By Jeff Nuu (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: September 24, 2014
3033 Immel Street, Abbotsford
3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Entrées under $25
Rendezvous isn’t one of those places that catch your eye as you drive past; situated in a little nook of Abbotsford, it can be hard to find, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Everything in the first few seconds upon entering will convince you you’ve just stepped into Italy or Greece: the smell of pasta from the kitchens, the radio playing instrumental music, and the European-themed architecture. The place is also larger than it looks from the outside; there are two full rooms for seating and a bar surrounded by tables between them.
There aren’t any sports games blaring on televisions, so if that’s your priority, you’re out of luck. But because of that, Rendezvous might be one of the few restaurants where I can actually have a decent conversation. It’s not like the Keg or Moxie’s where you have to say “what?” three times to actually hear what your friends are saying and then just say “cool,” even though you still don’t know what they said.
If you don’t come in for the atmosphere, the food will surely satisfy your palate. The menu is pretty basic — everything you’d expect from a Greek-Italian restaurant. Unfortunately for vegetarians, there isn’t a lot on the menu for you. If you feel like something other than wine, beer, or special coffee, they lack a mixed drink menu, but if you know what you want they can make it. I ordered a strawberry daiquiri, because there’s not a day that I wouldn’t rather be sitting on a beach in the Caribbean, and they made it with real strawberries!
My date and I had the saganki for an appetizer, otherwise known (by me) as flaming cheese, which comes with a shot of whisky lit on fire — though the whisky doesn’t always light, so it sometimes leaves the waitress fumbling. The service is quite good. The waitress almost got me to consider dessert, but after stuffing myself with their delicious lasagna, I would’ve exploded if I’d eaten another bite.
For those of you looking for good date places, Rendezvous is a perfect fit, but the quiet environment will force you to actually talk to each other. So think ahead and bring someone who won’t order the $37 full rack of ribs without sharing and expecting to make out after — or do, if that’s what you’re into.
