This was such a whimsical and charming restaurant, with a beautiful garden and lots of artwork…read morecreated by the owners themselves. While we were dining, we were invited to explore the restaurant and the small gallery in the back, where they displayed paintings, cards, and postcards for sale. It gave the restaurant a very personal and creative atmosphere. The service was also warm and friendly. Since there are not many seats available, I would strongly recommend making a reservation.
The Pollinator's Salad was fresh and light, with a dried herb vinaigrette and a generous amount of bee pollen. Since the menu mentioned edible flowers and foraged herbs, I was hoping to see more of those incorporated into the salad. I think they would have added more colour and made the dish feel even more special.
The halloumi was soft while still having that satisfying squeaky texture. The maple syrup added a lovely sweetness, while the walnuts provided a nice crunch that complemented the softer cheese.
The pan-fried trout was cooked very well. The lemon butter and capers added a nice combination of saltiness and citrus that paired well with the fish and wild rice. I would have loved to see a greater variety of seasonal vegetables alongside it. The zucchini also could have used more seasoning, as the accompanying red tomato sauce was quite bland.
The handmade pasta had a flavourful sauce and a nice texture, although I felt the overall dish needed just a touch more seasoning to bring everything together.
Unfortunately, the steak was the biggest disappointment of the meal. I wish a different cut had been used or that the steak had been prepared in a way that made it more tender. It was extremely tough and chewy--to the point that it was difficult to cut with a knife or even pierce with a fork. The steak and zucchini could also have used more seasoning. For a steak dish with mushrooms that cost a little over $40, we expected the meat to be tender and enjoyable, so this was the one dish I definitely would not order again.
The desserts were enjoyable, and I appreciated the effort to showcase Ontario produce, particularly the wild apples in the pudding and Ontario peaches with the angel food cake. That commitment to incorporating local ingredients was one of the things I appreciated most about the menu.
Overall, I have mixed feelings about the food. I really appreciate the restaurant's commitment to local produce and farm-to-table dining, and there were several dishes we enjoyed, particularly the salad, trout, halloumi, and desserts. At the same time, there were noticeable inconsistencies in seasoning and execution, with the steak being the biggest disappointment.
Perhaps the intention is to keep the preparation simple so the local ingredients can shine, which I can appreciate. However, I think seasoning would actually help bring out those natural flavours rather than overpower them. I am also curious to see how the restaurant develops its identity over time, as the art and gallery experience currently feel almost as prominent as the food itself.
We really want to support local restaurants, local Ontario produce, and the owners' creative farm-to-table vision. There is something very unique and special about what they are trying to create here. With some refinement and greater consistency in the food, I think the restaurant has the potential to make the dining experience just as memorable as its beautiful and whimsical setting.
