Lana’s Lounge a great place to unwind
The area surrounding the university campuses in Waterloo is full of restaurants geared to the student population, with an emphasis on convenience. Lana’s Lounge, located near the corner of King Street and University Avenue, takes a different approach and aims to attract an older clientele with an invitation to “tempt your senses.”
I should first thank the reader who suggested a visit to Lana’s shortly after it opened in April of this year. Situated in the former home of the Raintree restaurant, the new eatery occupies two floors joined by a central staircase leading up to the bar and dining area. The main floor is reserved for musical entertainment and also includes comfortable lounge seating.
When my friend and I first arrived we had the place to ourselves so we enjoyed looking around and chatting with the owners, a married couple named Shan Bricker and Marissa Mansz. The space is well lit, and feels bright and airy. Artwork, dark furniture and an attractive fireplace on the main floor add a touch of warmth. The bar is especially appealing, with glass shelving and unique lighting.
Mansz handles the front of house and is an engaging and welcoming host. With a refreshing attitude to service they encourage guests to take the time to savour a cocktail, or linger over after-dinner drinks. Bricker, the chef, has designed a menu intended to “carve a unique culinary niche in the region.” He offers to adapt any item to suit all food sensitivities, and all offerings can be gluten-free.
The food is a blend of familiar standards with a fresh twist on flavour, such as the Rueben sandwich topped with kimchee. To augment the starters, lighter fare and entrées, there is also an ample list of daily specials that might include a freshly invented cocktail to add to the creative and entertaining drinks menu.
My friend ordered the daily drink special, a mixture including ginger-infused vodka, mango juice and coconut water, which she found very refreshing and tasty ($8). I went with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc ($15 for nine ounces).
Sultry seared citrus scallops ($15), promising “gargantuan” scallops seared in garlic butter, with a citrus cream reduction, was my choice of starter. Although not of epic proportions, the four scallops were a good size and nicely cooked. The sauce was quite tasty, but I wish the plate had included bread to soak it up as the accompanying greens didn’t do the trick.
The jazzy pear salad (starter, $8) was also very good. It included a pleasing combination of mixed greens, pear, dried cranberry, feta cheese and toasted pecans, all tossed in a tangy lemon dressing. Although the ingredients were simple, in combination with the dressing they were elevated.
Our mains arrived a bit sooner than expected, but were delivered with a sincere apology. My butternut squash lasagna ($18) consisted of layers of very thinly sliced squash, gluten-free lasagna noodles, ricotta, cottage and Parmesan cheeses, all covered in a creamy Parmesan sauce. The flavours were good, the squash and noodles were tender, but the interior temperature of the lasagna seemed too cool.
The sandwich special of the day was a chicken club ($16) and my friend thought it was excellent. Tender chicken, salty prosciutto, and avocado were served on a ciabatta bun. The Parmesan fries on the side were a good accompaniment.
Needing little encouragement, we followed Mansz’s suggestion and each ordered a slice of pie. My lemon meringue ($5) differed from the norm as the filling was a lemon cream instead of a traditional curd. It paired well with the meringue and was quite tasty. The apple pie ($5) was a traditional version of the old standard.
Although musical entertainment is a feature of the restaurant, Bricker insists the food and service will always take top priority.
Lana’s made a good first impression. I would definitely return.