The Berlin restaurant to close; new tavern opening
KITCHENER — The Berlin restaurant, which opened more than two years ago with much fanfare with renowned chef Jonathan Gushue at the helm, is closing.
A new eatery — The Rich Uncle Tavern — is replacing the former fine dining restaurant in downtown Kitchener.
The Berlin, located at 41 King St. W., closes May 14. The new restaurant will open May 29 after renovations are completed.
The local owners remain the same — Ignite Restaurant Group.
“There’s a storied history ingrained in Kitchener, and we really just wanted to make a place that honours the establishments that once lined our downtown streets ...” Ryan Lloyd-Craig, co-owner of Ignite, said in a news release.
Lloyd-Craig said the bar on the main floor will double in size. The upstairs will feature a bar and lounge, called The Study, that will open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Ignite also owns Red Circle Brewing Co., Graffiti Market and Red Circle Coffee Co., all of which will be located in the Catalyst137 technology hub on Glasgow Street in Kitchener. The restaurant, brewery and coffee roaster are set to open mid-June, LloydCraig said.
Ignite is also planning another restaurant outside of Waterloo, he said. Final plans will be released soon.
On King Street, the “gastropub” will feature craft beers, signature cocktails and “shareable” treats such as charcuterie and seafood boards.
Gushue, whose abilities as a chef have drawn international praise, left the restaurant about five months ago to take a job at the luxury Fogo Island Inn, a remote getaway in Newfoundland with room-and-food rates starting at $1,675 per night.
Gushue is the former executive chef of Langdon Hall in Cambridge and helped the restaurant earn a coveted Five Diamond Award as one of the top-ranked restaurants in the world.
Lloyd-Craig said that after Gushue left the owners tried to change the “perception” of The Berlin as fine dining by increasing portion sizes and reducing prices.
“But people saw it as a place to go for their birthday or anniversary,” he said.
Taking over as chef after Gushue left was well-known chef Benjamin Lillico, who also previously worked at Langdon Hall.
Lillico has won medals in international culinary competitions and other honours such as a recent top 30 under 30 hotel award. He has been a chef in restaurants owned by the Kitchener-based Charcoal Group, operator of eateries including Charcoal Steakhouse, The Bauer Kitchen, Beertown, Wildcraft and Moose Winooski’s.
Lloyd-Craig said he hopes The Rich Uncle Tavern will attract an after-work crowd and late-night groups.
“We want to be fun and approachable,” he said. “More playful and less refined.”
Lloyd-Craig said the menu will include steak frites, a burger, a lamb burger, sandwiches for lunches and family roast dinner on Sundays.
Andrew Coppolino, local food writer and broadcaster, said a gastropub, which features elevated pub fare, offers a wider sampling of foods.
Coppolino said downtown Kitchener needs restaurants that are open for lunch, where people can be in and out in a reasonable hour.
“You need it to be fast, easy and reasonably inexpensive and food you can share with friends,” he said.
Coppolino said The Berlin was more fine dining and with entrees at $35 to $45, there weren’t enough customers.
“People are reluctant to shed that kind of money,” he said.