Food & Drink Archives - Page 8 of 22 - Look Local

In Articles

Make Mine Light & Crispy

July 23, 2022 No Comments

Joseph Malin, a Jewish immigrant, opened the first known fish and chip shop in London in the 1860s. While the origin of the tasty duo dates back to the 15th century – the first recipe appeared in a 1781 cookbook.

Around the 1960s, when art, music, TV, and the film industry took off, so did the consumption of fish and chips – a mainstay that suddenly became cool and trendy. Fast forward to 2022, Culinary Tourism shares that fish and chip shops are thriving again with a new resurgence of popularity in Ontario.

Some say the coating should be thin and light and shatter into crispy shards when you bite into it – like the consistency of tempura batter. Others argue that the coating should be thick and puffy with a combination of crispness and a touch of chewiness. This is a discussion that elicits much fervour after a pint or two. Some insist that the batter should be dry, while others are emphatic that it isn’t worth eating if it isn’t seeping a bit of oil.

Use chilled beer and flour before coating the fish to achieve the perfect batter. The optimum heat of the oil should be between 350ºF and 375ºF. If the oil is too hot, the crust will burn, and if the oil isn’t hot enough, you’ll end up with a soggy, greasy coating.

Does it sound like too much can go wrong? We recommend that you leave it to the professionals.

We have compiled a list of the freshest, tastiest, crispiest, and most enjoyed fish and chip shops in Oakville and Burlington.

Burlington

Thistle Fish and Chips

3455 Fairview Street | 905-637-8333

www.thistlefishandchips.ca

Family-owned and operated for almost 30 years, the MacLennan family prides itself on offering authentic British cuisine. The fish is a generous portion in your choice of haddock or halibut. The sides choices are mushy peas, pickled beets, or coleslaw with an unsparing serving of fries.

Jake’s Grill & Oyster House

950 Walker’s Line | 905-639-4084

www.jakesgrill.ca

Dining at Jake’s has been a tradition of many for 35 years. It’s one of the longest-standing restaurants in Burlington. Owner, Jamie Myers, built it in 1985 and then remodeled it in 1998. The fish is fresh, with a unique option of snapper with British Columbia origins, at only $2 more than their beer-battered haddock; it’s worth a try. The Jake’s Grill & Oyster House is open seven days a week.

The Judge & Jury

1222 Walker’s Line | 905-319-1655

www.thejudgeandjury.ca

Since 1998, several pubs have come and gone in the city of Burlington, but this one has been a local hotspot for years. Listening to their customers’ needs is probably one reason this restaurant thrives. Open seven days a week; Mondays have been designated gluten-free. The beer-battered haddock with golden fries, coleslaw, and house tartar sauce is $18.

Halibut ‘N’ Malt Fish & Chips

1250 Brant Street | 905-336-0023

www.halibutnmalt.ca

Tripadvisor ranks this little gem #65 out of 321 restaurants in Burlington. They pride themselves on the freshness of their fish. Offering a light and crispy choice of halibut, cod, pollock, or haddock with a side of freshly cut fries and coleslaw for a price to meet every budget at $13.99 to $18.99.

Halibut House

Two locations in Burlington plus one in Oakville

www.halibuthouse.ca

This shop keeps its customers well informed of sourcing information for their fish – Pacific King Cod, premium Atlantic Haddock loin, and Alaskan Halibut. They also include calorie counts beside every dish on the menu, but don’t look – it’ll spoil your meal. Fish and chip prices are reasonable at $13.95 to $15.95. They also have a food truck to meet your catering needs.

Oakville

English Bay Fish & Chips

511 Maple Grove Drive | 905-337-3378

www.englishbayfish.ca

This Oakville treasure offers reasonably priced haddock, cod, or halibut meals from $13.99 to $16.99. Breadcrumb coating is also available for those who haven’t yet committed to the traditional crispiness of the beer batter. Enjoy a side of salad, mushy peas, baked potato, or rice pilaf.

Bronte Fish & Chips

2313 Lakeshore Road West | 905-827-1644

www.brontefishandchips.ca

A family-run business operating for 50 years, and Oakville Reader’s Choice Gold Winner in 2021 for Best Fish & Chips, “We specialize in classic, British-style battered fish and fresh-cut chips.”

Everything is homemade, even their signature cherry cheesecake. The haddock, cod, and halibut are cut fresh daily. To show their appreciation to their customers, they extend fish and chip specials every Tuesday to Thursday. Check their website for details.

Mo’s Family Restaurant

467 Speers Road | 905-844-7485

www.mosfamily.ca

Moe Thiyagarajah is known for serving the community for 20 years with his home cooking and his charitable nature. Recently Moe has partnered with Oakville Meals on Wheels. Mo’s offers additional options with their battered fish of potatoes or rice, and seasonal vegetables in place of the standard coleslaw and fries. He is beloved by the community with a dedicated customer following on facebook.

In Articles

Hot off the grill!

July 21, 2022 No Comments

There’s nothing like fresh fruit; a common phrase heard throughout the summer. Many find it refreshing, especially when served cold. What if you were to learn that grilling brings out the best flavours of some varieties? Whether using gas or charcoal, the intense heat adds a smoky-sweet flavour or caramelized texture to most fruits – creating more reasons to include fruit in your dishes.

Grilling Methods:

Your fruit isn’t quite ripe – no worries. That unripened condition is perfect for grilling. It’s important that the raw fruit be slightly firm so that it holds up on the grill. The heat caramelizes the sugars in fruit and weakens the structure. Overripe or mushy fruit will be more likely to fall apart on the grill.

Most fruit is fairly delicate, so cut fruit into large chunks or slices to help it maintain its structure. Also, larger pieces are less likely to fall between the grates. Small fruits such as strawberries and grapes can go on skewers so you don’t lose them to the flames.

For the coveted grill marks, most fruit will be grilled over high heat for three minutes without moving or turning it to get the perfect sear. Flip and cook for one to three minutes more. The surface of the fruit needs time to sear so that it won’t stick. Be warned; some sticking could happen no matter what you do. Sometimes you get better grill marks with unoiled fruit.

By placing a hearty piece of fruit flesh side down, you’ll get that caramelization.

High heat causes some grilled fruits to give off a lot of juice. By placing the fruit on a rimmed baking sheet, you can catch all that juicy goodness after it comes off the grill. The juice would be a great marinade for proteins like pork and fish.

Best Oils to Use:

Use a neutral-tasting oil on the fruit that’s suitable for high heat, such as safflower or grapeseed oil. Brushing olive or avocado oil directly on the grates while they’re cold is also effective for keeping the fruit from sticking.

Which Fruits Grill the Best?

Pineapple, watermelon, lemons, peaches, bananas, avocado, apples, and pears are some of the tastiest fruits to grill that hold up against the heat.

Pineapple’s tanginess and acidity become sweet and aromatic with the intense heat of the grill. Cut your pineapples into slices or wedges and grill them for three minutes on each side. Pineapple needs more time to cook than peaches and citrus fruit do. To help dense fruits heat all the way through, you can put the lid on the grill for a few minutes at a time.

Health benefits – pineapple is low in calories and rich in fibre, it aids in digestion, promotes good bone health and is an anti-inflammatory.

Grilled watermelon takes on a smoky-sweet flavour that is truly out of this world. Set your grill on medium, instead of hot, to avoid scorching the wedges while cooking for 3 minutes on each side.

Health benefits – watermelon is a good source of vitamin C, as well as the antioxidant citrulline, which has been associated with improved blood pressure.

Grilled lemons take only five minutes to grill, drizzled with a little olive oil, and the heat loosens their sour, citrusy juices and adds a tasty, charred flavour.

Health benefits – lemons may support heart health, weight control, and digestive health.

Cut peaches in half and remove the pit. Lightly brush each side of the peach with olive oil and grill each side for 4 to 5 minutes until grill marks appear.

Health benefits – peaches are rich in vitamin C and great for digestion.

Cut your banana in half lengthwise, and grill for 3 minutes for a firmer fruit. Or you can leave the peel on the banana and slice it lengthwise. Wrap it in foil and grill until it reaches your desired texture. Scoop directly out of the peel; adding it as a topping to ice cream or other desserts.

Health benefits – bananas are rich in potassium, which helps regulate fluid balance on warm summer days.

Grilling adds a smoky flavour to an avocado and makes them extra creamy. Grill flesh side down for 4 to 6 minutes.

Health benefits – a superfood that provides essential benefits for your well-being.

Cut your apples sideways into slices and place them on the grill for 2 minutes on each side.

Health benefits – apples help stabilize blood sugar, help to lower cholesterol levels, and may help prevent colon cancer, among numerous other benefits.

Cut pears in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Brush or spray with olive oil and place them cut side down on the grill on high heat. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until tender.

Health benefits – pears are an anti-inflammatory and contain anthocyanins which may help to prevent diabetes.

Experiment with different fruits on the barbecue. Mix them into your favourite sandwiches, salads, or meat dishes. Whether you use a grill-safe baking dish, skewer some fruit on kabobs, or place slices directly on the grill, they’ll be ready in minutes.

In Articles

Let’s Get Cookin’

July 6, 2022 No Comments

Summer’s here, and it’s time to fire up the grill—but don’t stop there. From smokers to pizza ovens and everything in between, there are plenty of great options for drool-worthy outdoor cooking all summer long.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

Everyone who’s ever turned on the Food Network knows that smokers are popular at the moment, and just about any homeowner with a backyard has had the perennial “gas or charcoal” debate about barbeques. So, where do you begin if you’re new to outdoor cooking?

We feel that the best backyard cooking method is the one you enjoy most — try a few options, figure out what you like best and get ready for some incredible dinners on the deck or patio.

“This summer, we’re seeing a lot of people venture out of the traditional gas barbeque,” explains Ashley Côté of BBQs Galore. “They want an authentic smokey flavour, so they’re looking at getting charcoal barbeques. These are available in many sizes, from table-top to very, very large.”

And if old school isn’t your thing, or a large charcoal grill feels too intimidating? Start with baby steps. “Charcoal has a bit of a learning curve, so some people have also taken an interest in Pellet Smokers. Pellet Smokers have been a trending category in the barbeque world for a few years now,” says Côté. “They’re basically a ‘set it and forget it’ solution—until you need to refill your pellets or take your food out — and many connect with apps where you can monitor your grill from your phone.”

Other in-demand products include pizza ovens (BBQs Galore carries the Alfa One Wood Fired Pizza Oven, among other options) and high-end backyard smokers like the Big Green Egg.

Create an outdoor dining space

Once you’ve set up your grill area or outdoor kitchen, it’s time to create a comfortable, relaxing outdoor dining space that everyone can enjoy. BBQs Galore has high-quality patio heaters, fireplaces, and more, and Oakville Home Leisure has an amazing selection of patio furniture and accessories.

When setting up your dining space, consider things like multiple seating options (for example, a table and chairs plus a conversation area, Muskoka chairs, or a hammock) and items that provide privacy and shade. You’ll also want to consider various lighting options (built-in, patio, or string lights) as well as a heat source such as a fire pit or patio heater. You may also want a small fridge or even an outdoor bar for all those fancy summer cocktails. Finally, add both functional and decorative touches like colourful textiles, outdoor glassware and serving dishes, stylish planters, and more. Make it your own — your yard is an extension of your home, after all!

Cheers to summer

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’re flipping burgers on a classic charcoal grill or experimenting with something trendy and new — the point is to make the most of every beautiful, sunny day. As Côté notes, anything goes when you cook outdoors — just have fun. “We honestly are a fan of both classic grilling and new techniques and encourage people to get experimental when it comes to the grill!”

In Arts & Events

Show Yourself a Little Love – It’s Solo Date Days!

July 6, 2022 No Comments

The Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) is preparing to launch its exciting new Solo Date Days digital passport program.

The Solo Date Days pass takes you through Burlington Downtown on a journey of self-discovery and appreciation. Stop in at 11 different downtown businesses and enjoy some shopping and pampering while discovering and supporting local.

The pass is free to sign up for and easy to use. Once you have signed up for your pass, you will receive an email or text notification to your phone, allowing you to easily save the pass to your phones home screen. Simply open the pass when visiting a participating business to check-in and start your experience! Participating businesses include retail businesses, personal and wellness services, casual dining and more.

Contest prizing is available to those participating in this pass. The first user to complete all 11 check-ins and / or redemptions will win a $100.00 Burlington Downtown GIFT CARD. The second and third users to complete all 11 check-ins and / or redemptions will win a $25.00 Burlington Downtown GIFT CARD each.

“The Solo Date Days pass encourages residents and visitors alike to enjoy some pampering and self-love while supporting downtown businesses,” says Alison Policicchio, Marketing Manager for the BDBA, adding “whether you’re ending a long week, getting ready to start a new one, or just looking for some quiet personal time, there is a stop on this pass for everyone. You get all the feel-good vibes while making a powerful impact in your community, and that’s really something.”

The Solo Date Days pass will run from July 4th, 2022 to August 7th, 2022. Sign up today for free at: https://burlingtondowntown.ca/the-solo-date-days-pass-is-here/

In Articles

New Businesses On The Block In Downtown Oakville

July 4, 2022 No Comments

It’s no secret – the pandemic was hard on small business owners. Over two years, our beloved local retailers, fitness studios, restaurants, and cafes have cycled through closures for months at a time. With a pivot here and support from the community there, many survived. And, now that the construction project is finally over, Lakeshore Road looks fantastic, with wide pavements, beautiful planters, and numerous patios and outdoor dining areas.

The good news is that despite the obstacles posed by the pandemic, Downtown Oakville has welcomed over 40 new businesses over the last two years. Check out this list of some of Downtown’s latest restaurants, retailers, and professional service providers.

Food and Drink

Doughbox Wood Fired Oven Pizza & Pasta

Doughbox.ca | 162 Lakeshore Road East

Enjoy Doughbox’s signature freshly stretched dough, homemade sauces, a wide range of premium ingredient choices, and the flavour of a wood-fired oven.

Figaro Coffee House

Figarocoffeehouse.com | 350 Lakeshore Road East

Roasted fresh daily, Figaro Coffee House provides an exotic coffee experience.

KIBO Sushi House

Kibosushi.com | 221 Lakeshore Road East

Sink your teeth into mouth-watering Japanese eats from Kibo Sushi House.

River 16 Restaurant

River16.ca | 234 Lakeshore Road East

River 16 has many great options on the menu emphasizing natural, sustainable, and ethically sourced food from local farms and producers.

Beacon Social House

Beaconsocialhouse.com | 305 Lakeshore Road East

A neighbourhood American Tavern with market-fresh dishes from land, harvest, and sea. Complemented by an elevated signature cocktail experience, robust wine, and a craft beer list.

Cinnaholic

Cinnaholic.ca | 259 Lakeshore Road East

With over 20 unique frosting flavours and a variety of fresh and decadent toppings, Cinnaholic isn’t your typical cinnamon roll dessert shop. All their products are 100% plant-based, dairy & lactose-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free.

Mochi Girls

335 Lakeshore Road East

Something sweet is coming to Downtown Oakville this summer! Crispy and fresh with the chewiness of mochi on the inside, these bubble-ring shaped Japanese-style donuts are growing in popularity.

Pilot Coffee

Pilotcoffeeroasters.com | 251 Lakeshore Road East

A specialty coffee roaster is opening Downtown Oakville. Roasting its own coffee blends with beans from across the world, offering flavours such as Sumava Teresa from Costa Rica, Catalan de Las Mercedes from Gesha, and Las Palmas from Colombia.

FASHION & STYLE

Anu Raina

Anuraina.com | 174D Lakeshore Road East

Beautiful clothing and textile prints designed by Anu Raina. Everything is hand-cut and sewn in Canada (except for a small line of men’s scarves made in partnership with a Peru manufacturer).

LUXFINDZ

Luxfindz.com | 150 Lakeshore Road East

Launched in 2017, LUXFINDZ is the destination for women searching for style, comfort, and affordable luxury.

Specialty Retail

Artifacts Lifestyle

Artifactslifestyle.com | 239 Lakeshore Road East

Founded in 1996, Artifacts shops the globe for unique items to create an exciting (and affordable) environment for clients and designers alike.

Flourish and Bask

Flourishandbask.ca | 245 Lakeshore Road East

Whether hosting a party or hanging out solo, this shop has everything you need to test your mixologist skills and create crowd-pleasing cocktails and drinks.

Hali MacDonald Interiors

Halimacdonald.com | 128 Lakeshore Road East

Hali MacDonald Interiors is a full-service design boutique serving clients with designs that transform and elevate how and where you live.

HAVEN Oakville

Havenhomegift.com | 302B Lakeshore Road East

HAVEN first opened its doors in Downtown Collingwood in the summer of 2018. Their home decor pieces are handpicked based on uniqueness, beauty, and the intention to bring comfort to the lives of their customers.

KARE

Kate-toronto.com | 225 Lakeshore Road East

Inspirational products and services for your home and office spaces. KARE is known for surprising its customers with an incomparable variety of new furniture, lighting, and furnishing accessories.

Fluf

fluf.ca

Ethically made lunch bags, snack bags, and backpacks. Handcrafted with organic and recycled materials that are durable and long-lasting.

Beauty and Wellness

Naturepedic Organic Mattress

Naturepedic.ca | 346 Lakeshore Road East

Naturepedic is on a mission to transform lives through safer, healthier sleep. By eliminating materials like flame retardants and polyurethane foam from their line of certified organic natural mattresses, Naturepedic supports an organic, holistic lifestyle while protecting the environment.

North Medical Spa

Northmedicalspa.com | 239 Lakeshore Road East

North is an award-winning medical spa helping people of all skin tones and types through advanced, ethical, and safe treatments.

Sculpt

Sculpttt.co | 303 Robinson Street

Sculpt supports individuals seeking non-surgical methods to enhance their bodies. Their business is an inclusive and safe space that warmly welcomes all people.

Professional Services

ACE Coworking (Second location)

Acecoworking.ca | 132 Trafalgar Road

ACE Coworking is Oakville’s newest coworking office space, and has just opened their second location in Downtown Oakville.

Alex Irish & Associates

Alexirish.com | 137 Trafalgar Road

As one of Oakville’s best-known and most respected realtors, Alex Irish became the team leader of Alex Irish & Associates in 2016.

Lozynsky CPA

Lozynskycpa.com | 295 Robinson Street

Lozynsky CPA offers all-inclusive packages covering a wide range of accounting and advisory needs.

Zigan Dental Group

Zigandentalgroup.com | 301 Lakeshore Road East

Zigan Dental Group offers cosmetic, general, and implant dentistry to restore health and beauty to your smiles.

Berkshire Hathaway

Bhhsoakville.ca | 210 Lakeshore Road East

One of the most trusted real estate brokerages globally, Berkshire Hathaway HomeSevices provides comprehensive real estate selling and buying services.

Nanak Wireless

Nanakwireless.com | 312 Lakeshore Road East

Nanak Wireless offers a wide range of mobile phones, accessories, Airpods, and laptops. Nanak Wireless also provides repairs to a variety of electronics.

Petit Paris French Tutoring

Petitparisfrenchtutoring.com | 282 Church Street

Robyn’s 18 years of Montessori classroom experience, her proficiency in the French language, and the application of the A.I.M have allowed her to achieve great success in teaching French as a second language.

Raymond James Investment Counsel

3keyswealth.com | 210 Lakeshore Road East

Raymond James Investment Counsel believes that successful long-term wealth management rests upon the development and maintenance of 3 Keys – Planning, Investment Behaviour, and Asset Management.

In Articles

Squeeze the Day: The Summer of Juice

June 15, 2022 No Comments

We all know that fruit and vegetables are good for you, and while you may favour a hamburger over some cucumber and hummus for lunch, getting your greens is key to staying healthy. Dietary guidelines suggest two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables per day may reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer (along with helping weight management). It’s no wonder that “juice” is booming in popularity.

Juicing is one of the easiest ways to get your daily serving of fruit and veg. And while you may already be on the smoothie wagon, juicing certainly has its time and place. Pure juice offers concentrated vitamins and nutrients, which are much easier to absorb. Blending, on the other hand, is great for meeting your daily intake of fibre (which helps with digestion, controlling blood sugar, and lowering the risk of heart disease).

But how does juicing work?

Cold-pressed juice uses a hydraulic press to extract the maximum amount of liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables. Since the cold-pressed juices aren’t pasteurized, you don’t risk losing any vitamins, nutrients, minerals, or antioxidants.

Farmer Jacks in Burlington is famous for its fresh-pressed juices, especially their 7-day juice cleanse. The cleanse includes five juices per day over seven days and is intended to help rid cravings for refined sugars and processed foods. Among the selections are the Power Cleanse or Detox Cleanse, and for added vitality, there are booster packs for immunity (carrot, celery, apple, orange, ginger, turmeric) or flu boosters (black garlic, turmeric, ginger, lemon).

If you’re not ready for a cleanse but want to add some more nutrients to your diet, Farmer Jacks offers a wide range of cold-pressed juices in a variety of flavours. Their detox power juice, consisting of kale, cilantro, celery, apple, green grape, ginger, and lime, provides energy and supports healthy skin, cell growth, and regeneration. Their antioxidant blast, a blend of carrots, grapefruit, orange, apple, raspberry, and ginger, help you get through the day. Or try the liver flush: a blend of beet, carrot, apple, orange, lemon, and ginger.

Green Press Juice in Oakville offers certified organic cold-pressed juice and free delivery in the GTA. Juices are pressed daily, unpasteurized, and help promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Green Press also offers a juice cleanse as a way to rid your body of toxins, kick start your metabolism, increase energy levels, control and eliminate cravings and mood swings, increase mental focus and clarity, boost immunity, and help get rid of unwanted fat.

They also have a registered holistic nutritionist on live chat to help you decide which juices and programs are best for you.

The Village Juicery in Oakville makes fresh, organic, plant-based beverages, meals and cleanses. Their products are all designed by nutritionists to help you feel great, and all are made fresh every day with no UV or high-pressure processing. Choose from a wide selection of juices and milks, booster shots, cleanses and kits.

The Bodhi Bar in Burlington offers organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies, shots and cleanses. They specialize in organic juice cleanse packages, and use a cryogenic preservation technique to deliver the freshest and most nutrient dense products. One of their best sellers is Spice Girl – organic carrots, apples, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon. Or try the Detox Concoction – organic kale, spinach, cucumber and celery with added parsley, ginger, lemon and apple!

Trish Juice in Burlington offers freshly squeezed juice and smoothies. From the pure and simple to more exotic juices, try the Purifier: lemon, green apple, blueberry, carrot, beetroot, ginger, and coconut water. Or the Mojito: lemon, green apple, cucumber, and mint (super refreshing on a hot day). Tangy Twist has a blend of orange, green apple, carrot, beetroot, and ginger. While the Cuban features pineapple, orange, mango, lemon, mint, honey, and coconut milk. If you want to get your omegas in, too, go for the avocado almond crunch – a delicious blend of banana, avocado, almond milk, and almonds.

Whether you’re a seasoned juicer and opt for a regular juice cleanse or merely want to get more fruit and vegetable servings into your diet, there are plenty of options to try.

Local Links

Farmer Jacks: Farmerjacksmarket.com | (905) 333-5225

Green Press: Greenpress.ca | (905) 849-4040

The Village Juicery: Villagejuicery.com

Bodhi Bar: Bodhibar.ca | (289) 237-7777

Trish Juice: Trishjuice.com | (905) 487-6197

In Articles

La Parisienne Creperie – Oakville’s Go-To – Has One Summer Left

May 29, 2022 No Comments

Located in a small house but a stone’s throw from Bronte harbour, you’ll find a French-style bistro with the best crepes in town (dare we say, the GTA) – and unfortunately, due to a new development, they only have one summer left.

The restaurant is called La Parisienne Creperie, and it’s been family-run by the Colas since December 2014. Husband and wife duo Mikael and Courtney took over the eatery in 2014 from Mike’s Parents, Marie-France and Pierre Colas, and turned it into the best crepe spot in town. By revamping the inside décor and keeping the original recipes, the Colas created a cozy French-style bistro right in Bronte.

From the beginning, their focus has been on providing delicious and traditional French crepes (froment) made on-site using fresh and local ingredients wherever possible. And for nearly a decade, they have supported local farmers and wine-makers when planning and executing their menu.

Their crepe flambe – with Grand Marnier orange liqueur, Sailor Jerry’s spice run, or calvados – are flambeed right at your table. They have French-style layered ice cream served in a mason jar as a parfait with elegant ingredients layered throughout. And then, there are their crepes. So many crepes. Sweet and savoury with ingredients like caramelized local orchard apples, house-made salted caramel, and vanilla ice cream drizzle, or simple and decadent with melted aged cheddar, double smoked bacon, and house-made tomato jam…there’s a crepe for everyone.

For a few more months, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner inside the bistro, or off the harbour on their quaint patio (p.s. they let you bring your own wine on Wednesday and Thursday evenings).

While their Oakville location is only around for a little while longer, you can visit the Colas second location in Hamilton, a hip French creperie called Verlan. Serving French & Australian-inspired toasties, soups, patisserie, along with a market featuring local products, arts, and gifts – we’re certain there’s nothing like it…and we’re already planning our visit!

In Blog

Our Waterdown Brunch List 2025 – The Best Breakfast and Brunch In Waterdown

May 16, 2022 No Comments

Whether you’re fueling up for the day, enjoying a mimosa brunch with your BFFs, or nursing a hangover from the night before, here is our 2022 list of the best breakfast & brunch spots in Waterdown Village!

For indoor dining, patio, take-out or delivery, #SupportLocal and enjoy a sweet or savoury breakfast that is sure to delight your tastebuds and cure your cravings.

Ps. Check out our separate articles for the best brunch spots in Oakville & Burlington!

Symposium Café

Looking to enjoy some brunch treats and patio drinks with your bffs? Look no further than Symposium Café. With 145 indoor seats and 50 seats on our beautiful outdoor patio, plus a kitchen that’s open from 8am-12am, 364 days a year. All the classics are here: bacon and eggs, French toast and waffles and a few gourmet options. How about a Caesar? Only $4 every day (from 11am – 4pm).

symposiumcafe.com | 64 Hamilton St N, Waterdown | 289-895-7860

Dine-In/Patio/Pick-Up/Delivery | Early Bird – Monday to Friday 8am-11am | Full service breakfast and brunch (served daily until 4pm)

View menu online and click here to order.

Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House

Stacked Pancakes House is the local hotspot for pancakes, waffles and French toast. Enjoy your stacks the traditional way (sweetened with syrup and with eggs and bacon on the side) or try one of their specialty stacks (like the Banana Rocky Road pancakes – topped with bananas, chocolate chips, sweet cream and nutella). But for those who are craving something a little more savoury, you can enjoy all the breakfast classics, including: Sausage/Bacon and Eggs, Breakfast Wrap, and a variety of Eggs Benedict and omelettes.

stackedpancakehouse.ca | 16 Clappison Ave, Waterdown | 905-689-2200

Dine-In/Take-Out/Delivery | Monday – Sunday 7am-3pm

Call to reserve a table. Click here to view the menu and order online.

Sunset Grill

Traditional breakfast as it’s meant to be, served to hungry diners for more than 30 years! No need to rush, you can get your fix of sausage, bacon, eggs, fruit and hash browns and more, all day. An added bonus: unlimited coffee refills, and great prices.

sunsetgrill.ca | 80 Dundas St E, Waterdown | 905-690-3000

Dine-In/Take-Out/Delivery | Monday – Sunday 8am-3pm

Jitterbug Cafe

Known for their homestyle breakfast and lunch, there is something for everyone at Jitterbug Café. Pancakes and waffles, gooey buttertarts, gourmet sandwiches, daily soups, and coffee that’s always served with a smile.

jitterbugcafeandcatering.com | 35 Main St N, Waterdown | 905-690-7670

Dine-In/Patio/Pick-Up | Monday – Friday 7:30am-5pm & Saturday 8am-2pm

The Copper Kettle

This quaint and spacious coffeehouse is known for their amazing coffee and their famous farm-fresh apple fritters. With lots of comfortable seating and tables available, it’s a great coffeehouse to catch up with friends over brunch – enjoy a fritter or choose from their selection of gourmet breakfast sandwiches, salads and soups!

copperkettlecafe.ca | 312 Dundas St E #4, Waterdown | 905-690-3696

Dine-In/Patio/Take-Out | Monday – Friday 7am-7pm & Saturday – Sunday 8am-6pm

Don’t see your favourite Brunch spot?
Contact us and we’ll add it to our list!

In Articles

Did Someone Say Cheese?

May 14, 2022 No Comments

No one really knows who made cheese for the first time, but according to one legend – it started by accident. As the story goes, an Arabian merchant put milk into a pouch (made from the stomach of a sheep) and set out for his daily activities. Rennet – the enzyme that converts milk to cheese – is naturally found in the belly of some ruminant animals. Whether this tale is true or not, cheese has been around since roughly 8,000 BC!

Dairy-based cheese is made from just four essential ingredients: milk, salt, a “good bacteria,” and rennet. Cheesemakers can adjust the basic recipe by adding other elements, making all of the cheeses we’ve grown to know and love.

Cheese traditionally comes from milk (dairy) – and you may be familiar with goat, cow, sheep, and even water buffalo milk cheese. But did you also know cheese can be plant-based and come from an assortment of nuts, soy, and oils? They’re quite tasty and come in many traditional types such as mozzarella, cheddar, and gouda.

Cheese is a very complex topic; in fact, some people build their entire education around it (you can actually obtain a Master of Cheese). There are so many different cheeses that in 1962, French President Charles de Gaulle famously asked, “How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?” France now has over 400 types of cheese, as does Italy.

Cheese is divided into seven main categories:

Fresh (for example, Ricotta), aged fresh (Mozzarella), soft white rind (Camembert), semi-soft (Port Salut), hard (Cheddar), blue (Gorgonzola) and flavour added (Pecorino with truffle). These styles are made in every cheese-producing country.

Our locally made cheeses:

Ontario has a wide selection of locally made cheeses, and the best part – some of the factories welcome tourists (we’re planning our trip now).

Thornloe Cheese Co. has been making cheese in northern Ontario since 1940 and has a beautiful selection of artisanal cheese. Their Temiskaming is a hard cheese with a yellowish inside. They also make a firm, smoked mozzarella and a Charlton, which is a goat milk cheese similar in flavour to feta.

Back Forty Artisan Cheese in Eastern Ontario (est. 2000) was one of the province’s first sheep’s milk producers. Try the Highland Blue, which has a natural rind and is less salty than most blue cheeses. Or try the Madawaska, which is salted and tangy. You can visit the farm in Mississippi Station (near Ottawa) on Saturdays from June to October.

Mountainoak Cheese in New Hamburg produces many delicious kinds of cheese. When you see the passion Adam Van Bergeijk, owner of the farm, has for his craft, you’ll understand why they’ve won so many awards. “Farming is not an occupation; it’s a way of living.” The Farmstead Mild is aged two to three months and is exceptionally creamy. It won first place in its category at the British Empire Cheese Competition in 2016, and the Farmstead Smoked took the same award in its category two years running.

Monforte Dairy in Stratford produces cheese from goat, water buffalo, and cow’s milk. The Providence Aged Cheddar is excellent, or try the Tomme or Chevre.

Pairing wine with cheese:

It is not as simple as most people think when pairing wine and cheese. Not all cheese goes with all wines; white wine is often better suited to cheese than red. The lighter the cheese, the lighter the wine should be. Fresh Ricotta would be best with a light wine like Trius Distinction Sauvignon Blanc ($19.95 at LCBO).

A soft white rind cheese such as Camembert could cope with a wine a little heavier, pairing the creaminess of the cheese and wine. Try the Westcott Estate Chardonnay (available at the LCBO for $29.95).

Hard cheese such as Cheddar or blue cheese goes well with red wine. The Malivoire Farmstead Gamay ($19.95 at LCBO) would be a good option, or the Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc would also be a good choice. ($29.20 at the LCBO).

There are no rules for cheese and wine, so taste different combinations and see which you prefer. Have some fun while you sample our Ontario cheeses and support a local industry which is on the rise right now.

Local Links:

Thornloe Cheese Co
Thornloecheese.ca
(705) 667-1061

Back Forty Artisan Cheese
Artisancheese.ca
(613) 287-7011

Mountainoak Cheese
Mountainoakcheese.ca
(519) 662-4967

Monforte Dairy
Monforteonline.ca
(519) 814-7920

Blyth Farm Cheese, Blyth
Blythfarmcheese.ca
(226) 523-5884

Stonetown Cheese, St Mary’s
Stonetowncheese.com
(519) 229-6856

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese, Woodstock
Gunnshillcheese.ca
(519) 424-4024

Baa Dairy, Fergus
Bestbaa.com
(519) 787-0707

Lenberg Farms, Lindsay
Mariposadairy.ca
705-324-9306

Glengarry Fine Cheese, Lancaster
Glengarryfinecheese.com
(613) 347-1141

Quality Cheese, Woodbridge
Qualitycheese.com
(905) 265-9991

The Cheese Boutique, Toronto
Cheeseboutique.com
(416) 762-6292

Farmhouse Artisan Cheese, Oakville
Farmhouseartisancheese.com
(905) 582-9600

The Block Co., Burlington
Theblockco.ca
(289) 337-9911

Mickey McGuire’s Cheese, Dundas
Mickeymcguires.com
(905)627-1004

East Hamilton Cheese Company, Hamilton
@Easthamiltoncheeseco
(905) 920-2314

In Articles

Oakville’s Little Kitchen Academy

April 23, 2022 No Comments

Is your child a budding chef, the next Bob Blumer, Lynn Crawford or Alvin Leung? Does your child demonstrate an interest in the art of cooking? Little Kitchen Academy offers a unique culinary experience for children ages 3-18, and Oakville has the only available location in Ontario.

This Canadian franchise provides children with exposure and an introduction to useful kitchen skills, potentially igniting future epicurean pursuits. For these young people, cooking at the academy isn’t just fun and games. “What the children learn in the kitchen are transferable life skills,” remarks Owner-Operator and Oakville resident Felicia Sia.

When Felicia attempted to locate a local culinary school for her young son, she was surprised not to find one. An online search lead her to discover a Montessori-styled culinary academy franchise for children in British Columbia. Following extensive research and being impressed with the structure and philosophy of the academy, Felicia invested in a franchise herself, bringing its first location to Ontario this past July.

Felicia’s experience and expertise was gained from her previous role as a director in food science research with ROHA, a leader in food colour and ingredient production. Her vision is to change lives from the early years, empowering the students with choices and a fundamental understanding of how flavour choices affect foods and how to prepare them.

Parents are not present while class is in session at this academy. Each student dons a chef uniform and listens to safety instructions before commencing.

Students have the opportunity to select ingredients within a prepared recipe. Herbs are grown on a living wall for the kids to harvest. They’re encouraged to try new foods and spices in various preparations, learning the science behind cooked versus raw. Lessons include education in the use of knife skills, clean-up, kitchen discipline, table-setting, and eating etiquette.

At the end of each session, students demonstrate what they’ve learned by presenting a meal for their parents to enjoy.

Q: Because the academy opened during the pandemic, what effect did these limitations pose on class size?

“We provided the appropriate spacing at stations during restrictions. The class sizes didn’t change. We weren’t affected in that way. Fortunately, registration remained healthy. Parents felt comfortable with how we handled the Health & Safety Guidelines. The only change made was that the students remained at their stations while presenting food, instead of using the community table.”

The classroom population at Little Kitchen Academy does not exceed ten students, with a 1:3 instructor ratio. While programs cater to kids 3-18, classes are grouped by age. The instructors have a culinary education and Montessori background. Felicia herself also instructs.

Q: Now open for just over nine months, what kind of feedback do you have from the parents about the program?

“Both the parents and kids have given us a positive response. We don’t have a lot of online reviews as of yet, but we do have many return students. This, for me, is undeniable feedback that we are doing something right.

There are children with special needs who have also enjoyed the program. Because of the low ratio of kids to instructors, all children can attend our program with sufficient 1-on-1 attention.”

The success and demand have been so great, with student applications also originating from Mississauga, Milton, Burlington, Thornhill, and Richmond Hill, that Felicia is looking for a second suitable location in Mississauga, with an opening date scheduled for late 2022.

Registration for spring classes and summer camp are now open!

Sia adds, “I have been and continue to be very grateful to the Oakville community for all their support.”

Little Kitchen Academy franchise has additional academy openings available for later this year in various GTA locations.

Visit the Little Kitchen Academy Oakville website for more information: littlekitchenacademy.com/locations/oakville

Food & Drink

Burlington

Oakville

Grilling Methods:

Best Oils to Use:

Which Fruits Grill the Best?

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

Create an outdoor dining space

Cheers to summer

Food and Drink

FASHION & STYLE

Specialty Retail

Beauty and Wellness

Professional Services

Local Links

Cheese is divided into seven main categories:

Our locally made cheeses:

Pairing wine with cheese:

Local Links:

looklocal.ca