All posts tagged Stone Road Grille

Favourite Niagara Restaurants

by Kato on April 30, 2009 in Billy's World, Food & Restaurants, Travel Notes with No comments

STONE ROAD GRILLE (sign outside says Rest) www.stoneroadgrille.com
If I lived in Niagara I’d be here a lot. It’s a casual pub/bistro place for topnotch food and wines at reasonable prices – served by intelligent, fun-loving staff. Judging by the amount of wine consumed, everyone seems to be as comfortable as if they were at home. The prices are conducive to trying at least a couple of bottles. Owners Heidi and Perry Johnson deserve an award for creating this rare combination of quality, fun and value.

Chef Ryan Crawford could be cooking at a five star joint. And the service staff are also major players in this production. For fun you must have the beautifully presented charcuterie platter, maybe with Pinot or Gamay. Reserve your table at 905.468.3474

ABOUT THYME BISTRO (Vineland) www.aboutthymebistro.com
Nicely understated small restaurant with a pretty side patio. Ryan Shapiro cooks modern twists on bistro food with emphasis on local ingredients. And partner Donna Thomponson opens reasonably priced local wines. I mean local – Beamsville only.
3457 King Street W. (w. of Victoria Ave), Vineland 905.562.3457

OLD WINERY RESTAURANT (Niagara on the Lake) www.theoldwineryrestaurant.com
Tony Deluca’s new restaurant is modelled on the Italian trattoria – a big room filled with people enjoying affordable food and drink and making a lot of noise. You choose from wood fired pizza, pasta, steak, chicken, chop, or fish – and a wine list with the lowest prices on earth. Large patio too. How can you resist. 2228 Old Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake 905.468.8900

THE RESTAURANT at HILLEBRAND (Virgil) www.hillebrand.com
This has always been a bit of a secret since it’s tucked in behind the winery – overlooking the vineyards. Now with more tables, elegant patio and a smart, Californian atmosphere. And Chef Frank Dodd is happy too that the kitchen has expanded. Taste a few wines, eat well and stroll the grounds. 1249 Niagara Stone Road, Virgil 1.800.582.8412

For lunch, check out the NIAGARA COLLEGE (Glendale Campus) www.niagaracollege.ca/dining A bright, circular room with a view of the escarpment. Try the lunch and wine package. The College makes very good wine which you can purchase next door to the restaurant. (Niagara College is located across from White Oaks Inn. QEW at Glendale Road) 905.641.2252

ON THE TWENTY (Cave Spring) Jordan and JORDAN HOUSE TAVERN www.innonthetwenty.com Eating and staying at On the Twenty delivers a first class all the way. And The Jordan House fills the niche for finding affordable, well-designed accommodation and worthy road house food.

PELLER ESTATES (Niagara-on-the-Lake) www.peller.com

RIVERBEND INN (Niagara-on-the-Lake) lunch on the patio is lovely www.riverbendinn.ca

Niagara Wine Tours

by Kato on April 13, 2009 in Food & Restaurants, Travel Notes, Wine Picks with Comments Off

before you go Pick up a copy of Wineries of Ontario at LCBO stores. It has maps and all the contact info for wineries, restaurant and hotels. www.winesofontario.ca

the low down The wonderful 07 Vintage is the current hot topic but don’t overlook the wines of 06, which are drinking really well right now. This cool year produced light wines that are truly local in character.

There are 2 district regions – the flat lands of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) and the more sloped escarpment of Beamsville/Jordan/Vineland. The two regions are separated by the city of St. Catharines. If you’re on a day trip, I suggest you don’t try to visit both regions as this involves highway travel and that ruins the Niagara experience. The QEW is to Niagara what Yonge Street is to Toronto – a central artery best avoided. You need at least two days. Three would be better – especially if you want to take time to smell the roses. I like to do the Niagara-on-the-Lake region first, heading down York Road to Queenston, and then up the beautiful Parkway. A little refreshment on the back patio of the Riverbend Inn, and I’m in the zone.

Don’t spend all your time at wineries. At least take a break for lunch.

When confronted by a tasting bar with dozens of wines, try saying this: “Take me through a day of wine – lunch, aperitif, appetizers, main course, after dinner, nite cap. And how about something novel, an adventure?” This way you’re tasting with context in mind.

Niagara is producing some of the most exciting $20-$30 wines in the world.

Treat yourself. If you’re spending a few days consider staying at Inn on the Twenty in Jordan. Upscale but friendly, relaxed and everything in good taste. Some rooms have a garden, and breakfast in the grand dining room is a fab way to start the day.

On the restaurant scene, Stone Road Grille, located just outside Niagara-on-the-Lake is a rare Ontario edition of the bistro experience. Locally popular, personable owners and staff, bustling, informal atmosphere, generous  food portions, a commitment to local produce and wines, reasonable prices…you must go. (Reservations 905-468-3474)

best new attractions: Southbrook’s stunning modern winery – with a ‘great wall’ and pizza patio. Organized Crime’s sexy tasting room. Olson’s Foods and Bakery shop at Ravine Winery. Chefs Michael and Anna Olson have opened a big food shop/café on a lovely woodsy hillside in the village of St. David’s. It’s part of a complex containing Ravine Winery. Top quality foods and a rustic setting – can’t beat that.

Best winery reception on my last visit was by Lindsay at Thirty Bench. Most intelligent restaurant service was Christina at Hillebrand. Continue reading →

 

Site protected by VNetPublishing.Com Web Security Tools