Niagra on the Lake

[Bill Greenberg]

I did not find many threads on this subject. Does anyone have any suggestions for two nights of dining? The type of cuisine is not as important as the quality. Quirky lunch places would be interesting as well.

[Booch]

Find the "Angel Inn" for lunch or just a fun place for a few pints. Loads of history and character, one block back from the main drag

[helen0505]

i really like Zee's at Niagara on the lake. its inside the shaw club hotel. we had brunch as well as dinner and both meals were fantastic. This is about a year and half ago though.

[Sarah Cat]

We've eaten at Zee's a couple of times. It's a fun place to go, but I wouldn't expect culinary fireworks. The food is good, but a little expensive for the quality. I'd go there again, though.

[estufarian]

FYI - and also regarding Peninsula Ridge.
the new "replaced' restaurant at Peninsula Ridge will be run by Ross Midgley, who is/was the chef at Zees.
I guess that means both of these places are up for re-evaluation.

[TorontoJo]

Actually, there are plenty of recent threads, but you need to get the spelling right. :)

Here you go:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/578063
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/550018
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/547308
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/547979
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/324926
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/500975
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/536032
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/523648
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/507397
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/580050
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/549861

BTW, my favorite is the Stone Road Grill.

[cynalan]

Stone Road Grill is quite good and provides excellent value. My only concern here is a limited wine list.

Two other recommendations are:
Peller Estates Winery restaurant and Treadwells in Port Dalhousie

For a nice lunch/breakfast try the The Old Winery Restaurant run by Tony de Luca.

Stay say, no... actually, run away, from any of the restaurants actually in the NOTL strip. They are way overpriced for the quality of the fare you receive.

[Sarah Cat]

Stone Road Grill is my favourite, also. I don't find the wine list limited at all. True, it's all Ontario wine, but the wines are excellent. Very well chosen. I've never been dissatisfied with any wines there. My husband and I are wine PEOPLE. We go on tasting tours in NOTL at least once a year, and usually we design the tours ourselves and go with the Classic Cabs.

Lunch at the Peninsula Ridge restaurant is fantastic. If you're there on a warm day, you can sit on a beautiful deck and look out over the vineyard as you eat.

A fantastic deal is the wine and cheese pairing at Lailey Vineyards. It's a tiny winery and they make small batches of wine. They don't call it organic but it basically is. Their wines are superb, if a little pricey, but for a very modest fee they take you on a tour of the place, and feed you spectacular cheese paired with their wines. I can't remember the price but it was dirt cheap and we were too full for lunch afterwards, they fed us so much fabulous bread and cheese.

[cynalan]

I've really enjoyed Pen Ridge too, not quite Niagara on the Lake though. Unfortunately, the restaurant has been having some financial difficulty. It was closed for lunch during the winter and I've heard that there is a new owner and chef. I'll certainly give it a try and I really enjoy the Sauvignon Blanc this winery puts out.

As for SRG - my criticism of the wine list is not that it is limited to Niagara wines - I'm good with that. Last time I was there, about a year and a half ago, I found the list to be rather thin in selection.

[JBVaughan]

If you've only got two days, definitely Stone Road Grille, particularly if it is this time of year.

They used to do a nice lunch at the Epicurean, not sure if it is still there. Tea at the Irish Shoppe is not bad (can get some Irish/UK fare that is atypical). If you can get farther out than NOTL, Treadwell's is excellent. I've had exceptional meals at Tony de Luca's in the Oban Inn, done the tasting menu several times, but the last time I was there (last summer I think) it was indifferent.

[cynalan]

FYI re Tony de Luca - he no longer runs the kitchen at the Oban. He is concentrating on his own restaurant - The Old Winery Restaurant on Stone Road. Not sure who the new chef at the Oban is.

[JBVaughan]

Is that the one in the old Solander Case building? I had a very good lunch there last fall. Much more accessible menu though. Shame about the Oban.

[mmm...butter]

I definitely recommend Peller Estates for lunch or dinner. I was there twice last year and had great service and food. Their price fix lunches were very good (three courses i think for $40) and the ambiance is nice. I think i had the pear and reisling soup, salmon entree and mousse or a tart. Also consider taking a tour while your there.

[Bill Greenberg]

N-i-a-g-A-ra! At least I spelled Lake correctly. :)

[TorontoJo]

LOL, it's no problem -- an easy mistake to make.

Let me echo cynlan -- avoid every cute, welcoming-looking restaurant along the main strip of NOTL. The Shaw Cafe, The Buttery, Stagecoach, etc. They are all truly awful. The only gem along the way is the Epicurean, which is great for picking up quality prepared food to take on a picnic.