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A jewel
August 06, 2014We went two nights in a row to Bijou, which has a chalkboard menu of beautifully prepared and presented dishes. "Sharkuterie" and a goat cheese/tiny eggplant/mushroom salad were among the appetizers. Superb venison and trout among the entrees. A decent but not terrific wine list featuring Niagara region wines.
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Still a top choice
August 05, 2014We've eaten here on several occasions and our visit in early July was just as pleasant as the other times. I cannot imagine that the other 17 restaurants currently above Bijou in Trip Advisor are superior to this. Their food is creative and delicious, and the selection of wines by the glass is also well done. I was pleasantly surprised... more
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Always a gem
August 04, 2014The new chef is imaginative, the portions generous, the food beautifully presented and the staff always interesting and attentive.
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Amazing food , awful service
August 03, 2014Have eaten here for years and been pleased and excited by the food. July 30 however was a major disappointment . No one came to the table for 20 minutes and only to give water. Several staff members were hovering at the bar and one was slowly making drinks. There was a general feeling of bemused incompetence. To cut a... more
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Still great
August 02, 2014
Nice to know that Bijou is still great (and clearly - judging by the crowd there last Thursday night - still appreciated). I had feared that, with the owners/chefs now (apparently) splitting their time with The Bruce Hotel, standards at Bijou might have slipped slightly.
But not at all.
I had the sweet corn soup with "Nik" sheep's milk cheese...
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Great choice for a special dinner
July 29, 2014The blackboard menu emphasizes fresh and local and is highly unusual for the accompaniments to the dinner, Friendly with great service.
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Disappointing, expensive, and pretentious
July 28, 2014
We ate at Bijou for dinner late in July. We went there because my partner had been there quite a few years ago and had enjoyed the restaurant. It was much smaller then.
The food we had was poorly conceived and generally badly prepared. I had a dreadful green salad and after that an OK lamb dish. We both felt...
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Food was great, service was lacking
July 18, 2014
The food was terrific. Well prepared. My appetizer was an octopus yakitori with tuna and it was beautiful. A lovely jicama salad underneath. the seven seas soup (spicy tomato base) was great too. Venison was perfectly prepared.
A nice tea selection too (we had to ask for that menu).
On a Friday night at 8, service was very ragged. One...
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Very good food
June 23, 2014Not sure why the mixed reviews. We agree that the staff are somewhat inexperienced but they make up for it with enthusiasm and friendliness. Everyone needs a chance to learn! I personally go to restaurants for the food - and Bijou was excellent. I would definitely put this on my Stratford "must eat there" list.
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Not sure why this restaurant is rated #15. In my book it's the best in Stratford
June 20, 2014
We had another wonderful meal at Bijou. The staff were informed attentive and charming. The chef is a genius. He brings together a symphony of flavors, that are surprising and delightful.
I am already planning my next visit
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Expensive
June 19, 2014
One expects to pay this kind of money in a big cosmopolitan city, not a small country town, even though it has theater throughout the year.
For the money charged, the portions were stingy.
The young servers were inexperienced, there was an error on the bill and we were urged to be there by 5-50 pm for the 8 pm...
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What an outstanding find
June 05, 2014I had a wonderful prix fixe meal at Bijou earlier this week. Elegant, delicate, restrained, highly imaginative - all that a fine meal should be! Not the greatest wine selection, but found a wonderful Chardonnay at a very reasonable price. And, as a plus - my server, Tamara, was as sweet, kind, and knowledgeable as one could ever hope for!... more
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Over rated
June 02, 2014Acceptable food but over priced with very poor service. Waitress managed to poor wine over the table while leaning across guests. Restaurant is tucked away at the back of a public car park. Not recommended.
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Poor on all fronts
May 19, 2014Had dinner this weekend and were expecting gourmet experience. Instead this is what we found. Greeted by very young server (aged 12-15?) wearing shorts. Menu was fixed price, only choice was 2 courses or 3 courses (we usually share an appetizer and have separate mains), and the two course dinner was $48. Asked about wine but no one on premises... more
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Innovative
May 16, 2014Each year on our annual theatre trip to Stratford we have dinner at Bijou. It never disappoints. The service is exceptional as is the menu. Each time we have food made creatively with care. The bacon wrapped scallions (appetizer) are excellent. The fish is always perfectly done with exquisite sauces. Desserts...heavenly. It is our favourite restaurant in Stratford...a town with... more
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Food inventive, tasty -- service a little slow
May 12, 2014OK, this is Stratford. For a town of its size, Stratford has amazing restaurants. However, Stratford also lives and dies on the Festival. So, in order to get a good quality dining experience, you are going to pay a little more. The better restaurants normally only run during Festival season. Bijou, price-wise, is not bad compared to some other fine... more
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Great dining experience
November 25, 2013The Bijou is a fantistic restaurant. Great wine list and service is tops. The restaurant is located in the down town area and close to many of the theaters. Menu varies and it is a true dining experience.
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High Prices Tiny Portions
October 19, 2013Bijou is a restaurant requiring reservations. There are set prices for the meals regardless of what one chooses from the menu. The food is good and well presented. There are few tables and the atmosphere is exclusive. The service is good. But the prices are high and the portions small. I asked for more bread just to have an adequate... more
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Bijou
October 13, 2013We have been coming to Stratford every year since 2006. We always make a reservation with Bijou, so it must be our favorite restaurant. Yes, it is very expensive. But it has a wonderful atmosphere, engaging service and delicious, creative food. Enjoy!
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Our Favorite in Stratford
September 27, 2013We make it a point to eat at Bijou Bistro on our annual trip to Stratford. Creative food, beautifully presented and cooked to perfection, whatever the choice might be. Their chalkboard menu features a two-course fixed-price offering ($48) or a three-course choice for a little more. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance!
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Pretentious, but Very Good
September 23, 2013In general, the high end restaurants are very pretentious and far too expensive. Bijou is no exception. Most of our meals were good, but min must have been sitting for a while before it was served, because it was cold. With only one glass of wine, the meal (with gratuity) cost nearly $100.
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Great pre-theater dinner with friends
September 02, 2013Everyone in our party loved this restaurant. There were many good choices on the menu, and they had a nice prix fix option for 2 or 3 courses. We had a vegan in our group, and the chef prepared her a special dish that was delicious. I had the veal cheeks and they were very tender and flavorful. My husband... more
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Great food and presentation
September 02, 2013We celebrated a friend's birthday totally enjoying the great food and presentation. The 6 of us all had the set priced 3 course meal consisting of an appetizer, main entree and dessert. Each of the meals did not disappoint. Personally I would prefer that the menu be typed on a sheet of paper and individually handed to each patron instead... more
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French with a twist
September 02, 2013Even in a city that offers no shortage of satisfying dining experiences, our experience at Bijou was memorable. The food might best be described as fusion, but not in a way that defies logic or credibility. The octopus starter, served on a bed of jicama, was unbelievably tender. The deliciously crispy duck confit, accompanied by cabbage, had a Korean accent.... more
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Bijou and it's flies are overrated
August 31, 2013We have eaten at Bijou three times and finally decided to call it quits. We are tired of having to get out of our seats to crane our necks to see the menu on a blackboard. The choices are limited, the service unexceptional, slow, and issues about food allergies were not taken seriously, based on a later reaction. Ultimately prices... more
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terrific find in a tourist spot
August 28, 2013We enjoyed the hand crafted and local cuisine. Great service, comfortable location . We will be back!
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Don't miss this spot if you are in Stratford, Ontario
August 27, 2013This is our favorite restaurant in Stratford.....great food, fun staff and a welcoming atmosphere. Don't miss it.
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Perfect (again
August 22, 2013Once you've had a great experience at a restaurant it's always a risk to return. Expectations are high, with the benchmark leaving little or no room for error. However, consistency is a hallmark of a truly good establishment, and Bijou is a case in point. Another Anniversary, and another perfect evening, from the friendly and efficient service to the flawless... more
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Always outstanding
August 09, 2013This is a restaurant that we keep going back to every time we visit Stratford. The chefs are very talented. The menu changes daily. Ingredients are fresh and local; the sauces and broths rich and flavourful. In the 10 or more times we've been there over the years we have always come away extolling the wonderful tastes. Service is really... more
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Interesting food
August 09, 2013Bijou always has an interesting menu. We've been there a number of times and have always been pleased.
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Great Dinner at Bijou
August 07, 2013We recently invited 8 of our friends to join us for a birthday celebration at Bijou. It couldn't have gone better! Our Stratford innkeeper assured us that Bijou is one of their first recommendations for dinner, and we weren't disappointed. Yes, it is a bit tricky to find - look for the parking lot beside the Stratford Hotel, and Bijou... more
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A lovely night
July 28, 2013My wife and I went to Bijou hoping for a delicious, uncommon meal prepared by an expert for our last night of a week-long holiday in Stratford. For this special occasion we were willing to pay more than usual for it. If you're like us, and can't usually afford fine dining, It's a good idea to come to grips with... more
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Terrific food, but weak atmosphere and service
July 27, 2013This was actually my 5th attempt to dine here - it is so well hidden that all of my previous attempts to find it had failed - look for a small umarked building off an alley hidden at the back of a parking lot. We had a group of 5 for the second seating, but being a small place they... more
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An outstanding experience
July 20, 2013Celebrating our 40th anniversary and my wife's birthday, we made reservations ahead of time. Our fellow travellers at the B & B had great things to say and they were right. The perfect atmosphere, incredible food and presentation and great wine list. This will be a mandatory stop on all our future visits. Many thanks Aaron!
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Excellent diner in Stratford
July 19, 2013
Invited by friends, I had my first deer ever - which was excellent.
Along with a great selection of international wines. A great location in the middle of a amazing town.
I'll be back when back in town.
Sorry for no comment on the price - I was invited :-)
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First Choice in Stratford
July 16, 2013An obscure location worth tracking down for Aaron's imaginative and changing menu. Choices are on a blackboard, and servers will assist with the difficult task of choosing. You can't go wrong!
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Unlikely to returen
July 13, 2013We had dinner at Bijou (group of 7) recently. Given where our table was and where the board was, we had to get up repeatedly to pick out our courses (not terribly convenient). The food was good, but not great. The service was just weird. Someone would bring around bread but only put one piece on a plate and when... more
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Not as good as last year
July 12, 2013Food is always unusual and excellent but service was disappointing this year. I had the artichoke salad and the smoked trout. My friend had the perch which was the best perch I have ever tasted.
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Truly a jewel
July 08, 2013Hidden away behind ivy this restaurant must be the best in Stratford. The menu was innovative and the service outstanding while relaxed. Check the menu as it is a prix fixe.
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Wonderful hidden jem
July 04, 2013I have now had three fabulous meals at Bijou, and it has become a staple of a weekend in Stratford. The room is somewhat casual, but the food and presentation are excellent. A good wine list with fresh, local fare. Highly recommended as part of your visit to the theatre.
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Disappointed
July 03, 2013
We entered this restaurant with the anticipation of enjoying a great meal but our hopes were dashed as we experienced an unexceptional meal on June 27th.
We arrived at the early sitting, the server was friendly but the level of experience was missing, not at the level of experience you expect compared to the cost of the meal.
We had...
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overpriced
July 02, 2013
The service was excellent. The early sitting was timely. The food was good, but sparce!
I know quails are small but I didn't expect the vegetables to be matching in size. The desserts were good but overpriced. We would have been better served to have them somewhere else, maybe after picking up something to sate our appetites. When you're charging...
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Excellent food
June 27, 2013Had a wonderful two course meal at Bijou. Restaurant is small and has only two seatings in the evening. Made it very quaint and romantic. Food was excellent and service was excellent.
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As their card says - 'A Culinary Gem
June 08, 2013Enjoyed a wonderful meal at Bijou recently. It was a special occasion for us and this restaurant was recommended by friends. The front door is difficult to find as you have to walk through an alley from Stratford's main central parking lot, then walk next to another lot until you get to their vine covered wall and a black awning... more
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will not return nd not recoment to our BnB guests
June 05, 2013They seated us in a hallway. Waitress did not know the menue. The portions were very small, extremely expensive and not special.
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For something different every visit
June 04, 2013My husband and I were taken here by our daughter and her husband before the opening night of this years's Stratford Festival production of Romeo and Juliet. It was busy with the service being a little so although in fairness all the patrons that day were also going to the theatre. I was very pleased with my artichoke appetizer and... more
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Consistently great meals at Bijou
June 01, 2013This is a wonderful little restaurant in Stratford that consistently has wonderful food. The fixed prix menu has really unique appetizers and main course meals that I have not found elsewhere in Stratford. There is a nice little private room in the back with a round table that made our night special as we celebrated a couple of birthdays. We... more
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a real jewel
May 27, 2013The Bijou in Stratford is a real hidden jewel. A little hard to find, the search is worth it. Dinner is prix fixe with a good variety of choices. The food is very well prepared and presented and the wait staff is attentive but not noticeable
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Excellent food, mediocre service
May 11, 2013I enjoyed the mussel soup and the gnocchi and my husband had the smoked fish and the lamb. The food is not the problem. The issue is the service. We waited forever for our drink and then our appetizers arrived with our drink. We had to ask for water refills. No one ever checked if we needed anything. The service... more
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Little gem of a bistro
February 01, 2013Fine, creative food. Great unrushed service and casual ambience. Nothing to dislike about this fine little restaurant.
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Business Description from the Web
English
February 05, 2015
A chalkboard outside this cozy bistro declares the menu for the day, which changes to reflect the freshest ingredients available. Chef Aaron Linley creates modern French cuisine with Asian and Italian influences. The specialty is crispy braised duck leg. Pastry Chef Bronwyn Linley’s decadent desserts complete the experience. Two course meal $42, three course meal $49. May-Nov. lunch Fri.-Sun.,... more
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