Hamilton Cuisine - Page 29

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**561** Posted: **May 14, 2012, 1:55 PM**

Went out for lunch the other day and was turned away by two restaurants ~ The Harbour Diner and The Bread Bar. Both had 45+ min wait times. I guess that's generally a good sign for Downtown restaurants, though I wasn't too thrilled. Actually, the whole of Locke was jammed, so I ended up at The Courtyard and had a really good meal. I had a crepe, salad and a coffee for about $20. Nice restaurant / patio. Good service. Great food. Check it out if you haven't already.

Here are some others on Locke:
Bread Bar.

Il Fiasco.

NaRoma Pizza Bar.

A new Thai restaurant.

West Town.

Chuck's Burger Bar ~ centre-right ~ and a cupcake joint ~ centre-left.

Another cupcake place.

The Bad Dog Cafe is gone, replaced by a fashion shop. Not the best use of that location.

Those restaurants, along with Locke Street Bakery, The Bar on Locke, Beasley's, Starbucks, etc. has made Locke a serious eating and drinking destination in recent months.

fuller · #**562** Posted: **May 14, 2012, 4:15 PM**

^ Two of the better chain restaurants out there.

Will they maintain quality as they continue to expand?

fuller · #**563** Posted: **May 14, 2012, 4:22 PM**

Hang on there. I was referring to the two previous posts.

Pete wasn't the only one left out of the action due to strong Mother's Day demand. All around town places were lined up. It does look like more and more people are deciding to eat downtown these days.

Frankenrogers · #**564** Posted: **May 14, 2012, 5:37 PM**

I live right round the corner from the Courtyard and went there with my in laws for breakfast once and it was really good. I love the old Coca Cola painted sign on the side of the building as it used to be a pharmacy. Looks like some goof spray painted his tag over it at once point but it isn't too noticeable now.

And I heard that Catwalk isn't even a store but just a company. I wish it was a cafe or something, it would have been nice to have a drink on their patio to people watch.

thistleclub · #**565** Posted: **May 15, 2012, 11:49 AM**

Siam Dish hails from Burlington. They have a place on Lakeshore. IMHO, never been impressed with their food. Found some of the curries to be cautiously spiced but cloyingly floral, like eating a bowl of guest soaps. Good sign of Locke South's economy that the strip is attracting their kind (heard rumours that Burlington vegan bakery/sandwich counter/cupcakerie Kindfood is soon to spin off a sequel as well).

Guessing I'll miss Paradise forever, though. Both for the signage and the fish & chips (seriously... salmon and chips?).

CaptainKirk · #**566** Posted: **May 15, 2012, 7:47 PM**

Anybody hear anything about Rapscallion Rogue being open on Friday's and Saturdays?

Edit: Yes they are, according to their website that I just found!

http://www.rapscallionrestaurant.com/

mattgrande · #**567** Posted: **May 15, 2012, 8:46 PM**

It's truly fantastic food.

LikeHamilton · #**568** Posted: **May 18, 2012, 2:23 PM**

New café on James South

By Tricia Hellingman thespec.com May 18, 2012

A new café has opened at 151 James St. S., at the corner of Augusta Street. Located in a renovated century-old building, Radius Café and Lounge offers coffee, desserts, breakfast, lunch, light suppers, and grab-and-go meals. The focus, says co-owner and general manager Bela Bratch, is on natural and local products. Later in the season, organic produce for menu items will come from Bratch’s Tally Ho farm in Carlisle. Gluten-free fare is also available, as is a selection of beers and wines. In the coming weeks, plans are to open ground floor and second level patios, and an adjoining restaurant for casual fine dining. The café is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until midnight. For more information, visit radiuscafe.net.

thistleclub · #**569** Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 12:33 PM**

The A&W at 194 King West seems like it's almost ready for prime time. The facade is largely complete and the interiors look like they're even further along. Pendant lighting was on yesterday, and the booths are all set up. The patio is the missing piece but that's probably a quick fix.

CaptainKirk · #**570** Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 9:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thistleclub

The A&W at 194 King West seems like it's almost ready for prime time. The facade is largely complete and the interiors look like they're even further along. Pendant lighting was on yesterday, and the booths are all set up. The patio is the missing piece but that's probably a quick fix.

The new A&W on Barton & Ferguson looks pretty close too.

thistleclub · #**571** Posted: **Jun 18, 2012, 5:01 PM**

A sad day for Hamilton culinary heritage.

SteelTown · #**572** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 1:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by thistleclub

The A&W at 194 King West seems like it's almost ready for prime time. The facade is largely complete and the interiors look like they're even further along. Pendant lighting was on yesterday, and the booths are all set up. The patio is the missing piece but that's probably a quick fix.

Should open today.

Paul Wilson: Heatwave continues, frosty mug returns

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/talk/stor...n.html?cmp=rss

mattgrande · #**573** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 2:29 PM**

They were working frantically this morning on the patio, putting up the fence I believe.

matt602 · #**574** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 7:47 PM**

It's unfortunate that they got a drive thru but I think it's still a positive to have back downtown. I noticed the one at Barton and Ferguson is also nearing completion, even with a patio. Gonna be nice for those hospital employees.

mattgrande · #**575** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 8:14 PM**

Oh, I didn't know they were putting one there as well. That'll be a nice add for that area.

movingtohamilton · #**576** Posted: **Jun 23, 2012, 2:33 PM**

We're trying some restaurants on Locke before we move to Hamilton. Last night we had dinner at the Bar on Locke Street.

We really liked the location and the small but not crowded interior space. With the front opened wide to the street on a beautiful evening, it was such a pleasant place to be.

A wide selection of main courses were on offer. The kitchen clearly does not push the boundaries for its take on some classic dishes, but our choices were well prepared with plenty of flavour.

The pricing was a pleasant surprise, unlike the overpriced mains in Toronto. The service was excellent and prompt. We'll go back.

Also surprising was the lack of people out on the street after about 9:30. I guess there's not much going on to bring people into this neighbourhood at night. But Locke Street seems to be a real neigbourhood, even with some of the fancy shops, and doesn't need an invasion late into the evening.

Always looking for suggestions on where to get Hamilton's best cuisine!

pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce · #**577** Posted: **Jun 24, 2012, 2:27 AM**

I believe there have been some attempts to make Locke more of a late night destination but the NIMBYs have been quite vocal on the topic. I guess the West Town is about it for a little late night action...maybe Beasley's but I haven't been there forever so I'm not sure.

Another place I'd recommend on Locke is the Bread Bar. The Courtyard was surprisingly good as well. Check 'em out.

movingtohamilton · #**578** Posted: **Jun 24, 2012, 6:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce

...Another place I'd recommend on Locke is the Bread Bar. The Courtyard was surprisingly good as well. Check 'em out.

Thanks! We tried the Bread Bar at lunch a few weeks ago and enjoyed it. We're looking forward to The Courtyard's patio on a hot summer night.

Anyone been to Rapscallion?

mattgrande · #**579** Posted: **Jun 25, 2012, 12:41 PM**

Rapscallion is fantastic, if you like rich meats cooked excellently.

The waitress recommended that two people should get four entrees so you can try a wide variety of things (most entrees were in the $9 - $14 range, if memory serves). We had:

* Roasted bone marrow
* A charcuterie plate
* Bacon wrapped shrimp
* Some fourth thing that escapes me

I'd recommend all of them.

thistleclub · #**580** Posted: **Jun 26, 2012, 12:37 PM**

Rapscallion will also accommodate vegetarian and vegan patrons. You just need to ask nice and give them advance warning.

Also on the veg-friendly side of things, the former home of Matsu Sushi in Dundas is under wraps awaiting rebirth as a vegan/raw food eatery.