Hamilton and Burlington restos are offering up irresistible eats
What's the update on the Hamilton/Burlington dining scene? This column is part of an occasional series of news bits and bites. (No dining took place - except at Mikey's Cream Pies!) Please follow all resto Instagram sites for up-to-date lockdown hours and offerings.
Gearing up to join the ranks of tea parties-to-go is the most excellent Saving Thyme Patisserie. Words fail to express the magnificence of the baked goods coming out of the passion project of Alex and Phil Kinsman. Imagine setting up your home tea party with sandwiches, mini-quiche, pate, croissants, macarons, fruit, madeleines and, of course, scones. Their tea boxes are a recent add-on to their takeout menu that includes heat-and-serve prepared meals. Leading up to Mother's Day, the tea boxes will be available on some weekends. Check before you make plans. Your local tea house may also be doing afternoon tea takeout, and don't forget tea services that deliver afternoon tea to your door. Check out Tea Amo in Hamilton or The High Tea Trolley in Halton and Peel regions.
Mikey's Cream Pies
Once upon a time, there was a man named Mikey who loved to bake. He had always wanted to open a restaurant and so he did. The end.
Let's hope that the end" is that we live happily ever after enjoying his cream pies. Mike Jensen's story does seem to be an amazing fairy tale with a slow start that has now catapulted him to success. Working in construction, baking was a hobby that served mainly his family and friends until this past December when he broadened his horizons via Facebook. By March 13, he was opening a bricks-and-mortar pie shop on Barton Street, with his daughter Sarah on the team.
Focusing on great tastes and quality ingredients, his cream pies come in four main flavours - banana, coconut, chocolate and butterscotch, and in two sizes. The crust can be pastry, graham or Oreo or, by special order, a crust using any of his cookies - e.g. peanut butter cookies. One of his specialties is the banana split pie, and in the lead up to Easter, he was making Cadbury cream egg pies. His dream pies combine cream cheese with whipped cream and are available in strawberry, pina colada, cookies and cream and peanut butter. Butter tarts are also flying off his shelves. To avoid disappointment, it's best to preorder.
I don't usually visit eateries in these news segments, but accidentally found myself right in front of Mikey's. In honour of my mother, who made great cream pies, I purchased a coconut pie and watched as the fresh whipping cream was piped on top. It was delicious.
Jensen, who also spends time as a karaoke DJ/host says on Facebook, I look forward to 2021 with wide eyes and an open heart to all the possibilities it holds. Remember ... small thoughts can become big dreams and even bigger successes."
I'm a sucker for cobblestone streets (as in Toronto's Distillery District or Quebec City). Even the wee stretch of Hess and George streets are enough to make me mellow. Those cobblestones may also be part of what persuaded Chloe St. Pierre-Grills, originally from Quebec City, to choose the Hess Village location for her life's dream of opening a restaurant. Her main occupation had been in administration and accounting, skills she says are now invaluable on the pandemic roller-coaster. She's always done food-related activities on the side and now invites diners to experience casual French food - a concept she feels may be unfamiliar to some.
Having opened in October, circumstances have forced her to rely mainly on takeout, though the restaurant has a lovely space for a licensed patio that is scheduled to open on May 1 - assuming the current lockdown is softened.
Joined by her classically and professionally trained chef, Starr Albino, they hope you'll enjoy offerings such as assiette fromage and bourride, a French Provencale fish stew with a velvety aioli sauce. One dessert feature is parfait au citron - lemony fresh and not too sweet, topped with Chantilly cream.
News Bites
Lucky's BBQ. Social media is abuzz with raves about the flavour profiles at this new addition to George Street. Slow and smoked applies to all they offer which includes sausage brisket, wings, chicken, ribs and pulled pork. There is even a seitan brisket for vegans. These can be enjoyed with classic barbecue sides such as beans, mac and cheese, potato salad, slaw and cornbread. Top it all off with Grandma's sticky buns for dessert.
Tin Cup Sports Grill. Popular in Burlington, this sports bar has opened a location in Ancaster.
Bouchee Cupcake Cafe opened in Dundas. They also make spectacular cakes.
Transitions. Matty's hot chicken plans to open on Locke Street but during the current lockdown is continuing takeout from Undefined on King William Street; Curbside Burgers is moving from Ottawa Street to 1127 King St. E.
Closed. B&B Taps and Grill (Burlington Waterfront Hotel); Pete and Kay Diner; Green Bar on Locke Street (James Street location remains open); Jen Stokes has closed Chez Dine, which had been a platform for home-dining, pop-ups and restaurant experiences.
Diane Galambos is a food writer who shares stories and recipes at her blog kitchenbliss.ca. Follow her on Instagram https://instagram.com/kitchenblissca