Garrison House

[Herne]

I plan a trip to Niagara on the Lake this weekend. What is the latest word on the Garrison House?

[auberginegal]

has anyone tried the Welsh rarebit? any good?

[gembellina]

Considering going here on Friday night (25th Jan) but I remember from my enquiries over the summer that they don't take reservations. Does anyone have any info about the wait times, for example at 8pm on a Friday? I have no idea how busy NOTL might be during the winter, even with the icewine festival!

[TorontoJo]

They will likely be full, but turnover is pretty good there (a lot of early diners) and there is usually space at the large bar.

If you are a beer drinker, you should make a point to try a beer from one of the two local craft breweries that opened recently: Oast House and Silversmith.

[gembellina]

Brilliant, thanks. I will take some snacks for the car journey so I don't get too snappy if we have to wait at the bar for a while! Beers sound great - bf will definitely enjoy.

[TorontoJo]

If you have time over the weekend, Silversmith is open to the public for the first time this weekend. Silversmith and Oast House are just a couple of kms apart on Niagara Stone Road, so it's a nice alternative to wine tasting, if you are so inclined.

Oh, and the fries ("chips" on the menu) at Garrison House are still fantastic. I have been known to order them for dessert.

You can also order the full menu at the bar, if you're feeling snappy. ;)

[gembellina]

We might try a beer tasting, I think after a day of icewine on Sat we might want something a bit more refreshing on Sunday. Hoping to check out Dillon's Distillery in Beamsville too for gin and rye.

[hungryjoanne]

We went for lunch a few weeks ago - I had the burger - TorontoJo's right - it is awesome. My husband had the trout & really enjoyed that. We started with the cheese curd fritters - you really can't miss with deep-fried cheese.
I'd recommend it, and will definitely be back.

[TorontoJo]

Wow, you still haven't gone? :)

It's still good. And the burger and fries are still awesome.

[gwanderc]

Was there a couple weekends ago on a Sunday evening and had a wonderful time.

The Shepard's Pie was outstanding - as well as the service

[Herne]

Haven't gone yet. Sore back and other issues have held me up but the intention is still there. I think the burger and fries will do it. I find now that a burger and fries will usually keep me satisfied until noon the next day.

[Herne]

Made it to the Garrison House this afternoon. Burger was great. Service could not have been better.

I first ate fish and chips about 1947 - 48 when my mother was sure that WW11 was over and quite likely the depression as well and so a few luxuries were in order. At that time new fish and chip stores were opening up like coffee shops or Thai restaurants do now. Back then the idea was make them good and not necessarily fast. I've been looking for over half a century to find french fries/chips like those made by the Scottish and English immigrants of that time. Now I know where to get them. About an hour and a half away but better than Highstreet in my opinion.

[TorontoJo]

Glad you finally made it and enjoyed yourself. The chips/fries are indeed fantastic. They serve a generous portion with the burger and despite my better self saying "don't eat them all", I find myself unable to stop eating them.

[shekamoo]

better than Highstreet? BETTER THAN HIGHSTREET? I need to try this

[Herne]

I hope you get the same quality that I did, Better than High Street is a tough standard to beat but they did yesterday.

[Googs]

Jeez, we've been having a ChowMeet at High Street and not even known it.

[Herne]

Well how good food is depends on individual taste IMO. And the chips at Garrison House were the best I've had in over half a century. I've been to High street about a dozen times since they opened and I drove to Burnanthorpe several years ago which was an earlier location. For my taste Garrison had the best yesterday.

[Googs]

True, the chips at High Street usually need their gravy, but I would never complain about that. There is no such thing as too much gravy. Now the person who keeps eating the last steak and kidney pie before I get there, that's another matter. I have a bone to pick with them. I love that pie especially when I haven't had to do the cutting, cleaning, and stewing first.

[Herne]

LOL Ali I have had is fish and chips so far. Often thought about the Melton Mowbray but never bought it.