Sorry for the delay, folks – we've been busy doing the sort of work that we actually get paid for (so we can afford to go to all these Barrielicious restaurants), so fell behind on the F&B report.
Monday, however (yes, almost a full week ago), we were ready to eat again, and opted to try The Farmhouse – about which we'd already heard good things from friends. We were also excited to see that their kitchen is open until 11pm on Mondays, which is great for night owls such as ourselves. They're also vegetarian-friendly, self-described "animal lovers and tree huggers" and locally source their ingredients.
We'd called in for a 9:00 reservation, although most people were leaving as we were coming in, so we would have been fine without one – apparently they'd had a very busy night, though! As we were coming in, a departing couple gave us the "thumbs up" and said the food was great, so we were encouraged.
The restaurant is housed in what was originally a YMCA, and is decorated to look like... yes, a farmhouse. It has a resident ghost or two, probably from the days when it sheltered travellers coming through the local railway station, and a cleaning lady who was apparently murdered there. We didn't see anything, but we were on the main floor and the ghost activity seems to take place on the second floor. We were happy to see that they also do farm-style breakfasts on the weekends, so we'll be back for that sometime soon.
Our waiter was Amanda, and she introduced the Barrielicious menu to us – there was quite a huge selection available, with a couple of special entrees available for a surcharge. Of course, this made it difficult to decide... We ordered a Mirassou Pinot Noir (which we've since found in the LCBO, from California), which we've never tried before, but was quite delicious, especially for one of the less-expensive California offerings.
Don decided to indulge his inner carnivore, and started with the Crispy Salt 'n' Pepper Chicken Wings, served with cucumber dill yogurt and Farmhouse hot sauce. He's not usually a yogurt fan, but the combination of the two sauces was irresistible, and the wings were perfectly cooked. Alyssa opted for the Farmhouse Flatbread & Dip, which was made of roasted mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, kale and goat cheese, with grilled flatbread. It could have easily served two, or even been a meal unto itself, but it was deceptively light-textured and absolutely delicious (there was much cooing and moaning during appetizers!), so other than a taste offered to Don, she ate the whole damned thing. And it was worth it.
For our main course, Alyssa chose the Crispy Local Trout with Maple Lemon Butter, accompanied by heirloom carrots and cabbage, sautéed in a basil-lemon butter. The fish was beautifully cooked, with just a hint of spice to it, and the carrots were crisp-tender, exactly how she likes them. Don continued on his carnivorous journey with the House Smoked BBQ Ribs, with a side of baked beans. Amanda laughed as she served them, because they looked kind of like Brontosaurus ribs, and she did warn us that their servings aren't usually that huge. The ribs were perfectly cooked, although a little on the mild side for Don's taste, and the beans were good too. We both ended up taking half our meals home for lunch the next day (although they were both good reheated as well!).
But yes, Barrielicious meals come with dessert! And, surprisingly, we each managed to finish our desserts. Alyssa went the light route, and had the Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote, which wasn't too sweet, and was delicious. Don went for the Chocolate Torte with Pecan Crust, which was sinfully good – Alyssa might have been cooing again when she tried a taste.
We were certainly full, but not painfully so. And with delicious food, nice atmosphere, great service and... late night kitchen and weekend breakfasts until 2pm (!!!), we shall definitely return to The Farmhouse very soon.
Monday, however (yes, almost a full week ago), we were ready to eat again, and opted to try The Farmhouse – about which we'd already heard good things from friends. We were also excited to see that their kitchen is open until 11pm on Mondays, which is great for night owls such as ourselves. They're also vegetarian-friendly, self-described "animal lovers and tree huggers" and locally source their ingredients.
We'd called in for a 9:00 reservation, although most people were leaving as we were coming in, so we would have been fine without one – apparently they'd had a very busy night, though! As we were coming in, a departing couple gave us the "thumbs up" and said the food was great, so we were encouraged.
The restaurant is housed in what was originally a YMCA, and is decorated to look like... yes, a farmhouse. It has a resident ghost or two, probably from the days when it sheltered travellers coming through the local railway station, and a cleaning lady who was apparently murdered there. We didn't see anything, but we were on the main floor and the ghost activity seems to take place on the second floor. We were happy to see that they also do farm-style breakfasts on the weekends, so we'll be back for that sometime soon.
Our waiter was Amanda, and she introduced the Barrielicious menu to us – there was quite a huge selection available, with a couple of special entrees available for a surcharge. Of course, this made it difficult to decide... We ordered a Mirassou Pinot Noir (which we've since found in the LCBO, from California), which we've never tried before, but was quite delicious, especially for one of the less-expensive California offerings.
Don decided to indulge his inner carnivore, and started with the Crispy Salt 'n' Pepper Chicken Wings, served with cucumber dill yogurt and Farmhouse hot sauce. He's not usually a yogurt fan, but the combination of the two sauces was irresistible, and the wings were perfectly cooked. Alyssa opted for the Farmhouse Flatbread & Dip, which was made of roasted mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, kale and goat cheese, with grilled flatbread. It could have easily served two, or even been a meal unto itself, but it was deceptively light-textured and absolutely delicious (there was much cooing and moaning during appetizers!), so other than a taste offered to Don, she ate the whole damned thing. And it was worth it.
For our main course, Alyssa chose the Crispy Local Trout with Maple Lemon Butter, accompanied by heirloom carrots and cabbage, sautéed in a basil-lemon butter. The fish was beautifully cooked, with just a hint of spice to it, and the carrots were crisp-tender, exactly how she likes them. Don continued on his carnivorous journey with the House Smoked BBQ Ribs, with a side of baked beans. Amanda laughed as she served them, because they looked kind of like Brontosaurus ribs, and she did warn us that their servings aren't usually that huge. The ribs were perfectly cooked, although a little on the mild side for Don's taste, and the beans were good too. We both ended up taking half our meals home for lunch the next day (although they were both good reheated as well!).
But yes, Barrielicious meals come with dessert! And, surprisingly, we each managed to finish our desserts. Alyssa went the light route, and had the Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote, which wasn't too sweet, and was delicious. Don went for the Chocolate Torte with Pecan Crust, which was sinfully good – Alyssa might have been cooing again when she tried a taste.
We were certainly full, but not painfully so. And with delicious food, nice atmosphere, great service and... late night kitchen and weekend breakfasts until 2pm (!!!), we shall definitely return to The Farmhouse very soon.