Bite-Sized: Nabil's Middle East Fast Food, Hamilton, Ontario

On the corner of James North and Wilson in Hamilton is a strip mall. Inside this strip mall there is a pet store, a pretty good sushi buffet and among other things, the best falafel I have ever had. I have sworn by Nabil’s for falafels since 2006 and it is simply the best (better than all the rest). 

The Falafel Pita:

Warm, soft pita that gets doused in a spicy red sauce and creamy garlic sauce, while two big fresh falafel balls get fried and then placed inside the pita. They add lettuce and tomatoes, wrap it all up and quickly throw it on the grill for a slightly crisp and very warm pita. The magic of this pita is both the quality of the falafel – crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside, with lots of parsley and garlic – as well as the creamy garlic sauce. While a lot of falafel pitas tend to be dry and bland, this one is creamy and full of flavor. I highly recommend it!

The Works: Burlington, Ontario

San Francisco Treat with Bacon and a side of poutine

With the upcoming launch of The Works burger joint in Hamilton’s own Jackson Square, it seemed only fitting to give it a try at the nearby location in Burlington (also I love burgers in general and didn’t really need a reason to check it out). The Works has been around since 2001 and has over 20 locations already up and running and nearly 10 more on the go.  When I recently checked out the Burlington location, I was immediately impressed with the friendly staff and cool interior; the brick, metal and wood gave it a rugged, industrial feel that worked well with the menu offerings and overall dining experience. 

The main thing with The Works is that you are pretty much guaranteed to find something on the menu that appeals to you, as long as you like burgers. Not only do they have 6 different patty choices including (but not limited to) beef, elk and portobello caps, they have 71 different combo toppings and many different sides to choose from. 

Tower-O-Rings

We started off by ordering milkshakes, which I heard were a specialty of theirs. They give you the option of mixing multiple flavours (and I’m the kind of person who likes a lot of options when it comes to food) and went with a chocolate and peanut butter mix while my boyfriend opted for raspberry and chocolate. They both arrived in big glass measuring cups with straws and were extremely creamy and thick (and also very filling)! 

For our appetizer we ordered the “Tower-O-Rings” which are breaded (not battered) onion rings. They come piled high with two dipping sauces; we got the Chipotle mayo and the Buttermilk Ranch.  The rings were super crispy – crunchy even – and quite large! It’s a pretty generous portion for an appetizer when you consider that you’ve already had half a milkshake and have a burger and side on the way. We couldn’t quite finish the tower but I imagine that it would have been a perfect size for 3-4 people, instead of 2.


After looking at the menu and what seemed like a billion topping combinations, we finally settled on our burger picks. I got the San Francisco Treat on a beef patty, which came with real Kraft dinner & cheddar cheese (not Rice-a-Roni). I blame Diners, Drive-ins and Dives for making me add bacon to my burger (as well as a side of poutine).  My boyfriend got the Blues Burger on an elk patty, including blue cheese and double smoked bacon, with a side of their spicy die-cut chips.

Poutini Martini

I really liked the Kraft dinner and the creaminess that it gave the burger, and the bacon added just the right saltiness and texture. One of my ‘beefs’ with the burger, however, is that the bun was a bit stale and oval (while the patty was round. That is actually a pretty big pet peeve of mine and I have sent back many a non-matching bun at restaurants - yes, I am that customer). 

I ordered the Poutini Martini as my side, which is a standard poutine with onion rings. The image I had in mind when I ordered this was of small, crispy bites of onion rings mixed into the poutine. What I received, however, were large pieces of onion rings (basically one of their rings roughly broken into 4 pieces) thrown onto the top of the poutine. While they did use real curds (5 points for that), I was disappointed in the lack of said curd (minus 5).

Blues Burger with Die-Cut Chips

My boyfriend enjoyed his burger but found that the blue cheese was almost too strong and somewhat overwhelmed the flavour of the meat. While elk is a pretty lean meat, the burger remained moist and had a nice texture to it. The spicy die-cut chips were probably the high light here. Similar to kettle chips except a bit thicker and with a really yummy house-made dry rub on them; we ate them all despite being super full. 

Overall, The Works is a good burger joint and they are definitely a player in the ongoing best-burger competition. They are constantly coming up with new toppings and combos and that is precisely why I think they will do well in Jackson Square.  The shakes were great, the onion rings were crispy and unique and with a few tweaks to their buns and poutines, they could really have something amazing! I will be sure to check them out once they are up and running in Hamilton. Oh and be sure to come super hungry and to spread out your milkshakes and onion rings!

Hamilton Farmer's Market: Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton Farmer's Market

With the summer quickly approaching and an abundance of local produce hitting the shelves, I thought it would be the perfect time for a post about the Hamilton Farmer’s Market. While the market is busy all year round, I know that many people find the whole thing a bit daunting. Which bakery should I choose for my bread? While veggie and fruit stands are locally sourced? Who has the best price on cheese, meat and spreads? Where can I get more of those amazing butter tarts my co-worker brought to work from the market?

When I was a student attending McMaster University, one of my fellow poli-sci students introduced me to the market. He said that he went there religiously and after one visit I was hooked! I enjoyed making my way downtown from campus and continue to go at least once a week on my lunch now that I am working nearby. The market in downtown Hamilton is a bright, bustling and welcoming space and today I will be giving you the inside scoop!

Hamilton Farmer's Market

First thing you should know is that the market is located in Jackson Square, next to the Hamilton Library. It is open on Tuesday 7-6, Thursday 7-6, Friday 8-6 and Saturday 6-6 every week. It has been around since 1837 and was recently renovated with lots of windows and community spaces. It is divided into an upper and lower floor, with small to large stalls as well as space for people to sit, eat and relax. Here are some of my favorite stops:

Baked Goods: 

Genuine's Bread House Bake

Located on the main floor, Baltic Bakery is one of the many bakeries you will find in the Hamilton Farmer's Market. I like to go to this place if I need a lot of buns for either a BBQ or party. Very fresh, always friendly and very reasonably priced. Another favorite that I often go to for fresh bread is Genuine’s Bread House Bakery located on the lower level. They have farmer’s sour dough, caraway rye and a lot of other options. Plus, they will slice it for you on the spot! Last but not least is Lina’s European Bakery. I dream about this place. When I first took my friend Diane for butter tarts, we ended up going back three times to get more! Needless to say, she makes amazing baked goods and I would highly recommend checking her stall out on the lower level (especially the butter tarts!) 

Apples!

Fruits and Veggies: This one is tough because there are SO many fruit and vegetable booths (not complaining!) Here I would really recommend just taking your time, walking around and scoping out your options. In the summer you can find a lot of great Ontario produce and taking the time to look around means you will also find the best deal. For apples I pretty much always go to Bentford Orchards because they are local and always crisp and delicious. Fleetwood Farms is another great option – they are based out of London and always have a lot of great veggie options to keep all of your meals local and full of variety.

Huong Tang

Fish: Again, you have many options but I have been going to the Huong Tang Fish Market located in the lower level since undergrad. I have tried a lot of their seafood and it has always been exceptionally fresh and very reasonably priced. 

Romano Cheese Deli & Olives

Meat & Cheese: The whole point of going to the market is to take your time and try new things. Through the course of many years and many meals, I have found several great booths for meat and cheese (and olives, obviously). For my cheese and olives I love going to Romano Cheese Deli and Olives. The service is always friendly (and comes with samples!) and they have a wonderful cheese selection. They also offer a variety of olives and oils and I usually get a mixed container since they are all so tasty (one of my faves is olives with oregano and celery in oil!) For my cured meat, I usually go to Sam’s Cheese, especially when I am craving spicy pepperettes! 

Jam: Here I am very specific because I love this jam (though I should mention that I am biased since I really have not explored the other jam options in the market). At Sam the Produce Man’s vegetable stall in the lower level is a shelving unit full of wonderful homemade jams. My favorites are peach and apricot and I have been going to this place for my jam needs for a long time!

Ercillia's

Specialty: Finally, a wonderful booth that I discovered this year is Ercillia’s Fine Foods in the lower level. Specializing in Portuguese food, Ercillia’s has a little bit of everything – fresh chorizo, savoury spreads, sweet custards and much more. My two favorite items here are the milk bread, a traditional sweet bread from the Azores region as well as their lemon salsa. The owners are both extremely friendly and helpful (but you should note that you will be hooked on the milk bread once you start going!)

I hope my market highlights will encourage you to check out the Hamilton Farmer's Market soon!

Bite-Sized: Tally Ho, Hamilton, Ontario

Tally Ho’s roast beef sandwiches are not, I repeat, not just for drunken McMaster students returning from a bar somewhere in the West end. Located at 1536 Main West in Hamilton, Tally Ho’s is something of a magical food happy place legend. While I admit that I first learned of Tally Ho’s while I was attending McMaster as a student, I recently returned and was pleasantly surprised to taste the exact same incredible sandwich that I had eaten some 5 years ago.

Roast Beef Sandwich

It all starts with a soft, warm sesame seed bun. The bun is sliced and gets a spoonful of their hot, savoury gravy. (side note: my mouth is already watering as I type this). A generous portion of the most tender and thinly sliced roast beef is placed in a special warmer. Picture a hot plate with a lid that allows the meat to heat up while staying moist and flavourful. This gets piled onto the gravied bun and then more gravy is added on top. Ordering the Roast Beef Basket means that you also get fries and coleslaw, which I highly recommend, and you necessarily need to get extra gravy for the fries. The gravy isn’t anything fancy but it is always hot and just the right consistency to dunk your sandwich in if you feel the need for a bit more sauce. The coleslaw provides the perfect crunchy, creamy contrast in between mouthfuls of meat and gravy. Basically, this sandwich is amazing. (side note: I am about to get into my car to go get two one two).

Yes – if you go after 11 pm on any given night, you will be surrounded by drunk students (and if you go at lunch time on a weekday and see a young woman in a business suit shamelessly going HAM on a sandwich in a corner, it is me) – but it is oh, so very worth it. 

Spring Rolls: Hamilton, Ontario

Assorted Spring Rolls Platter

Among the many renovations currently taking place at Limeridge Mall on Upper Wentworth in Hamilton is the arrival of Spring Rolls, a Pan-Asian restaurant chain from Toronto. When I was living in Toronto, I had eaten at Spring Rolls a few times and while it was always enjoyable, it never blew me away. I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit to their Hamilton location, both for the overall dining experience and the food itself.

Cashew Chicken

In a beautifully renovated space, the restaurant feels bright, welcoming and very modern. Unlike some of their Toronto locations, the tables feel spacious and we didn’t feel rushed or crammed in. They have a contemporary menu, with many options divided by type of cuisine – Japanese, Thai and Chinese – along with a few specialty items, soups, salads and desserts. There is a lot to choose from and I would imagine that almost anyone could find something on the menu to suit their tastes.

We started our meal with the assorted spring rolls platter. This came with a variety of hot and cold rolls as well as hoisin sauce and sweet chili sauce on the side. It also came with a good-sized portion of mango salad in the centre of the platter. The rolls all tasted very fresh and the salad was crisp and refreshing.

Singapore Noodles

For the mains, we ordered the Singapore noodles (with whole wheat noodles), the cashew chicken and the mango salad with chicken satay which came with a bowl of miso soup. Everything was delicious. The noodles came in a tasty curry sauce with shrimp and veggies. The cashew chicken was equally good with lots of nuts and big pieces of chicken. Everything tasted fresh and came out hot. While I likely would not have ordered the mango salad as a main had I known we were getting some with the appetizer, I still ate most of it and the chicken satay was a great addition; grilled skewered chicken breasts with a warm peanut sauce on the side.

Mango Salad with Chicken Satay

The portions were perfect for lunch – in fact we had some to take home – and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The service was friendly and prompt and the food was fresh and filling. Is it my personal favorite Pan-Asian in the city? Probably not. But it is none-the-less an enjoyable dining experience with a lot of fresh menu choices and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal after a day of shopping at Limeridge. 

Food TV: My Top 10 Favorite Shows That Are No More

As a long-time Food Network aficionado, I have witnessed the coming and going of many cooking shows and chefs. Some of today’s familiar faces have been around for as long as I can remember while others have been replaced or changed shows. While the actual food (cooking, preparation, etc...) aspect is obviously important, what really makes a successful cooking show is the chef; the way that they interact with the food and how they relate this to the viewers. Below is a list of my favorite cooking shows that are no longer being produced (but which I will continue to watch online and in syndication forever).

Coming up with this list was not easy; there have been so many wonderful shows that I have enjoyed watching over the years.  I have attempted to put these in order, though they are open for debate. Some are old, some are recent but they are all very good. Here it goes!

10) Yan Can Cook: This is a show I used to enjoy watching because of his sense of humour and speed. He had some mad really impressive knife skills and always kept his show lively and upbeat. Here is a video of Martin himself making tasty potstickers!

9) Kylie Kwong: Heart and Soul: A great show from Chinese Australian chef Kylie Kwong. I loved the style of the show and in particular, her interesting food creations. She utilized a variety of interesting and unique ingredients with skill and offered a slew of contemporary and traditional Chinese dishes. 

8) The Wild Chef: This show was sadly very short lived; you will likely remember it since it only debuted in 2008 and was still playing on TV until pretty recently. I really liked this show because it was something completely different. Martin was cooking in ways that no other chef on TV had up until that point – pickled sturgeon gizzard (recipe here), whelks in herb sauce, and the list goes on and on! While he has recently come under some scrutiny for his use of foie gras, I think he’s an impressive and creative chef doing amazing things (with maple and meat in particular).

7) Molto Mario: While the set-up of this show wasn’t my favorite – Mario Batali cooking for two to three people in a tiny, rustic-looking kitchen – his recipes always had a regional flare and he would often provide a story as to where in Italy they originated. Despite his orange crocs, I enjoyed watching him cook and it’s too bad that he isn’t on any shows right now (though he was until recently an Iron Chef). He did a collaborative cookbook with Gwenyth Paltrow a few years back and I could totally see them making a show together (beyond a tour of Spain). Here is his recipe for Spaghetti with Artichokes and Pancetta.

6) Emeril Live: This was a great show! Tell me you didn’t ask your parents for a trip to the Emeril Live studio every year for Christmas growing up? Emeril had a live band, he said “BAM” and other hilarious expressions and loved to kick it up a notch. He was my favorite chef for a long time growing up and I miss his show and his enthusiasm for his work. Here is the recipe for Emeril’s Essence as well as a video of him in Chicago back in 1999.

5) The Surreal Gourmet: They probably could have just called this show the Toastermobile because it is easily the most memorable aspect of the show. Watching Bob Blumer cook in a tiny mobile kitchen, sometimes with up to two people in there, was lots of fun and the food was always interesting. Bob has this great, chill personality and he knows how to speak to his audience. He made some really interesting meals and always kept it fun and light. Was this the first ever food truck? Probs. Did he once have an episode entitled "Carb Your Enthusiasm"? Yup!

4) Food Jammers: Super cool Canadian show with three young guys who made one-of-a-kind contraptions to use in cooking and brewing! It was a funky show that featured great indie music and lots of local sights in Toronto.

Side note: Once I saw Nobu Adilman, one of the food jammers, riding his bike around Kensington market. I instantly froze and was totally star struck.

3) Iron Chef (Original Japanese version): The original Iron Chef first premiered in 1993 and was eventually dubbed and aired in Canada. A LOT of Friday nights growing up (elementary through to university) were filled with staying up late to watch Iron Chef. I loved the Chairman’s enthusiasm, the incredible ingredients and of course the commentators (i.e., Fukuisan!) I actually haven't been able to get into the American version because, though fun and entertaining, just doesn't compare.  Here is a clip of this classic!

2) The Urban Peasant: Oh The Urban Peasant… this show will always have a special place in my heart. This show played when I got home from school on the CBC and I watched it religiously. I loved watching James Barber messily move about the kitchen, joking with his audience and often receiving guests (like the mailman a la Mr. Dressup). Plus there is something about his Canadian/British accent that I find so endearing and comforting. This show played a big role in my love of food (and food TV) and I hope Mr. Barber is happily resting in foodie heaven.

1) Two Fat Ladies: This is my number one because it is just such a great show on so many levels. Have you ever seen it?  The premise is basically two ladies, namely Clarissa Dickson Wright and Jennifer Paterson who drive around on a motorcycle with a sidecar across the United Kingdom, cooking historical and unique meals for groups of people. They detest grocery stores, Jennifer always has her nails perfectly manicured and they will cook with virtually any ingredient. They make jokes about men and always finish the episode with a casual conversation and a beverage (though never alcoholic for Clarissa). Their friendship comes through in their cooking and in their conversation. 

They loved food, all kinds of food and I will always love watching their show.  

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!