In today’s busy and fast-paced world, it’s unusual to find a business (especially in food service) that has a primary goal of getting their customers to take their time and stay a while. That’s exactly what Kaitey and Kevin Cosgrove had in mind when they re-imagined a Bridge Street storefront in Carleton Place and created […]
Read more
No matter how you get there, it’s worth the trip! We are undoubtedly blessed with a proliferation of quaint picturesque small towns and villages and especially fortunate to have the added benefit of those communities located on one of our region’s many breathtakingly beautiful waterways. One such location is Portland on the banks of the […]
Read more
Elevating a simple pleasure to new heights If you ever wonder if we obsess on donuts, consider that Canadians consume more of them per capita than any other country in the world. Like hockey, maple syrup, and moose, we’ve adopted them into our national identity. So, it really isn’t a surprise that when Shannon and […]
Read more
Where friends and great food meet In June, Perth’s beautiful heritage downtown welcomed an exciting new food neighbour, Gather, located at 40 Gore Street East. Owned and operated by the team of Kerri Smith and James Gallant, it has quickly developed a strong following among local residents and visitors alike. Of all the restaurants and […]
Read more
There’s been a recent influx of Mexican themed diners and take-outs in the region, and judging by their growing customer base, they’re enjoying success and filling a need. But there still a certain segment of the dining-out crowd that shuns Mexican cuisine fearing an excessively hot palette. Fat Bastard Burrito dispels that myth quickly and […]
Read more
Perth’s newest purveyor of great food, Kothu Labs is a great departure from the usual fare. Not that the usual fare in Perth is bad; on the contrary, this picturesque heritage community has more than its share of top-notch dining establishments covering a wide variety of cuisines and food cultures. Kothu Labs, located at 40 […]
Read more
I doubt if even Wes Parsons, owner of Pitmaster, one of Carleton Place’s newest meal purveyors, could have predicted the overwhelming response to his custom meat smoker’s output when he opened earlier this year. It’s an omission made even more notable when you consider Wes’ history in the food biz and his never-ending attention to […]
Read more
Almonte’s newest Italian dining spot, Joe’s Italian Kitchen has been packing them in since opening this past summer. It’s located at the bottom of Mill Street in the lower level of the beautifully restored Heritage Mill building at number 7; when you learn the story behind Joe’s, you won’t be surprised. Joe’s is the latest […]
Read more
The Yellow Canoe Café, located at the entrance to Merrickville’s storied main street shopping area, isn’t new, having been around for over 15 years, but it recently changed owners with a former life-time (as she puts it) employee having taken over the reins in 2014. And while Danielle Moizer may be young, her dishes demonstrate […]
Read more
If you check out the Facebook page of Carleton Place’s newest dining establishment, Boulton House (35 Mill St), you can be excused for thinking it came from humble roots when you look at the historic photo of its exterior taken in the horse and buggy era. This structure on the Mississippi River, just next door […]
Read more
Brian Turner Review an eatery without ever stepping foot inside? How can that be done? If you consider that the place in question is the creation of local community supporter and enthusiast Brian Paquette, you’ll find your answer. Brian and his wife Vanessa MacLellan moved to Smiths Falls only 7 years ago, but they’ve both […]
Read more
Brian Turner The Ashton Brew Pub in Ashton has always been known as a great local place to wet your whistle with some fine libations but it’s has evolved over the years to become a true oasis for foodies and craft beer aficionados alike. In fact, Ashton Brew Pub was serving great barley nectar long […]
Read more
Brian Turner After only one season of a very successful run at being Carleton Place’s go-to food truck (the former Mike’s Fries) operator Matt Maurice joined with his wife Lea to move up the food chain ladder to create a diner/take-out with a difference on Bridge Street. Capone’s Deli launched with a very busy soft-opening […]
Read more
Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca The long wait for the reopening of The Opinicon at Chaffeys Locks last year was certainly worth it. This resort and dining facility has a storied history dating back to 1865 when John Chaffey built the main structure. It grew and evolved over the years under multiple owner/operators to become a destination […]
Read more
Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Usually when I visit a restaurant or diner to complete a review I’m accompanied by my partner and it’s just the two of us enjoying an evening or afternoon out. But a good test of any food service facility is their ability to handle larger tables with multiple orders and separate cheques. […]
Read more
Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca When current owners Dan and Mary Catherine Allatt purchased a popular dining facility on Perth’s main street back in 2012 they had a clear vision of what they wanted to create. They wanted O’Reilly’s Ale House to be infused with the atmosphere of a traditional public house where people gathered for company and personal […]
Read more
Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca In the restaurant business, being all things to all diners really does come with risks. It’s difficult to provide an all-encompassing menu without being weak in certain areas thus alienating some segments of your audience. But since Tracey Greer, husband David and brother David Jordan took over this Pakenham main street location […]
Read more
Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca When the current owners took the chance and won an open-bid auction of the former Minuteman diner building on the very busy Hwy 7 commercial corridor in Perth to set up their own take on a lunch/dinner restaurant back in 2013, they knew they would have to offer something very different to […]
Read more
Brian Turner Over my time in retail business I’ve attended more than my share of educational seminars (what’s this got to do with a restaurant review?), read on. One point that always seems to mystify supposed expert business owners/operators, is understanding the true definition of their operation, their mission so to speak. Some will learn […]
Read more
Brian Turner When you head out with friends and family for a Friday night, work-week’s-done celebration, a local pub is a natural choice. You know you can find your favourite libation, an energetic, friendly crowd, and even some passable fare. But seldom do you expect hand-crafted fine cuisine to go along with your suds and […]
Read more
Brian Turner I usually don’t put a lot of stock in online business ratings, but when searching for a restaurant in Smiths Falls to review, My Place kept coming up as number one on more than a few different sites. So our neighbours joined my partner and I for a recent visit, and found out […]
Read more
Brian Turner It may not be a hidden gem to Almonte residents, but it’s certainly a treasure. Located inside the Heritage Court Mall on Mill Street in Almonte is a restaurant that proves once and for all crepes aren’t just for brunch or dessert. Mill Street Crepe Company has been open for six years and […]
Read more
Brian Turner At long last Carleton Place can now boast an authentic Indian cuisine restaurant much to the delight of those with a taste for the exotic. But Sagar Indian Cuisine at 156 Bridge Street isn’t just any run-of-the-mill diner. One taste is all it takes to let you know. A soft opening for Sagar […]
Read more
Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca It may not necessarily be true that like old truckers, old truck-stops never stop rolling. If they can’t change with the times and expanded tastes of their clientele, they may end up on the rust heap. Nothing could be farther from the truth than Penny’s Place. Purchased in 1994 by Penny Bell, […]
Read more
Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca There’s nothing better in this country than the onset of our glorious summers. Warm weather and plenty of sunshine beckon us to cottages, lakes, rivers, and campgrounds and finding a great place to recharge ourselves with some delicious hand-crafted food makes our journeys that much more enjoyable. On that very popular commuting […]
Read more
Evening strolls through Victoria Park often lead to a large stone adorned with a bronze marker laid in 1923. The marker reads “This swimming pool erected by the corporation and citizens of Smiths Falls under the auspices of the Rotary Club”. Antique postcards featuring beautiful images of the Rotary Pool are relatively common. An old […]
More Special Features >>
The adolescent stage is between 13-19 years of age. They are filled with untapped potential, but the teenage years are often not seen as positive. It’s the stage of life where we are fraught with insecurity and self-doubt. The stage where we make mountains out of molehills. We sit around feeling isolated, lonely, and believing […]
More Special Features >>
Agnes woke up in pitch black darkness—she was shivering uncontrollably and drenched in sweat. By morning she was coughing to the point of choking. The 60-year-old could no longer ignore the inevitable. Agnes picked up the telephone receiver and cranked the handle. “Operator, it’s Agnes Lamb, please connect me with 114,” she requested. This was […]
More Special Features >>
On February 24th, 2023, the doors of The Tipped Ship on Main Street in Elgin will open to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 am. All are welcome. In 1893, John R. Dargavel built and opened a general store on the main corner of Elgin. 130 years later, The Tipped Ship opens […]
More spotlight on business >>