Billy Munnelly – Billy's Best Bottles Wine Blog » Food & Restaurants

Susan Did It!

Billy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:17:57 +0000

One of my favourite lines to restaurant owners is “Get the wine from the cellar and put it on the bar where customers can see it!”

And Susan Dunfield, owner extraordinaire of my favourite Stratford bar, DOWN THE STREET, just sent me this photo. Seeing is believing!

“I thought you would get a kick out of our “wine rack roll back” display ! You always said people should just come up to the bar and look at and talk about wine so, I’ve done it. Time to clear out all the ends… Also we are selling”good cheap” white and red by the glass for under 5 bucks.” Susan Dunfield

Check out www.downthestreet.ca
Open Friday and Saturday during the winter

Good cheap 60′s 70′s style (small town) comfort food.

Billy’s Best Awards

Billy — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:23:41 +0000

BILLY’S BEST BOTTLES AWARDS
Have never been a fan of awards but as everyone else seems to love them I’m getting into the game. Starting with:

BEST LOCAL WINERY EXPERIENCE
Some experiences that I love are the elegance at Stratus, the boudoir feeling at Organized Crime, the grandeur of Megalomaniac, the arty/barnyard concept at 13th Street, the great purple wall and modernism at Southbrook, the ‘walk-right-in’ welcome at Jackson-Triggs. and the Country’n Western bar at Karlo.

But my pick for best pit stop is Ravine – for three reasons.

1. The wine style is super local – bright, natural flavours, and moderate alcohol.

2. The café/patio/bistro/food shop offer the opportunity to refresh and to linger. And everything is of the highest quality, while still feeling friendly.

3.The wines at Ravine are not cheap but the food offers great value. And the wine list in the bistro has five wines priced under $30. I get a sense that they are working hard to be as affordable as possible considering what is offered. And to make the experience work for a broad range of interests. Which is no easy task. Thanks Ravine.

RAVINE VINEYARD St. Davids, Niagara www.ravinevineyard.com

Next up – Best Local Winery.

OctoBEERfest!

Kato — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:43:55 +0000

BEER LOVERS SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
5 pm to 9pm

Official Event Link

Munich would be great but here’s a local alternative that you could turn into a romantic/leaf gawking weekend. Bayfield offers a lovely hit of New England and the Black Dog pub/bistro is seriously into good food, drinks and times. Tell Kathleen and Ted I sent you.

And The Lucky Winner is…

Kato — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:50:26 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew Madden from Brampton who scooped up the amazing Stratford Getaway Prize.

Thanks to the hundreds who entered. Support these great establishments who kindly helped us create a fantastic prize.

Down the Street Bar & Restaurant, Foster’s Inn, Savour Stratford, Stratford Festival, and The Three Houses.

Have You Entered the Stratford Contest?

Kato — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:30:41 +0000

This month we were in Stratford to see Jesus Christ Superstar and it was fantastic. So was the espresso at SPUTNIK on Ontario Street, shown here. And the aprés party at DOWN THE STREET.

If you haven’t entered my fabulous STRATFORD contest NOW is the time – it closes AUGUST 29th.

Click here to get to the page! And good luck!

Hail to the Pizza Oven!

Kato — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:14:35 +0000

In case you haven’t noticed, a pizza oven is the new ‘cool thing’ at wineries. Southbrook’s beautiful modern winery has the oven built into its blue wall and have hired Niagara super chef Stephen Treadwell to oversee the menu which features lots of local ingredients. Pizzas served daytime, Thursday to Monday.

Here in Prince Edward County, Norm Hardie has gone all out with a stone-built oven that could be on the cover of Cote Sud. A picture postcard for sure. Took over a year to construct. Fortunately the pizzas take a lot less and are orgasmic. Served on weekends. Norm’s 09 County Pinot is both delicious and refreshing – lightly chilled. A nice Summer splurge at $35.

SOUTHBROOK Winery, 581 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara on the Lake
NORM HARDIE Winery, 1152 Greer Road, Prince Edward County

Niagara Gem

Kato — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 05:34:41 +0000

A LITTLE KNOWN NIAGARA GEM

Yes, there is secret spot in Niagara with terrific food, super low wine prices and the colourful/funky/casualness of a Californian café. Everything homebaked from local ingredients and if you go right away they may still be serving strawberry pizza – which is a real wow with Baco Noir. Should you drink too much there’s a lovely guest suite upstairs. Love this place. Daytime only and closed Mondays.

THE PIE PLATE BAKERY & CAFÉ Village of Jordan, Niagara www.thepieplate.com

Coming to Ravine! July 21

Kato — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:31:00 +0000

We’re excited to host a wine tasting event at Ravine Vineyard on Thursday, July 21st.

Ravine is one of my favourite Niagara wineries – the place, the wines, the restaurant. Check it out! www.ravinevineyard.com

Experience our Wine Dating Game – no wine geeking allowed! Just bring your imagination and sense of humour.

The Wine Dating Game is a fun, interactive wine seminar based on imagining a ‘best date’ for each of the wines tasted (4 whites and 4 reds). Once you know WHO you’re dating, you’ll be able to figure out WHERE to take them!

We’ll be tasting 4 whites and 4 reds. A bargain at $50! 7:30 PM- 9:30 PM

The new Bistro @ Ravine is now open for dinner! Explore the French Bistro inspired menu with a Niagara twist before or after the dating game!

To reserve your spot please contact Nicola @ 905.262.8463 ext. 27 or email nicola@ravinevineyard.com

Ravine Vineyard, 1366 York Road, St Davids, ON, L0S 1J0

Asparagus Season

Kato — Tue, 31 May 2011 06:11:24 +0000

HELLO ASPARAGUS!

The first asparagus of the season is always special and this year I had one of those experiences you read about in cook books. From ground to table in twenty minutes – thanks to Ed and Sandy Taylor who operate a roadside stand on Sandy Hook Road here in Prince Edward County. Ed picked a bunch for me right from his organic farm, and they were sizzling under the grill, into a frittata pan, and on the lunch table in next to no time. Along with a very good baguette from Metro and open bottle of Aussie Semillon. Brilliant sunshine made it all quite wonderful. Ed and Sandy have organic produce all season long and they’re just one minute south of one of the County’s best watering holes, The Waring House.

More asparagus meals have followed accompanied by my traditional wine partner, Sauvignon Blanc. This year I’m enjoying Hillebrand’s 09 Trius – brisk, refreshing and herbaceous, but also very general purpose.

HILLEBRAND 09 ‘Trius’ Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Niagara 221804 $13.95

P.S. There’s tons of great events happening in Niagara and the County, but next weekend on June 4 Hillebrand is putting on a WHOLE HOG DINNER!

Chef extraordinaire Frank Dodd will host your dining experience as he presents three courses, including a delicious vine-roasted suckling pig. Savour Chef’s award-winning plates as you sip perfectly paired wines selected by Winemaker Craig McDonald. $99 per person, plus tax and gratuities. Fun starts at 6:30pm.

http://www.hillebrand.com

The Espresso Trail

Kato — Thu, 19 May 2011 05:12:03 +0000

Haven’t done an espresso post for a while. No, I’m not off caffeine, just hitting old fave spots. Even Starbucks, which is always reliable – and I like the décor, and all the amusing lingo. Anyone of you read the book?

My theory on Starbucks is that they have paved the way for all the greatly improved, and exciting independent coffee houses that we enjoy today.

Fred Eaglesmith was here at the Acoustic Grill (Picton) last week and I liked his response to people who diss Starbucks ‘corporate’ coffee “So you’re driving a homemade car now?!”

Speaking of independents my trips to TO are more pleasant since I discovered End of the Thread in Brighton. Great espresso and even better home-baked goods – located in an antique/retro emporium. Be careful or you might be buying a lot more than coffee! Tell Steve I sent you. That’s him stepping out for a smoke.

END OF THE THREAD, 15 Main Street, Brighton endofthethread.com

Charcuterie in Ottawa

Kato — Tue, 10 May 2011 22:40:02 +0000

Lucky us! We were in Ottawa this past weekend. The tulips were a bit hard to find, but we had lots of fun at a home-tasting. (Thanks Eric and Leisa!)

We checked out Murray Street restaurant/bar in the Byward Market. Capital one! They’re opening a food shop shortly around the corner very soon, so put both on your Ottawa list. Cheers. www.murraystreet.ca (fantastic web site too!)

Pretty In Pink

Kato — Wed, 04 May 2011 05:46:57 +0000

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

Sunday May 8

There is hardly a more romantic lunch spot than the restaurant at Peller Estates (Niagara on the Lake). Shades of a chateau in Champagne. For Mother’s Day super-chef Jason Parsons will be preparing a picture perfect pink-themed 3-course brunch which will of course include a glass of the world’s most delicious Sparkling Rosé, Peller Ice Cuvee. Take your Mom, your sweetie, yourself. $47.95 per person, exclusive of wine, taxes and gratuities. Call 1.888.673.5537 ext. 2.

www.peller.com

PEC Report: Devonshire Inn

Kato — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:52:00 +0000

LOCAL COUNTY REPORT
#1 The Devonshire Inn

Welcome to my first of many 2011 blasts from The County…that’s Prince Edward County south of Belleville.

The idea being to make you so madly envious that you’ll move here and join the party. Bring your dog, your cellar, your tennis racquet and of course your Canada Pension. If running an Inn or Bar is in your dreams, I’ll come and get you myself.

Speaking of Inns, one of my favourites is the Devonshire Inn– right on the lake in Wellington. They’re offering Spring packages right now and new chef JohnRoss Woodland is cooking up a storm. There’s an all-local wine list, and the young staff are brimming with early season enthusiasm. Wellington is a strollers delight with a boardwalk on the lake and lots of period homes on the Main Street. There’s a very pretty 9-hole golf course up the street and most of the County’s wineries are close by. As are two other good restaurants, which I’ll tell you about another time.

Later in the month the Devonshire’s lake-side patio will be open for meals, snacks or afternoon drinks. One of the great County experiences for sure.

2011 COUNTYLICIOUS is on now until April 16th
Devonshire Inn is offering a 3 course menu for $35…more info at http://countylicious.ca

DEVONSHIRE INN, 24 Wharf Street, Wellington, Ontairo K0K 3L0
1.800.544.9937 OR 1.613.399.1851
http://www.devonshire-inn.com

1/2 Price Wines on the Danforth

Kato — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:40:19 +0000

“Our wines are half price today” said our skilled server as we got seated for brunch as the Globe Bistro. So I did what any hedonist would do – ordered $70 wine instead of my usual $35 price range. To hell with savings when there’s an opportunity to live it up. Sunday half price applies at dinner too.

Great wine deals are not the only attraction at the Globe. I had the best brunch in years – a swine plate featuring pig six ways: sausage, house-smoked rasher, peameal bacon, pork confit, creton (pork spread) and maple crackling. My companions raved over their choices too and the fun service staff took some of the edge off the formal atmosphere. Come summer, check out the fab roof-top patio.

GLOBE BISTRO 124 Danforth Ave., Toronto 416.466.2000 www.globebistro.com

Friendly Wine Prices in Belleville

Kato — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:13:14 +0000

For the past decade CAPERS restaurant has been to go-to place for wine and food lovers in Belleville. On a recent visit (snack in the bar area) I was delighted to see the number of under $30 offerings and the fifty-under-fifty list. Capers is casual enough to go for a beer and good enough for a big night out. Cliché I know, but you get the drift.

While Capers is on the downtown main drag, KALAYS restaurant is located in an industrial mall on the edge of town. East Coast is the theme here – clams, scallops, lobsters, crab cakes, etc. But non-fish eaters can enjoy deep-fried pepperoni or even a burger. Thankfully there’s no kitchy lobster trap décor. The place feels as fresh as the seafood. Take advantage of the friendly $5 corkage fee.

CAPERS 272 Front Street www.capers.ca

KALAYS 393 Sidney Street (Hilden Square) www.kalays.com

Put This Pork on Your Fork

Kato — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:10:09 +0000

Had a delish pork sandwich-to-go the other day at PORCHETTA & CO on Dundas @Palmerston (just west of Bathurst). Simply roasted meat with grainy mustard and a splash of hot sauce. The side orders of beans and rapini were fab too. This charming hole-in-the-wall has nailed its precise concept. Do one thing and do it well. Check it out.
Porchetta & Co 825 Dundas Street West, Toronto 647 352 6611

Salt of the Earth

Kato — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:10:50 +0000

My heading may be corny but it works for the new restaurant/tapas bar on Ossington. Excellent food, a very bold, Portuguese-only wine list and a cozy, cellar/library-like atmosphere. Great long bar at the front for aperitifs. Shades of some wonderful back-street joint you’d discover on your travels. I’ll be back for sure.

Look for a sister seafood restaurant to open next door sometime soon.

Salt Restaurant, 225 Ossington Ave (S. of Dundas), Toronto 416-533-7258 saltrestaurant.ca

P.S. After, kick-up your evening with some hot Canadian talent at the Dakota Lounge on Ossington, just North of Dundas.

London’s Dazzling Lights & Espresso

Kato — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:28:23 +0000

LONDON’S DAZZLING LIGHT SHOW & GREAT COFFEE
London (Ontario!) has been making the news this month for its record snow falls. But let me tell you about a couple of other attractions. The Christmas light show in Victoria Park is awesome! Magical!

And one of my best espressos of the year was The Fire Roasted Coffee Company (located in the Confederation Building of the Western Fairgrounds). Which is also home to the Saturday Farmers Market. Way more fun than the Malls. www.fireroastedcoffee.com

Thanks to all the London folks who showed up for my book signing at Jill’s Kitchen Store. It’s perfect place to pick-up party supplies or gifts for the food lover. Or just a few naughty paper napkins.

Wine for Curry

Kato — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:29:47 +0000

A favourite Toronto food shop is Fiesta Farms (on Christie, just north of Bloor). Looks like a supermarket but operates like an Italian corner store. There’s a serious commitment to fresh produce and traditional/low price cuts of meat. After shopping on Tuesday we decided to go for curry at the nearby Banjara www.torontobanjara.com (on Bloor at the southwest corner of Christie Pits). The food and ambiance is a lot better than the ‘strip mall’ appearance. Lots of white linen. And I had the opportunity to try a wine I’ve always thought would be a good partner for curry – Mateus Rosé from Portugal.

The slight sweetness, prickly zest, and low alcohol of Mateus are perfect partners for spicy/hot foods. Refreshment that takes nothing from the flavours. And which doesn’t cost much. If you’re doing this at home I suggest you decant the Mateus into clear glass to enjoy the pretty colour. And perhaps avoid negative comments.

All in a Day’s Work

Kato — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:05:21 +0000

Over the past few months I’ve tasted well over 1000 wines for my upcoming wine book – Billy’s Best Bottles Wines for 2011. This will be the 21st edition of this ‘Canadian Classic’, and I think it will be the BEST ever. Stay tuned for more info.

This past weekend I was fortunate to be a judge for the upcoming OTTAWA FOOD & WINE SHOW. Am planning on hosting a seminar on Friday November 5th. Details coming soon.

Ottawa was lots of fun – the company of my fellow judges, of course – and the Byward market area was vibrant. Upon arrival we hit the HIGHLANDER, and had some of the best pints of Guinness I can remember. Ultra-creamy and served at the perfect temperature. The Highlander’s scotch selection is second to none – world class – so be warned. We enjoyed a lovely night at MUST WINE BAR – and sampled every appetizer – before moving on to the newly opened swish SHORE CLUB.

Yep, all in a day’s work.