The Courtyard on Locke: Hamilton, Ontario

Berries & nuts salad

I think that one of Hamilton’s lesser known gems is the Courtyard on Locke. Yes, it is a bit more expensive than some of its neighbours, but the food and overall dining experience make it a worthwhile stop for any Hamilton foodie looking for a quiet, refined and delicious meal.

The Courtyard is one of those restaurants that fits somewhere between casual and fine dining. Would I wear jeans? No. That being said, the place nor the 

Lobster sliders

service feels stuffy or pretentious. The atmosphere is calm, modern and elegant. At night the restaurant offers a cozy, dimly lit intimate setting and during the summer, the courtyard in the back makes for a perfect outdoor brunch locale. A bonus feature is that they use Riedel wine glasses. While I am both too clumsy/too cheap to buy these for myself, I have to admit that using the right glass for the right type of wine truly makes a difference!*

Steak & frites

When I visited for dinner awhile back, I went with my mom and aunt who strongly recommended this restaurant. We started with appetizers and wine, ordered 3 different mains and left feeling very satisfied and full! While the menu has changed since my last visit, I hope this post offers you a small glimpse at the quality of their food and diversity of their menu.

We started with the 3 mini lobster sliders. The buns were fresh and the lobster was light and topped with an avocado purée. Since there were 3 of us, this was an easy and tasty way for us to begin our meal. We then shared the nuts and berries salad, which had a mix of fresh berries, walnuts and goat cheese and was topped with a light balsamic vinaigrette. 

Fresh pickerel with mash and beans

Primavera pasta

For our mains, my mom ordered a creamy primavera pasta. Full of peppers, asparagus and mushrooms. This pasta was served in a creamy white sauce and topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese. My aunt ordered the special - a beautifully grilled piece of pickerel, topped with tomatoes and onions and served with mashed potatoes and green beans. I would like to note here that the beans were perfect. I mean everything else was equally delicious, but the beans were right at that perfect stage of cooked-ness without losing their bright colour or being overly mushy. 

I opted for the steak & frites and was very happy with that decision. They use thick, juicy cuts of Canadian AAA striploin and serve it in a veal reduction. The frites are actually fingerling potatoes, cut in half and served perfectly crisp. I ate every last morsel on my plate. Dee-lish. 

While I couldn’t get dessert because I was too full (which, for those of you who know me, know that that is rare indeed), I feel pretty confident that it would have been equally delicious! Next date night? Check out the Courtyard.

*The Riedel Wine Test. Take any ol’ wine and match it with a regular wine glass. Now pour that same wine into the designated Riedel glass. BOOM. Totally different.  

Martini House: Burlington, Ontario

If you’re looking for good food, a great atmosphere (inside and out) and an incredible cocktail list, then Burlington’s Martini House is for you. Tucked away on Elizabeth street, the Martini House offers a nice small patio in front, perfect for summer nights, and a cozy, candlelit setting inside. I recently visited for dinner on a Saturday night and thought it was time to share this place with you!

It goes without saying that they know what they’re doing when it comes to drinks – they have a separate menu designated just for martinis, offering a wide variety of combinations. I have had a chance to sample several different kinds and they have all been expertly concocted and mixed. On my most recent visit I decided to opt for a glass of wine instead of a martini and they had a good variety of local and international wines to choose from.

On this particular occasion I decided to order their curry mussels with a caprese salad. Perhaps a bit of a strange combo but it worked. The mussels were served in a rich, golden curry sauce and came with naan bread. They were served on a bed of rice which was perfect for soaking up the yummy curry sauce. The mussels were quite filling and would easily have sufficed as one whole meal. The caprese salad was equally good with a light balsamic and oil dressing. The salad is listed in the menu as coming with crisp leaf greens, which I opted out of - I don’t think lettuce belongs in a caprese. The tomatoes were ripe and delicious with beautiful bocconcini and fresh basil. It’s one of my favorite salads and they do it well.

My two friends who joined me for dinner ordered the pasta of the day and the filet mignon. The pasta dish consisted of homemade ravioli that were filled with fresh ricotta, spinach and scallions and served in a creamy garlic sauce. The ravioli were perfectly al dente and the portion was a good amount for a dinner serving. While we unfortunately had to send the filet back because it was overcooked initially, they immediately remedied the situation and gave us all free dessert as a food offering (which we graciously accepted, obviously). It should be noted that the fact that the meat was improperly cooked was quite out of the ordinary for them – I have ordered the filet there before and it was cooked perfectly – so don’t worry about this happening to you. The steak came back out served on top of a mountain of lobster cheddar mashed potatoes (yes, it is a thing and yes, they are crazy delicious) with grilled green beans and asparagus.

While it became a bit too dark outside for me to take any good photos of the desserts (I really hate the look of food shots with a flash so I made the decision to just go ahead and eat without taking any photos – a rare moment!) they were good but not incredible. The assorted cheesecake platter tasted a bit stale and uninventive, whereas the chocolate peanut cheesecake was dense and delicious! While I haven’t sampled their other solid desserts, I think your best bet is to enjoy a final dessert martini, of which they have several delectable options. 

I would certainly recommend checking this place out next time you are in B-town but be sure to make a reservation! It's a popular joint.

Bite-sized: M.T. Bellies, Welland, Ontario

So I used to work at this restaurant called M.T. Bellies (get it?). I started when I was in high school and it was my first serving job. I worked at the Port Colborne, Ontario location and though it is closed now, they are still going strong at their original location in nearby Welland. M.T. Bellies is a fun, easy-going restaurant with a lot of options on the menu. One side of the restaurant is catered more towards families (including white paper on the tables with some crayons and games) and the other is more for adults, with a few booths and high tables around a bar. While the food would definitely be considered standard restaurant fare (apps, salads, burgers, pastas, etc...) M.T's adds a few unique twists that make it stand apart from places offering a similar menu. One such example is this:

Da Boss

This burger  is called Da Boss and it kind of blew me away. Picture a big homemade beef and cheddar pattie, topped with jack cheese, crispy bacon AND tempura-battered jalapeno peppers! If that wasn't enough, they serve it up on a fresh kaiser bun. I've definitely seen a lot of fried onion rings on burgers but having the spicy yet muted crispy battered jalapenos was a real treat and a perfect burger topping (which I will most certainly be trying to replicate in the near future).

Crispy fried jalapeno on top of Da Boss
(with a side of poutine, obvi)

While on this particular occasion I only ordered the burger, I have tried nearly everything on the menu at one point or another and it is pretty much all good. They aren't doing anything terribly fancy or out of this world, but they are taking classic food items and doing them well and in some cases (such as the case of Da Boss) they are seriously raising the bar! If you are driving through Welland and looking for a casual, good eat, I would definitely recommend M.T's (especially if you are driving through on a Friday in the summer when they are serving up delicious Lake Erie perch!)

Zum Linzer: Hamilton, Ontario

I was pleasantly surprised to have been able to score a table for two on a Friday night when I called a few weeks back. While parking is a bit difficult (since the restaurant is located directly on Main St. in Hamilton) I was definitely far too excited to let that deter me; I hadn’t been to Zum Linzer in several months and wore my stretchiest finest jeans for the meal.

Deep Fried Camembert

From the moment you walk into their small but cozy digs, you pretty much know right away that you are in a German restaurant. They have about 10 tables and a small but very nice bar. They have a row of beer steins along a shelf hung across a brick wall in addition to a collection of decorative plates. They use proper linens on their tables (i.e.: not paper) and their servers are always knowledgeable, friendly and prompt.

House Salad

When we sat down, there were about 3 other full tables and I could hear people quietly speaking to each other in German (which I take to be a very good sign). Soft music with inaudible lyrics could be heard in the background and mostly everyone there seemed pretty serious about the food and beer. While they don’t have a huge beer selection, what they do offer includes select imports such as Warsteiner Dark, Munich, Stiegl and Gosser with a few on tap and a few in bottles. I know the beer only contributes to how full I inevitably feel whenever I eat here but I think it is necessary – somehow wine just doesn’t feel right. Kind of like how not eating the complementary rye bread that comes to the table doesn’t feel right, even though it means that I’m already half full before the apps arrive.

Gypsy Schnitzel

We start off with the deep fried camembert cheese and receive a huge breaded and deep fried round of the stuff. It comes out golden and crispy on the outside and warm and creamy on the inside. They serve it on a toasted piece of bread with a thick dark currant jam on the side, of which the sweet and tart flavors perfectly complement the rich cheese.

We then receive two plates of the house salad, which is quite unique in comparison to many other places. The salad is basically a handful or so of fresh greens topped with a medley of finely diced pickled veggies in an oil and vinegar dressing. Little pieces of carrots, red cabbage and onion can be picked out, creating a colourful, flavourful and interesting start to our meal.

Liver and Onions

Our mains arrive at the table – two heaping plates of meat, sauce and spaetzle. My boyfriend ordered the liver and onions because a) he loves liver and onions and b) he says it’s the best he’s ever had (I can’t really comment on this because unfortunately I really, really don’t like liver and onions). I ordered the gypsy schnitzel, a classic thin piece of breaded pork covered in a rich paprika sauce. It comes with a huge portion of spaetzle and grilled veggies. The sauce is savoury but not spicy, with sliced red peppers and onions to give it a bit of texture and depth of flavour.

We didn’t have room for dessert (or for all of the spaetzle) and we both left feeling very satisfied and exceptionally full.  I certainly recommend this place to anyone looking for a delicious schnitzel (Michael recommends it for anyone looking for amazing liver and onions) and an overall very good dining experience in Hamilton. 

Happy Jack's: Fort Erie, Ontario

The Patio @ Happy Jack's

Having grown up in Niagara with friends in Fort Erie, Happy Jack's was always the go-to spot whenever we had a craving for Chinese food (and/or a restaurant with a super fun name). I recently went back for the first time in a few years and it was exactly the same – in fact, the décor might very well be the same since it opened in the 60s. Very traditional, somewhat dark but cozy inside with a beautiful relatively new patio outside that faces the Niagara River. 

Happy Jack's Special-
Pineapple Cocktail

Located on Niagara Blvd., Happy Jack's is something of a Fort Erie staple. While many other businesses have come and gone in the area, they have been around since 1967 and are consistently busy. No, their food isn’t going to blow you away with crazy re-interpretations of classic dishes and odds are you won’t find foodies snapping pics of their meals (except me, obviously!). What you can depend on, however, is classic Chinese fare done well with a lot of selection, fresh ingredients and excellent service. Since I was with my Mom and brother, we opted for the Dinner for Three (only $39.95) with a few additions (namely Jaa Doo Chicken Wings, which are my fave and Singapore noodles for Mom).

Minestrone (jk: it's obviously
Won Ton Soup)

Dinner for Three starts off predictably with a bowl of won ton soup. The soup is hot, salty and the won tons are meaty, not chewy. 

[SIDE BAR: While I was eating my soup I was suddenly very distracted by the drinks being delivered to the table next to us (read: at the other end of the dining room). I didn’t know what they were but I wanted one because it came in an adorable porcelain lidded pineapple. I immediately tracked down our server to get one (still without knowing what it was). It turned out to be the Happy Jack's Special, a delicious pineapple cocktail, which I really enjoyed!]

Following the soup were crispy egg rolls. While the egg rolls themselves were pretty standard, the real treat was the homemade plum sauce – a somewhat thick, sweet version with pureed plums that went very nicely with the rolls.

Chicken, Vegetables & Almonds

The server returned to clear the plates and brought over fresh hot plates. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before but I really love when restaurants warm your plate. It makes a big difference in the overall meal and shows that they are taking that extra step to ensure you enjoy your food.

We then received the rest of the meal – big heaping plates of breaded shrimp, Goo Loo Yuk (Cantonese style sweet & sour pork), chicken and vegetables with almonds, barbecued pork fried rice as well as our Singapore noodles and wings.

Goo Loo Yuk

Goo Loo Yuk: Good sized pieces of pork that were breaded and coated in a tangy sweet and sour sauce. The dish also had pieces of pineapple and fresh slices of tomato. While the breading was a bit heavy, the dish overall was quite good and I added the tangy sauce on pretty much everything on my plate.

Chicken and Vegetables with Almonds: This was probably my favorite dish from the Dinner for Three selection; cooked yet crisp pieces of broccoli, carrots and celery, sautéed with mushrooms, onions, chicken breast and almonds in a light garlic sauce. Savoury, warm and comforting.

Breaded Shrimp: These were probably my least favorite. They basically take large shrimp, batter them and fry them. While this may sound okay, the problem here is that the batter to shrimp ratio is way off – too much batter and not enough meat.

BBQ Pork Fried Rice

Barbecued Pork Fried Rice: While many Chinese food restaurants tend to overcook and dry out their fried rice, this version was particularly moist and flavorful. The rice was a dark brown and speckled with pieces of bbq pork.

Singapore Noodles: You can’t really go wrong with this dish. Thin egg noodles are coated with a mild curry sauce and fried up with mixed veggies and tiny little shrimp. The noodles weren't mushy nor were they too crunchy from being fried (aka: Goldilocks approved).

Jaa Doo Chicken Wings

Jaa Doo Wings: This is my favorite kind of chicken wing – crispy fried, no sauce, and super salty. The wings were pretty tiny, but deep frying them kept them tender and juicy beneath a nice coating of crispy, salty goodness.

Happy Jack's is the kind of place where you will see mostly regulars who know exactly what they want as well as a lot of takeout. While they aren’t serving up anything fancy or mind-blowing (except for those pineapple drinks!) there’s a reason people have been coming back for over forty years. All in all, a very satisfying meal with leftovers to last for days!

Rapscallion: Hamilton, Ontario

Without sounding like a broken record, I have to agree with everyone who’s ever been to Rapscallion - it is a great restaurant and a truly wonderful dining experience. Located on the corner of John St. and Young St., Rapscallion is drastically raising the bar for restaurants in Hamilton. While their hours can be a bit of a challenge (Thurs – Sunday only), I can assure you that it is worth the effort. Did I mention that I had spam and loved it?

Foie Gras Torchon

This cozy restaurant packs a small list of bold menu items that are original yet feel like comfort food at the same time. By combining classic dishes with unusual ingredients, the unsuspecting diner is sure to be happily surprised with their meal. They offer up a selection of small plates, encouraging you to order 2-3 items per person. Their wine list is short and they only had one VQA option - a Reif Estate Pinot Grigio, which I ordered. My boyfriend had a Mickey’s, a little green-bottled beer from Milwaukee, which was the only beer available. Although I was initially somewhat disappointed by the lack of selection, I pretty much immediately forgot about that as soon as our first order of small plates arrived. 

Pickled Pork Shoulder
and Triple-Cream
Brie Grilled Cheese

I ordered the foie gras torchon, one of their menu staples. The server (who was extremely informative, personable and friendly) informed us that this was the last night you could get it served cold because they would soon be serving it warm and seared. I’m really, really glad I ordered it. On my plate was a small round serving of soft housemade foie gras. It was light and creamy and didn’t leave an oily residue in my mouth. It was topped with a sprinkling of coarse kosher salt and homemade ice wine jelly that looked like little yellow diamonds. On the other side of the plate were port-soaked grapes and slices of soft homemade brioche. The creamy saltiness of the foie gras went perfectly with the sweetness of the grapes while the brioche added a lovely texture to each bite. My boyfriend ordered the grilled cheese with pickled pork shoulder, triple-cream brie and carmelized onions. It was grilled to perfection, greasy from the butter and the flavors were incredible. Salty, juicy pork with creamy brie, all thoughtfully rounded out by the sweet flavor of the onions.

Cobb Salad

We then split their version of a cobb salad, a perfect example of how there are taking a common dish and transforming it into something unique and memorable. A traditional cobb salad goes something like this: shredded lettuce, diced veggies, boiled eggs and bacon.   The Rapscallion cobb has diced tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and sugar snap peas in sections on a plate surrounding a small pile of dressed lettuce in the centre (my inner OCD was smiling at the organization and presentation). There are strips of fried spam on one side and on top is a fried quail egg. They drizzle their homemade  creamy dressing over the whole thing and it is perfect. We inhaled the salad, afraid that the other might get an extra bite.

Lamb Parmentier

Tongue and Cheek

Next on our list was lamb parmentier for me and tongue and cheek for my boyfriend. The tongue and cheek came served on a homemade potato pancake, with rich, savory gravy and asparagus. The veal cheek basically looks and tastes a lot like a very tender piece of roast beef and the tongue was similar. While I had previously tasted cured deli-style cow tongue at Vineland Estates Winery, this version was very different in that it was a whole piece of tongue. My boyfriend loved it and the gravy and potato pancake were well-suited to the dish. The lamb parmentier came in a small cast iron ramekin, piping hot from the oven (or more likely the salamander). When I stuck in my fork, I found a layer of tender lamb, topped with buttery mashed potatoes and goat cheese. The lamb was braised, pulled and stewed then baked into this little pot. The potatoes were creamy and mashed with goat cheese which, when baked, gave it a beautiful golden top. It was a warm and comforting dish.

Lemon Curd Crepe

Last but not least: dessert! When the server told us that they had sugar pie on the menu, I instantly knew that was what I would order. Have you ever had sugar pie? My aunt from Québec makes it for me whenever I visit because it is my favorite (well, it is one of my favorites… I have a lot of favorites). Sugar pie, or tarte au sucre as it is known in my family, is a simple pie with lots of brown sugar and often maple syrup. Rapscallion made a traditional version of the pie, serving it warm and à la mode with homemade ice cream on top and lots of maple syrup underneath. My boyfriend ordered the lemon curd crèpe, which came with fresh berries and a deliciously tart lemon filling! They were two very different and very delicious desserts. 

Sugar Pie

I will absolutely, 100% be going back to Rapscallion A.S.A.P. and would recommend it to anyone! (Though, perhaps not to vegetarians since pretty much everything on the menu has meat in it). 

Happy MEating!

Bread Bar: Hamilton, Ontario

Whenever I have friends or family visiting from out of town, my frequent go-to restaurant recommendation is Earth To Table Bread Bar in Hamilton. It is well situated in a bright, open space at the South end of Locke Street. The food is consistently good, often great, and the service is always friendly and prompt. While the tables can feel a bit cramped together depending on where you are sitting, it is none the less one of my favorite places to eat and drink in the city.

Here is a breakdown of why Bread Bar is awesome:

1) In addition to their regular menu, they are always making daily specials as well as variations on their loaded fries. While there are classic go-to menu options that I always come back to, I often cannot resist trying their daily french fried creation! My two favorites so far are:

Smoked meat with sweet mustard and cheese

Homemade cheese sauce with salsa fresca and
sour cream

World's Best Mac & Cheese

2) The mac & cheese. Amazeballsing. I recommend this above all else at Bread Bar. It is honestly the most perfect mac & cheese that I have ever tasted. Perfectly cooked elbow noodles – first boiled, then baked and always al dente. The sauce is rich and thick – you can taste the roux base and the creaminess of the aged cheddar. They throw in sautéed onions and smoky bacon in big pieces, adding the perfect flavor and texture contrast to the cheese sauce. It gets baked in an individual dish and topped with only a small sprinkling of breadcrumbs. In my mind this simple version of the standard dish is ideal. The breadcrumbs add just the right amount of texture, without making the dish taste overly dry, and the richness of the sauce ensures that every bite is gooey and amazing. 

3) They have a great drink menu. With a variety of local and international wines and a decent selection of local craft beers, you’re sure to find something to wet your whistle. When I visited a couple of weeks ago, I had the rare treat of getting to taste Dillon’s gin, a fresh creation from Niagara’s newest and only craft distillery.  Served in a cocktail with sparkling Riesling and blood orange puree, the gin added a very subtle flavor kick to the drink. It was bright red, light and sweet – a very nice way to start the meal.

4) Pizza.

Vampire Slayer

I guess I should be more specific. Have you ever watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Well, I do and I am a huge fan. HUGE fan. Here at Bread Bar they have a pizza called “The Vampire Slayer” and it is necessarily loaded with roasted garlic. I love the idea of a Buffy-themed pizza (even though that show in particular may not be the inspiration to them, it is in my head) and my boyfriend and I order it often.  Their homemade pizza dough is topped with a creamy béchamel sauce, brie cheese and roasted garlic. It is finished with fresh arugula, grated lemon zest and more garlic. Since I am not a huge arugula fan, I often find it a bit overpowering to the otherwise subtle flavors of the pizza. That being said, it is none-the-less one of my favorites and I could totally go for one right now.

Butterscotch Pudding

5) Dessert! I always save room for dessert. I have a small area in my stomach (right, lower portion) which I never fill while eating, leaving it empty specifically for dessert. You definitely want to use this technique next time you are at Bread Bar because they have many tantalizing dessert options.  For example, you can enjoy their amazing monkey bread (think cinnamoney, cakey, goodness in cupcake size) or one of their daily pies. Last time we went we ordered a slice of their rhubarb pie, which was a tart, moist dessert with a crumble topping. Another option is the homemade butterscotch pudding.

Rhubarb Pie

They fill a mason jar with a very light almost cappuccino-coloured homemade butterscotch pudding. This gets topped with a layer of caramel followed by a pillow of fresh whipped cream. They finish it off with candied pecans - crunchy and salty and perfect. Eating this was one of those moments where I don't think I actually said one full word but rather uttered a series of low moans and/or animal calls.

The Bread Bar is one of those places that I’m sure will stick around for a long time. They’ve developed a significant and dedicated following in the area and they are definitely setting the bar high for local restaurants and cafes.

Who wants to grab a bite?

Bite-Sized: Culantro, Hamilton, Ontario

Pollo empanada

While Hamilton's newest (and only) Peruvian restaurant has already received a ton of well-deserved praise, I would be remiss not to include it as part of my blog on the area's best food, because who are we kidding here? Culantro is doing it right. It has quickly become a popular destination in the James North neighbourhood and though small in size, they are certainly big on flavor. 

My boyfriend is part Peruvian and having been spoiled with places like El Fogon while we were living in Toronto, we were both super anxious for the arrival of Peruvian cuisine here in Hamilton. While I have not yet tried all of their offerings, I can tell you that the empanadas, the yucca and their homemade sauces are delicious*. 

Carne empanada

I have had their carne (beef) and pollo (chicken) empanadas several times and the quality and flavor has been consistently superb. The empanadas are flaky and golden with a generous filling. The carne is stuffed with beef, black olives, raisins, egg and spices. The contrast of the flavors works very nicely and the unique mixture of ingredients is precisely what I love most about Peruvian cuisine. The chicken empanadas are equally delicious, with a light, creamy filling of chicken, sweet corn and spices.  I ordered my empanadas with yucca, a tasty, starchy root vegetable and excellent french fry alternative (note to self: make yucca poutine). They come in cubes and are fried until golden and crispy. Of the two aji sauces provided, I love the red sauce the best. When it first hits your tongue, it is sweet and light. This quickly turns into a deep, spicy flavor and is a perfect compliment to the flaky empanadas. 

Yucca and aji sauces

I look forward to many future visits to Culantro (and I am desperately awaiting for them to add Papa a la Huancaina to their menu! hint hint!)

*It should be noted that their Lomo Saltado is also incredible and will be featured in a future blog on eclectic poutine iterations! 

Dani's Bistro, St. Catharines, Ontario

I really need to get something off my chest: bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese. There. I said it! I feel much better. It's been consuming my thoughts since I went to Dani's Bistro in St. Catharines. I'll explain. 

First thing's first: Why Dani's? 

I had looked at a number of places online, reviewing the menus and wine selection prior to my visit. Dani's stood out to me because of their menu and the way it is written. Under each item is a description and/or commentary:

"Pot Roast: local grass-fed Beef from Comform Farm, braised in red wine served with caramelized onion mashed potato, veggies & yorkshire pudding (This will make you happy, I promise!)" 

Risotto Balls (Arancini)

I love the personable style of writing, not too mention the wonderful options and VQA only wine selection. I was sold!

The restaurant is fairly small with deep red walls and paisley table cloths. They have a nice big bar at the back and the service is fast and friendly (read: hilarious!) We started with a bottle of Southbrook's 2007 Cabernet Merlot Shiraz, upon the server's recommendation. It was a fruity-smoky-mildly acidic bottle of deliciousness. 

They specialize in tapas with various hot & cold options to choose from. My mom and I decided to order 5 different tasty plates to share which were perfectly staggered coming to the table. What is nice is that you don't have to wait too long for the server to bring by a complimentary bread basket with a pesto spread.  Shortly after that came our first round: Mushroom ragu atop golden toasted crostini. This was a warm, woody spread with crispy crostini! 

Following this was the crunchie brie, a big ol' wedge of brie that gets coated and deep fried. I love deep fried anything cheese! It came with a cranberry compote and more crostini. 

Crunchy Brie

Now, la crème de la crème: bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese. ohmygoodness. I have never tasted something like this before. 

Happiness.

Crispy, salty bacon. Sweet, chewy dates. Tangy, creamy blue cheese. Yes. There were 4 on the plate and after they were gone, I was honestly considering ordering fifteen 4 more! My mom and I both loved them and they were easily my favorite item, despite also having ordered poutine.

The next item that came out was risotto balls (aka: arancini). While I really enjoyed the gooey cheesy centres, I would suggest adding some sharp parmesan and maybe event some fried pancetta to the risotto to really add depth of flavor. That's how I make it at home (lots of parm, pancetta and peas along with cream and one egg yolk to keep is creamy and rich). That being said, they were still a tasty addition to our Smörgåsbord of local flavor. 

The last tapas item was the pot roast poutine. A beautiful, cheesy poutine with big chunks of melt-in-your-mouth roast beef, rich gravy and stringy mozzeralla. 

Pot Roast Poutine

As an avid poutine lover/eater/maker, I would have to say that cheese curds (instead of the mozzarella they used) would really go a long way here. While I don't necessarily think that a poutine needs to have curds (see internal dialogue here) I think that the squeeky, creamy addition of a cheese curd would be pretty amazing in this dish.

Despite being super full I felt the need to order a dessert, you know, for the sake of the blog! 

I ordered the bread pudding with whiskey sauce because it had the following description: 


"#1 dessert in Niagara by Niagara Magazine so good it’ll make you say, 'I’ll have what she’s having!' "

Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

I am not normally a bread pudding person and my mom isn't normally a dessert person and we both loooved it. There is a warm puddle of whisky caramel sauce in the bottom of a shallow bowl, topped with a gallette of warm bread pudding. We paid $1 extra for the vanilla ice cream. It was a perfect ending to our meal!

Be sure to let me know your thoughts on the bacon-wrapped dates when you visit Dani's :)