[raisethehammer]

yea, I was there Saturday. snagged a cappuccino and few pastries while waiting for cake. it really is a gem. you simply can't beat this place. and yes, it was packed!!

[FairHamilton]

I'm posting this from the Three16 Lounge (I'm using their wireless), thanks for this thread.

[raisethehammer]

say hi to Reg for me. haha.

[LikeHamilton]

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1391/fooddrinkfestgb8.jpg

March 28th- March 30th, 2008
Hamilton Convention Centre
1 Summers Lane Hamilton, Ontario Canada

Show Dates/Times
Friday March 28th - 5pm - 10pm
Saturday March 29th - 12noon - 10pm
Sunday March 30th- 12noon - 5pm

Everyone should go. I have been to the previous two and they where great. Come thirsty, hungry and don’t drive.
Take a cab or the HSR.

http://www.foodanddrinkfest.com/
:cheers:

:drunk: Starts tonight!

link to a $2.00 off coupon.

[JT Jacobs]

Apologies for posting this twice. I realized, late, that I was contributing to an off-topic thread.

So, back on target:

While I adore certain restaurants in Hamilton (Basilique for falafels; Pho on Cannon for pho tai soup), and will patronize them with my last buck, there are very few--if any--high end restaurants, period.

Boo's Bistro is borderline terrible, although I would try it again. Seven Windows on Aberdeen (fifty feet west of Dundurn ST) is, perhaps, the best dining room in the city for decor (a splendid renovation), and the food is very good, too. However, it is expensive, and it is not on par with the high end restaurants of the major cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

I frequently feel as though I've been "taken" at Hamilton's putative gourmet restaurants: the portions are pathetic and the prices extortionate for what is provided. Let me qualify this by saying that I have eaten dynamic, splendid, and bloody expensive meals at Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar in Toronto and Feenie's (chef Rob Feenie's "lower end" restaurant) in Vancouver, and I still--years after the experiences, dwell on them happily. Those nights were easily money well spent.

That, sadly, has never happened for me in Hamilton, and I fear it is yet a long way away, still.

All well, though: the mid-range restaurants are good and always exciting.

[RePinion]

Agreed on Boo's Bistro - it's quite awful. The menu doesn't hold together. This is not real fusion cuisine.

[I, Sinclair]

JT Jacobs, if you have not yet tried the Ancaster Old Mill, I will recommend it with reservations. Avoid wedding season, and brace yourself for the noise from the overprivileged and undertravelled loudmouths who call Ancaster home, and you can have a genuinely local, sometimes spectacular meal.

[Goldfinger]

and brace yourself for the noise from the overprivileged and undertravelled loudmouths who call Ancaster home

Now that's an unfair generalization.

[JT Jacobs]

JT Jacobs, if you have not yet tried the Ancaster Old Mill, I will recommend it with reservations. Avoid wedding season, and brace yourself for the noise from the overprivileged and undertravelled loudmouths who call Ancaster home, and you can have a genuinely local, sometimes spectacular meal.

I haven't been to the Old Mill in an awfully long time, but will check it out again on the strength of your recommendation. Thanks.

[I, Sinclair]

Now that's an unfair generalization.

Yes, it is. There are many fine people who call Ancaster home. But, sitting through an almost trancendent meal while some giant-haired trophy wife yells at her step-kids can really irritate me. And for some reason, I find nikes and windbreaker pants offensive in this context.

I may be old-fashioned, but I believe the diner has as much responsibility to address the meal properly as the chef. I can't expect him to wring out perfection when I am unwilling to even iron a shirt.

[I, Sinclair]

I haven't been to the Old Mill in an awfully long time, but will check it out again on the strength of your recommendation. Thanks.

I'm not sure when Jeff Crump took over as Executive Chef, but the kitchen now has a stellar line-up.

Please let me know your reaction, so I can calibrate my opinion with new data.

[JT Jacobs]

I'm not sure when Jeff Crump took over as Executive Chef, but the kitchen now has a stellar line-up.

Please let me know your reaction, so I can calibrate my opinion with new data.

Will do. Just give me a little time (I'm still in BC, although moving back to Hamilton this summer).

[highwater]

Yes, it is. There are many fine people who call Ancaster home. But, sitting through an almost trancendent meal while some giant-haired trophy wife yells at her step-kids can really irritate me. And for some reason, I find nikes and windbreaker pants offensive in this context.

I may be old-fashioned, but I believe the diner has as much responsibility to address the meal properly as the chef. I can't expect him to wring out perfection when I am unwilling to even iron a shirt.

I totally agree with you re the diner's responsibility. Where I think you erred though was assuming that the boorish diners are from Ancaster. The Old Mill is a 'destination' restaurant and people come from all over. (I think that 'trophy wife' was my Kent County cousin!)

[matt602]

Went to the Black Forest Inn yesterday afternoon for lunch. It was incredibly enjoyable. The atmosphere is really comfortable, the food was fairly priced and the portions were fairly good. I plan to return for dinner with my out of towner aunt and uncle who enjoy German food. Gonna see if theres some kind of "gut buster" plate :)

[JT Jacobs]

Went to the Black Forest Inn yesterday afternoon for lunch. It was incredibly enjoyable. The atmosphere is really comfortable, the food was fairly priced and the portions were fairly good. I plan to return for dinner with my out of towner aunt and uncle who enjoy German food. Gonna see if theres some kind of "gut buster" plate :)

Thanks for the tip. I used to enjoy getting take out at the Schwaben Inn in Dundas when I lived there and craved German comfort food--healthy portions; good value, too. I'm not sure if it's still around, though.

[matt602]

As already mentioned you'll want to check out "Zum Linzer" on Main between Wentworth and Sanford as well. I haven't been but I have heard awesome things.

[drpgq]

Zum Linzer is awesome. Stiegl on tap too, if I recall correctly.
Now if only some place would get Radeberger on tap.

[BrianE]

I went to Thai Memory on King William St, just east of James over the weekend. I havn't had much Thai food in my life to compare, but I know what I likes and I enjoyed my meal very much.

I would recommend it to anyone, nice atmosphere too.

[DC83]

from the Jazz thread

I believe the corktown pub has at least one jazz night a week -- wednesdays I think? www.corktownpub.ca

Has anyone actually been to Corktown Tavern (or Ye Olde Corktowne Taverne hehe) since being taken over by the Slantes people?

We REALLY want to try it out as it's so close, but are still kinda hesitant given the bar's well-known history!

[RePinion]

from the Jazz thread



Has anyone actually been to Corktown Tavern (or Ye Olde Corktowne Taverne hehe) since being taken over by the Slantes people?

We REALLY want to try it out as it's so close, but are still kinda hesitant given the bar's well-known history!

Oh come on - you're not really afraid of the Corktown are you? It's a Hamilton institution, and, being quintessentially Hamiltonian, it has always been rather rough around the edges, but only ever dangerous to those looking for danger (for the most part haha). It's not what it used to be but I recommend it.

[matt602]

from the Jazz thread



Has anyone actually been to Corktown Tavern (or Ye Olde Corktowne Taverne hehe) since being taken over by the Slantes people?

We REALLY want to try it out as it's so close, but are still kinda hesitant given the bar's well-known history!

I was there about a month ago. It was pretty quiet on a weekday night, my friends and I were actually the most loud and rambunctious people in the place (and we were trying to be polite as well). The place was actually a bit of a snooze fest. I guess it was an off night or something. Was also VERY expensive... we quickly ended up with a $200 bill before we knew it (and none of the 4 of us were even feeling warm and fuzzy after that). Just a couple of rounds of rye and ginger was the rule of the night and a round of shots of tequila (ew). No food (the kitchen had actually closed by the time we went there).

Kind of funny, we wanted to go to the Rebels Rock but it was closed. wtf :(

The history of Corktown that I was told about certainly doesn't exist any more (a couple of my friends were regulars back then and they find the place boring now).

[raisethehammer]

from the Jazz thread



Has anyone actually been to Corktown Tavern (or Ye Olde Corktowne Taverne hehe) since being taken over by the Slantes people?

We REALLY want to try it out as it's so close, but are still kinda hesitant given the bar's well-known history!

I absolutely love it. The food is awesome...Friday nights from 6-8 are awesome with a bluegrass style band playing and a mussel bar.
I've been a ton of times since it re-opened.

[RePinion]

I agree that the Corktown is often rather dreary nowadays. Rebels Rock is the place to go for a good crowd. The food at Corktown is fine but nothing to write home about IMHO.

[BCTed]

I agree that the Corktown is often rather dreary nowadays. Rebels Rock is the place to go for a good crowd. The food at Corktown is fine but nothing to write home about IMHO.

Rebel's Rock looks like such a dive from the outside, and a tiny one in a crappy neighbourhood at that. Is it really a worthwhile place?

[raisethehammer]

I agree that the Corktown is often rather dreary nowadays. Rebels Rock is the place to go for a good crowd. The food at Corktown is fine but nothing to write home about IMHO.

yes, you are right on here. Rebels Rock is awesome. Great crowd and GREAT food.

[BCTed]

yes, you are right on here. Rebels Rock is awesome. Great crowd and GREAT food.

This is all I needed to know.

[raisethehammer]

This is all I needed to know.

Close your eyes, pretend it's a Walmart and just walk in.:tup:

[DC83]

Thanks for all the responses! I walk by every now and then and see/hear bands playing, so I always wanted to check it... but ya, it's history is always enough to make me reconsider! haha

Expensive, eh? I like places where one can get a pitcher of dom beer for like $13! Not $17 like at Hess :s

So general consensus: If I'm happy with my Augusta pubs, stick w/ em? It's only an extra 2 min walk, so I'm kewl!

Thanks again everyone!

[markbarbera]

Rebel's Rock looks like such a dive from the outside, and a tiny one in a crappy neighbourhood at that. Is it really a worthwhile place?

Rebel's Rock is as close to an authentic Irish pub you'll ever get. The Chapmans do not rely on a disney-esque facade with stereotypical antique reproductions as adornments to lure in the Kelsey's crowd - the pub draws those who crave a true pub experience from all corners of the city and beyond.

Everything (and everyone) inside the pub is real and authentic and, like the pubs across the pond, usually are accompanied by a colourful story or two. It may not look like much to you on the outside, but for the regulars (and I count myself a regular) it is indeed a community living room showcasing amazing local musical talent, both as scheduled gigs and spontaneous sessions. And it is a welcome oasis for an often overlooked and under-appreciated part of town.

[markbarbera]

Kind of funny, we wanted to go to the Rebels Rock but it was closed.

Must have been a Monday. As a general rule, Rebel's Rock is closed on Mondays.

[raisethehammer]

Rebel's Rock is as close to an authentic Irish pub you'll ever get. The Chapmans do not rely on a disney-esque facade with stereotypical antique reproductions as adornments to lure in the Kelsey's crowd - the pub draws those who crave a true pub experience from all corners of the city and beyond.

Everything (and everyone) inside the pub is real and authentic and, like the pubs across the pond, usually are accompanied by a colourful story or two. It may not look like much to you on the outside, but for the regulars (and I count myself a regular) it is indeed a community living room showcasing amazing local musical talent, both as scheduled gigs and spontaneous sessions. And it is a welcome oasis for an often overlooked and under-appreciated part of town.


again, bang on. the less 'Kelseys-like' a place is, the better!

[matt602]

Must have been a Monday. As a general rule, Rebel's Rock is closed on Mondays.

I believe it was. We honestly hadn't done any research into it at the time, I had simply seen a good review of it in View magazine and suggested we go there. I'll try again in the future though, for sure. Not on a Monday... :yes:

[highwater]

I absolutely love it. The food is awesome...Friday nights from 6-8 are awesome with a bluegrass style band playing and a mussel bar.
I've been a ton of times since it re-opened.

That'd be Randall Hill and the boys:

http://www.hamilton365.com/index/photo/43

One of Hamilton's "hidden gems" indeed. Do yourselves a favour and check them out.

[JT Jacobs]

If this isn't too wildly off topic, then I don't know what is, although it tangentially relates to cuisine: I'm eating leftover risotto right now made with saffron purchased at The Spice Emporium on Ottawa ST. If you haven't bought there yet, you should. Good stuff, reasonably priced, and you can make your own spice combinations right there in-house. The owner is a transplanted Torontonian who is pleasant to chat with. Check it out, if you haven't.

[beanmedic]

Stopped in at Three 16 Lounge today for a late lunch. I had the King (chicken caesar wrap) and my girlfriend had the nachos. The nachos are a new addition to the menu it seems. Lime flavoured chips with marble cheese, tomatoes, green peppers and salsa. The chicken in my wrap was a little dry, but I've had it there before and it has been outstanding every other time, so no harm done. There is a note on the menu now about the coffee being fresh from the market. I had the chocoate raspberry coffee and it was very good. We made a trip down from the west mountain just to go there. I love that place more every time.

[raisethehammer]

where did the rest of this discussion go?? the burrito boyz etc....

[BCTed]

where did the rest of this discussion go?? the burrito boyz etc....

The "87-89 King St. E." thread. I am a big fan of Burrito Boyz.

[realcity]

we need some good steak houses. I miss that place on Barton.... can't remember the name "Harry's" or something? across the street was the Aquarium seafood.

All we have is the Keg. I'd like to see a Ruth's Chris or Hy's, downtown or Jackson Sq. Maybe Harry will point one in the new Connaught.

[the dude]

^there's the sirloin cellar, shakespeare's and the magill house. never been to any of them, so they might be shite. a keg-esque place like you mentioned would be a nice addition to the downtown. it seems to be everyone's guess as to what will be located in the connaught.

[markbarbera]

we need some good steak houses. I miss that place on Barton.... can't remember the name "Harry's" or something? across the street was the Aquarium seafood.


Are you thinking of Martin's Steak House? It has reopened as the Purple Pear - great food there too - including some impressive steak dinners.

[raisethehammer]

is Sizzle Steakhouse any good?

[realcity]

Yes Martin's .. thanks that's it. I knew it was man's name. I liked it for the old style red velvet, lots of wood steakhouse. Swords on the walls, heavy dark wood furniture, leather, booth's, dim lighting. It's too bad. Glad to hear Purple Pear is doing well. Sounds trendy tho.

I'm also a long time fan of Trocadero on Barton at Westinghouse old head office.

[raisethehammer]

I assume Sirloin Cellar and Shakespeares are vintage steakhouses realcity...try em out.

[the dude]

the purple pear used to be located at the visitor's inn. can't imagine why i would have eaten there.

sizzle's quite expensive. obviously, i've never been.

[SteelTown]

So today in the news Chili's Grill & Bar restaurant will be opening up a restaurant in Hamilton by 2013.

[raisethehammer]

what is Chili's?? A suburban-type from the US or out west??
And why the long timeframe?? Seems kind of weird unless its' a really fancy, high end place that is selective.

[SteelTown]

http://www.peoriarestaurants.com/images/rest_pics/chilis.jpg
That's Chili's, it's popular in the states.

[DC83]

OMG r u kidding!?!?!?!

Chilli's is my #1 favourite American resto ever! (well, the only American resto that doesn't make me rediculously sick when I eat it... one of the few anyway).

They make good food at decent prices... this is a welcome addition. Now how about opening a Red Lobster again!!?

[the dude]

yes yes yesssssss!!!!!!!!!!! :slob:

[SteelTown]

I betcha they’ll open it at Heritage Green.

[Jon Dalton]

Green Deli on James and Augusta is opening soon. They have their sign up and are busy at work on the inside. Environmentally friendly food is their selling point, probably lots of local / organic stuff. Sounds like a quality joint.

[DC83]

I betcha they’ll open it at Heritage Green.

Or maybe the old McDonald's spot on Queenston beside Swiss Chalet... it's literally a hole in the ground, and would fit in well there.

[raisethehammer]

London Taps looks ready to roll.
Baileys on James North has a nice little patio now.
Simply Devine Pastries and Bakery opens soon right next to the Green Deli on James South. should be a great addition to that stretch.

[Millstone]

There's been a Domino's pizza box visible through the window at LTH for a few days now.

[DC83]

There's been a Domino's pizza box visible through the window at LTH for a few days now.

I've seen bar staff (not construction staff) come in and out of this place every couple of days, so they're obviously training.

I'm curious as to why they have the metal bars for a canopy on the rooftop AND patio tables with umbrellas?? Double the protection? haha Well, there's no canopy up on the roof yet, so we'll see I guess?

[itsbryan]

Capri Pizza on John St, near King William just redid their entire facade. They traded in their old worn down standout for a stupidly bright blue neon sign. The entire front has been refitted, and painted.. it looks really good.. regardless of the fact it's so bright that it completely lights my across-the-street-apartment.

[the dude]

Baileys on James North has a nice little patio now.

a little anecdote for you - my mother's been to bailey's twice [she's a great downtown supporter] and apparently the food was nearly inedible on both occasions. perhaps some caution should be exercised before dropping any dough at that joint...though an espresso on the patio probably won't kill you.

[raisethehammer]

according to a friend, LTH is set to go. Training almost done.
I think the metal bars are for a canopy in case of rain. Umbrellas won't help when it rains out.

[ryan_mcgreal]

A countervailing anecdote: I've been to Bailey's three or four times with a group of people, and while I didn't eat there, most of the other people did. They all seemed to enjoy their food (it generally looks like pub food - you can order from the breakfast or lunch menu) and had no qualms about going back a couple of weeks later.

I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a given meal.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the coffee at Bailey's is fantastic.

[raisethehammer]

yea, I've run into some of the old Bad Dog crowd and they all rave about Bailey's.
VIEW gave it an awesome review too.

[coalminecanary]

.. regardless of the fact it's so bright that it completely lights my across-the-street-apartment.

haha! kenny rogers roasters!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/aa/Seinfeld_s8e8.jpg/200px-Seinfeld_s8e8.jpg

[raisethehammer]

classic!!

[highwater]

We had brunch at Baily's and I thought the food was fine, and I'm quite the food snob.:D

[matt602]

haha! kenny rogers roasters!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/aa/Seinfeld_s8e8.jpg/200px-Seinfeld_s8e8.jpg

That is totally exactly what I thought of as well. :tup:

[BCTed]

Or maybe the old McDonald's spot on Queenston beside Swiss Chalet... it's literally a hole in the ground, and would fit in well there.

Boston Pizza.

[matt602]

Boston Pizza.

Ugh. I think we've got enough of those already.

[raisethehammer]

I think that Capri sign is the same one, but fixed up and with new lights installed.

[the dude]

We had brunch at Baily's and I thought the food was fine, and I'm quite the food snob.:D

i'll let my mom know that she's been out-voted. i'll have to give it a try when i get back to town.

[Cambridgite]

Hey guys. I'm going to briefly be in Hamilton for supper on Friday afternoon, as I am meeting up there with a couple of friends before taking off on a camping trip that night. So wherever we eat downtown, it can't be a really slow service place. Could anyone give me a recommendation?

[matt602]

Black Forest Inn on King East at Ferguson. The time I went we got our main orders within 10 minutes. It may end up being very busy though, so consider other suggestions as a backup plan. For desert you can hop over to Brownies just East of it.

[Cambridgite]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was actually looking for something more central due to time constraints and proximity to the Hamilton GO Centre (picking up a friend to go camping).

I went to the Hunan House on Friday and the Lazy Flamingo today. Both I would recommend. :)

[raisethehammer]

so the annual VIEW mag dining awards are out.
Great stuff....it's MUCH better than the bland version the Spec does which is full of Swiss Chalet, Taco Bell and other crap.
I'll have to check out this Kookaburra place. sounds great.

[thistleclub]

I'll have to check out this Kookaburra place. sounds great.

"Grilled Kangaroo" sourced from Louisiana, eh? Free range organic? What's the karmic footprint on that dish? ;)

Perry's was around since the '80s and, like many institutions of its age, was in desperate need of a tune-up. That's not the most scenic or pedestrian-friendly stretch, to begin with. Synergy is key. Perry's probably took a hit in the mid-90s when the Just Desserts next door (now a dance studio) closed shop in the wake of the Toronto shooting. But, as elsewhere in the city, small flowers crack concrete.

[markbarbera]

This city is seriously lacking in African restaurants. I really miss the Ethiopian and Moroccan places available in Toronto. There doesn't seem to be anything like that here.

[raisethehammer]

try Safari Samosas at Wilson/Wellington or possibly Curry Cabana at King/Wellington (not sure what kind of food that is though).

[markbarbera]

Curry Cabana is Guyanese I believe. maybe Cuban? Definitely Carribean style food.

I'll have to check out Safari Samosas sometime. I was watching a cooking show earlier where an Eritrean cook was making injera, which triggered fond memories of meals at Ethiopia House on Irwin Street, just off Yonge in Toronto. I hate not being able to get Ethiopian food here, along with a really good North African tagine or couscous dish.

Wasn't there a Moroccan restaurant on King West by Hess once upon a time? It would have to been open many years ago, or perhaps it just existed in my imagination.

[FairHamilton]

Curry Cabana is Guyanese I believe. maybe Cuban? Definitely Carribean style food.

I'm guessing Guyanese, have never know Cubans to cook with curry. Guyana was once a British Territory, and that meant many workers were brought from India.

[raisethehammer]

I haven't been, but apparently Dalina's on King William is good....I think it's Egyptian??

[geoff's two cents]

Anybody tried the Italian place where Infusions used to be yet - Walked by today and they're open, with a menu on the window to boot. It seems to be a little brighter and cleaner in there than it used to be, which should be a good thing. Given current finances, I'll have to confine myself to an Italian soda on the patio until I know their food is worth it.

[FairHamilton]

Anybody tried the Italian place where Infusions used to be yet - Walked by today and they're open, with a menu on the window to boot. It seems to be a little brighter and cleaner in there than it used to be, which should be a good thing. Given current finances, I'll have to confine myself to an Italian soda on the patio until I know their food is worth it.

I believe rth was there; http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=141553&page=39

[rousseau]

This city is seriously lacking in African restaurants. I really miss the Ethiopian and Moroccan places available in Toronto. There doesn't seem to be anything like that here.
Still?!?! That's just sad...the whole time we were in Hamilton we lamented the lack of Ethiopian restaurants, but since leaving four years ago we figured one or two of them would have sprouted up somewhere.

Hamilton is seriously behind the curve here. Even Kitchener-Waterloo and London have a couple of Ethiopian places, for goodness sakes.

Actually, K-W and London, our new "big city" stomping grounds now that we live in Stratford, have a lot of seriously cool amenities that Hamilton doesn't. Which is a shame for Hamilton.

[raisethehammer]

I wouldn't get carried away and call Hamilton 'behind the curve' because we aren't aware of an Ethiopian resto in town. Lol.

Contact the Afro-Canadian Cultural Centre on King East and ask them...they'll know every little African place in town.

[markbarbera]

Rousseau, I don't think it's so much about Hamilton being 'behind the curve' as it is simply due to a relatively tiny Ethiopian presence in the city. Ethnic restaurants require that ethnic culture's presence.

And lets all try not to sink this discussion into a contest of comparing Hamilton to the other towns in the area. I am sure there are lots of nice things to do exclusively in the Kitchener and London areas, just as they are a plethora of intersting sites and experiences in Hamilton that are not to be found elsewhere. That is what makes the Golden Horseshoe such a lovely place to live.

RTH, I forgot about Dalina's. This place is fantastic for mediterranean cuisine, and they do have a great tagine on the menu.

[rousseau]

"Every little African place?" That makes it sound as if Hamilton is abound in African restaurants. Can you name even one? I know I can't think of a single, solitary Ethiopian restaurant, never mind those falling under the umbrella of Africa as a whole, and Google is no help, either.

I think it is a sad state of affairs when a major metropolitan area of some 500,000+ in North America does not have a single Ethiopian restaurant in the 21st century.

I wouldn't get carried away and call Hamilton 'behind the curve' because we aren't aware of an Ethiopian resto in town. Lol.
Actually, I could go into great detail about the many other reasons that Hamilton punches under its weight in comparison with certain other larger cities in Ontario, and I think it would be enlightening to people with an open mind, but I also think it would be too depressing, so I won't go into any further comparisons.

[markbarbera]

... so says Rousseau as he slips into full-throttle 'troll mode'.

[geoff's two cents]

Rousseau, really. . . As a fairly recent newcomer, I'll acknowledge that there are certainly areas where Hamilton punches under its weight (air quality, a lack of clothing shopping downtown, 5-lane one-way streets, etc.) - Food isn't one of them, though I'll admit it depends on your preferences.

On my first visit to Kitchener, centre of a metro including well over 500,000 (if you include Guelph), and formerly called Berlin, I couldn't find a single German restaurant downtown; Hamilton has two downtown, plus a large, predominantly German deli (Denninger's). The Portuguese selection on James N. is also admirable, as is the Hamilton pub selection. The Indian selection here isn't too bad.

The presence of an Ethiopian restaurant strikes me as an arbitrary criterion by which to judge a city. Being a Vancouverite, I might be inclined to judge a city by the quality of its sushi - In which case Toronto, especially considering its size, is definitely sub-par. I haven't had vegetarian food in Ontario yet that compares to Vancouver either. Conversely, Vancouver isn't a great place to eat Italian; you'd do much better Italian-wise in Toronto, or even Hamilton.

Depends on what you're looking for. If you like a particular type of food, you'd best go where the people who make that type of food live. . .

[rousseau]

I accept your criticisms of my posts in this thread, though I'm of two minds about being a detractor. On the one hand, many of the cons of the place are put into sharp relief by the objectivity of distance, and it becomes obvious that hometown boosters are in a state of terminal denial about them. On the other hand, maybe you have to turn a blind eye if you want any semblance of peace of mind, and bringing shortcomings up sounds like harping.

To be honest, Hamilton falls short of the mark in a number of areas for me, Ethiopian restaurants being just one of them. Maybe it's just a crazy coincidence that my eccentric tastes and interests are better served in Kitchener-Waterloo and London. And maybe my posts in this thread do simply constitute trolling, and are of no help to anyone. After all, what can you do about the lack of injera in Hamilton short of starting up a restaurant yourself or investing in one? So I admit I'm not offering constructive criticisms per se.

Is not having an Ethiopian restaurant a shortcoming? Short answer: yes. The long answer involves a discussion of the various metrics by which major metropolitan areas in North America are judged in terms of the various amenities that people come to expect for said areas. One indicator that a city has reached a certain level of cosmopolitanism is the presence of Ethiopian restaurants.

Off-topic: In K-W people eat German food in the German clubs. But you're right, it is quite peculiar that there isn't a big, well-known German restaurant somewhere downtown. I ate sushi and seafood for six years in Taiwan, and do not find Toronto to be lacking in available and good sushi (such as it is, being so far from either coast), but no doubt the concentration in Vancouver must be far greater. Still, unless you absolutely need to have one on every block, Toronto is very well served for Japanese restaurants.

P.S.: Hamilton does have good things, too, and it still pulls at my heartstrings, hence my participation in this forum.

[adam]

P.S.: Hamilton does have good things, too, and it still pulls at my heartstrings, hence my participation in this forum.

Really? But without a plethora of ethiopian restaurants what good is a city?:sly:

[DC83]

a new Boston Pizza is opening at the old McDonald's lot @ Queenston & Nash area.

[FairHamilton]

a new Boston Pizza is opening at the old McDonald's lot @ Queenston & Nash area.

I'll never be eating there........

[raisethehammer]

good news of a different variety on the dining front.
I have one less gross, greasy smell wafting across my neighbourhood now that the Harveys at King/Dundurn closed down! now, if we could rid of the Taco Bell, KFC and Mcdonalds we'd be in business.

[highwater]

I can't believe that Taco Bell's still there. What a dump.

[raisethehammer]

I know...such a garbage entrance to town. I'd love to see both of those intersections rebuilt as multi-story apartments with street level shops....oh, please LRT...hurry up!!

[DC83]

I can't believe there are no NO, ZERO Harvey's downtown :(
There used to be 3 when I first moved down here (Jackson Sq, York/Bay, and Dundurn) now they're all gone. Harvey's in the best fast food chain in this country, and I have to go to Fennel & Wentworth now (altho that one's LEED).

I will never eat at that Boston Pizza either. I've been to one once, and it was probably the worst chain resto I have ever been to.

[raisethehammer]

dude...if you want a good burger (one that blows harveys out of the water) go the corktown, fishers pier 4, harvest burger, acclamation, pepperjack cafe etc....

gotta love a LEED drive-thru. haha.

[DC83]

^^ ahahaha LEED drive-thru is kinda contradictory, but I LOVE how they have green bins (well, they're more ultra-mini silohs).

I have to admit something, and I'm kinda ashamed. I have lived in Corktown for YEARS and have yet to even step into The Corktown Pub :s I'm still turned off by it's infamous reputation. I know it's owned by the same ppl as Slainte's, but still... Is it even any better now???

[FairHamilton]

good news of a different variety on the dining front.
I have one less gross, greasy smell wafting across my neighbourhood now that the Harveys at King/Dundurn closed down! now, if we could rid of the Taco Bell, KFC and Mcdonalds we'd be in business.

Kinda almost looks like they are renovating at the Harveys building. At least there's a dumpster out front.

[FairHamilton]

I have to admit something, and I'm kinda ashamed. I have lived in Corktown for YEARS and have yet to even step into The Corktown Pub :s I'm still turned off by it's infamous reputation. I know it's owned by the same ppl as Slainte's, but still... Is it even any better now???

Have yet to get to the Corktown, but Paul Reardon told me he would see Lincoln Alexander there on Wednesday night Jazz nights.

With a guy as classy as Linc in attendance it can't be that bad.

[DC83]

Kinda almost looks like they are renovating at the Harveys building. At least there's a dumpster out front.

That's exactly what I had originally thought when I 1st saw it... but then I realized they left the sign up, just blacked it out. So I'm assuming they're leaving. I would LOVE if they built a new one like the Fennel/Upp Wentworth location!

[Jon Dalton]

^^ ahahaha LEED drive-thru is kinda contradictory, but I LOVE how they have green bins (well, they're more ultra-mini silohs).

I have to admit something, and I'm kinda ashamed. I have lived in Corktown for YEARS and have yet to even step into The Corktown Pub :s I'm still turned off by it's infamous reputation. I know it's owned by the same ppl as Slainte's, but still... Is it even any better now???

Better or worse depends on your point of view but you will definitely have an opinion.