Rude Native

370 Brant Street
Burlington, Ontario
905-632-6682

Type of cuisine: bistro
Date of Review: December, 2009

Overall Quality Ranking: Okay
Cost: Expensive
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Reasonable 
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Anxious to Cautiously Comfortable

Description:  It was a weeknight when we ventured out to the Native.  Although weekends typically lend a restaurant more energy, you are more likely to have the ear of the waiter on a weeknight if you are navigating a food issue.  So it was in a rather quiet restaurant that we pored over the menu.

The options appear to be reasonable, and the waiter was patient if not aware of the gluten-free issue.  The prices are not particularly cheap, which might not be an issue if the quality of the food was better.  To start, we shared a cold tomato salad with beets and goat cheese.  Likely as a result of low customer volumes, the tomatoes were really quite cold, and the taste of the dressing left the salad ranking as only fair.  As a principal plate, I had halibut with an orange glaze.  Unfortunately, it came off as too simplistically orange, and by texture I suspect it contained corn starch.  It was fine, but nothing to seek out.  Conversely, my fellow diner had the Moroccan curry with couscous, which was reported as good, and might make a soothing spot of pub food.  We both had a glass of wine, but at $11 and $14 for a glass, the Native is charging seriously chic bar rates.  Given the first and second courses, we did not pursue dessert.

Service was fine, if not warm.  The waiter did take the time to question the chef about a gluten issue.  The physical state of the restaurant is unremarkable, and does not warrant the cost of its wine.

The Rude Native may have a few good dishes tucked into its menu, but this first taste left me with relatively little enthusiasm to return and find them.