Bin23 - Guelph

Incredible, incredible, incredible. The calamari was outstanding, the scallops were delicious and the staff were accommodating. The scallops were a bit too salt... read more Incredible, incredible, incredible. The calamari was outstanding, the scallops were delicious and the staff were accommodating. The scallops were a bit too salty for my liking, but overall still tasty. The manager took the time to address our questions about the food, and was very knowledgeable and friendly. The restaurant was quite noisy during dinner, and the seating was cozy to say the least. Unfortunately, the loud tables nearby made it difficult for my date and I to have a conversation. This was definitely a drawback.

My wife and I had a fantastic evening at this charming restaurant in Guelph. The dinner was delicious and the dessert was amazing. I highly recommend this place... read more My wife and I had a fantastic evening at this charming restaurant in Guelph. The dinner was delicious and the dessert was amazing. I highly recommend this place.

There is a real art to an intimate dinner. It 's not just a temporal experience (planned or extemporaneous), not just a space with carefully crafted ambience, n... read more There is a real art to an intimate dinner. It 's not just a temporal experience (planned or extemporaneous), not just a space with carefully crafted ambience, not just a simple set of sensory delights, but a syzygy of all. The details must work harmoniously together, with elements that stand out without being obtrusive this is not an easy balance to achieve. Of the memorable intimate dinners I 've experienced, one of the most perfect in recent recollection took place at Bin 23. It was a lovely autumn evening, no special occasion to justify eating out other than the desire to head into the crisp, leaf rattling twilight and explore. We were welcomed warmly at the entrance, once appetite and chill drove us indoors, by Gus, the owner, and seated in a candlelit niche surrounded by dark wood and wine bottles, darkly gleaming. Gus was our server that evening, as well; pleasant and helpful in his suggestions, without being intrusive, it was obvious that this restaurant was a passion, and a shared passion for fine food makes for pleasant conversation. After a lively discussion of favorite things, Gus enthusiastically recommended a bottle of wine reminiscent of my favorite petite syrah, delightful and rich and smooth, which complemented the meal and the conversation perfectly. Having developed a sudden need for avocado (I am from California, after all), I ordered the avocado and blue crab cake appetizer crisp, sweet, creamy and lovely, with a perfect texture and no hint of oiliness (the downfall of crab cakes everywhere). For dinner, I was talked into trying the grilled Angus striploin, with their gourmet version of poutine... but first, a digression. Being from the salad bowl of California 's agricultural lands, heavy foods do not frequently appeal to me. Once I learned I would be moving to Ontario for graduate school, I excitedly began researching the region. When I came to the part about local favorite foods involving fries with... gads, cheese curds! and urp gravy, I got heartburn just thinking about it, and started making plans to have friends ship me healthy foods. Up to this point, I had avoided poutine like the plague... or at least, like a bad case of motion sickness. But Gus described his differently, and finally prevailed the gravy being an exquisite and subtle reduction, the cheese being Ermite blue, and the potatoes being light and non greasy. And he was right; it was delicious, and went well with the succulent steak. Dinner lingered pleasantly, the way time can sometimes spool itself out slowly when each moment is savored; at the end of the night, we thanked Gus not only for a perfect dinner, but for a memorable evening out. I may not get out as much as I might like, these days, but I count it as recompense that I can look forward to dining experiences like this one, when I do.

This restaurant is fantastic! The calamari was exceptional, served on a bed of white beans with a spicy kick. The addition of charred lemon was a nice touch. Th... read more This restaurant is fantastic! The calamari was exceptional, served on a bed of white beans with a spicy kick. The addition of charred lemon was a nice touch. The lamb shank I ordered was incredible, cooked perfectly with a large bone that made the presentation impressive. It was accompanied by delicious mashed potatoes, perfectly cooked beans and zucchini, as well as tasty root vegetables. The attentive and knowledgeable wait staff, along with the cozy and romantic atmosphere, made for a wonderful dining experience. I will definitely be returning to this excellent spot.

So my American friend and I decided to come here. I've never been here, even though I live here in Guelph. The interior and outdoor patio are quite well decorat... read more So my American friend and I decided to come here. I've never been here, even though I live here in Guelph. The interior and outdoor patio are quite well decorated. It's a tad on the small side, but it's cozy. Don't come here unless your willing to spend at least 100$. We both got the beef tips with tempura battered onion rings, with cooked veggies in some sort of red wine reduction. It was.. the best f meal I've ever had. There taste was seblime, and the sparkling water cleansed the palate. The grilled calamari was pretty good too. Not overcooked, but just perfectly grilled and seasoned. They had a blueberry palate cleanser in between both dishes too. Which I thought was an amazing touch. The experience is well worth it's price. I'll be back here for sure!