BOTTOM LINE: An elevated snack bar with all-day service!…read more Located just outside the main strip in Bala is this rustic chic spot that doubles as a casual (take-out) cafe and fancy dining spot. This review is for the cafe/breakfast part, and I'll need to come back for dinner one day. Reservations are for dinner only. First of all, the menu is EXTENSIVE, which was pleasantly surprising given how compact the indoor appeared to be (unless there's a backroom I missed!). From various pastries, brunch specials, salads, hearty sandwiches, and pizzas, everything looked looked pretty fresh and hearty. There's also a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks The SMOKED BRISKET GRILLED CHEESE AU JUS definitely hit the spot with rich slices of brisket, chewy gruyere cheese, and a tasty dipping just. The JERUSALEM SPICED CHICKEN SCHNITZEL SAMMIE lightly battered crispy chicken that was more like a chicken tender than a traditional schnitzel, but it was more ergonomic that way in sammie form. Their pickled toppings gave it a good balance of flavours. That said, from a presentation/portion/value perspective, both plates looked barren with just the sammies, and I think throwing even a pinch of some greens on the side would really complete things. Overall, a great spot to come by if you're in the area!

Service was amazing and the food did not disappoint as it was prompt and delicious. The ambiance…read morewas very hip and our large party was very satisfied with everything.

Best spot in town! Food, beer, views plus great staffing make a wonderful experience!read more

Stopped on my home from the cottage and the gentleman working was very friendly and served me up a…read moresample of each of their four beers, Golden Ale, Red Ale, Maibock, and Dark Ale. They were all good in their own respect but the Maibock was and always has been my favorite. Their prices are very reasonable, especially with the exchange rate right now. I left with a case of each! They also are opening a beer garden soon with nice wooden, covered tables. They sell swag like mugs and shirts too. I'll be back in a few weeks to stock up more!

I can count on one hand the number of reviews I've done in over 6 decades...this one merited a…read morereview. Pleasant ambiance and staff, not at capacity. Ordered the Queen's Breakfast. The server advised in advance that the grill was down, so only poached or scrambled eggs (slightly disappointing as I prefer sunny side up, but survivable) so I opted for poached. 45 minutes later (not an intolerable wait depending on staffing issues) my plate arrives with the server now telling me that they ran out of potatoes (surprise!)...so no home fries (which is honestly the whole reason we go out for Sunday breakfast), but a smattering of fruit now sits in its lieu. Only 2, not the accepted minimum 3, slices of bacon. The toast is so cold the butter won't melt. The worst breakfast I've had in recent memory, and I think that I probably lost weight eating it.

Delicious turkey club, great cookie, super nice service. I never write reviews but we almost didn't…read morestop here while driving through town because of the previous reviewer and we would have missed out. Five stars all around.

We had a large party there and it was such a nice location. Unfortunately because there were 14 of…read moreus they made us order a head of time, which I understand stand but still was a little annoying. The cocktails and all the mains were really good. The view is stunning. I would not suggest getting the creme brûlée as it was not the greatest.

I never ever usually give 5 stars ever but after my wonderful dinner at Lakeside last night its…read morereally my only choice. We were invited there by our friend Dorothy and her husband Gord. She is a local Realtor whom we done business with for years. My brother and his wife arrived first and was a bit early and the owner greeted them warmly and as he knew there were 3more of us coming without even being asked he asked a gentleman to move over one seat and brought over a couple of others stools so by the time I arrived I had a great seat at the bar waiting for me. Now for the Bar Tender....once again she was exceedingly warm and friendly and was delighted to tell us about the house drinks. I decided to ask it they had Margueritas as they weren't on the drink menu. She then carefully went over the different types of Tequila I could choose from which included Patron my personal favourite. She then created the best Margarita Ive ever had. My brother and his wife had Gin and Tonics created with the same care and flair as were the Virgin Ceasars ordered by our friends. We then were moved to our table and were warmly welcomed by our charming Kiwi waitress who had a wonderful sense of humour and provided terrific attentive service throughout our meal. Now for the food...I chose the Mulligatawny soup which was delicious and the Prime Rib which came with roast potatoes perfect Yorkshire pudding and a medley of beautifully cooked fresh vegetables which even included parsnips which as a transplanted Brit I thought was a creative touch... even the red wine gravy was spot on. My sister in law had The Blackened Mahi Mahi out friends both had the chicken supreme and my brother the seafood casserole. Each of these dishes was prepared with great care were creatively garnished and had generous portions... none of those tiny haute cuisine portions here.... We left stuffed but not before sampling their creme brulet which was also perfect. While outside after dinner I encountered the kitchen staff and they were equally friendly and interesting and we shared our passion for great food. Both my brother and I share a passion for great food and are no strangers to the kitchen. When guests come to our family cottage they are always delighted with our fare but once in awhile its nice to get away and let someone else do the work. Often Im disappointed when my dinner arrives has skimpy portions and I sit there thinking I could have made it better myself... theres none of that here! At the end of the day it comes down from the top as wise owners appreciate their staff and while setting high standards ensure that each staff member is treated fairly and with respect. It was apparent that each of the staff we met were happy to work there in this warm collegial environment. The final touch was that as I couldn't eat all my main course I asked our server if I could take it to go. Rather than simply drop a takeout container on the table she took it in the back packaged it up and returned it as we were leaving... we were sent off with the same warmth as when we were greeted and left feeling we had made some new friends... we can't wait to go back!....Crisco

Still a five-star joint and just getting better. This year the butcher's stock was even more…read moreamazing, and not just the meats. Don't tell anyone, but I fell off the veg wagon *hard core* during our stay in Bala this year. I couldn't resist, and I was soooo glad I didn't. This year's meaty samplings included whole, marinated chicken; beef kebabs; pork tenderloin; jumbo tiger shrimp; sea scallops; beef burgers; lamb sliders; and prime beef steaks. The quality of meat here is blow-your-mind amazing, and most of it is cut, filleted, or ground right before your eyes. You can pre-order rarer meats, too, like bison, duck, elk, and rabbit. Also available are a selection of amazingly delicious cheeses including real smoked cheddar and black truffled goat. As well as gourmet crackers, chips, dips, and spreads. Not to mention tidbits like addictive Milford Bay smoked trout, brie wheels, charcuterie, and homemade frozen cookie dough to take back to the cottage. Insane. Staff is wonderfully friendly, a local family who loves what they do -- we visited nearly every day for 9 days, and they always recognized us, chatted with us a few minutes, and thanked us profusely for our business (I think we're putting the youngest through uni). And they're still trolling the lakes on their adorable pontoon boat, delivering your orders or stopping by your dock if you flag them down to let you browse that day's selection. This place has to be, without a doubt, one of the best butcher shops and gourmets on the planet, let alone Bala.

This place is not inexpensive but you get what you pay for. This place is filled with premium…read moremeats, seafoods and cheeses. Premium comes at a price. But this is Muskoka cottage country and why not splurge. I have never bought a bad product here. The lamb, beef and fish has always been very fresh and very good. They have a great selection of frozen items as well. Also a place to get really good cheeses. A small selection but all of them top grade.

Their cocktails are a bargain at $13, but the reasonable price point also means the bar gets…read moreslammed and backs up during the lunch period. Don't be surprised if your food hits the table before a tipple. Both the Great North mule and spicy vodkarita were well balanced with enough alcohol to create a kick that reminds you there's 2oz in the drink. And while the pink raspberry lemonade looks and tastes refreshing, the fake raspberry flavour just didn't cut it for me. We all agreed that their fries rock. The parmesan truffle fries ($12) feature cut potatoes that arrive sizzling hot and covered with enough grated parmesan to create a melted crust on top. The truffle oil was a bit muted but I'm fine with it not being so overpowering. Their sweet potato fries ($12) are one of the best I've sampled, fluffy and cut thinly so there's a lovely crunchy crust to encapsulate the sweet soft interior. The fries going wonderfully with the buffalo chicken dip ($15), a gooey creamy sauce that has quite the cheese pull as well as large chunks of chicken breast. I only wish it was served with the "warm flat bread" noted on the menu instead oily fried pita that was so heavy paired with the dairy. I just stuck with the fries for dipping. In between a starter and a main lies the seafood chowder ($20), which arrives hot with a few scant slices of toasted baguette. The soup has a wonderful flavour but is more potato than seafood... I tasted some white fish and perhaps a bay scallop but little of the lobster and wild salmon that is touted on the menu. If you're looking for something to soak up the booze, their handhelds are the way to go. The turkey burger ($23) features a surprisingly juicy patty (when compared with their beef burger) that gets a bit of extra flavour from the feta and spinach that's mixed into the pulverized patty. The sweet and savoury tomato preserve was an interesting condiment that lends the burger a hint of cranberry sauce taste.

we had reservations yet we had a lengthy wait. many people arrived after us but we're seared…read morebefore. drinks were excellent. Turkey burgers was dry and arrived 10 minutes after the other entrees. pad thai was very salty with only 3 shrimp. Nashville chicken sandwich was tasty but arrived cold. Service was excellent.