WELLINGTON AREA:
MIDTOWN BREWERY - Wellington
266 Wellington Main St.,
Midtown popped onto the scene in 2017, and the huge news hit in 2018 that Chef extraordinaire, Neil Dowson, was joining them. The menu is pub-ish, only GREAT pub food. The menu changes fairly frequently - but you can never ever go wrong with Neil's fish sandwhiches (or fish of any sort) and his meat pies. And - if you're ever lucky to be around when he rolls out the famous "Stargazy" pie - you are in for a treat!
Neil is originally from the UK, and spent a considerable amout of his career across the pond working at the prestigious Savoy. OH, and fun fact: He even once cooked a meal for the Queen of England :)
IDLE WILD - Wellington
305 Wellington Main Street 613-399-3334
There was a LOT of excitment in the air when Paul and Mel announced they were opening a brick and mortar operation in Wellington last year, I know we squealed with delight after having experienced their culinary magic through a number of pop ups around PEC. I would say their food is for sure Asian-inspired, but they are constantly weaving incredibly interesting ethnic dishes throughout their adventurous menus. There is such artistry and mastery in their work, and they are such a lovely and hard-working couple and there is an awesome energy in the air when they are in the kitchen. If you haven’t already, you have to experience Idle Wild. It's mostly take out but they do have seating outdoors in the summer. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for updates, links are below.
EAST AND MAIN - Wellington
270 Main St. 613-399-5420
A great spot open for lunches and dinners. The food has always been reliable and good!
LA CONDESA - Wellington
298 Main St. 613-399-2007
Truly authentic Mexican food. This County gem opened in the spring of 2019 with chef Samantha Valdivia at the helm, a resident of Mexico for 20 years - Sam got her feet wet here in The County at Parson's Brewery (where we first fell in love with her food offerings). If you like Mexican or are not really familiar with it outside of tacos and burritos - do yourself a massive favour and make a reservation here (and you need reservations - the place was booked solid from the moment they opened the doors). We have been a few times and just love it. Gluten issues? NO worry - they are gluten free too :)
ENID GRACE'S PICCOLINA MERCATO - Wellington
304 Main St. 613-399-3488
Nestled in the heart of the town of Wellington, Enid opened the Enid Grace Cafe for the summer of 2017 and it was a huge hit right from the start. A self-proclaimed food nerd and epicurean wanderer, her delectable offerings with a European flare reflected her adventurous passion for food. She has since closed shop and is literally crossing the road to set out on her new adventure that will be Italian focused. Visit her site (link above) to be kept in the loop!
THE DRAKE DEVONSHIRE - Wellington
24 Wharf St. 613-339-3338
The Drake really is a beautiful spot, they have done a fantastic job renovating this hotel. We have eaten there a few times and the food and service is good and the view cannot be beat. It is definitely worth a stopping by, and is in close proximity to a number of great wineries. Reservations should be made as this restaurant is extremely popular.
BLOOMFIELD AREA:
THE SAYLOR HOUSE CAFE - Bloomfield
274 Bloomfield Main Street 613-393-5858
This is a really adorable retro cafe/bistro that is part of a B&B serving breakfast and lunch. You can choose to sit outside in their lovely garden, or inside where there are a few tables. It's almost like going to your Mom's for lunch, that is, if your mom is a great cook! We've had soups and sandwiches there that are declicious, and their desserts are quite good too. On a nice day, the patio is beautiful.
BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC HOUSE - MARKET/Bloomfield
257 Bloomfield Main Street 613-393-9292
So! I love this place so much, I did a cartoon of the owners, Chef Elliot Reynolds and the Front of House and wicked (in a good way!) sommelier Laura Bortuski. They took over the old CIBC building in Bloomfield, and completely gutted and renovated it and not only is it a gorgeous space, the food is excellent and it has become somewhat of a hub in Bloomfield - which, is appropriate as these two orignally headed up the well-loved HUB restaurant at Angeline's. During COVID, they pivoted and turned their restaurant into a great gourmet market. You can pick up delicious prepared meals to go. They also launched Judy's BBQ for the spring/summer and fall and make the BEST crispy chicken sandwiches!! The entire community was deflated when they closed The Hub, but equally elated when news broke of them openign up a new place. This is a must visit in PEC!!
FLAME AND SMITH - Bloomfield
106 Bloomfield Main Street 613-393-1006
This amazing restaurant opened in 2018, and during peak season - you really do have to make reservations for dinner. It is always packed. Gorgeous decor, and a seasonal menu with a focus on local ingredients (as most restaurants do on the island) that embraces the art of woodfire cooking. There was a week back in October 2018 where I actually took newbies to PEC here 5 nights in one week (different visitors - all wanted to try it!!). If you are a meat eater - this place is for you :) The DO have other options on the menu that will cater to vegetarians as well.
PICTON AREA:
(also Bantam/same owners across the street)
222 Main Street Picton 613-920-1195
We FINALLY had the pleasure of eating at this lovely and intimate restaurant located right between the Regent Theatre and the Library. Chef Gueran Sykes, former chef at the Waupoos Winery and who also helped to launch Signal Brewery, opened this wonderful restaurant whose culinary delights are infused with flavours from around the world, largely inspired by their love of travel. A SUPER nice guy too, extremely friendly and the service is exceptional too. We plan to go back!!
LAKE ON THE MOUNTAIN RESTAURANT
264 County Road 7 (AKA Lake-on-the-Mountain Rd) 613-476-1321
One of our favourites here for casual dining. The setting is stunning (steps away from the lake and just across the road from one of the most scenic views in The County). The food is down-to-earth goodness. I LOVE their tortiere, it's a family recipe that has been handed down for generations. They brew their own beer (it's great!) and make and bottle their own chili sauce and salad dressings that are for sale and available to take with you as well. Open from late April to mid-October.
THE MILLER HOUSE - Cafe/Brasserie at Lake-on-the-Mountain
264 County Road 7 (AKA Lake-on-the-Mountain Rd) 613-476-1321
Owned by the Lake-on-the-Mountain establishment. More charcuterie really, great for a glass of wine or beer for an afternoon snack - not a full meal in my opinion. The patio offers a stunning view - possibly the most gorgeous in The County. While sipping wine you can watch the Glenora ferry transport traffic across the reach to Adolphustown. They also serve a very nice breakfast too! Closed for most of Fall/Winter.
COUNTY CIDER COMPANY - Waupoos
657 Bongards Crossroad 613-476-1022
The outdoor restaurant of this wonderful Cider House has really grown over the years. Now they are serving not only declicious pizza - but probably the best burger I have ever eaten, with their own cider ketchup. The cider is also very good (I LOVE their pear cider!) and the view in itself is worth the drive to Waupoos, a VERY beautiful part of the area. You can count on this for lunches/late lunches. I don't believe they are open to serve dinner. Closed for most of Fall/Winter.
PARSONS BREWING - Picton
876 County Road 49
This is an awesome brewery, that also just so happens to be a fantastic place to grab lunch or an early dinner. Since they started a food operation, the menu has had a Mexican slant to it. They are in the process of hiring a new chef now - but I suspect they will find someone equally as talented as everything about Parsons is top notch. It also is a gorgeous location, with a terrific atmosphere and they often have live music. We highly recommend this both their unique beer AND delicious food.
BLUMEN - Picton
647 Highway 49 613-476-6841
Just outside of Picton, this is a lovely higher-end restaurant with an absolutely beautiful garden seating area as well. Some of the tables in the garden are fairly private and are accessed by a gorgeous path. We would recommend the garden for lunches as in the evening - the bugs may come out! Reservations to be safe for sure as this is a very popular restaurant, and for good reason.
THE MERRILL INN - Picton
343 Main Street East 613-476-7451
A very good but small higher-end restaurant with Chef Michael Sullivan at the helm (previously of The Fifth, Auberge du Pommier and Opus in Toronto). Reservations are required here for sure, last time we were there, there were two sittings for dinner.
THE VIC CAFE - Picton
166 Main St. W. 613-476-2233
This started as an adorable cafe right next to The Regent Theatre in the heart of Picton and they have moved to a bigger space just down the road. They have delicious Asian-inspired bowls that are also very health conscious and use local and season produce and products as much as they can. We LOVED our lunch. Open for breakfast and lunch.
THE COUNTY CANTEEN - Picton
279 Main St. 613-476-6663
This is a great casual restaurant on Main Street in Picton. Tons of energy, they make their own beer (and have a great selection of micro breweries on tap) and good food too. A good place for lunch or a casual dinner and the prices are good too.
THE ACOUSTIC GRILL- Picton
172 Main St. 613-476-2887
Another great casual restaurant in the heart of Picton. Great burgers, a great selection of County beers and wine and live music on select evenings as well. A county classic for sure.
STELLA'S EATERY - Picton
172 Main Street, unit 105 613-476-4666
Chef Leah Marshall was the first chef at Sand and Pearl Raw Bar - her food just blew us away there. When we discovered she had left Sand and Pearl - we were pretty gutted. It was SUCH a pleasure to discover that she reappeared in Picton as the chef behind the awesome Stella's Eatery. We've been just once so far, but it was a treat. The restaurant is small - it seats only 33 people but it is truly an intimate and delcious experience - you need to try it. They don't take reservations for parties under 8 - it's first come, first served but if you have to line up, it's worth the wait!!
7 NUMBERS - Picton
161 Main Street 613-476-4777
"Southern Italian Soul Food" is what their site says and that is pretty much what it is. Delicious food for the soul from Mama Rosa! Tim and I have a pretty big soft spot in our hearts for this place (and that lasagna!!). It is part of the family of restaurants under the same name in Toronto and "7 Numbers" is a nod to the 7 digits in their business number :) When we lived in Toronto - 7 Numbers on the Danforth was one of our favourite places to eat. In fact - it was the last restaurant that we visited before we moved to PEC and we were sad to leave that night!! We couldn't believe our ears when we heard they were opening here, and it's even the same driving distance from our home here as it was in TO! Always great service, always a relaxed atmostphere and always great Italian food!!
HARTLEY'S - Picton
19 Elizabeth St 613-476-8888
This is such a lovely and welcoming family-run tavern. We love the atmosphere, and the food is varied and great. There is something for everyone on this menu, and they place a heavy focus on locally fare. They have a generous patio, their service is great and their takeout selection is solid and really convenient too.
RESTAURANTS
CASUAL FARE
PICNIC
194 Main Street, Picton
Rebecca Hunt launched her catering/food business a few years ago as a food truck - and we made every effort to find and visit this truck as often as we could. I loved our experiences so much, I had to draw it (above and here is more on Rebecca Hunt and her incredibly talented husband who is a local artist). She has since set up a brick and mortar operation in Picton where you can find awesome sandwiches, salads and even sweet bites to go and she is a fabulous caterer too!
Check her website, Twitter or Facebook
MARK'S COUNTY CHIPS
Now parked at 114 Lake Street (County Rd 10), Picton
We were finally tried a French Fry truck that was always parked in the parking lot at Canadian Tire. His fries are great, and he also has other fare such as pulled pork sandwiches. I can't find an official site for him - but I know he is open every day, somedays to 7 pm and there are ALWAYS people in line, which shows how great this truck is :)
Located at Carson's Garden Market: 1317 Wilson Road, Bloomfield
Last year (2019) Carson's Garden Market opened in the outskirts of Bloomfield and as luck would have it - Kyle Jones opened Flossies Sandwich Parlour on the premises - like a permanent sophisticated food truck operation - only with covered seating. Flossies, named in honour of his adored grandmother, features delicious sandwiches that include pulled pork, battered chicken thighs, eggplant for vegetarians (to name a few) and a declicious hamburger too. Soups are available as well - and they also serve my favourite soft drink, The County Bounty. Visit his site to learn more about his operation. This is a busy spot! You can shop, buy lunch and sit and enjoy it here OR you can even take it just down the road to enjoy with a cold brew from Gillingham's brewery :)
Located at Kinsip Distillery - 66 Gilead Rd, Bloomfield
We had heard a lot about this guy - and were lucky to sample some of his great food when we found him parked at a fundraiser we attended. VERY good BBQ. Check out his Facebook page for updates on menu items. Here is an example: Smoked chicken sandwich, cranberry dijonnaise, celery, green oninions and Hagerman's greens stacked on a toasted brioch bun. Yum!!
20261 County Rd 33, Concescon - 613-921-1846
The lovely Chantal Jeffrey has packed in her truck and now opened a restaurant on Highway 33 in Consecon - you can't miss it. We haven't been to her new brick and mortar location but had stopped her truck a couple of years ago on our way back to Toronto. I've seen her food described as Quebecois comfort food. If you are into poutine - this truck is for you! Great hamburgers, jerk chicken and more. Chantal has a terrific energy and her food is great.
PRODUCE
170 COUNTY ROAD 32, BLOOMFIELD
(Aaron took the year off but I'm leaving here in hopes he returns next year - he's the best!)
I wrote a post on this terrific guy, you can read all about him here. He is an absolute pleasure, and his produce is fantstic (his greens are exceptional!!) His stand is not open all of the time - often because he has run out of product as he services many of the local restaurants AND he often participates in two markets (Wellington and Agrarian in Picton). Try to catch him and his product wherever you can!!
81 MORRISON POINT, BLACK RIVER
Aaaaand she is BACK. We were pretty heart-broken a couple of years ago when Vicki closed her stand and sold the farm BUT she is back in action. The stand is open again. Vicki's Veggies was the first place in PEC many years ago where we stumbled across the honour system (a box for you to leave the money you owe). She is famous for her heirloom tomatoes (and veggies too) and if you EVER have a chance to go to her tomato tasting in late August - you have to do it. We had no idea that tomatoes could taste that good.
HAGERMANS
Just west of The Waring House on the Loyalist Parkway (HWY 33)
This gorgeous farm stand is open from June - November. I can't find a site or public social page for this or I would have included a link. They always have a great selection of seasonal produce, are very centrally located and have a lovely staff.
LAUNDRY FARMS
530 County Road 1 (just north of the roundabout)
This is a really pretty little farmstand that we often hit on our way back to Toronto. Very friendly staff and excellent produce.
3143 County Road # 8 - Waupoos
This is a super cute fruit stand located in the heart of Waupoos (extremely close to the Waupoos Winery and just down the road from the County Cider House). When in season, you can swing by to pick up fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
*Saturday mornings*
243 Main Street Wellington
This is a great outdoor market where you can buy fresh produce, gourmet food, jewelry, and even antiques. I must not that this is where you can also find Humble Bread. From May 17 - October 11, it is open every Saturday from 8 am - 1 pm.
*Sunday mornings*
106 Bridge St, Picton
An market in the Picton Town Hall Sunday from May - October, open 10:00 am - 2:00 pm that features local farmers, wineries and artisinal producers.
LAKESHORE FARMS MARKET
467 Main Street Wellington
This is situated just west of Wellington as you continue along the Loyalist Parkway. They carry produce as well as freshly baked items including donuts and cakes. We also picked up a few bags of deep fried peanuts while there - and you actually eat the shells and they are actually quite good!
EASTERN REGION:
4309 County Road 8/Cressy (very close to Waupoos and the County Cider Company)
I love cheese, and Fifth Town Cheese makes me VERY happy. They have their own unique line of hard and soft award-winning goat cheeses and have even produced a goat cheddar cheese in partnership with Black River Cheese (see below). The dairy itself has been noted as the greenest dairy in Canada (possibly in North America). Before we discovered this place, the only goat cheese I knew of was Chevre or Norwegian Gjetost, but these are fantastic. The owner of Fifth Town is a prominant Italian importer from Toronto - so not only are we able to pick up wonderully unique locallly produced cheeses - but they also bring in fantastic cheeses from Italy that are to die for. They also sell wonderful Italian vinegars, pastas, olive oils, crackers and tea product amongst other gourmet items as well.
4 Lake Street (behind the LCBO)/Picton
The Agrarian is operated by the same people who own the Agrarian Bistro in Bloomfield, which also served as the former home for this market. It's new home is a hertitage house that was actually moved to it's current location to make room for the new Picton LCBO, and it is stunning. Gourmet items from across The County include packaged ice cream from Bloomfield's famed Slickers, Pyramid Ferments, cheese, freshly baked bread and their own prepared foods.
Available at The Agrarian as above
This is a husband and wife couple who also happen to be Syrian refugees who are making their home in Prince Edward County. We sampled four of their products, Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Tabouleh and their Garlic Spread and they all are fantastic. For sure worth stopping by to pick some up! I admire these guys so much, I did added them to my County Characters :)
The Kingston Olive Oil Company
185 Main St/Picton
This just recently opened in Picton, and it is a terrific concept. Olive oil and aged balsamic vinegars available on tap! Good quality too, and you can bring back your empty bottles for a refill and receive a 10% discount. Very good quality, a solid selection and great for gifts too.
913 County Road 13/Milford
Black River Cheese produces great quality cheddar cheese. They don't have the range of cheese that Fifth Town has - but if you like cheddar, theirs is good. You can also grab an ice cream cone on your way out as well. Black River Cheese is JUST around the corner from my favourite produce stand, Vicki's Veggies.
705 County Road 24/Milford
Chocolate Honey, Ginger Honey. Need I say more? I love the products created by this company and have bought honey, tea, hand cream and lip balms from them in the past. They recently got their license to produce and sell Mead, which is basically a sweet dessert wine that is just delicious. While you can find their product in markets around The County (and in Toronto too), this cute little retail store on their property in Milford is worth the trip.
212 County Road 16/Milford (right around the corner from Black Creek Cheese)
This is a terrific stop on your way through Milford - Joaquim and Amor have a really interesting set up. In the barn, they have an nice selection of antiques - Amor is an interior designer by trade and has a great eye. In another building is a growing shop that features county-produced food products (Angelo Bean & County Yum Club products to name a couple!), as well as their own line of delicious and very unique olive oils from Portugal where Joaquin actually oversees production. For sure stop by to taste and learn about these olive oils for yourself, or just say hello as they are super friendly!
WESTERN/CENTRAL REGION:
732 Closson Road/Hillier
This is a beautiful farm located in the heart of wine country that specializes in Lavender. Their store sells a number of their own products that feature lavender from soaps to herbs for culinary use, and one of my favourite products that they carry is lavender-flavoured nougat. You can pay for a tour of their lavender fields, and in June they have an annual Lavender Festival.
Wellington Farmers Market - 243 Main Street/Wellington
If you are in the Wellington area on a Saturday before 1 pm - be sure to stop by the Wellington Farmer's Market where you will find Humble Bread. Hand-kneaded and naturally leavened breads baked in a large custom-designed wood-fired oven. If you are lucky - you will be able to meet Henry Willis (owner) who is lovely to chat with and after you fall in love with the bread - if you are from Toronto - you can rest assured knowing that you can also pick up some of this delcious bread at the Brickworks Farmer's Market in Toronto most weekends.
271 Main Street/Bloomfield & 232 Main Street/Picton
GREAT ice cream. Campfire Marshmallow (with real roasted marshmallows!) is probably my favourite, with Apple Pie (with real chunks of apple pie mixed in!) being a close second. It's an ice cream institution in The County, a must try!
NORTHERN REGION:
OK, I am a fairly adventurous eater, but for some reason - kimchi was something I had zero desire to try as a friend of mine eats it in the office let's just say it doesn't always smell that appetising. Then, a short while ago, I walked into the Agrarian Market in Picton, met Alex Currie from Pyramid Ferments (terrific guy!), and he convinced me to try his product. I was immediately won over. Pyramid ferments has a full line of fermented product including sauerkraut, kimchi and komucha and more. All are extremely rich in nutriants, probitics and enzymes, so basically they are really great for you AND are super delicious too. You can visit their Gut Hut in Northport (love the name!) or you can buy their products around town and they are available in Toronto and Ottawa too - check out their site for the full list of retailers!
SPECIALTY
