What was supposed to be an exciting and appetizing lunch at The Pickle Barrel restaurant at Sherway Gardens, turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for the most part. Tehya had previously dined at another Pickle Barrel location a few months back, so she was excited when we decided to have lunch after a hectic day of shopping at Sherway Gardens Mall in Etobicoke.

Since we wasn’t prepared for doing a feature on the Pickle Barrel, you’ll notice that there are no pics of our dining experience as we would normally have. However we did have the flip camera with us so there’s a brief video clip below for your enjoyment.

After a short wait to assign us a table we were comfortably seated in a booth to the rear of the restaurant. As we worked our way to our table we could not help but notice that the restaurant was not busy, so having us wait 10-15 minutes to be seated was a bit of a mystery. On checking in I asked three times if they supply crayons and coloring paper for kids as all the other similar restaurants do and was told yes. Though we didn’t have any ‘kids’ with us, I didn’t expect to be ignored after asking three times for a set. Was this a sign of their listening skills and customer service?

We ordered our customary pop, ice tea, lemonade and I had to have my decaf coffee (which was quite good) after walking though that mall like a rat following the pied piper for hours. Ladies and shopping.. what was I thinking when I decided on coming along?

I’ll briefly tell you what we each ordered, followed by our comments on the meal and finish up on some general thoughts on the overall experience and service. But first, here’s the short video clip we took at the Pickle Barrel, Sherway Gardens.

Tehya had a severe craving for eggs Benedict, so she opted for the Traditional Eggs Benedict (Poached eggs and your choice of peameal or regular bacon on an English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce. Served with sautéed mini potatoes and fresh fruit) According to her, the eggs were a bit overcooked, but was good the first 4-5 minutes (while it was still warm). Then the hollandaise sauce got thick and the texture of melted cheese which got cold. The fruit was quite attractive, but lacked any flavor or sweetness.

Dan, who’s been our partner in crime the past few months had the Famous Deli Sandwich (served with French fries and coleslaw) He decided on the roast beef brisket served on rye and for a $1 more he made it into the “Big One”! A massive sandwich indeed, which was quite tasty according him. He also got a side of of BBQ sauce for dipping, which he highly recommends. The fries wasn’t anything special and tasted as if they came out of the freezer.

Caron finally decided on getting a burger as the menu is very attractive (and beautiful as well..well laid out) sounding and making up your mind can be a challenge. P.B. Deli Burger (Premium, Certified Angus Beef seasoned and char-broiled, on a sesame seed bun with grilled onion and tomato) She got hers with the french fries and coleslaw as Dan did with his meal. Be prepared for a huge burger with a large potion of fries and it’s a good thing the coleslaw was bland, as I’m sure Caron would not have had room for it. I have a weakness for coleslaw, so when Caron couldn’t finish hers.. I went to work. Yea, I had to side with Caron and say that the coleslaw was nothing special.

I love trying new dishes, so when I came across the free-range roasted chicken with the cranberry chutney and medley of roasted root vegetables (the picture in the menu does not do this justice) I just had to give it a go. I believe this is on their seasonal menu, so don’t go causing problems if you go to The Pickle Barrel and not find it on the menu. Absolutely one of the best meals I’ve enjoyed in 2011 when it comes to dining out. I really wished they had gone crazy with portions as they did with Dan’s sandwich and Caron’s burger combo, as I didn’t want my meal to end. There is a huge difference in this type of “organic” chicken when compared to everyday chicken you get at the grocers and it shows in the texture and overall flavor of the meat. The chutney was just perfect with it’s sort of tart taste and complimented both the roasted root vegetables and chicken perfectly. Hats off to the chef for producing a chicken breast which was succulent and a dish which was a good reflection of ‘fall’ in Ontario.

Normally by now I would have already commented on the service as I done in past features we’ve done on restaurants, but this time it was a bit perplexing. Our server was there, but really wasn’t. We appreciate it when servers give us the privacy to enjoy or meal and company, but we felt that she was a bit to scarce. With a sort of blank expression on her face (not very welcoming) she went about her ‘job”. As I mentioned earlier the restaurant was not very busy, so I don’t think it was a matter of being overworked… but I guess I’m assuming here.

Overall the Pickle Barrel at the Sherway Gardens location is a lovely space, tastefully decorated and perfect lighting, but we wasn’t impressed by the overall service and though the menu sounds delicious, for the most part it was poor. On the way out I once again asked about the crayons and with a sort of “I don’t care” look, the hostess rolled her eyes.I just shook my head and went our way. We had more shopping to do.

The Pickle Barrel Sherway Gardens.
Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Etobicoke
Phone:     416.621.4465
Hours of Operation:     Sun – Thurs 9am – 10pm
Fri – Sat 9am – 11pm

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at the Pickle Barrel restaurant) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

Hamilton is alive with culinary culture and U SHAO BBQ, Hamilton’s first Korean BBQ  is just another wonderful addition to our ever-expanding culinary landscape. Last weekend my friend Marco and I were invited down to the grand opening of U SHAO BBQ at the corner of John and Main Street East for a BBQ experience unlike any I’ve had before. At first I found myself asking why would I go to a restaurant to cook food for myself, but within the first fifteen minutes I wanted to grill everything in front of me. And I think I did.. poor Marco had piles of food on his plate.

Four days later and we were back down At U SHAO BBQ for a delightful family night out. As soon as Tehya and Dan heard about my experience the Sunday before they were excited to come along and now that Caron is quickly coming out of her dining “shell”.. she was game as well. Little did she know that she had to do the cooking, something she abhors.

A modern interior with clean lines and a sort of minimalistic feel, U SHAO is very inviting and the vibe you get from the staff compliments that warm and inviting feel. If you’ve never been to a Korean BBQ as I was the first visit, you’ll find it strange to see a grilling surface centered on every table in the house. With both sides of the restaurant dedicated to individual tables (could easily work for larger parties and handicap seating) and the middle of the restaurant is filled with ‘booth’ like seating. These booths can accommodate up to four people as is a bit of tight fit once the food starts to arrive. With the grill in the middle of each table, your leg room is a bit compromised with the gas and other pipes which feed and vent the grill. If you have tall or heavey people in your group, I would suggest getting one of the outer tables.

After ordering our drinks, we settled in to complete the order form. Basically all you’re doing is saying how many orders of each item you’re interested in eating, in the little boxes next to each item on the menu. By his time our waiter had already cranked-up the fire under our grill and we could already feel the radiating heat of the flame. The grill is designed in such a way that there are vents on the side to suck all the smoke and any sort of grill scent away from the restaurant itself so you don’t leave smelling like grilled meats.

Since the list of items to order is huge, I’ll try my best to remember what we ordered. I must also mention at this time that when Marco and I first went, we ordered  2 of each meat and vegetable we wanted to try.. we struggled to finish it off. So I would suggest if you’re a party of 2, get 1 of each item you want and as you go along you can get more. Since there were 4 of us, we got 2 of the following… chicken, lamb, short ribs, beef, shrimp, fish, pork, mushrooms, pineapple, onions, green peppers and I got a single order of sticky rice. If I recall correctly there was also, calamari, tofu, lettuce, kimchi, beansprouts and few other items on the menu. The grilled pineapple was a hit with the ladies so you may find that you’ll want to order more.

When the waiter arrived he was carrying stacks of perfectly marinated meats for us to get grilling. The head chef is very proud of his marinades and rightly so. The thinly sliced pieces of meat is marinated perfectly and with the grilling over the flame, all the sugars and flavors are only heightened. Dining at a Korean BBQ is a sort of community effort, as everyone gets involved in the cooking process.

I’m sure you’ll find what works for you, but we loaded our grill with a full assortment of meats and vegetables and allowed that to cook. Since they’re sliced very thin they don’t take long to cook. Trying not to cross contaminate we used the tongs for handling the raw meats and our chop sticks for the fully cooked food (ask for forks if you struggle with chop sticks) … we then moved the fully cooked meats onto our plates. As we dined we added more raw food onto the grill so at no time were we ever out of cooked food. Be sure to ask for the hot sauce and the sort of sesame oil / soy sauce combo they created inhouse. Remember that if you run out of anything you’re free to ask fro more… it’s all you can eat. Your waiter may ask if you want your grill changed.. if you find that it’s coated with burnt meats etc have them change it.

It’s great fun grilling at your table, something I didn’t appreciate until I actually tried it and the food is simply outstanding. Hats off to the chef for some amazing marinades which are all uniquely different, but compliment each other. Don’t forget to leave room for the frozen desserts which also come as part of your dinner and be sure to try the mango ice cream.

I strongly believe that not only is U SHAO BBQ a spot to dine out when you’re ready to try something international, but it’s an experience in itself and I love the concept. The staff are very friendly and always at your call so don’t feel intimated if it’s your first time. With wide aisles, automatic doors and tables which can accommodate people in wheel chairs and other mobility devices, they’ve thought about everyone at U SHAO BBQ.

Look for a lunch menu in the coming weeks and we were told that they’re working very hard at a take out menu which will also be released in the coming weeks.

U SHAO Korean BBQ Restaurant

27 John St. South Hamilton Ontario L8N 2B8
905 521 8880 (for reservations)

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at U SHAO BBQ) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

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I’ve seen it happen countless times on episodes of Cheers and as we walked though Teddy’s Restaurant Sports Bar in Grimsby we got the feeling that everyone there knew our names and were about to shout it out. As on the popular tv series from the 90′s. Sandy (owner) had invited us down on their famous ‘wing night’ and from our brief chat on the phone, I could already tell that this was not your typical bar, but  a sort of meeting place for locals with their family. We’ve been searching high and low for the past few years for wings that stood out.. like the ones we would get back when Caron and I were dating, at Grapes And Things in downtown Hamilton. So wing night was an eager anticipation for us and we hoped that Teddy’s would deliver.

Seems during the day (Thursday) the main street in Grimsby (in front of Teddy’s) is closed off to local traffic and there’s a festive sort of open-air market where local farmers would sell their produce. Really wished we had gone down a bit earlier in the day so we could get some pics to share. With the street still blocked off, we parked about half a block away and walked over. Typically, you’re able to find parking directly in from of Teddy’s and we didn’t realize that there was also free parking at the rear of the building.

After a brief introduction by Sandy and our waiter for the night, we settled in to enjoy our drinks (the coffee is excellent) and await the massive onslaught of food we were not prepared for. Since it was wing night, we had come with a craving appetite for succulent wings, drenched in good sauce and we were not disappointed. It took about 10 minutes from the time we placed our order for the entire feast to be sitting in front of us, even though the restaurant was packed.
We started off with the deep fried pickles (Tehya’s recommendation) and the to-die-for Bruteddy bread. This is absolutely one of the best starters we’ve ever had a bar/restaurant. Garlic bread topped with sauteed onions, green peppers, tomato, bacon and a ‘secret’ sauce.. then finished with melteda cheddar and mozzarella. You could easily fill up on this tasty treat as the portions at Teddy’s restaurant comes in one size – massive and it’s alluringly tempting.

Up next were piles of onions rings, fries and the reason everyone goes to Teddy’s Restaurant in Grimsby on a Thurstan night… the chicken wings. Caron and the girls got the mild, medium and hot. But had we known how delicious the “Teddys Style” was, it would have been the only dressing we would have opted for. A perfect balance of sweetness, heat and undertones of richness made this sauce absolutely perfect for wings. At last we found wings we could recommend.

As we fought our way through the appetizing pile of food in front of us, we could only gasp when the rest of what we order arrived. Indy got the chicken fingers with.. yes more fries and I was convinced that I ‘had’ to try the TJ Deluxe burger. Two massive beef patties stacked with an assortment of cheese and all the fixings of a classic burger… even fried onions. What looked like a skyscraper of a burger was perfectly cooked and very challenging to finish due to it’s enormous size.

With piles of food still watching us menacingly from the crowded table we simply had no room for dessert, but I must admit that the brownie delight did sound tempting. We hung around to people-watch a bit and it was clear that this was indeed one of those “family friendly” restaurants we seem to be losing to those chain restaurants which are popping up at every street corner. The fellow diners, staff and general feel at Teddy’s is not one that’s pretentious or stuffy. The food is excellent and probably some of the best wings we’ve had in years. The portions are massive and probably the best bang for your buck in Southern Ontario, as far as dining out is concerned.

Special thanks to Sandy, her brother and all the wonderful staff at Teddy’s Restaurant And Sports Bar in Grimsby for not only making us feel so welcome, but for the amazing atmosphere you’ve created for people looking for good food, at prices they can afford and in such a positive vibe. You’ve perfected the art of making people comfortable.

To contact Sandy or anyone at Teddy’s…

Teddy’s Food, Fun & Spirits
30 Main Street West
Grimsby, Ontario
Canada
L3M 1R4
905-945-5013

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at Teddy’s Food, and Spirits) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

Check out the quick video clip from our evening at Teddy’s:

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Creative and Kitchen are two words which could easily be used when describing myself, but when it comes to Caron… let’s just say that’s just not the case. Caron is one of those people who need a step by step recipe, along with every ingredient mentioned in the recipe. There’s no substitution and I don’t blame this on not being creative, but rather the fear of the dish not turning out as it’s supposed too. However Caron found a “new love” according to her own words (see the video), when we visited Supper Works in Ancaster Ontario a few weeks back.

On arriving at Supper Works (Ancaster location) we were under the impression that all the ingredients for what we ordered via their website would be provided but we would have to do the necessary peeling, crushing, chopping etc, but Stacey soon explained how things worked. Here’s a basic breakdown… You either place your order via their website, call in or place your next order when you’ve completed putting together your order in-store.  Stacey is one of those manager/owners who seem to revel in dealing with people and it showed as she took the time to chat with us during the entire hour or so we were there. We spoke about sourcing the ingredients, the freshness of it all, the services Supper Works offers beyond what we were here for and why so many people are repeat customers.

At the Supper Works website you first find the location you’d like to go to (in our case Ancaster was the most convenient), you then choose from the entrees and sides they have, finally you select a scheduled time you’d like to go into the actual store/kitchen to put the meals together. Once you get to Supper works, you get a sort of spreadsheet (like an invoice) with the items you’ve pre-ordered and you’ll find the different stations already prepped and waiting for you to begin.

You start off by heading to the wash station where the taps are controlled by foot pedals, so at no time are you making contact with the taps with dirty fingers. It was also explained to us that between each food station you’re required to wash your hands as well so there’s no cross-contamination . Supper Works is all about cleanliness and hygiene and you’ll find the entire kitchen spotless and shiny from the use of stainless steel. Even as you work your way through stations, we noticed Stacey behind us cleaning up.

Each station is clearly marked with the name of the dish on your list as well as instructions on how to put them together. At Supper Works all you’re doing is putting together the meals and the actual cooking is done at home at your convenience. In our case the first dish we were about to put together was the flat iron steak (which also happened to be the first one we cooked as well). Since I was busy with the cameras, Caron took over with the assembling. In a huge freezer lock bag you place the steak as in our case, then using the  instructions you start assembling all the other ingredients. Here’s the beauty of this part.. all onions, garlic, ginger, everything you need is already prepped for you (chopped, diced and grated). All spices and other ingredients as also provided. So basically within 10-15 minutes (depending on how fast you work) you have a complete entree prepared and ready for the oven, stove top or grill. This is one of the reason’s why Caron love Supper Works so much! The convenience, ease of putting together, freshness and knowing exactly what’s going into the meals you prepare for your family.

After you’ve completed an entree it’s time to label the bag with the cooking instructions (printed labels provided), place then into your assigned bin the freezer, wash your hands and move on to the next.

I’m very comfortable in the kitchen as many of you may know who are familiar with my  Caribbean Cooking Blog and since I work from home, getting out to do the groceries and hit Costco is my time away from my “office”, but Caron works twelve hour shifts which are very demanding, so dealing with crowds and insane shoppers is not her thing. But I must confess that like her, I too love the concept of all the shopping and prep work is already done when you arrive at Supper Works.

Additionally, I found that having spices that we wouldn’t normally purchase readily available was quite convenient. I hate having to purchase a container of spice to use a teaspoon in a recipe, after which it sits in the cupboards for months. Never seeing use again. With the amount of people who order through Supper works, you know you’re also getting fresh herbs and spices along with everything else.

With our girls at an age where they should already be cooking for themselves (and us) it’s very easy for them to thaw one of the entrees and cook according to the instructions on the label. So not only do they have the ability to cook for themselves if they wanted, we as parents know EXACTLY what went into their dish/meal.

If you’re wondering what the prices are like, I’ll have to say this… just before heading over to Supper Works In Ancaster we purchased some fast food (wings and fries) for our daughters and that bill came to $30. Knowing that it’s deep fried food, with tons of fat and who knows what else, we were alarmed to know that one of these healthy meals we just put together were around the same price. A few dollars more, but think about this for a second…

- fresh ingredients
- we knew exactly what was going into each meal
- convenience (no shopping, chopping, dicing, CLEANING)
- entrees were big enough for the 5 of us and we still had a little left over the next morning
- tasty recipes
- huge list of entrees to choose from
- home cooked meals

Speaking about convenience… Stacey explained that there’s also the service they offer where for a very small fee they even assemble the meals for you. I could only think in the back of my head as she explained, that this would be great for seniors, people on the ‘go’, and for those of us who may be stuck at work all day and heading up to the cottage for the weekend and want some meals already prepared for them. Imagine getting up to the cottage for a break and you don’t have to worry about what to cook? If you’re wondering if the size portions may be a bit to big for a small family, you have the option of splitting any of the entrees into 2, if you so desire.

Supper Works is a dream come through for people who want to eat well, but just don’t have the time or patience to deal with shopping, worry what to cook and if what they cook will taste good. As I type this we’ve got the pulled chicken going in the oven (didn’t have a slow cooker) and the entire house smells delicious. Caron’s at work and I’ve been in my office all day behind this computer, so it would be nice to enjoy a lovely meal of pulled chicken sandwiches when she gets home.

BTW, if you’re planning a girls night or having an event and you’d like to have it hosted at Supper works… the sort of cafe seating area would be perfect. And you’re even encouraged to bring along the wine! I must also make mention of the level of after sale customer involvement with Supper works. I’ve received two emails to date asking us about our experience at Supper Works and as an online marketer I must confess that I was very impressed. Too often do companies treat us as a one-sale client and never bother to follow-up. Kudos to Supper works!

Supper Works Ancaster

21 Panabaker Dr
Hamilton, ON L9G 3K9

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at the Supper Works Ancaster) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

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Kudos to the people at the Food Network for raising the culinary bar on food shows in Ontario, with the Delicious Food Show this past weekend at the Better Living Centre in Toronto. Caron and I were invited to the gala opening last Thursday night and from the time we stepped onto the posh pink carpet, the inner VIP in us revealed itself… I even got a chance to whisper in the ear of Julia Childs (Miss Conception). She not only greeted attendees with her bubbly personality (could be the glasses of vino?) and huge smile, she took time for the paparazzi  in us to catch a pic or two.

We’ve been to a number of food and wine shows in the region, but this is the first time we saw the true potential of all that Ontario has to offer when it comes to the culinary industry. Unlike other shows where there always seem to be more focus on ‘wine’ than other aspects of the culinary landscape, the Delicious Food Show was a very comprehensive  presentation for food lovers. In a welcoming environment where celebrity chefs and everyday foodies enjoyed beverages, tasty treats and good conversation. I believe there were also live cooking demonstrations, but with ‘sampling’ to be done.. our focus was elsewhere.

Speaking about celebrity chefs, we got the opportunity to meet and chat with Mark McEwan (I’m a huge fan of his work), Corbin Tomaszeski (you’ll see a pic below with Carom and Corbin) and Rob Rainford. BTW though these guys are classed as celebrities, they’re very approachable and took time to chat with us briefly. Mark even jokingly tried to get me to purchase 10 of his books.

Armed with something for everyone, even those concerned about “gluten free”, “organic”, “eco friendly” and “biodegradable” the Delicious Food Show is not just for the everyday foodie like myself. From booth to booth you’re captivated by something or the other. Be it the launch of the individual pie maker, the largest selection of hand carved pepper mills we’ve ever seen or the playful antics of the two Italian guys at the espresso station (check the video), you’re sure to fill the free reusable shopping bags which were handed out on entry with some goodies.

Being the opening night we went with the expectation that there would be a huge crowd and from what we saw waiting when we arrived to pick up our media passes, we were spot-on! However even during the peak hours, it didn’t seem crowded or did we see overly long lines for sampling. The layout, wide aisles and what seemed like specific placement of booths giving out samples allowed for an even and steady flow of guest traffic. The longest line was probably the one where the guy was shucking oysters… where else in the city were you about to get freshly shucked oysters at a price everyone could afford? FREE! I could see the disappointment on the fella’s face when people would top their oyster with hot sauce, cocktail sauce or anything else. I could hear him repeating to samplers “don’t add any topping, they’re best naked”… no one paid him much attention.

By far the most floor space were dedicated to cakes (especially cup cakes which to be quite honest – it’s time for that fad to die) and chocolates. Don’t get me wrong, they were very delicious and the creativity was simply amazing, especially the the ones which were shaped like designer pumps (shoes)… but I was more impressed with the variety of exotic sauces, wines and not to be outdone… the caramel apples (first time in all my years I had this) which were amazing.

The exhibits, demonstrations, sampling and overall spirit of the Delicious Food Show was truly unmatched from our personal point of view. Hey we even got to meet celebrities!

To learn more about the Food Network’s Delicious Food Show in Toronto, check out their website and make plans (mark it on your calendar) to visit the show next year. When I’m sure they’ll come out even bigger and better than this year’s show.

For tickets see : http://deliciousfoodshow.com/tickets

Indian cuisine is one of those dining experiences which may seem a bit intimidating to many, especially with it’s reputation for being overly spicy. However, with our recent dinner date at Tandoori Flame in Brampton Ontario, we’re about to set the record straight for all of you who’ve not given the Indian dining experience a try. Caron isn’t as daring as Tehya and I when it comes to trying foods she didn’t grow up on, but she was game this night. Kieana and Indy didn’t accompany us to the Tandoori Flame, billed as the largest Indian buffet restaurants in Ontario as they had other plans.

I grew up eating a fair amount of spicy food in the Caribbean… many of which had a strong Indian influence. But the only other time I had anything close to authentic Indian cuisine was back when I went to Germany for the World Cup in 2006. With that teaser in mind I went with an eager anticipation.

After a warm welcome when we arrived, we headed over to our table where we met with our waiter for the night (a pleasant, but quiet gentleman) who offered us drinks and gave us some tips on what we must try off the menu, being it was our first time at the Tandoori Flame. The restaurant itself is very modern and does not really have the sort of motif I thought we’d see at an Indian restaurant. Brightly lit, well staffed and roomy enough for those who may require the use of a wheelchair or other assistance in moving about.

After our first trip up to the salad bar we could already tell that the restaurant was getting packed.  As we walked pass the entrance back to our assigned table, we could see a huge line of eager diners waiting to be seated (that line grew bigger as the night progressed). This was a Saturday night so we assumed it would be their busiest, so you may to keep this in mind when planning your trip to the Tandoori Flame.

Not only was the restaurant packed as I mentioned above, there was a huge cross-section of people in attendance and not only people of Indian heritage. I got into chatting a few times while in the line at the grill area and the one thing the other diners all raved about was not only the wide variety of dishes they could choose from, but the quality of food they’ve come to expect from the Tandoori Flame.

Caron and Tehya started off at the salad bar where they went into overload with all the tasty options there were attractively displayed and well stocked. Since I’m not much of a soup or salad person I immediately headed pass the pizza area and went directly to the sizzling sound of the tandoori oven. The rich aroma of the seasoned meats as they’re introduced to the heat of this unique cooking method was just captivating.

I could not wait to get back to my table to try the assortment of grilled vegetables, chicken kebabs and tandoori chicken. With the bright colors, Caron mentioned that my plate looked like “Christmas”. Little did she know I was like a kid at Christmas with this delicious assortment of food daring me to dig in.

If you recall I mentioned that Caron can be a bit conscientious when dining out, but she was quite impressed by the many options that she could identify with. As we all know part of the dining experience is the way food looks, so some of the curry sauces were not as appealing to her as it was for myself and Tehya.  Additionally, the dishes were not overpowering, but rather a nice blend of spices, mild heat and richness from the cremes and yogurt used in Indian cuisine. If you’re a really fussy eater you can certainly keep away from the curry dishes and still have what would be a full menu at other restaurants to choose from.  An unexpected surprise as I mentioned above was the pizza station with some mouth-watering options… but we we’re not here for pizza!  However,  I did see some of the kids in the dining room indulge to the extreme.

With regular visits by our waiter and his assistants who cleared the table as we made our way through the many trips to the buffet and to top up our glasses with water, we felt well looked after without being overwhelmed. Please note that there are no free refills on soft drinks.

I’m one of those people who’s always aware of my surroundings and sometimes I can be a bit nosy. I noticed the guys sitting one table away from us were eating this sort of puffed pastry-like thing, that had the shape of a ping pong ball which they were dipping into an interesting sauce. Using their spoon, they would crack it  as you would the shell of an egg, then scoop up the sauce which they seemed to be really enjoying. Not only did my curiosity got me into a conversation with them, they also explained what it was and how to eat it.  Yup…guess who was breaking, dipping and crunching minutes later?

To be honest, it wasn’t anything special and I really didn’t care for the sauce it came with.  This and the spinach dish I tried were the only two things I didn’t really like of all the dishes available. It wasn’t so much the taste of the spinach dish, but the texture which just wasn’t to my liking.

It was time for another round at the buffet, so I sampled the Chicken Biryani, Butter Chicken, Goat Curry, Daal, Palak Paneer and Matter Paneer all of which was quite satisfying.

We’re not ones to have wine or other alcoholic beverages with our meals, but I must mentioned that there’s an attractive bar as you enter the restaurant with a small lounge attached, which looks very inviting if you were waiting for friends to arrive for dinner.  With a couple huge T.V.’s,  I’m sure you could catch the game or just sit back and enjoy some drinks.  I’m not sure if you could dine in this area, but it would be appealing.  Additionally there’s bar service at your table in the main dining room.

Surrounded by satisfied faces,  it was time for us to call it a night as there wasn’t much room left though we didn’t even sample half of the offerings.  However I had to make room for the delicious mango ice cream and gulab jamun that called out to me temptingly to give them a try.  Caron and Tehya settled for some of the fresh fruit and pastries and watching them eat I could only think what a paradise this would be a for vegetarians.

This night we learned that Indian food is not only very creative and full of amazing flavours,  but the idea that everything is curried or heavy on the spices is a bit misleading. From young to old, accents which represented a sort of global village…everyone was enjoying the dining experience at Tandoori Flame.

We finished off the night by taking advantage of the complimentary Mehndi as there was no way Tehya was about to leave without having a henna design placed on her hands. Seems this was a hit with many of the ladies in attendance as well,  as there was a short line, but the efficiency of the talented lady applying the artwork meant the lines went relatively fast.

The Tandoori Flame is a wonderful place to dine and a good introduction to Indian food as you have so many options to choose from.  The only thing I wished they did was to have a sort of info ticket posted near each dish to not only tell you the ingredients and how it was prepared but how to eat it.  Maybe it’s something their waiters could do?  I mean, if one dish is usually paired with another it would be nice to know.  The few regular diners we spoke with only had good things to say about the food and service…we even spoke with people, who like me, were born in the Caribbean and love coming here to explore authentic Indian cuisine.

For more info on the Tandoori Flame restaurant in Brampton Ontario, check out their website.

TANDOORI FLAME
8150, Dixie Rd,
Brampton, L6T 5N9

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It’s always a pleasure when our girls join us on our adventures, but their moody ways and typical tardy teenage profile almost saw us late for our reservations at Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill Upper Centennial in Hamilton. Kieana, Indy and Tehya were supposed to be with us, but Tehya wasn’t feeling well (ended up having surgery a couple days later), so Felicia,  (Kieana’s friend)  joined us for dinner.

We were greeted by the friendly hostesses who directed us to a very roomy booth which was perfectly situated at the rear of the restaurant, directly in front of the beautiful stone fireplace.  With my customary decaf coffee ordered, soft drinks for the girls and Caron was intrigued by the Pineapple Smash Martini (blueberry vodka, pineapple and blueberry juice with a splash of amaretto) so after consulting with our server Cassandra, she knew she had to give it a try. Forget elephants, Cassandra has one of the best memories we’ve ever witnessed. At no time this night did we see her write down anything we ordered and we were amazed that she got everything perfect. Keep in mind it was a table of five people.

With Caron going on how delicious her martini was in the background, we were busy sorting through the appetizer menu. We decided on getting the nacho platter, cheesy bread, Caesar salad,  and I was eager to try their coconut shrimp. Ever since my experience earlier in the year with coconut shrimp in Jamaica, I’ve been on a mission to find a source closer to home. I’m not much of a nacho person, so it’s not something we would normally order…when it arrived at our table we knew we were in for a long night. This is a supposed to be an “appetizer” but it seems the kitchen didn’t get the memo… this thing was built like a volcano. It was a tower of  layers of nachos, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, jalapenos, seasoned beef, olives, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, green onions and salsa.. baked, then drizzled with sour cream. Even with my help, the ladies had a difficult time leveling it. Though I’m not into the nacho thing, I crave a good guacamole and the side order we got hit the spot. Freshly made (no discoloring), with non of that bitter-oily after taste you tend to get at most restaurants. A blend of smooth and chunky avocado, with just the right amount cilantro and other ingredients.

The coconut shrimp was a bit over-battered for my liking, and had the look of chicken wing drumettes, but the accompanying Thai dipping sauce was on point and the Asian coleslaw was quite refreshing. A good balance of exotic flavors, crunch was an amazing partner for the coconut shrimp.

After continued attempts to make a real dent on the Nacho Extravaganza, we had to raise the white flag and concede. Watching the ladies struggle with the appetizers I knew they wouldn’t have any room for the entrees, but held back commenting until they were faced with the task at hand. Once again we were impressed by the courteous nature of Cassandra and we were silently hoping she would screw up one of orders so we could say “should have written it down eh!”. She’s as professional as they come and proves that she knows the menu front to back.

By this time we could hear live music emanating from the bar area (I didn’t get up to see) and we learned that there’s usually a live musician every Thursday… which was quite entertaining while we enjoyed a fantastic meal. Felicia had the Buffalo Chicken Wrap (crisp fried chicken tenders tossed in your choice of wing sauce.. then rolled into a flour tortilla with cheddar, lettuce, diced tomato and ranch dressing), which as I expected (with everyone else) she struggled to finish. Seems that big portions is the common theme at Turtle Jacks and from our experience we could safely say that just about everything on their menu could easily be shared by two people.

Kieana opted for the 1/2 rack ‘award’ winning baby back ribs (Cassandra mentioned that they won some award for their ribs) and from the reaction by Kieana and when I took a sample off her plate, we could see why. Not just your fall-off-the-bone -tender ribs, but well basted with a truly exciting BBQ sauce. Breaking away from her traditional baked potato, with her choice of side she got the coleslaw and fries. Kieana isn’t much of a coleslaw person, but she did mention that it was a bit on the vinegar side.

After many attempts by Indy to sneak a sip of Caron’s Green Apple Martini (another recommendation by Cassandra), she gave up and decided it was time to tackle her platter of  chicken fingers. According to the menu it’s freshly breaded chicken tenders which was marinated in buttermilk… then deep fried to a crispy finish. Not only was this seriously good (according to Indy), Caron took the leftovers to work for lunch the next day and she came home raving how good they were too.  The platter also included fresh cut fries, coleslaw, carrots and celery sticks. Take note that this is not the baby size chicken strips you’d normally get off a kids menu… parents would know what I mean.

I forgot to mention that my customary decaf coffee was excellent. I’m not sure how it’s achieved but for decaf to have this much body and flavor is something you’d expect from good regular coffee. It was so good I forced in a couple cups even though I was stuffed from all the tasty dishes.

Caron decided on the New York strip loin with fresh cut fries and coleslaw, which was surprisingly tender even though it was a bit overcooked from the medium-well she requested. The menu is one which will cause confusion as there are many appetizing sounding options, so after much inner debate I decided on the sort of surf and turf with the shrimp and scallop sirloin in a garlic wine cream sauce. This one was a hit out of the park!  Not only was my steak perfectly cooked to medium rare  as I had requested, the shrimp and scallops in that garlic sauce was simply delectable. The accompanying garlic mashed potato complimented the steak perfectly, but the dirty rice which was quite tasty on it’s own.. was a poor choice by me.

With good food on the table, live music in the background and tons of laughter and good times being had by all.. it was an overall excellent dinner. with no room for dessert, but thinking about our readers we sacrificed our bursting stomachs and ordered the “Fire ‘n Ice” (vanilla ice cream rolled in a cinnamon crust, fried and drizzled with caramel and chocolate syrup. A bit heavy on the cinnamon, but an absolutely delicious dessert to end the night.

After dinner I walked over to the bar area which seemed like a good spot to grab a bite, enjoy a few beverages and watch the game if you’re alone or with a buddy. There’s a nice vibe to this area and like the rest of the restaurant, there’s a comfortable feel to it all.

If you’re looking for a generally good dining experience, with friendly and accommodating service that’s not overly priced, be sure to check out  Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill on Upper Centennial in Hamilton and remember to ask for Cassandra (try to get her to forget what you ordered). And according to Caron, you MUST try the Pineapple Smash Martini which according to her,  is out of this world.

Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill

125 Upper Centennial Parkway
Hamilton, Ontario L8J 2T7
Tel: 905-662-3120

For a full list of all Turtle Jacks locations, see http://www.turtlejacks.com/locations

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our dinner at Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill ) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

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We arrived at Walkers Fish Market in Burlington with seconds to spare for our 7 pm reservations and though the parking lot at the font and side of the building were packed, we easily found a spot at the rear. Caron and I are very picky about being on time, so watching the clock while we drive is part of our routine when we’re out doing features. Just wish our daughters would copy a page from our book and be a bit more concerned about being punctual. We were greeted at the door and directed immediately to our table where our waiter for the evening, had a pleasant greeting for us once again.

The few seconds it took us to get to our table from the entrance, we could already tell that attention to detail was something the owners and staff hold high in regard. You immediately get a sort of serene but classy feel about the space and I must confess that we were impressed at how clean everything seemed. With seating available  in private booths, tables around a beautiful stone fireplace which gave you a sort of seaside cabin feel and a nook area where you’re separated from the main bar by a very impressive custom wine fridge. We were offered a booth (kinda romantic) with a window view and a commanding scope of the main dining area. There’s also the option to sit at the bar area or the booths surrounding, where you’d easily be included in the buzz around the bar itself.

Our server for the evening was not only very polite and outgoing, she was very knowledgeable about the items on the menu, preferences the chef has (he will never overcook the tuna.. no matter if you ask) and with a very impressive wine list… she didn’t skip a beat in explaining some of the top pairings with what we were about to order. We’re not wine drinkers, so Caron had a couple Martinis (try the mango one) and since their house brand of beer is the Pepperwood Cream Ale I had to give it a test drive. A rich but light choice with a strong sort of malty base and I got a hint of a woodsy undertone which I found complimented my dinner well. But I no beer aficionado so don’t take my word as gospel.

The mood was just perfect, as it seems most people were at the cottage for the weekend so the restaurant was not as packed as it would normally be on a Friday night. And as I alluded to earlier, the decor and ambiance is quite comforting and with an airy interior you never feel closed in as in some other places we’ve dined. Being a steak and seafood restaurant, Walkers Fish Market achieves a wonderful maritime charm with the use of pictures, lighting (take a look at the fixtures – looks like nautical lanterns), but with a modern twist. Walkers Fish Market is not your typical fish and chips joint!

As we waited for our drinks to arrive (I started with a wonderful decaf coffee as usual and Caron had a Martini) we nibbled on the fresh rolls which were brought to the table with a creamy garlic butter which was very tempting to fill up on… temptation! Caron decided on the Walkers Garlic Cheese Flatbread which is huge and can easily be shared by 2-3 people. The asiago and parmesan topping is baked on perfectly and again it’s very easy to get filled by this tempting appetizer. Little old me had the Coquille St Jacques, which is sea scallops from the Bay Of Fundy baked with cremini mushrooms and a creamy Sauvigon blanc cheese sauce. Topped with a perfectly browned potato crust.

Up next (with some pointers from our sever) was one of the “catch of the day” for me, which was the Mahi Mahi bronzed with a creole sauce and I asked for it to be blackened a bit as well. This came with the choice of two sides, so it was the dirty rice with andouille sausage and garlic mashed potato. The Mahi Mahi was cooked to perfection, but I learned this night that I don’t care for blackened fish (my choice.. not reflective of the chef) and though the creole sauce had some body to it, I found it to be a little bland. But remember.. I eat spicy and complex foods on a daily basis. The dirty rice was a good representation of it’s Cajun roots and the tasty pieces of the adouille sausage were like little gems amongst the plum grains of rice with a tomato accent. The garlic potatoes were perfectly done and we especially like the sort of sweet-roasted garlic hints we got as we worked our way through the mound we got. Yes, the potions are fairly large!

Caron isn’t a seafood person unless it’s fish battered and deep fried, so when she opted for the Top sirloin with the red wine demi jus I wasn’t surprised. She decided on the garden salad and garlic mash as I did. The jus works great with the garlic mashed potato, but it can get a bit salty as the sauce cooled. The steak was perfectly cooked to the requirements of Caron and it’s amazing how the chef got a well done steak not to be dry and tasteless. I personally think it’s an insult to Angus to have it well done, but Caron absolutely hates ‘pink’.

I guess she wasn’t feeling like fish and chips as Walkers Fish Market is famous for it’s haddock fried in the pepperwood creme ale beer batter and served with seasoned fries.

We were absolutely stuffed but were convinced that we must try the banana bread pudding with the caramel sauce and custard. If you guys are fans of the Food Network, you’ll know about a show called “the best thing I ever ate”… well, this bread pudding would easily be a candidate for this show. I’m not much of a dessert person, so 3 years ago when I had what I thought to be the best breading pudding at a restaurant in the southern Caribbean, I thought my taste buds had hit nirvana. This is absolutely the best desert I’ve ever had. I’ll leave judgement for you, so I won’t say much more… but do go to Walkers Fish Market, even if it’s just for that amazing coffee they have and the bread pudding that’s out of this world.

If you’re a fan of good, fresh seafood, perfectly grilled steaks and a wine list which I’m sure would excite wine lovers, Walkers Fish Market should be on your list of restaurants when dining out. With a huge oyster selection, fish imported from as far as Chili, Philippines and Honduras and with their current ‘Lobster fest” going on, there’s no better place to enjoy the company of family and friends on a night when you just don’t feel like cooking.

I already have our next visit planned (I’ve been hypnotized by the pudding) and I’ve zeroed in on the ricotta agnolotti and shrimp al forno I saw on the menu during our visit.

This may sound a bit strange, but both Caron and I feel this is worth mentioning. You must use the bathroom! (ask us why in the comments below). BTW, if you employ the use of a wheelchair the wide spaces will be in your favor.

Walkers Fish Market Burlington

4045 Harvester Rd
(Corner of Walkers and Harvester )
Burlington, Ontario
L7L 5J1

Phone: 905-633-9929

For their latest promos and discounts, check out their website at http://www.walkersfishmarket.ca/burlington/index.html

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our day at Walkers Fish Market in Burlington) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

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What started off as a great day in Toronto at the St Lawrence Market, got even better when we took the short walk over to the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. Parking is always an issue in Toronto, so we decided to find all-day parking and move around on foot and subway… luckily there was reasonable parking at the corner of Jarvis and Front street, so this would be our base. A five minute walk in the beautiful sunny weather we’ve been blessed with this summer and we at the entrance to the Old Spaghetti Factory. With a beautiful patio poised enticingly as you make your way to the front of the building, but we wanted to cool down, plus we’ve heard that the interior was something to behold.

It just so happened that we were greeted by the manager on duty and joking she said “welcome to never never land”… once inside we realize it wasn’t much of a joke, but reality. Where else can you dine in a carousel, train caboose or inside a private elevator for two? Yes, the Old Spaghetti is very whimsical and it’s one of those places where no matter how old you are, you get the feeling of being a kid again.

We opted for the carousel seating, which gave us a commanding view of the entire restaurant from the upper level it was located on. Surrounded by painted horses leaping out at you as if they were ready to gallop away with playful fun. All that was missing to complete the mood was the carnival-like music you’d expect to hear as the carousel made it’s way around.

The Old Spaghetti Factory is a massive restaurant with several rooms and can easily accommodate hundreds of guests. All this space means there’s a lot of room between tables and if you were on a wheelchair you’d have no problem navigating around. Be sure to check out the overflow section where there’s a painted glass window dedicated to the Toronto Blue Jays after they won their second world Series. Done to mimic a religious theme, it’s argued that it’s sacrilegious but I guess some may see past it’s intended playful intention.

After a pleasant greeting  and introduction by our server Paige, we got down to business. Caron started off with a cosmopolitan, I had my usual decaf coffee which was on point, Tehya opted for a strawberry lemonade and I believe Dan had a coke. The rest of the time Tehya tried to get me to taste the lemonade, which she raved about how refreshing it was. As we decided on what we were about to order, Paige showed up with what seemed like freshly baked bread/roll, with a tasty herb butter. The garlic butter melting onto the warm freshly cut bread is sublime pleasure, and you have to remember not to fill up on this before you meal arrives.

Tehya and I started off with the minestrone soup, Caron had the Casear salad and Dan enjoyed a piping hot bowl of clam chowder. According to Caron the dressing was perfect, especially since it was not overly heavy and did not get the fresh pieces of romaine lettuce soggy. I had a try at Dan’s chowder and though the texture is not something I’ve ever liked, the flavour was very good. I assume Dan had this before so to hear him say that it was not just thick and creamy as he likes it, he also said that the overall taste was excellent. The minestrone wasn’t anything special, but satisfying nonetheless when I added some Parmesan to it. The menu is set up in such a way that you get tea or coffee, soup or salad, your main course and spumoni ice cream to finish off… all for one price.

The portions are big and with the addition of the fresh bread I mentioned above, one can easily get filled before the main course arrives, so do pace yourself.

After much debate (I’m one of those people who scrutinize a menu for a long time before ordering) I decided on the Mediterranean chicken which is a grilled chicken breast marinated in lemon juice, garlic and oregano, served on whole wheat pasta in browned butter and topped with sauteed mushrooms, tomato sauce and mizithra cheese. I’m not a huge fan of wholewheat pasta, but this one didn’t have that earthy taste that I hate, plus it held its shape quite good even though it was cooked the way I like (not al dente). The chicken was tastefully moist and loaded with that kick off oregano. The cheese didn’t look all that appetizing and though it had a sort of salty aftertaste, it complimented the entire dish well. I’m a big eater, but due to the large potions you get at the Spaghetti Factory, I struggled to finish my meal (don’t tell my mom).

Dan ordered the lasagna which was served in an individual baking dish, bubbling with a cheesy topping it did look very appetizing.  Yet another large portion, but this young man can really put it away. He only came up for the occasional breath of air and did good work at clearing his dish.

Caron had plans of getting the chicken Parmigiana ever since we made reservations, so she was quite happy when her order arrived But she was another victim of the large portion. A thick chicken breast breaded, topped with cheese and tomato sauce then baked. This was served on spaghetti and extra tomato sauce. We assumed it was due to the thickness of the chicken breast, as the inside was a bit pink and could use with a bit longer in the oven. The dish was very attractive, but didn’t have that authentic Italian flavor Caron was hoping for and craving.

Tehya is daring so when she saw the spicy meat sauce on the menu we could already see her licking her chops. Wait! This is not spicy! Truth be told she’s accustomed to eating habaneros and scotch bonnet peppers (some of the hottest peppers in the world), so what may be mild for her, may be excruciating for others. So to hear her say that it was not spicy, wasn’t surprising at all. Though the zing wasn’t there, it too was a very attractive dish and if her two sisters were with us I could see them all eating from this serving and being full. I did say large potions, right?

After a quick break from eating and mini walk-around the restaurant with it’s many themed dining areas, we were ready to attack dessert. You must check out the jazz room and just to the left of that is the party room with it’s chandelier type lighting. Cheesecake was on Dan and Tehya’s hit-list (same for me) and we just had to try the spumoni. The cheese cake is quite good, though a touch to sweet for me and with the added caramel and/or fruit sauce it can even be considered decadent.

I’ll be honest when I say that if you’re looking for traditional home cooked Italian food, the Spaghetti Factory is not where you’ll find that. However if you’re looking for good food, with large portions served by prompt and courteous staff, in a wonderful playful environment, you must check out the Old Spaghetti Factory in Toronto. With the all-inclusive pricing it would be very difficult to find another spot in Toronto where you can truly afford to take your family out for dinner. The average price per person is around $15 (no alcohol) and we were told that there’s also a lunch menu during the week with meals around $10.  If a dining room setting is not for you, be sure to check out the bar area which reminded me of those gentleman’s clubs you’d see in movies, just off the main dining room.

Paige was a wonderful ambassador of the Old Spaghetti Factory and the pride she shows in her work is quite apparent, so ask for her when you guys visit and be sure to tell her that the guys at OntarioAlive.com sent you. You can check out their full menu and look for coupons and group discounts by going to their website at: http://www.oldspaghettifactory.ca/

The Old Spaghetti Factory
54 The Esplanade Toronto, Ontario M5E 1A6
Phone (416) 864-9761
Fax (416) 864-1928

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from The Old Spaghetti Factory) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

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I’ve made it my mission lately to find the perfect fish and chips in Hamilton the past few weeks and this brought us to Hutch’s Harbour Front at Pier 4 in Hamilton. We’ve been to the other Hutch’s location down at Van Wagners Beach several times and though the food is decent, it still isn’t filling that craving I have for battered deep fried fish, the kind a cardiologist would cringe if he saw you eating. After getting Caron at work, we headed down to waterfront.

Originally we were set to go have coffee at Williams, then go for a walk along the bike path which leads to Cootes Paradise after. But I remembered there was a Hutch’s location down here, so I convinced Caron to change our plans. She’s a doll and usually up for anything!

The first thing you notice when you go to order is that there’s no debit accepted, however there’s a little interact machine located within the building… which charges a user fee (of course). The menu is your typical grill/fryer fare, plus you can order milkshakes and ice cream here as well. We came for the fish and chips so we didn’t pay much attention to anything else. Well, except for the onion rings which Caron wanted.

After placing our order of fish and chips with a side of onion rings we headed outside to dine on their patio/deck area. I  love fresh cut fries, fish and other fried foods but I don’t care for the smell, so dining indoor was not an option. After a few minutes our order number was called and I went in to get it with high hopes.

Pepsi or was it Coke? – Check, Fish and chips – Check, ketchup, mayo and tart tar sauce – Check…. onions rings accounted for! Just gotta have mayo with your fries. I was already getting in a foul mood when on the patio area where we were dining there was another couple who just happened to be looking for attention with their ferret pet on a leash. I know this section was outdoor, but who brings pets to a restaurant? Especially one that looks like a huge rodent!

The fries were not bad, but how can one screw that up? Same can be said about the onion rings which were nice and crispy with a soft creamy texture on the inside, with well cooked onions. The fish was a different story altogether. Not only did the two pieces we got very small, I’m not sure what they did wrong, but the batter was rather heavy (almost dough-like) and separating from the fish as if they had a huge fight and just couldn’t stand being together. Due to the heavy dough it was also saturated with foul tasting oil. This is definitely not what we’ve come to expect from Hutch’s, so I do hope this was just an off day. However we will think twice… maybe there times before going back to this Harbour Front location of Hutch’s Fish and Chips.

Hutch’s Harbour Front‎
325 Bay St N
Hamilton, ON L8L 1M5
(905) 546-5508

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from Hutch’s Harbour Front Fish And Chips) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

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A couple weeks ago Caron and I had a coffee date with “The Rhyming Chef” (Philman George) at Oakville Place, when we stumbled onto a delightful little farmers market in the parking lot of the mall. As a foodie and fresh produce junkie, I just had to spend a few minutes touching, smelling and taking in the general sights at this quaint farmers market. My senses go wild whenever we hit a market or any sort of produce store as when we did St Jacobs market last year (note to self – go back to St Jacobs soon) and Caron is somewhat of a similar market junkie as I am so we grabbed the camera and browsed the stalls.

The Oakville Place Farmers Market is relatively small and from speaking with the vendor at the fruit/berry stall, we learned that the market season is from June 16 to October 6 and is only open on Thursdays between 8 am and 2 pm. With locally grown seasonal fruits, vegetables and tons of baked goods, it’s a great way to not only support the local farmers, but a chance to get fresh food as it was meant to be enjoyed. If you’re a fan of the kitchen as I am, you’ll know that using fresh produce only enhances whatever recipe you’re using. But be warned that once you go “fresh” you won’t want to go back to the stuff sitting on the grocery shelves for weeks.

We also noticed that there was a vendor selling locally made knit products and if she wasn’t already busy answering some questions from a customer we certainly would have had a chat with her to know if she was the one doing the knitting and how were customer’s reaction to her beautiful creations.

We skipped by the baked products (not by choice), since we were now running late for our meeting and with the weakness I have for homemade apple pie, I would have surely adopted one to take home. Working on eating healthier and loosing some weight though!

Both Caron ann I couldn’t believe how vibrant the colours were and how perfect the produce seemed. No blemishes and even with the heat of the miday sun, they were not wilted. The greens of the beans, lettuce, asparagus and herbs, the yellow, red and orange of the peppers were all striking. The fruits we’re bursting with that strong punch of colour that convinced us that they were like little fruit sugar crystals just waiting to explode with flavor in your mouth. Caron even asked “have you ever seem more perfectly ripe tomatoes?”.. maybe she was right as they were indeed perfect to the eye.

Don’t let another Thursday go by without a quick stop at the Farmers Market at Oakville Place Mall and be sure to take your kids so they get to meet the farmers. This way they’ll know that what they eat does not originate in some grocery store.

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from the farmers market at Oakville Place) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

Oakville Place Farmers Market
Where:     Oakville Place at Trafalgar Rd. & Leighland Ave., Oakville, ON

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Originally we wanted to have lunch at the Irish Pub one door down from the Grill On King, but one glance at their menu (posted on the door) and Caron knew it wasn’t our cup of tea. I guess when you feel you don’t have an option, you tend to revert back to places you’ve been before. Last year when we were doing the tourist thing with the girls in this beautiful little town, we had stopped at the Grill On King to recoup our energy and enjoy a tasty lunch. Knowing that the food was of good quality, we decided on having lunch here again.

There wasn’t much of a line as so many restaurants along Queen street, so we had the choice of a patio table or the main dining room of the restaurant. In typical Canadian style, we opted for the patio since it was such a beautiful day. We soon regretted that, as our table was in the direct path of the sun’s rays and after about 10 minutes, we could already feel it’s scorching splendor. So words of caution… if you decide on dining on the patio area, do try to get a table that’s covered. Sun aside, the patio was lovely. Lined with beautiful window-like flower boxes in full bloom and with the constant flow of people and the horse carriages, it’s a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine or pint and people watch.

Our server made a brief introduction, then took our orders. The menu had a lot of choices, with the typical soup of the day, salads, pasta dishes, steak and other appetizing sounding dishes. We decided on ordering off the lunch menu and at just around $10, we decided on the classic burger served with salad tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette and fresh cut fries. I asked for my burger to be medium -well done, but it was explained that it’s against the law in Ontario (or is it Canada) to not fully cook a burger… basically all burgers must be well done. Our drinks arrived and before we could quench our thirst fully (remember we were in the direct sun), our food arrived. WOW! That was amazingly quick.

Caron was the first to attack this massive beast of a burger surround by healthy servings of the salad and fresh cut fries. And I could hear her mumble between bites, that the salad dressing was delightful. My side of mayonnaise arrived (fries must be enjoyed with a good helping of mayo) and after dressing my burger with ketchup locally made by the E.D. Smith company in Stoney Creek Ontario (love to see local businesses supporting each other) and other fixings, I too was pleasantly surprised by the salad. Not just the appetizing dressing, but the assortment of fresh greens that made up the salad.In all honesty the salad alone was worth the price of this complete meal.

Though we could tell that the fries were fresh cut, their sort of limp state and lukewarm finish was somewhat disappointing, but edible. We had a somewhat similar experience with the burgers, where due to being made well done they were a bit dry and just warm inside. With all the cooking it would need to be well done, you’d think it’s temperature would be a bit warmer, even hot. Now don’t get me wrong, the burger was delicious and very big. We could have easily shared one burger and still be full. Are we to assume that the burgers and fries are pre-made in batches? Which would explain why they didn’t have a “just off the grill and fryer” feel to them and why we got served so quickly after being seated.

I realize that it was a peak time of day with the lunch crowd, but we saw our server about 3 times during the entire meal. We found it a bit weird that she never came over to ask if we wanted anything else… not even a refill of our drinks. Our past experience was much better and though this visit wasn’t the greatest, given a chance we would return.

The overall atmosphere and food presentation was a fascinating and with the bill just under $30 with a tip, it’s very affordable (but we didn’t order any alcoholic drinks). Nothing beats sitting on a patio with loved ones or friends and taking in the beauty of Niagara On the Lake, during the short summers we tend to have these days. With the clatter of the horses pulling the romantic looking carriages within view, it made for an ideal spot for lunch while enjoying the outdoor ambiance. Since Grill On King is just off the main thoroughfare of Queen street, you’re not overwhelmed by the constant flow of traffic and people.

If you’re wondering about parking options, I found out that there’s free (but limited) parking at the rear of the restaurant. I heard that if you ask management, they may even allow you to keep your car there even when you’re done dining and ready to hit the shopping area.

Caron was unable to finish her meal and I though I gave a good fight, I too struggled. Remember, unless you want a tan on half of your body, do get a seat in the shaded potions of the patio area.

Grill On King
233 King, Niagara On The Lake, ON L0S1J0
Phone: (905) 468-7222

For more pics of our lunch date at Grill On King, do visit us on our Facebook page.. you can also get coupons and other fun stuff there. Plus you’ll get to keep up on our latest escapades through Ontario. You can also check out our videos on the YouTube Channel… maybe you made it onto one of our videos! Finally… before you go, do share your thoughts in the comment section below as we’d love to hear from you. Even if it’s just to say hi!

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We were in the mood for Chinese and since we all have different tastes when it comes to Chinese food, we decided to give Mandarin a rest and try King’s Buffet at the corner of Centennial Parkway and Barton street east. You can’t go wrong at a buffet with the many choices you come across as you work your way through the offerings. Basically everyone can get what they want and you’re not stuck with tons of leftover food as you would when you order takeout.

We had driven by this establishment a number of times in the past but never gave it much thought, as our first choice when it came to Chinese buffet was always the Mandarin. It was my birthday and we were here to have a celebratory lunch. We walked in with a sort of caution, as you would when it’s your first time eating at a restaurant. We simply didn’t hear anything (good or bad) about Kings Buffet and we didn’t even think to look up any comments online before we left. After a short wait we were seated near the rear of the dining room, on the left side as you enter the dining room area. Nothing really stood out as far as the decor is concerned. There’s a fairly large waiting area as you enter the doors and give your name and number of people in your party to get an assigned table. Seems the fish pond with Koi is the norm with Chinese buffet restaurants?

Our waiter came over to introduce herself, asked if we’ve been here before and pointed out where the buffet started and the location of the rest rooms. She took our drinks order, filled our water glasses and kept behind the scenes the rest of the time we were there. Never intrusive, but always on point when it came to clearing our tables and refilling our soft drinks. Caron pointed out to me that we got ‘real’ glasses of coke and not those tiny glasses you get at the Mandarin, that you had to get refilled a few times during your meal. Don’t you just hate when you have to point it out to your waiter that you need a refill?

The spaces between tables were fairly roomy and  that came in very handy as Tehya was suffering from a busted ankle and was on crutches. Kieana, Tehya and Indy made their way over to the food area and when they came back to the table with their heaping plates of food (didn’t they get the memo that they could go back as many times as they want?) they all had smiles on their faces. They were excited at the many choices and Kieana was especially happy with the chicken wings and the fried rice. We’ve had a terrible time finding good fried rice and from the look of things, we may have found fried rice nirvana.

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Not only was there a wide selection of appetizing food to choose from, but each station was well stocked and everything looked fairly fresh. Besides the rice and crispy chicken wings, nothing really stood out more than the other. That can be attributed to consistent good food throughout the buffet area. Though the cheese cake was captivating (see pics above), the mango one I had didn’t stand out. With a sort of foamy texture, it was more like eating mousse and not cheese cake. I guess you don’t go to a Chinese restaurant and expect to get good cheesecake?

Some observations…

We were here for lunch and it wasn’t overly busy, but I could only imagine how congested it would get at dinner time. The layout of the buffet itself with the food stations  against walls rather than set up like islands. This means you can only access food from one side which can cause long lineups during busy times, especially for more popular items. Ex. Crab legs. During weekend dinners

After you receive your bill, we had to leave our table to go to make payment at a cash register sort of area in the middle of the restaurant. Here’s another area where it’s a bit of a bottleneck. There were two other people paying the same time as I was and with the three of us as well as the three waiters from each table, there was some confusion. Not only that, but you’re somewhat in the middle of the aisle leading from one of the dining rooms leading to the buffet area.

Overall the 5 of us in our group were very pleased by the quality, taste and selection of food at Kings Buffet (Hamilton location). With a final bill just over $72.00 with tip, it’s a great choice for Chinese buffet lunch in the Hamilton area if you’re on a budget and don’t want to sacrifice on taste.

Kings Buffet Hamilton Contact info:

(905) 664-8898
200 CENTENNIAL PKWY NORTH Hamilton, ON L8E 4A1

Prices at the time of our visit:

Lunch    11:00AM – 3:00PM

Monday – Friday Adults : $10.99   Children : $5.99
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays  Adults : $13.99   Children : $6.99

Dinner    4:00 – 9:30PM

Monday – Thursday : Adults : $16.99    Children : $7.99
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays Adults    $21.99  Children: $10.99

Toddlers (5 or less)    $1.99 ANYTIME!
Seniors (65+)    20% Off Meal Portion ONLY!

* Children (6-12yrs)

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This past Sunday saw us make the trip down the QEW to Niagara Falls, where the Niagara Food And Wine Expo was in full swing. This year being the inaugural year for the Food and Wine Expo, so we wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived at the Scotiabank Convention Centre off Stanley Avenue in Niagara Falls. A quick registration process to basically get out media badges and we were directed through to the main tasting floor.

It was around 3 pm and Winemaker Jeff Innes of Palatine Hills Estate Winery was busy on the tasting stage going though the motions of his presentation, where guests enjoyed specially selected wines and learn a little bit about how they were made and how to serve them for best enjoyment. It was interesting listening in from the outside of the marked area and really wish we had more time to be part of this group.

The show floor was broken up into specific areas, which included…

The “Chef Stage” where celebrity and accredited chefs hosted complimentary cooking demonstrations. The “Tasting Stage” where there were several 30 minute wine tasting courses held throughout the three days of the event. The “Tasting Floor” where we spent most of the two hours we were there (see pics below) and in the center of it all was the “Central Entertainment Area”, where you could sit with the food and wine samples of choice and be entertained by any of the live acts who were carded for the weekend. During our time Juliet Dunn & Peter Shea were supposed to be on stage, but we were busy sampling to really appreciate their music.

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As I’ve pointed out in previous similar reviews, we’re not really “wine” people so I can’t comment from a tasting standpoint, but I can tell you there were many Wineries in attendance and at just about every booth, there were crowds. We could tell that wine lovers were enjoying the sampling and overall conversations with the respective reps. There were hundreds of wines, spirits and beers from Ontario and around the world are readily available for guests to sample and learn about. And if memory serves me correct, I recall seeing a booth with representatives from as far as Georgia (the country).

Tickets for tasting were $10 a sheet, which had 10 tickets I believe and for 1 to 3 tickets you could sample just about everything on the “Tasting Floor”. There were a few exception, but those were massive potions and I believe one was a seafood tray, with lobster etc.

With many of the top gourmet restaurants in the region well represented, one had the opportunity to sample some amazing culinary delights, cooked in front of you by distinguished chefs. From speaking to some of the attendees, it was clear that the cinnamon/sugar grilled pineapple served up by Brassa (restaurant) was a hit and for me it was the grilled Kobe steak (still can’t remember which restaurant it was) that stood out. Caron was quite happy with the chocolate strawberry station and even purchased a few to bring home. Fresh plump strawberries on a skewer, dipped in chocolate and topped with almonds, coconut or other toppings which I don’t recall at the moment.

The event itself was run very professional and I must commend the organizers for having so many recycling bins throughout the event. The Scotiabank Convention center is a beautiful new building and it was a great choice by the organizers when they decided on this venue.

For more info on next year’s dates, do check out their website at: http://www.niagarafoodandwine.ca/sitepages/

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