favourite since
1977. Chef de cuisine Jamie Crosby is leading
the culinary team. He was formerly chef de
Cuisine at The Little Inn in Bayfield, and most
recently chef de partie at restaurateur Jenn
Agg’s Grey Gardens in Toronto. Crosby and
sous chef Mike Booth are planning on keeping
the menu fluid this season by changing it daily,
if necessary, to showcase the best of Perth
County’s bounty as it arrives at the kitchen
door. There is a prix fixe menu, offering three
courses for $79.00 or four courses for $89.00
or a six-course “Carte Blanche” for $109.00.
Wine pairing packages are available. 151 Albert
Street, 519-271-5052, theprune.com
Raja Fine Indian Cuisine
Raja Fine Indian Cuisine is the definitive
place for authentic Northern Indian food in
Stratford. Raja offers upscale Indian cuisine
in sophisticated and elegant surroundings,
and knowledgeable, well-trained staff. The
service is white linen, deferential and friendly.
Foods are prepared from scratch with fresh
ingredients. The heat quotient of dishes can
be adjusted to guest preferences. Raja offers
milder Indian fare such as Butter Chicken,
Korma, and Tikka Masala. 10 George Street
West, 519-271-3271, rajastratford.ca
The Red Rabbit. “A locally sourced
restaurant, run by workers, owned by
eatdrink.ca |@eatdrinkmag
The Red Rabbit
workers, shared by the community,” sums up
the three-year-old resto’s ethos. Jonathan
Naiman is now the head chef with Sean
Collins overseeing the kitchen as executive
chef. Chef Collins terms the cooking at Red
Rabbit as “flavour first, ingredient driven,”
and his motto is, “We cook food we like to
eat.” The team has crafted an evolving menu
of well-executed comfort foods. The fixed price
menu returns for pre-theatre dining Tuesday
to Saturday, 5-7 p.m., with the “After 7” menu
available from 7:30 p.m. onward Thursday
to Saturday evenings. The Red Rabbit is
known for Colonel Collins fried chicken and
waffles (available at lunch). Its secret recipe
of thirteen herbs and spices, maple syrup
and carrot hot sauce has made it a Stratford
culinary staple. 64 Wellington Street, 519-305-
6464, redrabbitresto.com
Revival House and The Belfry is Stratford’s
home for live music, dining and events, and
it continues to play host to many touring and
local Canadian artists throughout the summer
season. Chef Loreena Miller and culinary team
are passionate about creating and serving
foods that express the depth of Perth County’s
food culture. Recent menus have revived
French-Canadian style cuisine, with an added
modern sensibility. Upstairs, The Belfry
features a 60-seat gastro-lounge and a VIP
balcony called Confession. There is a 48-seat
garden terrace-oasis beside the Brunswick
Revival House