Picton Restaurant - Merrill Inn or Harvest?!

[Charles Yu]

Helping out a foodie friend!
On the way back from their Kingston trip, they are planning to eat at Picton. Their choices are either Michael Potter's Harvest or The Merrill Inn. What's your pick fellow chowhounder? Any other suggestion?! Many Thanks!

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Merrill Inn
343 Picton Main St, Prince Edward, ON K0K 2T0, CA

[m4240z]

Harvest. I've eaten there many times, and each time, found it to be an excellent experience. The decor could be better, and when Michael isn't on the stoves, it suffers a little. However, I find for value, quality of food, it's pretty hard to beat. I really loved it when he and his wife were at The MIlford Bistro.

[Notorious P.I.G.]

I also hear good things about the Carriage House, I've also been to The Restaurant On The Knoll at Isaiah Tubbs Resort and the last meal I had there was decent as well. Through my life I've been there off and on and they've gone through some changes in the kitchen it seems for the better as of my last visit.

Truthfully though, the only place I hit regularly out there is Schooner Fish and Chips.

[Countygal]

We had lunch at Blumen on Sunday and it was lovely. Hubby adored his duck poutine and salad, sweet potato soup was also good. The portions were generous, prices good and waiter personable and knowledgeable. We'll be trying it for dinner soon. Sorry to hear about Carriage House. We've has lots of great meals there but some serious foodie friends were very underwhelmed at their recent visit. Auberge de France in Belleville, although not in County, is still my favourite local restaurant. Whatever special Jean- Marc is preparing is sure to be divine.

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Carriage House Restaurant
2101 Old Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7R1A4, CA

[CarNut]

Never been to The Merrill Inn, but have had fantastic meals at Harvest. They could also try Blumen.

When are they going? www.countylicious.ca

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Merrill Inn
343 Picton Main St, Prince Edward, ON K0K 2T0, CA

[Charles Yu]

Thank you so much CarNut! Great informative website! So you put car in front of food?! Ha!
FYI, my friends, who will be going tomorrow, called up both Harvest and Merrill. Both fully booked!! Apparently they have something similar to our Winterlicious going on right now! Oh well!

[Full tummy]

As an alternative, what about Carriage House in Bloomfield, just a few short drive from Picton.

http://www.bloomfieldcarriagehouse.com/

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Carriage House
260 Bloomfield Main, Bloomfield, ON K0K1G0, CA

[Charles Yu]

Thanks for your help and suggestion! They'll give it a try tonight, assuming its not fully booked.

[Full tummy]

Let us know how it was if they do. Very charming place, with some delicious, creative food the times I was there.

[Googs]

Yes, I greatly recommend Carriage House over all the rest in PEC. That's not a put down of the many fine places (of which I do very much count Merrill Inn and don't count Harvest). It's just that Carriage House is as close to perfection as I've ever had in Ontario.

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Merrill Inn
343 Picton Main St, Prince Edward, ON K0K 2T0, CA

Carriage House Restaurant
2101 Old Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7R1A4, CA

[Charles Yu]

Just talked with my friends. The meal at Carriage House was a total disappointment! Portion was generous, description of dishes were impressive eg., Slow braised boneless beef short ribs in red wine sauce topped with lobster ravioli, however, flavour all fell short! The place was half empty for a 'Countylicious' weekend!

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Carriage House Restaurant
2101 Old Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7R1A4, CA

[Full tummy]

What a disappointment. My husband and I really enjoyed our meals the few times we were there, but we haven't been for over a year now. It was our anniversary dinner last year, and it was fabulous. I hope they enjoyed their County experience otherwise...

[Googs]

Indeed. Odd to hear of them having an off night at all.