LAOHAUS 118 DOWNIE ST., STRATFORD 519-273-8080 WWW.LAOHAUS.COM

Hours Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wheelchair accessibility Yes Atmosphere Largely lacking though the friendly owners work to make their customers feel at home; two long church pews incongruously provide seating along one wall and a large TV featured seemingly-random landscape shots of a U.S. National Forest in Arizona Cuisine Prepared by two Canadian-born brothers of Laotian descent, the food on the short, authentically-Laotian menu can be described as a healthy culinary cousin to Thai, but is ultimately lighter and distinct; burgers, noodle soups and regular fried chicken are also available Drinks A few beers are featured, including Black Swan from their neighbours just down the street; one red and one white wine, from Niagara’s Malivoire winery are also available by the glass or bottle; a good selection of soft drinks can be found in the cooler including some fairly exotic ones from Southeast Asia Service Friendly, but somewhat haphazard; after enquiring, I learned Laotian dishes are commonly eaten at room temperature, and the kitchen prefers not to send them right out once they are off the stove — this perhaps explains some of the delay in our getting our food that I could see sitting on a kitchen counter The bill $60.71 (including tax but not tip) for four dishes and two soft drinks; note there is metered parking in front of the restaurant until 6 p.m., and free thereafter In a nutshell Worth checking out, this is a restaurant that would kill in Hamilton, and whose food would stand out among the culinary offerings of student-land in Waterloo; the modestly priced fare would travel well and make for great takeout for a picnic by the river before a show