I haven’t reviewed a Windsor restaurant in a while. There are two reasons for that: first, is Cathryn is such a great cook that we eat most of our meals at home. Secondly, we like ‘good’ food and there are so many local restaurants that simply don’t live up to our expectations. Sure, Cathryn can be a little particular when it comes to food but if you’re paying big money for a meal then it should be good.
We don’t normally give negative reviews unless the food is horrible and you need to be warned. Not every restaurant has experienced chefs in their kitchen and even the best place can have an off night.
I’m currently housebound, recovering from a hip replacement, which put me in a bit of a pickle. It was Cathryn’s birthday and we’d normally go out to one of her favorite restaurants, but my limited mobility forced me to search for a local establishment that could deliver really good food to our front door. She normally shuns food deliveries, believing most of it doesn’t travel well.
So, I called a place we’d always wanted to try but for some reason never got there – the Wildwood Grill.
It is only five minutes from our home so that’s the line I fed the owner when I called to ask if he’d deliver a nice birthday meal for my wife. He agreed to the challenge and I went all out, ordering pan-seared scallops in mushroom sauce, a caesar salad for two, rack of lamb with roasted potato and veggies, and a creme brulee.
Wildwood’s owner showed up at our door right on time. He’d included a bowl of roasted red pepper soup that was included with the lamb (instead of a salad which I ordered separately). We attacked the soup and scallops before they got cold but everything was delivered hot. The soup was amazing. Cathryn usually makes her own caesar dressing but was impressed with Wildwood’s version. The salad was fresh and crisp, with shaved parmesan.
I anxiously waited for the moment of truth, when she put cut one of her lamb chops and took a bite. It was cooked perfectly and she was a happy camper. The accompanying roasted potatoes were very good. I’m not a big fan of creme brulee but Cathryn was tickled pink by the heart-shaped ceramic dish it was delivered in. She said it was one of the best she’s had.
We shared the appies, salad, entree and dessert, and found there was plenty of food. We also had no complaints and easily give the Wildwood Grill a 10 out of 10, are rarity for us. (pictures were taken from their fb page, since we were too busy eating)
The Wildwood Grill is in the plaza on Banwell at Wildwood, off the roundabout, between Tecumseh and the E.C. Row Expressway.
Newcomers and frequent visitors to Melaque, Mexico, are always searching for or inquiring about where to dine in town. Cathryn and I are foodies so when we visit restaurants we look for good food and service, hoping those things are reflected in the price. Some folks think that cheap food or large amounts of it is great but we expect more. We often dine with friends and try to offer honest reviews. Links are included if one can be found.
El Dorado (Club Nautico) – usually our first stop after arrival since our fridge and cupboards are empty. It’s the first place east of the earthquake hotel, offering one of the best views on the beach, they have a varied menu. My favorite is a platter-sized slab of chicken parm with a loaded baked potato and veggies. Cathryn enjoys the Papillon (Dorado). We’ve tried other dishes that have been hit and miss, depending on who’s cooking that day. The margaritas aren’t nearly as good as they used to be and some staff speak decent English. This came in handy when the waiter thought we were only sharing a baked potato.
La Chinita – formerly in a terrible location on the highway, this is the best Authentic Chinese food in town. But if sweet & sour chicken balls are your thing, they have them too. Great spring and egg rolls and homemade wonton soup. The new location is in Villa Obregon where Vanilla Pimienta was and they’ve recently added a rooftop bar with pool and pingpong tables. We were six on our last visit and everyone loved their meals. We’ve also had them deliver to a party at our casa – food was hot and plentiful.
Patas – It’s small and the menu is limited but everything listed is awesome. Their burgers are one of the best in town and their ‘Denver Burrito’ is man-sized and stuffed with beef or chicken. Even their nachos are top notch, probably because they make their own chips. There’s something extra-special about warm tortilla chips and fresh guacamole. We’ve never had a bad meal at Pata’s. Cathryn can’t get enough of their cilantro margaritas.
Quetzal de Laura – Friends have given us mixed dinner reviews but swear by their crepes. For Cathryn and I it’s the best breakfast place in town, with great omelets and both gringo or Mexican dishes. Breakfast usually comes with a fresh, warm biscuit, small salad and home fries. Prices are about half what we pay at home. They use cream cheese in their omelets, a savory treat in my opinion. Their breakfast meals have been consistently good for years.
Kyoto – A Japanese restaurant that used to be downtown, a new Melaque experience for us. Toted as a Sushi restaurant, it’s more of an Asian fusion menu, with sushi, stir-frys and soups. They accept reservations there but service is exceptionally slow, even by Melaque standards. Out of our party of six, only one thought his sushi roll was lousy. Cathryn and I liked our California roll and egg rolls. We didn’t care for the dumplings – we chose the fried ones. Quiet entertainment allowed us to carry on conversation. Washrooms were broken.
El Patio – My second favorite breakfast place – right on the main drag in town. I prefer the sidewalk tables where I can watch the world go by. Only open for breakfast and lunch, they have a menu that attracts gringos and nationals alike. I’ve sampled their various omelettes and was pleasantly surprised by their authentic clubhouse sandwich. From the sidewalk, you can watch your meal being cooked. Service is quick and prices are very reasonable.
La Oficina – We didn’t make it here last year but recently went for what many call the best burger in town. Cathryn and I split one and have to admit it’s one of the top three, at least. There’s no question that their Caesar salad is top notch and our friend gave a thumbs up to his chicken burger. We’ve also taken their smoked marlin and marlin pate home, returning for more. Service is amazingly quick for the amount of food the kitchen puts out. Prices are in line with everyone else. Lots of tv’s for sporting events.
Rusty Compass– A new player in town, it’s more of a beach bar than restaurant, owned and managed by Canadians. The beer is cold and cheap and pub grub is served from a food truck. We had a shrimp cocktail that blew us away. Our friend enjoyed the taquitos and happy faces around us said the burgers were good too. No plastic cups there, wine is served in stainless steel vessels. It’s the new hot spot in town with daily entertainment.
The Frog – Our first visit back in a few years was a pleasant experience. Next to the old Simona’s in Barra, the chicken cordon bleu is the best I’ve had around here. The cream of broccoli soup was excellent and our friend thoroughly enjoyed his Czechoslovakian pasta, saying it was like chicken cacciatore. Frequent patrons at the next table raved about the fish dishes offered there. Other friends have also bragged about their breakfast.
Tacos Pedros – One of friend’s favorites on Taco row, Cathryn and I don’t see the attraction. Craving tacos, we gave it another chance. A few doors down from the main square, menu choices are listed on the wall, and limited – basically tacos or quesadillas (tacos with cheese). My pastor was edible but Cathryn’s chicken looked exactly like my pork, both virtually flavourless unless you consider one of the hot sauces, flavour. I pigged out on their radishes and beans. No sour cream or even guac available. Sorry, I’m a Taco Bell kind of guy.
Moon– Top Floor of Casa Leon – Hands down, the best view in Melaque. As much as we try to like this place, the food has really let us down. The wait staff is excellent but something’s amiss in the kitchen. On our recent visit, only one of our group of eight was happy with his steak. His calamari was overcooked and bland. Ribeye and New York’s were paper thin and fatty or grisly. It appeared they were boiled or steamed before being grilled and Cathryn’s was way undercooked. Salads were very good, as was the lemon cheesecake. Many other friends rave about the two-for-one rib or burger nights if that’s your thing. We feel prices are high for the quality of food we received. They now offer a Sunday brunch with seems to be getting positive reviews.
We’ve also eaten at the Sea Master in Barra, Seriana Gordita at Coco Beach, Pedro’s in La Manzanilla, and Pata Salada in Manzanilla, all with decent offerings, but I’ve kept this list to Melaque.
Please keep in mind that opinions expressed are our own and from our dining friends. You might have a completely different experience since menus and staff change frequently. Be brave, be adventurous. Happy dining!
Our go-to restaurant for the best coconut shrimp on the Costalegre, Palma negra Beach Restaurant is one you have to try in you’re in the Melaque/Barra area. Located on Coco Beach, on the far side of the Grand Bay Resort’s golf course, this hideaway beach restaurant is worth the trip (take the Isla de Navidad/Colimilla road off Hwy 80.
On this occasion we went with a group of ten and everyone ordered something different, mostly indulging in the Thai side of the menu. In our opinion, Maria has some of the best Thai dishes around…pad Thai and assorted curry dishes like mussels in coconut curry sauce and chicken in red curry. She also offers fresh-made appetizers such as spring rolls in rice paper with peanut sauce, guacamole, and of course coconut shrimp.
One of the group raved about the fish tacos and I enjoyed the bacon cheeseburger. Another had the Caesar salad with about a half pound of plump shrimp. Others enjoyed their curried dishes, soup and salads. They also serve a large variety of beverages and cocktails.
Palma negra is a family run business that now rents out a beach bungalow that includes breakfast. They also have a lazy river pool and direct beach access, with a nearby site for turtle releases. It’s best to call ahead or email for reservations since they sometimes have entertainment that draws large crowds, and they close one day a week.
Our group rated Palma negra Beach from 7 to 10 out of 10, with a least a handful of 10’s.
We finally made it to the Pepper Cat Restaurant in Amherstburg and it was well worth the long trek from Windsor. Formerly the Beacon Ale House, you have to try this new restaurant. It’s advertised as upscale dining but the prices were not ridiculous.
Our visit was in the late afternoon for kind of a late lunch or early dinner so we decided to sample their appetizer menu. We leaned heavy on seafood with the mussels, done in a white wine and garlic sauce – with lots of juice that was great to soak up with their focaccia bread – perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
We ordered everything at once for a real smorgasbord – escargot that came with perfectly melted and gooey cheese on top. And their crab cakes, a decent size and lightly breaded. A special treat was the grilled octopus, something that is normally difficult to cook, but it was done perfectly – tender inside and char-grilled on the outside.
The spread filled up three of us and was all washed down with local craft beers that they have on tap. We had a gift card that halved our bill but found their appie prices were in line with other restaurants, and the portions were sizeable. The size of the octopus leg had us wondering how big the monster was before we ate it.
We had a friend in from Cambodia who loves seafood, and he was delighted by the food and liquid sampling. The chairs were super comfortable and the service was great. The chef even visited our table at our request. Cathryn and I highly recommend the Pepper Cat and rate it a 10 out of 10.
It’s been too many years since I’ve visited the Pomegranate Restaurant in Windsor, and after eating there tonight, I’m disappointed I didn’t return sooner. The ‘Pomo’, as we used to call it, is still a family-run business serving excellent Chinese food to long time loyal customers. Take out business was brisk while Cathryn and I were there, with many obviously picking up dinner to bring home.
Back in the day, when I worked for a living, we took our lunch hours and completed reports in the back corner of the dining room. And on occasion, I’d loose money while playing cards with the staff after hours – all in fun, of course, since everyone is family there. It was nice to see some familiar faces and hear that Chef Henry was still in the kitchen, serving great food.
As with most Chinese restaurants, the menu is huge, but the wait staff is more than happy to help with your selection and very responsive to fine tuning your order. The wonton soup was hearty and served piping hot. The pork spring rolls were crispy, with a filling that reminded me of the inside of a tortiere. We had two each but wanted more.
Our two main dishes consisted of house special egg foo young and stir-fried veggies with all the goodies you can think of. And to top it off, besides the traditional fortune cookies, they gave us extra almond cookies. I forgot how addictive they are. The service was fast and friendly and prices are reasonable. Cathryn and I both give the Pomegranate a 9 out of 10, since nobody is perfect 🙂
Eating dinner and finding a good restaurant while travelling can be a challenge, but thankfully the internet and sites with reviews like Trip Advisor, take away some of the guesswork. If you’re old school, like Cathryn and I, you talk to real people who live in the area and ask them for recommendations or advice.
This type of interpersonal communication paid off for us while dining at the Part II Bistro in Downtown Goderich. We asked our waiter, who was local, to recommend something in the area that was a good place for breakfast. He suggested West Street Willy’s, that was only a hop, skip and a jump away, just off the town square. We’d read great dinner reviews for the restaurant but it was closed that night.
Taking the advice we’d received, we stopped for breakfast at Willy’s before heading further north. The patio out front looked inviting but the weather was a tad cool that morning, and it was that time of season for those pesky bees.
The interior décor was nothing fancy, kind of a cross between small town diner and a cozy dining room in a country home. The breakfast menu was daunting – two pages full of creative dishes – everything from peanut butter, bananas and bacon on French Toast, to Eggs Benny and something called Pete’s Big Mess. The latter caught my eye first, but I opted for the Morning After Poutine. My mess contained crispy home fries, bacon, sausage, peameal, onions, tomatoes, cheese curds, chipotle and hollandaise, topped with two eggs the way you like them.
More concerned about her cholesterol, Cathryn ordered the West Street Benny – grilled, marinated portabella mushrooms and spinach, topped with the usual Benny goodies. Hers was $13 and mine was $15, both large portions and filling. Service was excellent and our waitress was friendlier than your local Avon lady. My only complaint is that we couldn’t stay for dinner.
If your not satisfied with our recommendation of this restaurant, perhaps you’ll take the advice from the TV show, You’ve Gotta Eat Here, who featured Willy’s about three years ago.
Cathryn and I both loved West Street Willy’s Eatery and give it a 10 out of 10.
On our recent Tobermory trip, for a change of scenery, Cathryn and I decided to take the back roads up north – getting off the highway when we could, and following Lake Huron’s eastern shoreline. Knowing the six hour ride would take us longer, we booked a room in Goderich to make it a two-day trip. On the first day we stopped in Grand Bend to stretch our legs and see what is new. The beach resort town was bustling, with plenty of new places to get your favorite junk food, and a complete makeover of the old Colonial Hotel is in progress.
Cathryn barely remembered being to Goderich years ago, so we drove down to the waterfront and along the public beach. The old CPR Train Station has been meticulously restored and relocated there and converted into a restaurant. New since my last visit is a wooden boardwalk with exercise stations, running the full 1.5 km length of the beach.
For dinner we sought out the Part II Bistro, on the main square – more like an octagon loop that surrounds the court house, with a half dozen streets as spokes, radiating from the center. It was Tuesday, and to our disappointment many restaurants in town were closed for the night. Part II Bistro was open and had rave reviews so that’s where we went. They have a beautiful patio out front that offers a great view of the town square, but the weather and seasonal bees had us reserve a table inside.
I can best describe the décor as eclectic, with tables partitioned for privacy and Covid reasons. They had a nice selection of local craft beers and a descent wine list. We sampled both. A picture of our appetizer wouldn’t do it justice – look up Gnudi on their menu – ricotta, parmesan and garlic formed into soft pillows, with a semolina flower crust set on a slowly simmered IPA, basil tomato reduction. Yes, it was a savory and delicious as it sounds.
Cathryn saw a lamb shank on the menu so there was no decision for her. I was torn between the Sacchietti Pasta and the Greek chicken, but was in need of a good carb fix and chose the latter. Stuffed egg pasta filled with mushrooms and black truffles, tossed with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, woodland mushrooms, spinach, onions and garlic. Finished with cream and herbed infused olive oil and topped with parmesan cheese. OMG! Need I say more? The little pasta pouches made for the best I’ve ever had.
The Lamb Shank was braised perfectly in Moroccan influences of cumin, cinnamon and cardamom, set on Israeli couscous with ratatouille vegetables, topped with it’s own braising reduction. Cathryn barely had to coax the meat off the bone, which I secretly think she wanted to suck on.
Dessert was mostly for me, she only wanted a bite. I selected the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake, of course. The picture tells the story, and it tasted even better than it looks.
Service was just a tad slow, but like everywhere else these days the restaurant is having difficulty in finding wait staff. They did a great job with what they had and Cathryn and I eagerly give Part II Bistro a 10 out of 10.
One of the things Cathryn and I were most looking forward to while visiting the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia was the seafood. Having sampled our share on the east coast a few years ago, we wanted to see how the west coast fared. After a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver to Landale, we drove directly to Gibsons to kill some time while we waited to check into our Airbnb.
We took a quick look at the Persephone and Molly’s from the old Beachcomber TV series days and strolled out onto the pier. Our thirst for craft beer and hunger for fresh seafood cut our walk short. We headed to the closest and most scenic patio on the pier, Gramma’s Pub. The place was a bit weathered but we were distracted by the beautiful harbor view.
The menu covered all the bases and we each found a likeable local brew to toast our first stop on the Sunshine Coast. Things took a quick turn when Cathryn announced it was our first time in Gibson’s Landing, and she asked what was the best local fare. The waitress was greeted with two blank stares when she started describing their nachos and potato skins.
With my mouth still agape, I asked about the seafood on the menu. She said they were out of almost all their seafood – quite an unbelievable statement to me since we’d just seen a guy down on the dock selling fresh fish and prawns. Cathryn prayed that the calamari was local (I knew better) and I ordered the seafood chowder. The squid was the previously frozen stuff I expected, but my chowder was pretty damn good – creamy, the way I like it, with a variety of seafood. My only complaint was the tails on the shrimp and mussels still in the shell, I had to stick my fingers in the hot chowder to de-shell.
My next bowl of chowder was at the Black Fish Pub, in Gibsons, where we met some friends for lunch. It was a clam chowder that was loaded with clams and spices but not quite creamy enough for me. They had lots of other seafood on their menu and Cathryn had a niece piece of sockeye salmon. The craft beer was excellent too.
My third bowl of chowder was consumed at the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt. We had just been to the beach and seeing mussel shells scattered all along the water’s edge, steered our stomachs to the restaurant. We were not disappointed by the fabulous waterfront view, local craft beer, and seafood. Cathryn had a bowl of mussels in a creamy garlic and onion sauce and and did the seafood chowder. Bowl number three was the tastiest yet, but the small bits of seafood were well hidden by the larger chunks of potatoes.
Stealing some mussels from my wife’s plate added to my creamy chowder treat which was lip-smacking good when I used my garlic toast to soak up every last drop.
We’re off to Nanaimo next and I’m sure the chowder wasr will continue. We already know what will be for dessert.
Where in Windsor can you find a restaurant with excellent food and service that’s been around for 40 years? The answer is the new old Cook’s Shop Restaurant. Spencer Dawson, took the reigns when the former owner retired from the business he started in 1980. The cozy dining room and Italian menu remain mostly the same, with a few minor changes to both. The old meat display case is gone but the natural stone walls and romantic setting remains the same.
The new owner introduced himself to Cathryn and I, taking the time to explain how he strived to keep fan-favorites on the menu, and brought in a few new recipes handed down by his grandmother. Her homemade bread was the first thing to knock our socks off – a sliced loaf that was crispy golden on the outside and a cornbread texture on the inside, served with a soft herb butter. The wine list covers all bases and quite reasonably priced.
We talked about Dawson’s idol, Lino, the previous owner, who just happened to grace us with his presence moments later. We were lucky enough to chat with both men and capture a few photos of the two most passionate restaurant owners I’ve ever met. Our Caesar salads were delivered on their departure from our table, the original recipe that Dawson said he had to retain in order to prevent a riot.
I forgot about the Escargot – large and tender snails served on a bed of mushrooms sautéed in garlic butter and served in phyllo pastry. We had time for another slice of bread before the salad. Our waiter, Moe, was Johnny-on-the-spot and never far from our table. I ordered the Spaghetti Carbonara, with double smoked bacon, and asked to have it on the creamy side. Yep, more sauce to soak up with the bread. It was one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had.
Cathryn ordered the Rack of Lamb, four thick portions stacked over a pea and mushroom risotto. Sitting on my hands was all I could do to resist snatching some while she was away from the table. It was juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection. Sadly, we couldn’t finish the last two pieces of bread. Our meals were quite generous in size.
Although we were both stuffed, I needed a pieced of cheesecake. They had two and I went for the salted caramel. Not too rich, it had the perfect combination of sweet and saltiness. We both loved every part of our meal and enjoyed the experience of meeting both the old and new regime. Giving the Cook’s Shop a 10 out of 10 was a no-brainer.
Watch for Dawson’s future plans, while he renovates the whole building, possibly adding another restaurant and living quarters above that.
As many of you know, living with my wife, Cathryn, is like living with a personal chef. There’s good and bad that goes along with that. Obviously the good part is that she cooks and serves me gourmet meals almost every night of the week.
The bad part of having a live-in chef is that we don’t go out to restaurants as often as we did when we were dating and sampling food and wine across the county. Add to that our dietary constraints and we rarely get to visit fast food restaurants or eat junk food.
Once a month, I treat myself to a cheat day and basically eat whatever the hell I want. I had been craving a fresh grilled hamburger for quite a while, so yesterday I treated my chef and took her out to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. We now have one in Windsor, just south of the Devonshire Mall.
What a treat! Because of Covid rules we had to eat in the car, but I brought along cloth napkins and plastic lap trays for a touch of parking lot class. We brought our own drinks too so I was a bit surprised by the $26 bill for two cheeseburgers and one order of fries. Granted the burgers were double-deckers and there were enough fries for three people.
Its’ nice to custom order whatever toppings you like, including fried caramelized onions, the bun is steamed soft and the cheese is nice and gooey. The meat is freshly grilled and goes nowhere near a microwave oven. If you haven’t tried a burger from these Five Guys, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Life Written and Reviewed 