665054 Thu Nov 05 17:32:01 -0800 2009 13 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 5159622 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! Thu Nov 05 17:32:01 -0800 2009 10810 Charles Yu 1 5159736 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 Thu Nov 05 18:31:08 -0800 2009 5159622 52461 CarNut 2 5159797 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! Thu Nov 05 18:56:05 -0800 2009 5159736 10810 Charles Yu 3 5159987 As an alternative, what about Carriage House in Bloomfield, just a few short drive from Picton. http://www.bloomfieldcarriagehouse.com/ Thu Nov 05 20:50:59 -0800 2009 5159797 19782 Full tummy 4 5162166 Thanks for your help and suggestion! They'll give it a try tonight, assuming its not fully booked. Fri Nov 06 15:28:19 -0800 2009 5159987 10810 Charles Yu 5 5162256 Let us know how it was if they do. Very charming place, with some delicious, creative food the times I was there. Fri Nov 06 16:12:06 -0800 2009 5162166 19782 Full tummy 6 5163720 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. Sat Nov 07 13:44:26 -0800 2009 5162256 12072 Googs 6 5163910 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! Sat Nov 07 15:38:03 -0800 2009 5162256 10810 Charles Yu 7 5164459 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... Sat Nov 07 21:44:43 -0800 2009 5163910 19782 Full tummy 7 5165045 Indeed. Odd to hear of them having an off night at all. Sun Nov 08 09:42:57 -0800 2009 5163910 12072 Googs 1 5160610 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. Fri Nov 06 07:23:21 -0800 2009 5159622 226450 Notorious P.I.G. 2 5168951 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. Mon Nov 09 19:30:53 -0800 2009 5160610 324324 Countygal 1 5169239 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. Mon Nov 09 22:16:15 -0800 2009 5159622 1122909 m4240z