Yukiko's Cafe Bistro

We stopped by Yukiko's to check out the atmosphere and menu, and decided to sample a dessert cake and a cappuccino. The cake was above average, the cappuccino was not...very thin and had the flavour of instant crystals.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere, and our server was top notch. The menu had a lot of interesting items, and we're looking forward to heading back for a full meal. Just no coffee =)

Food was very basic and quite expensive. No extra garnishes, small portions. Both sandwiches contained a very basic filling, with no additional lettuce, tomato... sandwich filler.

We eat at Yukikos quite often because it has lovely fresh food, interesting specials, and amazing desserts. We usually go for lunch and love the bright sunny front room on cold days or the patio on warm ones. They feature local artists (some good, some not so good) and it's always interesting to critique the art while waiting for our food.

Their dinner menu isn't quite as good, in my opinion, but I would still give them an 8 for food at dinner.

On the day in question, I had the warm chickpea salad, which you can order as a main course or as a $2 upgrade for the salad included with entrees. It's a healthy combination of chickpeas, spinach, and sundried tomatoes. The Mediterraneo sandwich is probably their best item - great fresh herbed bread with grilled vegetables. I suppose a purist would say the filling is too similar to the chickpea salad to complement each other, but I like it! My lunch guest had a pasta dish and thought it was delicious.

I've always enjoyed this restaurant. The food is great and appropriately priced, the service is friendly without being overly familiar; granted we were the first guests to arrive for dinner this night and the only two in the restaurant for most of the meal...I could have made a meal of the mushroom bread pudding, it was delicious and complimented the pork perfectly. The pork itself was tender and juicy and was covered with a venison demiglaze reduction...yum. And of course there was a lovely helping of mixed veggies. The house red is a robust Australian wine with good body. I'll be back...regularly.

I simply LOVE Yukiko's and was very pleased to find such a place so near to my home! I must admit that the date I entered for my visit is quite approximate--I've been there for both lunch and dinner. I just felt compelled to leave a review here after reading a couple of the misleading ones left by others.

If you're in a mad rush, do not go to Yukiko's--it's not that kind of place (though my lunch was reasonably prompt). The atmosphere is quaint and cozy and I've always found the service to be very considerate and genuinely friendly. I seriously think the girl who left the earlier review concerning a lack of olive oil and info on trans-fat has a chip on her shoulder--disregard her review...really.

We have been offered free items before, newly added to the menu, and absolutely every single thing my wife and I have ever eaten there was great. I highly recommend the Smoked Trout Springrolls and the Thai Chicken Wrap in particular. In fact, I'm heading there today with friends for my birthday!

The best dining experience I’ve had from the ambiance to the balance of flavors and textures, the wine really complemented the food, the dessert and cappuccino really wrapped up the meal nicely. Knowing that all the desserts are made in house really makes the dessert special.

I had a very strange experience at this place: it was a lovely day, beautiful afternoon, and my friend and I, walking nowhere, decided to stop and give a try to this "Try our latte's" restaurant...we ordered some appetizers, some nice bread in particular (I love bread). Then I asked if some I could have some olive oil to dip in the bread (in some places, usually the genuine italian or spanish, the olive oil and the balsamic vinegar are on the table)...the answer was No, they don't serve it. Basta! Oh well, we said, this is Waterloo, ON, so we continued our meal and enjoy the day. I guess we ordered a main as well, can't remember (but we did ordered deserts).

Now, check this out: the people from the table next to us probably heard us asking for olive oil. They arrived later, and so their appetizers came when we were thinking about deserts. And then they asked for olive oil...guess what? they got it! :) of course we asked their server how come it was not possible for us to get some. The guy went to the kitchen and after another 5 minutes brought us some, but we already finished (the main course). Like we could have drank the olive oil...idiotic, eh :)...

Not only that I can't understand why we couldn't get some olive oil with our appetizers, but the server was completely careless (to not use another word) to bring us some when we were done with the meal.

Waiting times: looooong; the deserts: ooooooold (the server kept saying how they don't use trans fats...I wonder if he knows what trans fats are; trans fats are present in most of the cheese cream brands on the market. If the server said the truth, I would be very interested to know from where the restaurant kitchen buys its cream cheese...).

My conclusion: this is "a want to be" restaurant that doesn't manage to surpass a petty condition...too bad thay have such a nice location.

What an incredible find! Yukiko's has it all-great atmosphere, amazing staff & phenomenal food! The appetizers were to die for-perfectly cooked & flavoured (try the scallops!)& the entrees were incredible. Great wine selection too! I will be coming back & telling all my friends.

Came in for a quick lunch. Food was nice, but not overly impressive. Both of us had coffees which server never offered to refill. service was very insincere and felt akward. Asked us if we would like desert, we said we would like to see a menu, and then she left the table and didnt come back until we flagged her down 15 minutes later. Not sure what the protocol is there, but this seemed very odd, especially as only one other table was in the restaurant. Would return to see if service has improved.

Best Restaurant I've been to...period! Chris always remembers the little details...and the desserts are to die for!! Love the coconut cake and carrot cake!