Potluck: Eat Local, But Where?

Each Wednesday we enjoy a Potluck of inspiration at Hot Pink Apron.com.
We bring the conversation starter, you bring the comments stuffed with personal touch.

Think Global, Act Local – especially when it comes to dining out. Apronites, from around the world,

Jodi (in Toronto (west end), Canada): Dined at La Cantina last week, great vibe but the food was meh. So many new restaurants are popping up in my neighbourhood, I don’t feel quite so isolated in the far west end of Toronto anymore (cue tumbleweeds). Queen Margharita, Marky’s and Sparky’s, and an upcoming Italian restaurant are all awaiting my dinner reservation. Hooray, options!

Dana (in Whitby, Canada): I am freaking GAGA for Whitby’s kb food – Animals.Vegetables. Libations. FINALLY a passionate chef that shares my adoration for local ingredients, rock and roll and east coast oysters! If I had the budget, I would probably eat at kb every day and never be bored. I’d be fat (and likely a drunk) but NEVER bored. The menu changes weekly, sometimes daily, based on the availability of organic, seasonal, local produce and proteins. (Who knew there was local sunchoke in Whitby?!)

The owner, Chef Kevin Brown (hence the name – kb) has clearly put himself into every element of this restaurant. His passion, sense of humour and culinary brilliance shines through. His flavour profiles are phenomenal, the staffs’ knowledge of wine and spirits is extensive, and the decor offers that comfortable leverage between classy and casual. As much as I may not personally like the ugly graffiti mural thing on the main wall, it effectively removes any pretentiousness often associated with fine dining and puts everyone who walks through his door at ease.

Besides, a sip of fine Australian Shiraz paired with the coffee and chili rubbed house smoked beef brisket will have you forgetting all about the playful mural and transport you straight to flavour-town. kb isn’t just another fine dining restaurant, this is more of a genuine food-lover’s refueling station.

Amanda (in Cambridge, England):

Coffee: Hot Numbers. Art gallery and coffee house, with its own roastery out back. A bit hipster, but the kind of place where you can turn up and expect the guy who runs it not just to know your order, but your favourite bean and roast type.

CB1 internet cafe: Good coffee. Good vegan/vegetarian food. Sofas you can climb into and never want to leave.

Savino’s: It’s an Italian coffee house. Nuff said.

Food: Alimentum: Tried going to my first Michelin starred restaurant last year for my husband’s birthday. Me, Chris and the in-laws ate until we could eat no more. Then ate some more. SO MUCH GOOD FOOD. (So expensive too…)

Al Casbah: Local Algerian restaurant. Good grill, great tagine, and coffee you can stand your spoon up in. Also the first place I’ve been offered coffee with a dash of rosewater – that stuff’s gooooood. Service can be a bit hit and miss though.

D’Arry’s: Wine bar/restaurant that will help you pick wine to complement your meal. Little bit pricey but very high quality food and lovely wine. The kind of place that has a very short menu in order to do a few things well, rather than a lot of mediocre things. Whole baked Camembert with caramelized red onion is a real highlight.

That is way more than you asked for, but I really love eating out in Cambridge!

Michelle (in North Carolina, USA): I ate at The Bank Bistro in downtown historic Washington, North Carolina TWICE in a week. All the food was amazing and they were really awesome about my picky modifications to meals. A real delight for Eastern NC because most of the restaurants here are disappointing.

Reagan (Toronto (east end), Canada): C’est What is my old reliable, such great beer there. The food is not amazing, not terrible. They changed their menu a while back and dropped my favourite thing, the tortière. We recently tried the new Mill Street Beer Hall. Also awesome beer and the food was good but a bit overpriced in my opinion.

Caitlin (in Hamilton, Canada): Hamilton’s been experiencing a real culinary renaissance lately–I moved back home at the right time. I can’t get enough of Jack and Lois, an amazing new diner in the James North neighbourhood. I had an eggplant parm sandwich the last time I was there and it was incredible. They also make their own kettle chips! I also love Earth To Table Bread Bar, which is just up the street from my house near Locke Street. They’re really committed to all things local, including the flour for their insanely good pizzas.

The Augusta Street strip is also an amazing go-to spot for beer and pub grub lovers. The Ship pub is home to one of Hamilton’s first microbreweries and also the best nacho fries in explored space.

So, foodies, where in the world are you eating this week? Set that comment thread on fire.

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