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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There’s a new “night out” option on Hamilton’s East Mountain and from the look of things it’s already etching it’s way into the fabric of Hamilton’s dining and nightlife scene. We arrived at 7 pm for our reservation at Milestones Grill and Bar on Paramount Drive of Hamilton’s east mountain and were greeted by two lovely ladies who welcomed us and directed us to our table on the left side of the restaurant with a wonderful window view. Looking around we could tell that it was going to be a busy night for the kitchen and wait staff, so what better time to see how they handle the pressure of a full restaurant.

We had been here a couple weeks ago for a quick drink and dessert, but at that time it wasn’t about a review so I didn’t have the camera or in that frame of mind. During that visit I had glanced at the open concept kitchen at the rear of the restaurant  and was dying to have a peek. Separated by huge etched glass windows, the kitchen is a buzz of organized activity as would be expected and as someone who loves to cook… exciting to see.

After a warm welcome by our waiter for the night, we decided on drinks and started to work our way through the impressive menu. I’m not really into beverages, but I do huger for a good cup of coffee and since I don’t drink the regular stuff, finding a good cup of decaf can be a bit challenging. Not tonight! The coffee was superb and I especially like that a small container with cream is provided and not those little creamers you usually get, that’s never enough. Caron started off with a Bikini Martini (Smirnoff Vodka, Blue Curacao, peach liqueur, cranberry juice $8.49) which was recommended by our helpful server. Caron raved how delightful this and the White Grape Cosmo (Smirnoff White Grape Vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice and lime $8.49) were and was quite happy that our waiter suggested them.

I try my best to try new things at the different restaurants we visit, so I decided on the Kobe Style Classic Beef Sliders (Three  Kobe style classic beef mini hamburgers, simmered in a roasted garlic au jus and topped with pizza Mozzarella and crispy onion strings. Served with mustard sauce, splash of basil oil and toasted sesame seeds. $10.79) and Caron opted for the starter size roasted garlic Caesar (house made Ciabatta croutons, Reggiano cheese, signature Caesar dressing,.. topped with shaved Asiago cheese and roasted garlic – 5.99). WOW! Those little beef sliders actually melted  in my mouth, and if I didn’t pace myself I could easily have been full with these (though they looked small). The starter size salad that Caron got was a huge portion and to be quite honest, these two starters could easily count as our meal. Though Caron didn’t care for the roasted garlic pieces she got with her salad, I devoured then. The sweetness of perfectly roasted garlic is not to be wasted and it complimented the crisp pieces of lettuce and just the right amount of creamy Caesar dressing.

After pretty much filling up on the starters, we decided to slow down a bit before the main course. It was at this time we really took time to look around at the interior of the restaurant which had a sort of contemporary design. The lighting and overall setting had a very calming and somewhat romantic feel to it and it was nice to be in an establishment that didn’t have some sort of theme. With cowboy, sports and outdoor/wilderness motif the restaurant in the area seem to adopt. We liked that it was casual, but still felt kind of fancy.   As I pointed out, the kitchen was at the back of the restaurant and from the upper level where we were sitting, we could easily see across to the right where there’s a lower level. Past that lower level is the main bar area where there were people enjoying beverages, conversation and whatever game was on the two fairly large tv screens. Seemed like a good spot to hang out after work with friends!

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Again the suggestions by our sever were on point. Our dinner was everything we expected after the wonderful starters and more. Caron had the New York striploin (New York Striploin – cut from Canada AAA beef. With a trio of signature steak sauces – house made Worcestershire, Spiced Mustard and Gaucho sauce. Served with choice of side and seasonal vegetables – $29.99) with fresh cut fries and the seasonal vegetables were asparagus and what seemed like grape tomatoes. I don’t recall any complaints from Caron other than “how do I finish all of this”. Yes, the servings were large and beautifully presented. With my choice I didn’t realize that it also came with a side roasted garlic Caesar, so when it arrived I was quite surprised, but I worked my way through the divine roasted garlic dressing.

If I had one complaint during this night, is that for some reason the steak I got didn’t really stand out (Fire grilled NY Striploin (Angus beef), with Chilean Crab and tiger shrimp, in a lobster butter sauce. Came with mu choice – garlic mashed potato and asparagus and grape tomatoes. $31.99). But that could be attributed to the fact that I found out that I didn’t like the taste and texture of the of the crab meat which was used as a topping on my steak and I did find that the shrimp had a texture that had be believing that they were sitting in liquid for quite some time. The steak itself was perfectly grilled to my request and quite tasty (must be aged). The star on my plate had to be the garlic mashed potato. With a rich creamy and buttery base, followed by the perfect balance of garlic flavor… I was in my personal nirvana.

It was time to order dessert, something I normally had a problem with, especially when you get a menu with items that all sound magnificent. We finally settled for the cheese cake after once again consulting our waiter for his input (White chocolate cheesecake – Italian style, rich white chocolate, espresso creme Anglais and whipped cream – $7.49) and Caron had the apple crisp (caramel gingered Apple crisp – Slivered apples stewed with brown sugar, ginger and spices, topped with walnut crumble and house made caramel sauce. 7.49) By this time we were bursting from the seams, but these decadent desserts were not going to be wasted. Tip – if you’re on a date, get one dessert to share. Once again, you’re getting large portions.

With top notch service complimented by wonderful surroundings and food which can only be described as delectable, Milestones Hamilton location scores high with us. Even if it’s just to hang out at the bar and enjoy some appetizers and beverages  or have a romantic dinner with a loved one, you can’t go wrong. Our waiter (still can’t remember his name) was quite honest in giving his opinion on the menu and even pointed out what he think we wouldn’t like after hearing our likes and dislikes. With a constant smile, polite service and an overall attentive and professional nature, he was an excellent reflection of the service we’ve now come to expect at Milestones.

Location:

787 Paramount Drive, Hamilton, Ontario, L8J 0B4 (Red Hill and Mud St.)
Hours: Mon-Fri 1130 am open/Sat-Sun 1130am open/Sun-Thurs 11 pm cls/Fri-Sat 12 am cls
Tel: 905-573-7317

Be sure to check their website for specials they run, which include “Girls Night Out”, “Date Night” and many drink and dessert specials. As luck would have it, this night there was a special price on all Martinis and from the way Caron now speak about the Bikini martini she had, they must be very good.

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After a lovely dinner at Pho Dau Bo Restaurant‎ (Thai / Vietnamese) we were in the mood for ice cream, and it was decided that there’s no better place in Hamilton for good ice cream, than Marble Slab. And though we’ve already done a piece on another Marble Slab location, I thought I’d share a few thoughts about this location which is centrally located on Hamilton mountain.

There was a bit of a line when we arrived, and since each order takes a few minutes to process… the ice cream is weighed, then worked (see video below) with whatever topping you choose. We also found out that it was the last day of some sort of coupon that went out via WagJag, so people were rushing to make use of them. We were lucky enough to grab one of the 3 small tables which surprisingly fit the crowded store. I could only image how crowded it gets in this small space during the summer months when everyone is trying to cool down with a tasty frozen treat.

Here are some pictures I took of the inside of this Marble Slab location on Upper James Street in Hamilton:

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Seems the people behind the counter (older man and lady) were the actual owners of this franchise and it showed. They were very welcoming and even took the time to go though the motions when they saw me filming the video (below). While in line waiting to be served, they engaged us in friendly conversation and when it was our turn, they took the time to explain a lot about the flavors they stock and other tidbits about running this ice cream store. I love speaking with business owners who not only make time for their customers to educate them about what they have to offer, but they created a genuine friendly environment for us and the pride they have for their business showed.

As we sat and enjoyed (you must get the birthday cake flavor) the conversation continued with the owners (by choice) and when it was time to leave, we felt as if we were saying bye to friends.

If you’re looking for great ice cream, with an abundance of flavors and toppings  to choose from and first class customer service, don’t hesitate in checking out this Marble Slab location. Be prepared to have your sense of scent go into overload as you enter the doors though, as that rich yummy scent of the waffle cones hits you like a baseball bat knocking a baseball out of the park.

Location:

1550 Upper James St
Hamilton, ON L9B 2L6
(905) 574-2766
marbleslab.com‎

Marble Slab Creamery – 1550 Upper James Hamilton.

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Oh how I miss the temporary location of the Hamilton Farmers market and the original market from a couple years back! At first I thought that I was being overly critical of the “New” market, but I’ve now gone 3 times since it was reopened and my thoughts are pretty much the same. Funny enough, the people who were with me as well as a couple of the vendors we spoke with, feel the same way.

After over a year or so of renovations and much hype during that time (a lot of money was spent as well I must add), I walked though the new glass doors leading into the market from Jackson Square with much excitement. But wait! The main (top) floor is exactly as it was before, except some vendors were moved around a bit. We then decided to head downstairs to the main market area, when we noticed that the escalators were gone and now replaced by stairs. Stairs that seem to take up a lot of room from what was a wonderful way to descend into the hub of shopping.

At the top of the stairs is the only thing that really stands out from the work they’ve done… a wonderful crafted Birks clock (see notes below). For people needing wheelchair access there’s also a new elevator to the left side of the stairs and the original ramp on the right side is still there. Again, the very same as it used to be in the past.

As you make your way around the ground floor you can’t help but feel boxed in. The previous layout didn’t have this sort of boxed-in stalls which now crowd the landscape. There used to be such an open feel to this area before, a feel that worked to the benefit of both vendors and shoppers. You could easily glance over and see what other offerings the stalls across the floor had to offer. This is no longer the case. additionally, the aisle now seems more crowded and with less room to move around freely. The funny thing is that I don’t believe the width of the aisles got any smaller, but the layout itself contributes to the overall crowded feel.

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Gone from the market is the natural vibe it once had… the chatter between vendor and shopper, the sort of melting pot ambiance generated from the many cultures that were represented in the past and the overall inviting feel one would get while browsing the many food stalls. Even the temporary location had all of this! In previous years you could stand at the top of the ramp and look down and across the floor and see this wonderful buzz of activity, now you’ve got to settle for limited views and that boxed-in feel I mentioned earlier.

Yes, the clock really stands out, the idea of a food court is creative and the natural light which filters in from the use of ground to ceiling glass windows overlooking the street are all appreciated, but we left asking “what did they really do after being closed for so long, doing renovations?”

Interesting Facts About the Historic Birks Clock

- Also known as “Clock of the Charging Horsemen”
- Commissioned by Birks Jewelers for the corner of their building at King and James; designed by Kruger Gray, who also created the designs for the Canadian penny and nickel
- The clock measures over 17’ in height, weighs over a ton and is made of bronze cladding
- The clock features a round Norman tower, and four jousting knights at the base modeled after a clock at Wells Cathedral in England
- The knights joust 2 times at the quarter hours; 4 times at the half hour; 6 times at the ¾ hour and 8 times at the hour – the same as they did in 1930
- For its restoration in the newly renovated Farmers’ Market, the clock was taken completely apart – over 1,000 pieces – and each piece was treated and most painted before reassembly
- The new mechanism includes a sound system that is capable of playing numerous programmable tunes:

The ¼ hour chimes are based on the Winchester tune.
9 a.m.: ‘Oranges and Lemons’;
Noon: ‘Cockles and Mussels’
3 p.m.: ‘Polly Put the Kettle On’

Hamilton Farmers Market

Location:       35 York Boulevard,
Hamilton, Ontario
Phone:     905-546-2096
Fax:     905-546-2829

Hours of Operation
Tuesday:       7 am – 6 pm
Thursday:       7 am – 6 pm
Friday:       8 am – 6 pm
Saturday:       6 am – 6 pm

The Market is closed on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Sundays and
all statutory holidays.

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Good food, fast and cheap.. does it still exist? The answer turns out to be one of the best Vietnamese dining experience in Hamilton. Pho Dau Bo Restaurant‎ on Cannon street east in Hamilton serves up some of the most authentic Vietnamese (and what we think is Thai as well) food in the area and from all the awards we saw proudly displayed on the walls, it seems they’re being recognized for this.
A fairly simple restaurant on the inside, with basic table and chairs in a brightly lit room, with constant chatter from many diners who all seem to be in a satisfied state. We’ve been here for lunch, early dinner and this night we were here for a late dinner and we’re yet to find any faults (food, service or price). You’ve got to admire the work that goes into keeping things constant for customers, no matter how busy the restaurant itself gets. It was about 8.30 when we arrived and we were quite surprised to see a constant flow on customers, even when we were leaving about 90 minutes later.

You’re greeted by the lovey aroma of freshly brewed lemon grass tea as you make your way through the doors and as you take your seat a piping hot pot is brought to your table with little cups which could easily do double-duty as “shot” glasses in a bar. The pot of tea is complimentary and not only refreshing with it’ sort of earthy lemon flavor, but quite calming. After a long stressful day, this would certainly create the mood for a relaxing dinner with some exotic flair.

I’m not sure if it’s a cultural thing or a result from the restaurant being somewhat busy, but I’ve also experienced the same sort of service in China Town in Toronto…  it’s one of those services where you know you have a waiter and they’re there, but not over bearing. The odd time you may have to search them out if you need something.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed by the menu as it’s HUGE, with well over 100 items to choose from. The good news is that with so many options there’s no way you can’t find something you won’t love. Plus it gives you good reason to keep visiting. The menu itself is in English and many of the popular dishes comes with pictures to really give you an idea of how the final dish will look.

Every time we dine at Pho Dau Bo it’s like a new experience for me, as I try different items on the menu. The rest in our group usually sticks to their favorites. This time I opted for the noodles, with crisp vegetables (Asian vegetables) stir fried with a wonderful, but spicy Asian sauce. Topped with plump shrimp and slices of chicken. I’m not a huge fan of noodles, as rice is usually my first choice, but I’m so glad I decided to give this a try. It will be very hard for me to choose another dish the next visit.

Caron and Tehya started off with an order of CHẢ GIÒ (2 pieces) Vietnamese Style Spring Rolls with Salad, which was $3.75 I believe. They then shared the main course of PAD THÁI TÔM VÀ GÀ “Pad Thai” Stir Fried Rice Noodle with Chicken & Shrimp which was $9.00. Yes, the platter type plates you get served on, comes heaping with food so it’s more than enough to share if you so desire. I believe that Toni also had the same order.

Marko opted for his normal order of Sauteed Beef & Rice (#477.) CÔM BÒ XÀO XÃ ỚT Which is basically steamed rice with sauteed beef and lemongrass, which  goes for $8.00

Caron and Tehya were really not into the lemon grass tea, so they both ordered a coke, which by the way does not come with free refills.

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Overall the food is very attractive looking, fresh and full of flavors that’s not overwhelming. Caron is only just coming out of her “shell” as far as dining and trying different foods and she’s quite captivated by the offerings at Pho Dau Bo Restaurant‎. If you’re looking for good, cheap food that’s not only very filling but very tasty, you definitely have to give Pho Dau Bo Restaurant‎ a try. There’s free parking at the front of the building, which is well lit and as I mentioned earlier, it’s open somewhat late.

Pho Dau Bo Restaurant‎

15 Cannon Street East
Hamilton, ON
(905) 525-0100

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What started off as a quick stop at the mall with Tehya and Caron to grab a birthday gift for Dan, saw us stay an extra couple hours since we didn’t want to be stuck in the evening commute on the highway. This meant we would be having dinner at the food court… so we thought. Ever since we started cruising a few years back, we’ve always wanted to try the Johnny Rockets burger joints on the Royal Caribbean Cruise line. But after you pay top dollar for the cruise, it’s a bit hard to fork over extra cash just for burgers. With the buffet, formal dinning and all the other inclusive dining options available on cruise ships, we just couldn’t come around to paying.

It just so happen that in Square One Shopping Center, Mississauga (where we were shopping) there’s a Johnny Rockets, and after considering that the average meal in the food court would average out around $8, we decided to give this diner a try. How much more expensive could it be?

Please bear in mind that since I wasn’t there for an actual review I didn’t take along my camera.

There wasn’t much of a wait to be seated, as the main dinner rush was over by the time we got there and the restaurant was pretty bear. Within seconds our friendly waitress came over, introduced herself and brought menus for us. To be honest, we were blown away by the prices for simple burgers. Sure there were quite a few individual choices and as well combos.. but the price wasn’t user friendly.

We ended up ordering a vanilla milkshake off the kids menu for Tehya and both Caron and I decided on the “Original” burger (shredded lettuce, fresh tomato, chopped onions, relish, pickle, mustard & mayonnaise), which came with a side order of fries and Caron also had a glass of coke. Almost forgot that I had a glass of water as I usually do with my meals. Tehya did say that the milkshake was very delicious and refreshing, but when our combos arrived we were shocked at how small the actual bun/burgers were and the side of fries were tiny. Maybe they were secretly trying to help us not consume to much greasy food, but for what we ended up paying we were not impressed.

I must confess that the burgers were relatively tasty, but when you’re hungry sometimes your taste buds are a bit jaded and can contribute to crappy foods tasting good. Was this the case? The small order of fries that accompanied the burger were fresh cut (always good), but were cold when we received them so they were not on point either.

We walked out spending close to $30 for 2 burger and fries, a small coke and small milk shake and very disappointed that we didn’t go to Licks burger instead, where my friend the “guk” sauce was always happy to see me.

I guess we can chalk this one up as “done that” and I assure you that Johnny Rockets have joined the list of restaurants that I will never consider eating at again.

Johnny Rockets is a sort of 1950`s American Diner which offers hamburgers, shakes, malts & freshly-baked apple pie. The restaurant has an all-American diner look and feel. There are tabletop jukeboxes that belt out tunes for loose change and quite brightly lit. An overall clean and crisp interior that take you back in time as soon as you enter. With an open kitchen as you enter, you’re mesmerize by the scent of grilled burgers and bacon sizzling away on the flat top.

Location:

Square One Shopping Centre
100 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON L5B 2C9
905-566-9888

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If you’re on a diet or overly concerned about what you consume as far as calories go, close this page immediately. This will only bring pain to you and you may be tempted to do something you’ll regret. Last night friends of ours took us out for what we deemed a “sweet dinner” at Caffe Demetre in Burlington. I’m not much of a ‘sweets’ person and to be quite honest I’ve never had waffles before. So I was thinking that I would just settle for a good cup of coffee and probably a slice of cake, while everyone else enjoyed their waffles and crepes. However that changed as we walked though the doors and that luscious aroma of batter being cooked on the waffle pan captivated me… I just had to give this a “go”.

Caffe Demetre is one of those modern looking dessert joints that’s tastefully decorated, with a sort of open and airy feel to it. Later in the evening we soon realize that on a slow night, the open feel only gives ground for a chilly dining experience. We decided on a booth, which was basically in the middle of the establishment, so it gave us a good view of all that was going on on all sides of us. Nice when you want to take a glimpse of what others are ordering… gives you options for the next visit.

Our waiter took our orders and came back within seconds with our coffee, which wasn’t anything special. A rather basic taste with hardly any body or rich aroma that I was hoping for since I figured we were in a coffee/dessert establishment. Be prepared for a HUGE menu, both physically and options. Since this was our first visit (Caron and I), it took us about 15 minutes to decide on our choice for the evening (see pics below). Again the service was very quick and only took about 10 minutes from the time our orders were placed to it sitting (heaping) in front of us.

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Marko and Toni are veterans at this place, so they knew exactly what they were going to order and they also gave us advice on the options we were considering. They all looked sinfully tempting. We all had the waffles, which came with our choice of toppings. From strawberries, different flavor home-made ice cream, brownie pieces, white and dark chocolate pieces… I’m still in sugar shock to remember all what we had. But the pictures above should give you an idea.

The waffles itself were light and very tasty, but I did find that as the ice cream melted it did go soggy rather fast. The ice cream (I had the chocolate and sampled the white chocolate and vanilla), is superb. Rich, creamy and a smooth texture that’s almost silky on your tongue. The brownie pieces were nice and dense, with a slight firmness to it that I just adore and the balance of chocolate and sugar was perfect.

The service was ok but nothing overly special, especially since it was a slow night from what Marko told me. We were there from about 8.30 pm and the restaurant was about 25% full. But I was told that later on it does get packed, especially on the weekends. From the portion sizes and the options on the menu I would like to think that this was not a place for a family outing for dessert (unless there there’s a kids menu). However if you’re looking for a great date night, you can’t go wrong here.

Halfway through dining I noticed that everyone in our party had to put their jackets back on (it’s winter) as the emptiness of the space and the high ceilings made the interior very cold. So cold that we rushed though the final part of our meal and headed out.

If you’re hoping to find a complete menu on their website, you’ll be out of luck as they have some sort of privacy issue that causes them not to publish it online. Here’s all that’s mentioned on their website:

Ice Cream Crepes
Freshly Baked Belgian Waffles
Awesome Banana Splits
Fancy Sundaes
Cake Ala Modes
Create Your Own Desserts!
Pies, Cakes & Cheesecakes
Cappuccino, Latte & Au Lait
Double Lattes
Hot Cocoa & More
Organic Teas
Iced Coffees
Fancy Ice Cream Drinks
Granitas

Besides the ice cream, waffles, crepes, designer coffees and hot drinks, there’s a huge assortment of cakes and other baked desserts to choose from. These are not mentioned in the menu and you have to walk over to where the sort of chiller display case is, to get a closer look at what the options are for the day.

Overall a lovely experience and except for the chilly interior and the lack of any real personal service, it’s one of those places I’ll have no problem recommending as the desserts are amazing. Since our friends picked up the bill I have no idea what the final cost was. However I can tell you that the waffle combos is about $11 each, but with what you get, one really can’t complain.

Caffe Demetre Burlington.

1250 Brant Street
Burlington, Ontario L7P 1X8
(905)331-6007

Monday-Thursday 2 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 2 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Sunday 2 p.m.-11:30 p.m.

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This review is for Red Rockets Wings and Ribs – Upper Upper Ottawa Street Location, in Hamilton Ontario (there’s also a location at 754 Queenston Road in the east end of Hamilton). We’ve been ordering steadily from red Rockets for a few years now and it’s one of those places where the taste is constant, but the customer service and size of wings is hit and miss. However, lately we’ve been getting abnormally small wings when compared to what we got in the past.

With it’s new interior, Red Rockets is quite welcoming and with the use of the leather couches to chill as you wait for your order to be called (only take out and delivery is available), you hardly notice that there are times when the 15 minutes they say your order will be ready, is much longer. Brightly lit, with huge signs detailing all the items on the menu, you have  quite a few options and combos to choose from.

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Since it was a fairly small order for Kieana and Indy to share I opted for the wings and fries option, which includes 1 lb of wings done with whatever sauce you want, some carrot sticks, a dipping sauce and fries (wedges). (see pics above)

The carrot and celery sticks are a joke, but we came for the wings! The potato wedges are seasoned perfectly and if you can eat it within 10-15 minutes of getting your order, they are not bad. However, any time longer than this, especially if you decide on heating them up in a microwave and they are terrible. The wings – I got the mild BBQ sauce on ours, and it seems that after the wings are battered and deep -fried, they smother in this wonderful bbq sauce that full of body and flavour. And not that sorry excuse for a bbq sauce others place on their wings, that reek of vinegar. We’ve also had their “medium” and “hot” sauces and must say that they’re also excellent options. In the past we’ve also ordered their ribs, onion rings, garlic bread and Caesar salad and they’re also excellent choices.

Some of the sauces you can get on your wings include…

- Mild BBQ

- Medium BBQ

- Hot BBQ

- Blazing Hot

- Jamaican Hot (would be interesting to try)

- Honey Garlic

- Garlic BBQ

- Honey Mustard

- Plum Sauce

Besides the wings being rather small (but I guess a lb is a lb), these wings are perfectly cooked and the sauce clings to the sort of batter or dusting that coats the wings when they’re cooked. You can’t help but get a bit messy as you work your way through these juicy morsels of chicken goodness. On a few occasions I did find that the people taking the orders lacked any personality and there was one time when the young lady behind the order desk was just unpleasant and you can tell that she hated her job or was having a terrible day.Management should keep track of this as it’s having a negative affect on customers.

TIP!. When ordering, take a closer look at the combos they offer. The deals are amazing when you package the items into a combo and there are 6 combos to choose from. Especially if you have intentions on placing a large order. Our 1lb  with fries came to just over $10 I believe and well worth the money we spent.

Red Rockets Wings & Ribs

1405 Upper Ottawa St, Hamilton, ON L8W 3J6
Phone: (905) 318-9555

* Some of the other items you can order include, coleslaw, cheese sticks, poppers, potato salad, macaroni salad, chicken fingers, chicken sandwiches and chicken Caesar salad. If you’re too busy to take the drive out to pick up your order, you can always call and inquire about delivery (there are areas they won’t deliver too). For delivery, your order must be over $8 before taxes and there’s a $2.95 delivery fee charged.

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After being told that there would be a 40 minute wait for a seat at the restaurant we were hoping to dine at on Locke Street, and the fact that they didn’t have a bar where we could kill time with some beverages, we decided to head up the hill to Kelsey’s. The last time we were at Kelsey’s it was a terrible experience, but the management did try to make it up to us with a $40 dining voucher. Yet, I’ve had reservations about Kelsey’s ever since then.

We were at a possible income property earlier and it was decided that we would make this into a business dinner and get the specifics of the venture discussed at the same time. Since we wanted some privacy we opted to wait at the bar until a booth became available, rather than sit at an open table. Since there was a a few minutes to kill before a booth became available we decided to sit at the bar, take in the hockey game on the many tv screens around the area and try something off the starter menu.

In the 15 minutes we were at the bar, we  got the  pop-corn shrimp and a side order of fries. I was amazed at how fast they got this to us. However, the shrimp was unstimulating and the dipping sauce didn’t add to the experience either. The fries tasted like they were grocery bought frozen fries.. insipid and lacking that fresh-cut texture and taste we were hoping for. To make matters worse, the extra spicy Caesar I ordered consisted of more ice than anything else and someone clearly don’t know what extra spicy means.

It didn’t take long to be seated at the booth we wanted and with orders placed, we discussed business as we had planned on.  Here’s what we ordered and some comments…

Classic Sirloin Burger: Topped with tomatoes, shredded lettuce, red onions and mayo.  9.99

A burger that screamed – BASIC! Dry and tasteless for the most part… at least it was not greasy?

Steak and Guinness® Skillet: Tender sirloin beef, sautéed with button mushrooms, red onions and smothered in Guinness® gravy. Served in a skillet with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.  15.99

This was my dish of choice, as I now try to stay away from the normal steak that I get when we go out for dinner. I’m a huge fan of Guinness, so I jumped at the chance to give this a test drive. On arrival the skillet with the beef looked amazing, whit a rich dark gravy that I just couldn’t wait to dig into. That rich dark gravy just didn’t deliver and the sort of medicine tasting aftertaste was not what I expected. The beef was well cooked, somewhat like a stew but for some reason it was not as tender as one would hope. The potato was waterish and the steamed beans were just as revolting. BLAND to the extreme.. keep away from this by all means.

Sizzling Chicken Fajitas A sizzling skillet of grilled chicken, peppers and onions topped with our cilantro lime seasoning. Served with Southwestern rice and all the trimmings.  17.99 Add guacamole for  .99

Not a bad option! When you hear that sizzle making it’s way to your table, your taste buds immediately open up with anticipation. Besides the fact that it’s the first time I’ve ever seen that one must pay extra for the guacamole, this is the only thing we ordered this night, that delivered. The chicken was cooked/grilled to perfection, with the right amount of seasoning and the rice had a distinct sort of Mexican twist to it. There was so much on this platter that Silvia even had enough to doggie bag!

Backyard Pork Side Ribs ( Rib & Wing Combo) St. Louis cut side ribs slowly cooked, charbroiled and served with one of our signature sauces: Guinness® barbecue, Honey Garlic or Kelsey’s classic barbecue sauce. Served with crispy fries and coleslaw.

Rib & Wing Combo – includes half rack and 5 wings  20.99

Richard decided on the rib / wing combo and though he claimed that he enjoyed his meal, looking across the table I refused to focus too much on the wings. They look boiled, with a sort of orange sauce that just wasn’t appetizing at all. However I did try a couple pieces of the ribs and must say that they were “fall-of-the-bone” goodness. Tender and basted with the right amount of a very tasty BBQ sauce. I guess this was his order and if he liked it (even the wings), who am I to think different. I always say that Swiss Chalet has some of the best ribs in the area, but these are a good match.

The final bill came to about $125 with tip and though the company was great, I don’t think it was money well spent as far as the food goes… but the service was good and I’m sure that counts for something.

Kelsey’s Restaurant
1550 Upper James St
Hamilton , Ontario
L9B 2L6

905-575-8696

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After spending a few hours at the Niagara Regional Exhibition, we jumped back on the QEW and headed down to Niagara Falls for dinner at Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse on Fallsview Blvd (see full address and directions below). With the help of my good friend “google” I did some research on the experiences other guests had… it wasn’t promising. However, I know how easy it is to complain about silly things so I brushed aside what I read and decided to give it a shot.

Parking is usually at a premium in Niagara Falls and since the restaurant was located directly in the heart of the hotel district (opposite  from the Embassy Suites) we figured we’d have a problem finding a spot to park close to the restaurant itself. However we did find free parking (not sure if we had to pay since there wasn’t any signs) about 5 minutes walk away (at the back of the Sheraton hotel). Since we did arrive a bit early for dinner and we had those wonderful beef brisket sandwiches earlier, we were not in the mood for dinner yet.

We’ve been to Niagara Falls countless times, but our daughters were usually with us so we’ve never ventured into the Fallsview Casino. This was our opportunity to check out what the big draw is. BTW, if you’re a club member (free) and as long as you have your card and use it on any of their gaming machines you can park for free within their parking complex. I believe you have 12 hours from the time you play (and register with the players card) in which you can use the free parking option.

The casino, the gardens and entire surroundings is gorgeous and even if you’re not into gambling you should still go for a visit. On the lower level, through the mall, you can exit into a beautiful garden with wonderful views of the falls. Without all the crowds. Check out these video clips : Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls Ontario.

Earlier this day I had called and left several messages to the management of the restaurant asking if it was ok for us to come out do this review. I did receive a call back from someone claiming to be management and after I explained that we’ll be there and wanted to do the review she mentioned that she had to speak with the owner and would get back to me in 5 minutes with an answer. Still waiting for that call back. I must make note that one of the main gripes I read online with Copacabana is that you can never get through to speak with a live person on the phone, even if you’re just trying to make reservations.

After checking out the area for a couple hours we headed over to the restaurant for dinner. As we entered through the main entrance we could see the patio area was sparse so we figured that would be an option if the inside was crowded. The ladies managing the seating was somewhat clueless and gave every person that tried to check in a different story. The people directly in front of us were told that there were no available seating inside, but the patio was basically empty and they could eat out there if they wished. However when it was our turn, we were told there were no seating, even on the patio. We would have to wait 30-45 minutes for a table inside. No worries, the inside seating was indeed crowded but the patio was still empty according to what I saw.

We headed over to the bar and settled in to wait the 30 minutes, best case scenario. A rum and coke, Caesar and coffee cost us $20 with a tip.. kinda steep if you ask me. I guess it was a break on our wallets that within 5 minutes we were told that our table was ready. It was lovely table on the upper level, with a direct view of the area where the show would be staged. Yes, during dinner you’re entertained by dancers… that’s what I read in the reviews.

You’ll notice that there’s no album of pics in this post as we normally do, but I didn’t want to chance getting kicked out if I took along my camera. So I’ll post a short video clip below to give you a basic idea of the inside of the restaurant. It’s dark and a bit grainy, so I do ask for your understanding.

Here’s how this dining experience works…

It’s basically a buffet, with many choices at the salad bar, then all the meats are brought to your table by the servers on skewers fresh off the grill and you have the option having as much as you want. However you will notice that the servers will give you very small portions, but you’re free to ask for more and if you find a meat you like you can certainly request it again. The salad bar did have a lot of coulorful options that all seem very appetizing, but sadly that was not the case. Other than the mango salad and garlic mashed potato, it was tough finding something that was tasty. I don’t limit myself to trying new things, so I did and was very disappointed time and time again with this salad bar selection.

Salad bar aside, you really can’t go wrong with the meat selection. On entry you’re given a card to place on your table, with two options. Option 1.  Fire It Up (means ot keep bringing the meats) and option 2. Cool it Down. For when your table is ready to take a break or you’ve had your fill. FIRE IT UP! We must have tried every meat that came our way and with the exception of the chicken drumstick and the cheese stuffed prime rib, they were all excellent. Our table’s favorite for the night included the Moroccan Chicken, top sirloin, beef ribs, filet mignon and parmesan filet. And though it was listed that Salmon, suckling pig, and rib eye were on the menu, it was never introduced to our table.

Be sure to order water, as we did find that most of the meats were rather salty and do remember to pace yourself if you’d like to sample everything. BTW, the sausage is nothing to write home about either. And if you’re ordering soda, be sure to ask if there’s a charge for refills as I’ve read that some people have been charged in the past.

Our servers were all very friendly and our assigned sever was polite, friendly and always there if we wanted something. great job all around!

After about 20 minutes or so into dinner the center area of the restaurant was transformed into a stage and the Brazilian dancers hit the floor. Personally they too were nothing spectacular and though we had a great view of the proceedings after a minute or two I was back to concentrating on my dinner.  Even their skimpy dress was not enough to retain my attention. The show itself was not long and lasted about 10 minutes in total, after the men performed.

The bath room are to the right side (far back wall) as you enter the restaurant and I must commend them on having very clean facilities, even during the peak of the night when the restaurant was at it’s busiest.

We were a party of four and besides the $20 we shelled out at the bar at the beginning, we didn’t order any drinks except for the water (free). That said, our bill came to over $200 and that didn’t include tips. Yes, the variety of grilled meats were awesome, but I’m sure I didn’t eat more than a 12 oz steak in total and as I mentioned I had a difficult time finding something I liked at the salad bar. Was it worth it? Except for the fact that it gave us the opportunity to have dinner with friends… absolutely NO! At  over $44 a person, we could have done much better at another restaurant. Even if you factor in the “show”, we left thinking we didn’t get value for our dollar.

I saw several tables where kids were dining and I do hope the parents didn’t have to pay the same price as us, since I’m sure those kids didn’t eat a 1/4 of what I did. Especially  the meats that were coated with spices and the ones that were stuffed. Not something I could see kids enjoying. Oh! I must also mention that if you like you meat well done, you’ll be out of luck for the most part as much of what’s served is medium to rare.

According to our group… it’s one of those places we can say we tried, but may never go back.

CopaCabana Brazilian Steakhouse
6671 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls, Ontario  L2G 7G1
905 354 8775

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The Keg Steakhouse on Upper James street on Hamilton’s “Mountain” is one of those restaurants where you’re guaranteed to get a good steak without having to break the bank (but, seems good things don’t last long). After our last visit it should have been enough to confirm that the quantity and quality of their food is no longer what we’ve grown to expect, but we didn’t think much of it and decided that we would give them another try.

It was a Friday night so we went with the expectation that we’d have to wait to be seated as we’d be dealing with the weekend dinner crowd, plus the weather was great so the patio crowd was also there. It took us about 30 minutes to be seated and it was a great opportunity to people-watch as we tormented ourselves with the lovely scent of grilling steaks from the kitchen. Our server for the night was very good at his job, something we’ve also grown accustomed to at the Keg (good service).

We started off with  non-alcoholic beverages and I settled for my normal decaf coffee which was hot. I can’t say much more of this coffee as it was bland and if not for it being dark like coffee, I could easily be drinking a hot glass of water with cream and sugar. After placing our dinner order we settled for the Garlic Cheese Bread appetizer (Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses oven toasted to a golden brown on French stick), which I must confess was the hit of the night. The sort of tangy taste of the aged Parmesan was simply delightful and overall very filling.

As we waited for our meal to arrive it gave us the opportunity to chat, scope out some of the dishes that were making it’s way to the other tables ( the lovely scent was so punishing when you’re hungry… lobster seems to have been the hit this night) and take in the general ambiance. A multil-level restaurant, with different size tables and booths, filtered light to give a sort of romantic feel and there was a buzz of activity since it was a full house.

Indy wasn’t very hungry so she ordered the Keg Caesar – Crisp romaine and aged Parmesan cheese in a creamy dressing, which she mentioned was excellent. Tehya ordered off the kids menu and settled on the Kids Sirloin Steak – Each meal includes your choice of fries, Caesar salad or seasonal vegetables. All meals include a vegetable plate, ice cream for dessert and a soft drink, juice or milk. In the pics you’ll  notice two things about this kids meal. It was similar in portion size to the steak Caron ordered off the main menu and with the inclusion of the vegetable plate, you got the impression that you got much more for your money by ordering off the kids menu.

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As mentioned above, Caron got the  Grilled Top Sirloin served with fries. (choice of baked potato, fries, salad) Generally the steak was rather small and bland, but at least it was cooked to her liking. I strongly believe that if you’re going to have a scanty plate, use a smaller plate so at least we get the impression we’re getting a full meal. In my quest to move away from my traditional order of “steak” I opted for the grilled chicken topped with lobster sauce with chunks of perfectly cooked lobster pieces and asparagus. Just wish there was more lobster and less of the overcooked chicken breast. I’m no fan of chicken breast and this horrid attempt at grilling only confirmed this. My meal came with garlic mashed potato, which is why I keep coming back to the Keg. Their garlic mash is probably the best in the city.

Our bill with tip came to just over $100 ( we didn’t order any alcoholic beverages) and though the service was excellent and it also gave us the opportunity to spend time out as a family, I would really have to think twice before going back to the Keg for dinner. There’s some work to be done on quality and quantity to get back to the standards they originally set for patrons. I realize that this night was very busy, but it’s my opinion that a good restaurant can be judged on a busy night to see if they can maintain a level of standard when more is demanded from the kitchen.

Hamilton Mountain Keg
1170 Upper James Street
Hamilton, Ontario
L9C 3B1
Canada
(905) 574-7880

HOURS:

DINING ROOM
Monday – Thursday 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Friday 4:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

BAR
Monday – Thursday 4:30 p.m. – Midnight
Friday 4:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

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One of the benefits of operating this website is that it gives us the opportunity to explore things we wouldn’t normally do before. One of then being, experimenting  new tastes and flavours and with the wonderful multicultural landscape of Canada, there are so many options. Last Wednesday we spent a couple hours hiking Mt Nemo (look for that review soon) and it was agreed that after the hike we would head over to Lulu’s Shawarma in Hamilton for dinner. Marco and Toni (our partners in crime) are veterans at dining out and they mentioned that it’s a good option for eating affordable Middle Eastern food. Cheap! Good!.. I’m sold.

Lulu’s can be found within the heart of downtown Hamilton, just off John St North and it’s very easy to pass by and never really notice due to it’s small size. The inside is about 15 x 20 feet and on a busy day I can see this place being really cramped. The counter to order overlooks the small kitchen with the hot-top grill where at any given time you’ll see an assortment of meats being cooked by lovely couple who owns and operates this joint. There’s space for about 12 people (being generous) at the tables where you can sit and dine if you so choose and the place itself is very clean and welcoming. There’s a smile to greet you on entry and just the same when you leave.

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A quick look on the walls and you’ll see what a popular establishment LuLu’s is, with all the awards they’ve won over the years (see pics above). While we waited for our orders to be called my senses were immediately called into action, as I could smell some sort of meat being cooked with a hint of spices and diced onions. Yes, I couldn’t wait to give this a try. We all got the Chicken Shawarma with “everything” and I also asked for mine spicy! Let’s be clear… I’m a pepper head and have been disappointed in the past with lame sauces that parade around as being spicy or hot. So I didn’t really expect much when I asked from my order to be made spicy.

Between the time we got our orders to the time I spent cleaning up the rich remnants of garlic sauce off my face, it was blank to me as I was in a trance of food goodness. You get a pita stuffed with the works and topped with layers of chicken.. so much so that it’s served in a pouch wrapped in tin foil and you’re given a fork to start the eating process. As I worked my way down the pile of food, I got a slight hint of the hot-sauce they added for me and though it was not blazing hot, it was the perfect balance for this meal. Our table was quiet, expect for the occasional “how do you like it”. We were hungry and this meal was absolutely hitting the spot!

The owners/operators glanced over and also inquired if everything was ok and they got thumbs up from our table. One couldn’t also help but notice how friendly and welcoming they made us feel. This was a true example of a mom and pop business at it’s best! I/we don’t claim to be experts in Middle Eastern cuisine, but this was truly a wonderful meal and it was relatively cheap. The Shawarma cost $4.82 + tax and it was very filling. So much so that Caron couldn’t even finish her’s onsite. BTW, if you’re dining in get the container with the garlic sauce and add as necessary… it’s outstanding.

If you look at the pics above you’ll notice that they also serve Humus, a variety of Salads, rice, Falafel and an assortment of other fast foods.

Lulu’s Shawarma
32 John Street North @King William, Hamilton, ON L8R1H3
Phone: (905) 521-4848

Mon – Fri – 11am-10pm

Sat 12pm – 10pm

Sun-Holidays – Closed.

Since LuLu’s is family owned and run by the hard working couple I touched on above, I guess they need time off on Sundays.. just wish they could clone themselves and give us the opportunity to eat here 24-7 7 days a week. I did say the food was outstanding!

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