Incognito

93 John St. South, Hamilton, Ontario
Tel  905-296-5832

Type of cuisine:  Bistro
Date of Visit:  August, 2009

Overall Quality Ranking:  Good to Excellent 

Cost:  Inexpensive to Moderate 
Gluten-Free Menu Options:  Good 
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking:  Comfortable

Description:  We have returned to Incognito several times.  They make consistently good food and almost rank as excellent.   They have fallen short by a tendency to pile up food (rendering flavours less distinct) and sometimes a tendency to slightly heavy sauces, which we feel unnecessarily covers the taste of the underlying food.  Portions are generous, and typically larger than necessary.  However, Incognito is trying to provide value in the tough Hamilton market, and they achieve this in spades. 

For the gluten-free eater, they offer a good selection of foods.  They generally avoid flour in their sauces, although always ask about the soups.  Like most places, they will occasionally slip up.  Expect an occasional breadstick lying over your salad. 

They have a good selection of appetizers.  On this visit, I had a delicious little quail.  Their brie-stuffed portabello mushrooms are also respectable.  One of our party had the spinach salad, which was a little over-dressed for the occasion. 

All persons in the party had duck in a berry reduction with a side of well-herbed potatoes and fresh vegetables, all of which were very good.  The reduction could have been a touch lighter, but I would not hesitate to order this again. 

Happily, the gluten-free flourless chocolate cake was on the menu.  Why this ever goes off the menu is beyond me, because it is rich and fabulous.  Bravo!

As usual, service was good.  The staff care.  As for the ambience, it is pleasant and comfortable.  They have achieved a nice result on what was likely a careful budget.  The white linen is a nice touch.  Incognito also does events (and regularly hosts various functions for the nearby hospital), which could come in handy for the gluten-free event planner.