We really missed our summer Taste of Burlington program this year and are happy to tell you we’re back on this fall! Start planning where you will be dining because #TOB2020 starts this Monday, October 5 and runs until Sunday, October 25 at 35 participating locations.
Safety was of the utmost importance for us and all the restaurants involved when planning this year. Each restaurant has safety protocols in place for dine-in and, new this year, you will be able to order a prix-fixe meal for take-out, if you feel more comfortable dining at home. Menus are up on the site and you can see them here.
Also new to the program, this year is the free Taste of Burlington Passport. Use it to view menus, enter to win gift cards, and get great offers from participating restaurants (more info below).
Just as the seasons are changing and the leaves are turning colour, local bakers and baristas are switching up their menus to welcome in those sweet (and spicy!) Fall flavours!
Below, we’ve listed locally-owned bakeries, coffee joints and gelato shops, in Oakville and Burlington, that are serving up the ultimate flavour of the season: Pumpkin Spice.
Dreaming of a Pumpkin Spice Latte? These local coffee shops will serve you up with a #PSL that will have you coming back for more:
Walk down any beer aisle at the LCBO or your grocery store, and you’ll find an assortment of carefully crafted, small-batch local beer. Infused with seasonal flavours and influenced by local ingredients, craft beer has been gaining in popularity since the boom of the microbrewery in the 1990s.
While Canada has a longstanding history in the beer industry, we also have a “spirited” past dating back nearly 250 years. Legend has it that a fellow named James Grant started making rum in the first legal distillery in Quebec City. Over centuries, Canada has forged a reputation for its high-quality whisky and inspired a growing scene of craft distilleries, which produce everything from tequila and gin to vodka, rum, and, of course, whisky.
On the rocks? Neat? Sitting with a cigar in a wingback chair? With craft distilleries popping up right in our own backyard, it’s easy to sip your way through the GTHA.
A fixture in Grimsby since 1992, Forty Creek Whisky has been instrumental in ushering what would eventually become the craft spirits movement. Founded by John K. Hall, a winemaker with over four decades of experience in the industry, Forty Creek has largely been responsible for putting Canadian whisky back on the map.
Their flagship whisky, Barrel Select, is a blend of rye, corn, and barley. Warm gold in colour, it offers complex aromas and flavours of apricots, caramel, spice, vanilla, ginger, and toasted oak, ending in a long smooth finish.
Coming this fall are two limited-edition whiskies, along with Forty Creek’s 14th annual Whisky Weekend – although, this years’ event will be a virtual celebration.
Founded by in-law duo Geoff Dillon and Gary Huggins, Dillon’s broke into the spirit industry with one goal: to create new spirits from old ideas and to make them with unparalleled quality, handcrafted, one small batch at a time.
Distilled the traditional way – using a copper pot – Dillon’s gin, rye, vodka, and bitters has impressed palates across North America. Using only local Niagara botanicals, and the freshest produce, flavours of their spirits vary according to what’s in season. For example, strawberries sourced in Jordan, Ontario are distilled to create their strawberry gin. This fruity spirit, perfect for cocktails, brings summer to life any time of year. They also have a cherry gin, rose gin, black walnut amaro, absinthe, peach schnapps, vodka, and rye.
An active player in the craft beer scene since 2013, Collective Arts fuses the creativity of craft beer with the inspired talents of emerging artists and musicians. With a successful and diverse beer line-up established, Collective Arts expanded their mixology in 2019 with their flagship Artisanal Dry Gin. Crafted in small batches with juniper berries and their unique, house-made botanical blend, the artisanal gin offers flavours and aromas of fresh lemon, lime, and orange peel.
As of August 2020, Collective Arts has three varieties of gin – Artisanal Dry, Rhubarb and Hibiscus, and their current seasonal blend: Plum and Blackthorn. They also launched a new line of canned Sparkling Gin Cocktails in April 2020 and a line of Sparkling Hard Teas (mango and pineapple, peach and orange, and blueberry and elderberry). All spirits feature their signature creative arts and are available through delivery or pickup at the brewery – although, many of their products are available at the LCBO.
Open for business in February 2020, SilverFox Distillery is just breaking ground in the craft spirit industry. Mark Townsend, the master distiller for SilverFox, has been busy renovating a 3,100 square ft. facility since January 2019. With COVID restrictions in phase 3, Mark is ready to share his craft. Their signature multiple grain FoxShine White Lightning is made in a traditional Canadian fashion. Corn, oats, and wheat all harmonize to make this 100-proof spirit. For this Fall, try their Apple Pie Moonshine, featuring a blend of mulling spices to create an ole time experience.
Pasta is one of the world’s most accessible and ancient foods, dating back to the 1st century AD. Nearly every country has its own, unique version of this popular, inexpensive staple. In Germany and Hungary, there is spätzle. In Greece, orzo. In Poland, the pocket-like pierogi. Ashkenazi Jewish families make kreplach dumplings. And in America, pasta is prepared and served similarly to the way it is found in Italy– except for the all-American spaghetti and meatballs.
In fact, when many of us think of pasta, we think of Italian food and most people believe it originated there. It is estimated that Italians eat over 60-pounds of pasta per person each year, while the average American only consumes 20-pounds per-person each year.
Pasta is divided into two categories: dried pasta (pasta secca) which can be produced commercially via an extrusion process and fresh pasta (pasta fresca) which is traditionally produced by hand. Between the two styles, there are over 300 styles of pasta that come with over 1,300 different names.
Fresh filled pasta is the focus of this story, as it’s impossible to cover the entire world of pasta in a few short words. Fresh filled pasta is easy to make at home, especially if you have a pasta rolling machine. Rolling pasta by hand is an option but incredibly time-consuming. You also run the risk of pasta sheets being uneven.
For six servings of pasta, mix three cups of all-purpose flour (or Italian 00 flour) with four eggs. Form a ball and knead it well, then let it rest. Roll out the pasta on your pasta machine and shape it into the multitude of pasta shapes available. Your next decision will be your filling, then your sauce. It is interesting to note, fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, so anticipate only 1-2 minutes in boiling water. Don’t forget to add some salt! When the pasta rises to the surface of the water, it is cooked.
Tortellini are small filled pasta dumplings, approximately the size of a marble. Any filling can be placed inside from spinach and ricotta to beef. Tortelloni are bigger than tortellini, the size of a walnut, and therefore they hold more filling.
Mezzelune is a half-moon shaped pasta, sealed with a crimped border. Then there is Ravioli, one of the most well-known pasta types, which can come in small or large sizes.
A famous dish in Northern Italy, Raviolo al’ Uovo, is two fresh pasta squares that are sealed with a raw egg yolk inside it. When the ravioli is delicately boiled, the egg cooks slightly and when you cut into your pasta, a rich sauce is formed by the egg. This is usually covered in freshly shaved truffle and is quite sensational.
Apart from the filling differences such as porcini mushroom to four cheese, the sauce also varies and can play a main part in flavouring the dish. Alfredo, a rich sauce of cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese is a popular choice. Another favourite is Carbonara with crispy bacon and eggs. Al vongole is often served at the seaside in Italy and contains fresh clams, white wine, and olive oil.
Palma Pasta in Oakville is a pasta specialist and can provide catered trays of pasta for large gatherings. Their lasagne is quite excellent as is their rolled pasta, which is filled. Their stuffed tortellini are popular and they also make sweet potato gnocchi with basil for the more adventurous.
Nonna’s Oven, on the border of Oakville and Burlington, is known for its homemade gnocchi – but don’t visit without trying their spinach and ricotta lasagne that comes with rave reviews.
Then there’s Monastery Bakery. Their selection of handmade pasta is second to none and always freshly made from the very simple to the gourmet. Their spinach and cheese cannelloni is a firm favourite, along with their four cheese and meat lasagne.
PastaCo (Factory Outlet) in Burlington has a large range of pasta and sauces from all-natural and fresh ingredients. They have the kinds of pasta you take home and claim as your own – without your guests knowing a thing! And rest assured, there are no additives or preservatives – so, it’s just as good as making it yourself.
The world of pasta is wide open, whether you make it at home or order in. It is always a well-loved meal and guaranteed to please your audience (and your belly).
Note: Each business listed below has made changes and are taking precautions to ensure customer and employee safety during this time. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm up-to-date products, offers, hours and safety procedures.
Help us “toast” to the Best Sandwich Talk of the Town Award-winner, Sandwich Society!
Taste a little Tuscany at this Kerr Village establishment that specializes in traditional Italian sandwiches on freshly-baked focaccia bread.
Indulge in fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil with the Francesca, try some fig spread, brie, apple and arugula with the Figaro, or choose porchetta, ‘nduja spread, spicy eggplant, zucchini and arugula with the Firenze.
Sandwich Society has you covered for every occasion, offering everything from takeaway charcuterie to catering.
We’re moving onto Philadelphia with the Best Sandwich runner-up, Boardwalk Cheesesteaks!
Stick with the original cheesesteak or enhance your experience with toppings like mac n cheese, perogies and chilli. “Crust” us, you won’t want to miss out on these incredible sandwiches and their famous double-fried fries.
Slow your “roll” and make your next stop Best Sandwich second runner-up, Just Braise.
This restaurant specializes in perfectly braised meats, serving up unique flavours like Beef + Kimchi, Pho Beef Bahn Mi and the classic BBQ Pulled Pork. Looking for more? Order your sandwich with hearty sides like Texas Chili, Miso Minestrone and Karaage.
Thank you so much to everyone who voted! We will be announcing our next category on August 21, 2020 over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Ontario Restaurants have experienced their most challenging time in recent history, and after months of uncertainty, they are finally able to reopen their dining rooms and welcome guests back inside. For anyone who has visited a restaurant recently, the experience has obviously evolved a little with the restrictions in place to tackle Covid-19. Added to the list of hurdles restaurants have had to navigate is the need for contact tracing.
On July 31st, the Ontario government introduced O. Reg. 428/20, amending rules to the Reopening Ontario Act. The new regulations require restaurants to maintain a record of all customers who enter a dining area in their establishment. While this does not seem all that difficult, it’s been a new hurdle for restaurant staff to jump through.
During Stage 2, this new regulation had restaurants across the GTA establishing a customer log system, as wait staff walked around asking customers to write their names and phone numbers down before they received service.
For some customers, though, this represented a risk. Soon enough stories began emerging on social media of unwanted phone calls and texts from leering patrons, including bar-goers taking information off log sheets without consent.
Fortunately, AllChecked.In is a solution designed to solve these issues, and offer a new level of assistance to restauranteurs facing increasing new challenges with contract tracing and customer logging.
The solution, designed by a GTA based team, was built from the ground up for restaurants, with a specific eye toward their customers. Featuring a QR-Code Scan-and-Go system, it’s also simple for customers to use.
“We wanted to have a solution in place that we would feel comfortable using ourselves,” says Product Marketing and Business Development Manager Nathan Arfin “I want to go into a restaurant knowing that my personal data is secure.”
When a restaurant signs up to use AllChecked.In, they get a unique code to print off, along with 3 step instructions for customers. A customer scans, puts in their info, and the data is securely logged in to AllChecked.In’s database. Furthermore, the solution is free of charge.
“It’s important to us that restaurants are able to do this, and do it right.” Says company CEO Curtis Lush, “and offering this solution for free, without limits on the number of customers they may have, is in everyone’s best interest. It’s for the health and safety of Ontarians, and Ontario’s restaurants.”
So far, AllChecked.In has been adopted in over 50 restaurants, with a heavy presence in Ottawa. The product is growing to meet the needs of restaurants and their customers, as the importance of Patron logging and contact tracing grows.
Since its opening in 1998, 13th Street Winery (located near St. Catherines) has grown into a wine leisure paradise offering the full experience of wine, food, and art. For over three generations and 100 years of farming in the region, the Whitty family certainly knows the lays of the land – and it has come in handy in the success of the winery. The retail and tasting bar are open Monday to Saturday and offers a wide array of wines and styles for tasting and purchase.
Grab a glass a wine and explore the sculpture gardens or wander around the extensive grounds.
Doug Whitty, co-owner and president of 13th Street Winery, and a Niagara local is passionate about making Niagara a destination. “We would like to make our wine region yours. It is too beautiful not to share. There is a unique opportunity to celebrate local food and culture, to live off the land. As people in Europe have done for generations, enjoy the fruits of nature from your own region”.
The winery is less than 45-minutes from Oakville making it easy to discover and explore. Doug says, “In these difficult times where so many activities have become unavailable, visiting Niagara is affordable and accessible and a great day out. Right on your doorstep, it offers world-class food, wines, and experiences.”
Fridays and Saturdays a “to-go” menu is offered where you can enjoy house-baked goods and artisanal cheese either at home or casually onsite.
There is accommodation at the Vineyard Cottage with the Vineyard Farmhouse opening soon (available for booking through Airbnb), making it easy to enjoy a few summer days exploring the region.
If you have been meaning to visit the area, now is the time to explore and enjoy all that is on offer.
Summer is here and the timing could not be better. With social distancing recommendations still in force, our backyards are the place to be: chilled wine in hand, barbecue sizzling. Most wineries in Ontario are offering free delivery to your doorstep, making it is easy to avoid the lines at the store. It has never been more convenient or appropriate to support local wine producers. Niagara wineries, with their glacial soils and lakeside vineyards, are open for business, either with retail stores open, curbside pickup, or delivery (which is most often free with a minimum purchase). Here are our top picks to enjoy over the summer… (and nobody minds if you add a block of ice or two to your glass):
Wayne Gretzky No. 99 Collection Rosé ($16.95)
A luscious blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Gamay Noir, this light and fruity pink wine from the famous hockey legend is easy drinking and goes perfectly with most barbecue treats or even on its own as an aperitif.
Inniskillin Niagara Estate Series Riesling ($12.95)
Pinpoint freshness like a squeeze of lime with honey and fresh flower notes, Canada’s premier estate winery never fails to deliver.
Peller Private Reserve Pinot Gris ($20.95)
Laden with tropical fruit salad notes, this wine pairs with Asian inspired dishes. It is the perfect wine if you prefer something in between Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. It is not surprising that Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular grape varieties in the world.
Château des Charmes Sauvignon Blanc ($15.95)
Beautiful pungent elderflower, lemon zest, and passion fruit aromas waft from the glass. This winery was established in St David’s Bench in 1978 and has been producing quality wines ever since. Best enjoyed young to preserve the fresh zingy aromas.
Konzelmann Pinot Blanc ($14.95)
This gem won a gold medal at the Ontario wine awards in 2019. It is a steal at the price for a high-quality tipple from a winery established in 1984. A creamy texture on the palate with a long, zesty finish. Perfect with roasted chicken on the barbecue.
Ravine Charmat Rosé ($27.80)
From a winery whose original building dates to 1802, Ravine’s wines are produced according to organic and biodynamic methods. Crushed raspberry fruit leaps out on the nose of this everyday sparkler, it is the perfect start to fire up the barbecue.
Southbrook Wild Ferment Chardonnay ($34.80)
Produced with biodynamic and organic methods, this wine was fermented using only the natural yeast on the grape. This Chardonnay matured in French oak barrels is as perfect as nature intended.
Stratus White ($39.00)
An exotic blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Semillon and Gewürztraminer; this serious white blend is produced sustainably and matured in French oak barrels. A rich, heady, layered wine that would go perfectly with grilled salmon.
Trius Brut ($29.95)
Home to Canada’s largest sparkling wine cellar, this Méthode Champenoise (Champagne method) bubbly is a traditional blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, like Champagne from France. It has notes of brioche and citrus with an apple and honey tart finish and is a fine example of the high-quality sparkling wines Ontario is capable of producing.
Two Sisters Blanc de Franc ($61.80)
The first sparkling Cabernet Franc in Ontario, this unique and exciting wine won the Sparkling Wine of the Year award at the All Canadian Wine Championship in 2019. Although made from a red grape, the wine is very delicate with small persistent bubbles and citrus and red currant flavours.
13th Street Gamay ($19.95)
A super versatile, lighter style of red that is best served well chilled. Raspberry and licorice tones with soft juicy tannins and a slightly smoky finish that makes it the perfect match for your summer barbecue.
Pub, a word conveniently shortened from the British term public house, is defined as an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic drinks. But for many, it has the deeper meaning of a meeting place or a place of social gathering. In many places around the world, especially in small English villages, the pub is the focal part of the community. Samuel Pepys, a British Member of Parliament and famed diary keeper, described the pub in the 17th century as being the “heart of England”. The Red Lion is the most common name for a pub in Britain where there are reportedly 656 establishments with this name.
Pubs date back to Roman times, when inns or taverns started popping up along the Roman road networks where travelers could obtain refreshments. When looking for the difference between a bar and a pub, reference is often made to Britain when referring to a pub, and the word has connotations of being a place to socialize, and not just to drink alcohol. A bar is often differentiated by having loud music and a dance floor.
Oakville and Burlington have many quaint and charming pubs where patrons can get a pint of English beer and meet up with friends. Nowadays, pubs have a huge range of beverages, from craft beers, fine wines and cocktails to gourmet food offerings, but there still seems to be a leaning toward a more British way. Items such as bangers and mash, and beef and ale pie appear frequently on menus as well as the quintessential British meal, fish and chips.
The King’s Arms (kingsarmsoakville.com) in downtown Oakville is one of the oldest pubs in the area. It was first opened in the mid-70s under the name “The Duke of Bedford” and changed its name to The King’s Arms in the ‘90s. The pub specializes in craft beer with an extensive range of products and offers traditional British foodsuch as steak and Guinness pie, as well as more trendy fusion items such as truffle brisket mac and cheese.
The Abbey Arms (abbeyarmspub.ca) located in Glen Abbey, Oakville, has a specialty brunch menu on weekends for earlier diners, and also caters to vegetarians with its house-made chickpea and cauliflower curry.
The Queens Head (thequeensheadoakville.com) in downtown Oakville offers an authentic pub atmosphere and is reputed to serve the best fish and chips in the area.Be prepared to wait for a table on a Friday night.
Not to be outdone, The Queen’s Head (the queenshead.ca) in downtown Burlington opened its doors in the 1990s and specializes in house pub pies. It also features traditional pub fare such as beef liver with bacon and onions. It hosts events throughout the year, including celebrating St Patrick’s Day.
The Pipes and Taps Pub (thepipesandtapspub.com) in Oak Park, Oakville also varies its food offerings from a trendy warm tandoori spiced Atlantic salmon salad to classic bangers and mash.
With 17 beers on tap, The Stout Monk (thestoutmonk.com) at Neyagawa and Dundas in Oakville, is certainly a beer destination but also offers game-day breakfasts and screens anything from the Leafs game to premier league soccer. They offer traditional fare like bison shepherd’s pie and also signature items such as Monk wings or Monk nachos.
In downtown Burlington, you’ll find Burlington’s oldest English Pub and Alehouse – The Poacher (thepoacher.ca). Also downtown is The Dickens Pub (thedickens.ca), where you can bite into half-price wings on Tuesday or sip $5 Caesars on Saturday before 6 p.m.
With St Patrick’s Day approaching, it is worth scouting out your nearest pub to make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun – and all the green beer. Throw on your most festive Irish gear and be prepared for everything from St. Patty’s inspired dinner specials, Irish dancers, and simply, a bangers and mash good time.
For many, a cup of coffee is simply part of a daily routine. But with Oakville’s vibrant coffee scene, cafes and coffee shops are becoming more than just a place to perk up. Whether you’re looking for a cozy nook to catch up with a friend or simply a warm bevy on a cool day, Oakville has you covered. Here are some of our favourite independent cafes and coffee shops.
Vereda Central is a wonderful new addition to bustling Kerr Street. Born from the idea of finding the best possible coffee beans from a variety of Columbian veredas, or small villages, their coffee is personally sourced, and all processes of milling, roasting, and packing are done onsite. They are extremely knowledgeable, friendly and talented baristas. They also offer one of the rarest finds in Oakville – FREE PARKING in the back. Be sure to check them out and enjoy the cozy space the husband and wife team have created.
This hip, environmentally conscious café focuses on clean, healthy eating, serving everything from an (outstanding) cup of coffee to a full meal. Start your day with a modern spin on traditional breakfast offerings, with a wonderful selection of loose-leaf teas and excellent coffee, locally roasted by Brothers Coffee Roasters.
This quaint, South American style café perched on Bronte pier is truly something special. With everything from their coffee to their nibbles, organic and fair-trade, you can feel good about eating here. Enjoy coffee, music, social justice, and equality all under one roof.
Located in the heart of downtown Oakville, Tribeca Coffee Co. is the perfect little hideaway serving outstanding coffee. Cozy and community-focused, it’s a great place to work remotely, play a board game with a friend, or stop for a warm drink after a busy day exploring downtown. The inviting coffee shop specializes in offering an array of different coffee blends, from house batch brewed coffees, to single origin. Looking for a hand pour or Chemex brew? This is the place for you.
This modern, upscale French restaurant, largely known for its unique multi-course dinners, wine pairings, and chic decor, also has a stylish little cafe tucked around the corner. In the summer, their floor to ceiling windows open wide and it makes the perfect spot to enjoy an outdoor coffee and pastry. Inside, you can enjoy Sunday brunch alongside a specialty coffee, such as a black sesame latte, or take it with dessert on a Friday night. We highly recommend the Lavender Latte!
Half coffee shop, half nail studio and lounge. Customers are able to get their nails done, all while enjoying Yellow Door’s cafe and bar. They offer wines and signature cocktails, but also delectable coffees poured to perfection. The coffee is sourced from De Mello Palheta Coffee Roasters, a local micro roaster that prides themselves on their high-quality ingredients. Bonus: the cafe space is one of the most stylish in town.
Bright, fun, and truly one-of-a-kind, Marylebone Café and Creamery is the ideal spot to come together with family and friends. Their hand-crafted freakshakes, pleasure jars, and baked goods are made with premium ingredients, and each treat includes a special touch. You really have to see it to believe it.
A staple in downtown Oakville for nearly a quarter-century. This independent coffee shop is casual, friendly, and inviting. From soup and sandwiches, to hot coffee, lattes, and dessert, this café not only serves up a large selection but brings out all the stops to make you feel right at home.
Boasting some of the best croissants this side of Paris. This cozy little café renowned for its croissants offers delicious cups of coffee, tea, lattes, and an assortment of handmade baked goods. All croissants, breads and pastries are individually hand rolled and made with 100% natural butter and finest quality ingredients.
Although famous for their gelato, La Dolce Vita has a wide assortment of drinks available at their café. Smooth espresso to Italian sodas, to gelato frappes and vegan chocolate mochas . No matter what you opt for, you’re in for a treat.
Firebat Coffee Roasters is truly a one of a kind. The founders of this roastery, husband and wife team Gustavo and Leena, decided to create a bridge between Canada and El Salvador through coffee. And while they aren’t necessarily a café, you can drop in to pick up a bag of beans and sample their coffee. They are especially knowledgeable on the coffee industry, and source all of their beans from small to medium scale producers in El Salvador, including coveted Gold Cup winners that you can’t find anywhere else. The result: some of the best coffee you will ever taste. This is a true hidden gem in Oakville.
