The Knotty Pine Restaurant, London

I have been a customer of the Knotty Pine Restaurant since well before the original location burned at the corner of Richmond and Fanshawe Roads. This family run business has been through a variety of highs and lows, but always delivers a good meal for a fair price. The place on Wellington does not stand out or stand above, but it generally delivers fair value for the money. Dependable.

The Knotty Pine restaurant is located on Wellington Road, London, Ontario. The hotel we were staying in was close by. Feeling peckish one mid-November day around lunchtime we decided to try it out.
The seating area is quite large but a section was closed and of course I happened to stray into it which was rather naughty of me [geddit?]. OK, that’s enough of these kinds of corny jokes. The lady serving told me that the area was only used in very busy times and I was ushered into the main eating area. This was laid out in typical North American economy diner style with the utilitarian, vinyl, upholstered units that can take four adults. I expect much of the trade to the Knotty Pine came from passing truck drivers. We ordered some soup of the day, a beef barley broth, which was quite filling.
Cultural difference no. 1: In Canada, like the U.S., soup is served with crackers. In the U.K soup is invariably served with bread. I found crackers with soup a little odd but quite pleasant. I took advantage of a soup and sandwich deal which was bumper value. The sandwich was a chicken salad.
Cultural difference no. 2: Canadians by default will serve such a sandwich with some dressing – typically some vinaigrette mixture like caesar dressing. In Scotland and the U.K. the default would be a salad sandwich without dressing. I got kind of irritated with this Canadian presumptuousness on occasion. Despite that the sandwich was good.
Cultural difference no. 3: Instead of a sandwich my partner ordered a salad. In Canada and the U.S. they nibble like rabbits on a salad before having their main course. I can’t get my head round this odd habit! In Scotland and the U.K. we would have a salad with our main course hence the name – side-salad. I mean a side salad adds contrast and variety to a main dish: that is the whole point! Instead of being a herbivore and then a carnivore you must be an omnivore, all at once!!
The lady who served us was great. She worked very hard and yet again I was genuinely impressed with Canadian restaurant service. The bill was very reasonable. I put some notes on the plate and was waiting for change but it never appeared within a reasonable amount of time so I assumed it had been taken to be a tip. We were not bothered in the least having had a very good value for money lunch.