It’s Ice cream Season!  

Okay, let’s be serious, I don’t need to wait for summer to enjoy ice cream, but it does run through my mind more when it’s gets warm.  Think of ice cream like my version of an ice cold beer on a hot day! 

If you haven’t tried our loved local treat you’re missing some of the most fantastic and interesting ice cream that I’ve ever had!  Now I’ll be honest, their location isn’t open all the time, so it’s a little hard to get into if you’re busy, but there are lots of other locations now in Kitchener Waterloo where you can pick up and try these tasty creamy creations!  I’ve got a table below on where you can get your fix of Four All Ice Cream. 

If you want to know what makes their icecream so special, it’s how’s it made!  Locally sourced milk and cream is then combined with local and/or responsibly sourced ingredients, often in small batches.  The flavours change regularly and if you love one, make sure you keep going back to get it, get all of it!  Not only the ingredients are great, they are packaged in small should packaging, which will leave you asking yourself if you should just eat the whole thing,  of course you should!  Also when they’re small, you can buy many flavours and try them all! 

Make sure to stop into one of the below Four All pick up spots this summer, it’s a stop you won’t regret!

Stop in at Graffiti Market for this Icecream Taco! 

Where you can pick up these treats?

Business Spotlight:
Bao Sandwich Bar

If you’re looking for a tasty meal or even a snack, Bao Sandwich Bar is an incredible stop and one you will not regret! Located at 62 Balsam St, Unit #B106, Waterloo, the location is a little hard to find, look it up on the map and I can tell you it’s worth the search!  There also isn’t parking in it’s little parking lot most of the time, so street parking it is, this spot is also worth the little walk! 

A few tips about ordering, the Bao sandwich is best on the little Bao bun, steamy and soft, you will not regret this bun choice.  They offer bigger sandwichs on Baguettes, but the steamed bun really stands out for me!  Just get more of them and try some different varieties, they offer an incredible beef bao, I also really enjoy the crispy chicken and the crispy fish, I can tell you, there has never been  a person I went with who didn’t like the Bao they picked.  They have fresh and crispy ingredients inside a deliciously soft Bao bun that will keep you coming back at a price that won’t break the bank.  Don’t be fooled by the small size of the Bao however, I can only eat 2 before I’m full and I don’t even make it a combo but you can with nice crispy fries, or a duck poutine! 

This is a great place to stop with some friends who don’t mind sharing food so you can try a little of everything until you have your favourite. If you’re ordering with the office, they also offer local delivery through doordash or onelocal, so you can get your Bao fix for your whole office.  This hidden gem in Waterloo will quickly become a favourite and the reason for many cravings, I think about it often!

What to do in Kitchener/Waterloo - Local Bars

Looking for somewhere great to grab a craft beer, a unique cocktail, hear some live music, have a great late night bite to eat or play some games,  here is a short list of some of the incredible bars in Kitchener Waterloo and what makes them great!

The Bent Elbow:

Located at:  2880 King Street E, Kitchener (Near Fairway and King at the Expressway Exit)

If you love craft beer, this little local bar is what you’ve been looking for: The Bent elbow offers 40 Taps of Ontario and World Class Craft Beer. Plus over 50 Bottles of One offs, Hard to Find Selections and Trappist Ales.  They even make beer signature desserts!

Rhapsody Barrel Bar:

Located at:  179 King Street W, Kitchener, downtown Kitchener 
This venue offers something unique nightly!  They are a great little space to listen to some music or watch an up and coming comedian. Whisky or wine pairings with their unique menu full of small tapas, tacos or sliders.  This is a great place to meet friends and enjoy some music on a nightly basis.  Check their calendars often for what is happening, it’s always different!

Death Valley’s Little Brother (DVLB):

Located at:  84 King Street N, Uptown Waterloo

This little shop is full of all those things you know you shouldn’t have in excess, coffee bar during the day, buttery bread and an extensive Whisky bar in the evening.  This is a great spot to end your night with a stiff nightcap and swap some stories!

Graffiti Market: 

Located at:  137 Glasgow Street, located in the Catalyst Buidling

This is the space Kitchener Waterloo has been waiting for and it offers all that we’ve been craving!  You start your experience at an interactive table where you can place your order right from the table, play games or even watch the kitchen in live time making your delicious meal!  Looking to enjoy a beer, they brew fouor in house and you can even take some home with you.  Looking for a lighter morning, they also brew their own coffee and bake pastries and breads onsite.  This location is worth a stop for a coffee, a drink, a fantastic meal or even just to see the art and the new electronic ordering tables!

Pin up Arcade Bar

Located at:  247 King Street N (King & University)

If you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia, stop into Pin Up Arcade bar for some adult beverages and some good old fashioned fun like we had at the old school arcade when we were kids!  This is a great hangout spot to bring old friends and new and if you go during the day, you can even bring your kids and introduce them to the games you played as a kid!

White Rabbit

Located at:  47 King Street North (Uptown Waterloo)

Carefully crafted cocktails and food is what you’ll find at White Rabbit, they have an impressive bar selection and wonderful food options and specials.  Offering up specials such as all you can eat mussels, $10 lunch and Flights and bites with five different beers and five bites for just $20.  Open until 2am, this is a wonderful stop for those who enjoy a well-planned cocktail and a tasty bite!

Arabella Park Beer Bar

Located at:  740 Belmont Avenue W (Belmont Village)

I would say Arabella park in one of the reasons that Belmont village is having a resurgence of great spots to spend time and enjoy some beverages.  With 18 rotating beer taps featuring some of the Regions best local beer and ciders as well as other great microbrews, this bar is a fantastic place to enjoy and old favourite or discover a new brew.  While you’re there, make sure to get some fries, they are fantastic too!

Business Spotlight 

Business of the Week - La Cucina 

If you haven’t been to visit La Cucina in downtown Kitchener yet, you’re missing some of the best pizza in the Region!  This warm and cozy spot is one of our favourite spots for a random Tuesday date night, a great place to bring friends for a fantastic dinner out or even great for a special occasion.

 Why do I like this spot so much?  I love great Italian food and George appreciates a thin crust pizza.  While I don’t have the pizza, George craves it like nothing else in town and we have to go here often to get his fix!  Here’s what he likes about the pizza, the pizza oven is located in plain sight in the restaurant and you can watch your masterpiece being made, the ingredients are fresh and the crust is perfectly thin.  When the pizza comes to your table, it’s still bubbling hot and smells so good!  If you’re looking for a different pizza, they have so many varieties and Tuesday is Pizza night, all pizzas are only $13
 

If you prefer pasta, like I do, the pasta at La Cucina is incredible, all made in house and with homemade sauces and many ingredients imported to Italy.  We visited Italy in 2016 and La Cucina is as close as we’ve come to enjoying meals like we did in Italy.
 

To start I would suggest the Caesar salad, always fresh and crisp with nice and crunchy croutons.  If you’re looking for something to share, they have some incredible Antipasti plates with fresh meats, cheeses, and even house made porchetta!
 

The atmosphere at the restaurant is inviting, cozy and they have great tables for two that are intimate or space for family and friends to gather and enjoy a wonderful evening out.  If you love Italian food in a great atmosphere, La Cucina will not disappoint, you’ll be proud to have introduced your friends and family to this wonderful downtown Kitchener gem!