Katerina’s Restaurant & Catering features Greek, Mexican, and South West cuisine.   It’s a different culinary adventure nestled near the waterfront on the West side of Cornwall (1195 Second Street West) near the new Ontario Power Generation Visitor Centre.

Check out the Ceviche style Shrimp Cocktail Appy!

You’ll never get bored with the menu at Katerina’s!

It’s all about flavour!

Cornwall’s finest Fajita’s are at Katerina’s Restaurant and Catering!

For events, parties, business events and lunch; the colourful rooms making winter dining almost therapeutic!

And of course desserts!

Katerina’s Restaurant and Catering is at 1195 2nd Street West in Cornwall Ontario

Power Dam or Brookdale exits lead to your Culinary Adventure!

Call 613 932 9324 for Catering information or reservations and click the banner below to visit their website!

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CFN – I bumped into Angela Youngs from Ground Soap last night at Eight Zero Zero.    Angela is a talented and vivacious young woman who makes some of the finest soap in Canada.  You can tell her passion for her product and feel the care she personally puts into her products.    She’s a true beacon and role model for small business, and has built herself quite a company.   She’s also a total sweetie and nice person.

So when she overheard I was doing a review for Keitha Fisher’s new eatery, Dish Real Food, she quickly asked me not to trash her friend and I saw those tiny and rare worry lines on her face wiggle.

“Angela why do you assume that I’d trash Keitha?”    She mentioned bad blood and I explained that Keitha and I had no “bad blood”.   She and I were on the Farmer’s market board, and when she was hired to run the local trunk sale produce market immediately cancelled our advertising after two successful years marketing the downtown attraction.

Angela repeated the story I’d heard before; that Keitha killed our ads as she was upset that Reg Coffey left the market to move to Long Sault.    So I asked her, as I had others, what that had to do with CFN or the work we’d done for the market for two years?

I also explained that Reg; who’s like a kindly gnome on an extreme coffee buzz reacted to her and Tony Lakroix trashing CFN which Reg is a minority share holder of.

Thus your back ground.   I also explained to the delightful soap maker that if I trashed Real Dish Foods because of something as totally retarded as Keitha’s actions it’d look as bad on me as her decision did on her.

That’s not CFN, and it certainly isn’t me.   Isn’t living in a city small enough feel like a small town fun!

Keitha Fisher, formerly known as the Lunch Tramp for her proclivity to eat lunch at Schnitzels a lot with her downtown friends, decided to open a restaurant with her partner Monique Vermeulena in the former Papa Joe’s.

What’s most remarkable is the speed in which the two were able to open (LINK to before pics)  in light of the delays in Truffles and the new Indian resto on Pitt who have been been held up in opening and lost the Holiday season.   Maybe being friends with City Councilor and Heart of the City honcho Carr has some perks after all?

The partners have created an interesting menu.   I have to admit some of the menu choices on their web site did tantalize me.   I was looking forward to the Roast beef sandwich as I love Carmelized Onions.    The space only seats nine and the girls have positioned themselves menu wise somewhere between Riley’s and Moustache Joe’s.

When I arrived Keitha explained that you pick your pre-wrapped sandwich from the fridge.   Sadly I was late and there was no Roast beef left so I settled for a lovely Chicken, Bacon, and Guacamole sandwich.

I added the small soup, which that day was potato and leek.   My bill for the plate ( I always pay for review meals) was $8.48 including HST.   Ms Fisher explained that she imports her Artisan bread from a baker near Ottawa.  I have to admit that the chicken was moist enough.  I’m not a huge fan of chicken sandwiches, but am less of a fan of Ham.  The chicken was also fresh; not cut deli which I thought was lovely.  The bacon was flavorful and the guacamole was fresh and yummy.

What was missing was some sort of sauce to pull the flavors together.   The freshness was there, but the magic wasn’t quite.   I wouldn’t pan the food, but I wasn’t excited or excessively pleased.   When I do a review I tend to judge it based on expectations.  After all, when we pay a premium to eat that’s what we’re looking for, that experience.

The soup was pleasant as well.   I like my soups, even creamed ones, to have a bit of texture or chunks in them, but that’s a personal preference and not a bad take.   The flavors did come out in spite of the blandness.

There were no garnishes or sides as you can see from the picture.

Real Dish Foods is a walking trade lunch spot.   I would eat there again, but it wouldn’t necessarily be a first choice.   There’s no close parking at lunch as it’s right at the corner of Pitt & Second next to the Fence project that Councilor Carr chose Ms Fisher to lead.

All in all a good beginning.  It should be interesting to see how the two partners evolve the space and choices?

Here are ratings for Dish Real Food.

Presentation 2.5

Value 3.0

Service 3.5

Zing & Wow 2.5

Overall 3.0  out of 5 Red Hats

Have you eaten at Dish Real Food?   Feel free to post your comments below.

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CFN - It’s that time to take a peek at our top tens!   Here are our top ten stories from this weekend.

Here is a snapshot of our You Tube Demographics.

Interesting how fast our traffic is rising on mobile devices on You Tube and in general.  Also our You Tube traffic is counter to our overall traffic with Men making up over 70%.

Our Top Ten Cities for the Last 30 Days

1)  Cornwall

2) Ottawa

3) Toronto

4) Montreal

5) Prescott

6) Kingston

7) Vancouver

Calgary

9) New York

10) Edmonton

17.91% of our viewers visit CFN 25 or more times per month!

As Christmas approaches I just want to remind all of our viewers to please consider supporting all of the sponsors that write the cheques that keep CFN  going.    It’s your chance to show them the love that they deserve because in this world nothing of value is truly free.  

I hope you all have a safe holiday and keep reading CFN as there’ll be some special offers made to you folks as we get closer to the holidays!

 

And just a note that our special Sky Scraper Banner Ad Offer ends December 31st!

Over 90,000 visitors per month can’t be wrong!

Don’t be left out in the dark. Contact us today and find out how we can get your message out without the high cost per client!

Email us at info@cornwallfreenews.com or call our hotline at 613 361 1755 to make sure that you get noticed by the number one news site in Eastern Ontario!

Alexa Canadian Rankings for Monday December 5, 2011

1) The Cornwall Free News

2) The Standard Free Holder

3) The Cornwall Daily

5) The Seaway News

2

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Rob from Riley's Bakery at the meat slicer.

CFN  -   Cornwall Ontario’s downtown core is blessed with a lot of eating options for lunch.  I counted fifteen eateries on a walk between 3rd Street and the floundering Redcliff owned Cornwall Square.   The downtown core’s biggest activities at lunch centre around the  courthouse and a few other office buildings.

Keitha Fisher, the brain behind this year’s Farmers’ Market in George Assaly Lane is now entering the fray as she’s about to open DISH suggesting that she will be offering “real food” as well as locally roasted coffee although she doesn’t share who her roaster is as there is only one local coffee roaster to date.

So I thought I’d share a run down with some mini reviews from myself and from some other folks comments.

Rachel Batmann Ye old Fish and Chips has awesome fish/seafood, very good place.. Riley’s makes the best sandwiches ever and they aren’t expensive at all

Starting from 3rd Street the first place you hit is Riley’s Bakery.   Riley’s is a historic and magical snapshot back in time.  Rob and his wife Ana crank out some of the thickest and yummiest sandwiches in town.  It’s very traditional.    Hot homemade soups and of course cookies and deserts round up a fast and quick lunch to bring back to the office or when the weather is nice eat on a nearby bench.    They cater to larger events as well.   Rob also makes a very mean and amazing meat pie seasonally which is right now!   They’re at 248 Pitt Street.

Gemini Cafe I’ve only eaten at once.   I found them a bit pricey and the owner a bit surly.   Looking over the menu they seem more geared to night time fare than lunch.

Likewise Panda House is the only downtown resto that I’d give a negative review for.    When they’re  good they’re  good, but many times they aren’t.   For fun try asking to substitute an item in one of their combo plates or vary your order.   The woman running the show  seems to never have taken a marketing course.     They do offer a good value and their room is very funky and dated which I kinda like occasionally.  I suggest if you do order to go for some of the specialty dishes as you know they will be made fresh.   And yes, Panda was nailed a few times by local health officials for re-plating.

Pat’s Home Cooking is a local favorite.   They’re more renowned for breakfast than lunch.

Cathy Campbell-Dowling I think “Pat’s Home Cookin’ Rocks…Kazoolies, on the other hand, EWWW..lol, you asked

Kazoolies is closest to the court house.   I’ve never dined there, but I’m not sure the above quote would be indicative.

Video of Sue Martin from the Grind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MfyZMavQG4

Michelle Hanscom-Beauregard Nothing compares to The Grind. Lunch is good, coffee is great and desert… Ohhh that Pomegranate Cheesecake!

The Grind is a visual oasis.  I used to love taking meetings there.  Sue Martin is a refreshing host.   The art work is great.   They’re menu is a bit pricey for what they offer, but sometimes you have to pay for your premises.  It should be interesting to see how the core crowd respond to another Coffee House opening a few doors down and where the price points end up.   Their coffee could be better.    A menu upgrade probably would benefit.

Todd Toad Sauve Sometime’s I wish I still owned Pat’s,but on the other hand I’m enjoying retirement.Pat’s for breaky,Schnitzel’s for pizza and Keith’s Red,and gonna check out Dish very soon.

Moon.   Moon, the former Jade Palace joined the Japanese Thai wave that’s swept over Cornwall.  Following J&T’s menu buffet their options make for an enjoyable lunch.   Sushi and Thai options are refreshing and they make the best Tom Yam Soup in Cornwall.

Schnitzels has a very deep menu.   My only issues have been the quality of the service and price.  At lunch time is of the essence.   They are the only Pizza option in the downtown core and the only wood oven in the area.

Truffles is the the place that many in the downtown core are waiting to return.    After fire gutted them the Mayor and CAO promised to help them return,but the doors still are not open although there’s hope of them returning soon.

Truffles did it right.  The menu price points were good and offered value.   The few issues that people had with them in their original incarnation were attributed to their small kitchen; something that will be remedied in the new location only a few doors down and right across from Schnitzels.   The biggest advantage they had was their beverage selection with the best wine selection in the downtown core.

Barb Guest of Spinners Diner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9FRyBQhdAo

Spinners Diner is a total treat.   A great retro room; great value, and probably some of the best service in town.   Barb & Gina Guest have been focusing on healthier and fresh alternatives as you can see from our video.

Jack Lee’s offers traditional Chinese buffet at lunch.  While the options are very limited the price point and speed of a buffet make them a good option if you want something different and time is of the essence.

Joe Aiello of Moustache Joe’s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHsm3Gso7IY

Karen Kibbee Moustache Joe’s paninis are the best! AND they have an awesome dessert selection too : 

Moustache Joe’s (109 Pitt Street) is probably the busiest eatery in Downtown Cornwall Ontario at lunch.  The blend of great service, speed, value, and ultimate quality of their home made options; amazing salads, panini sandwiches, home made soups, and the best Veal Parm in Cornwall make an awful lot of people very happy lunch time.   Their home made Macaroni and cheese has four cheese including Gorganzola and of course the freshly made home made sauces are something not to be taken for granted.      Joe was stirring up a plate of Shimp & Lobster linguini in white sauce in our video.    And of course they are the desert destination for anyone in the downtown core or city for that matter.

Fusion Grill has been around awhile.   They offer some interesting choices, but I’ve find that consistency can be an issue with them.  When they’re good they are pretty good.

Bill Parisien The clam chowder at “Ye Old Fish & Chips” is hard to beat !

Ye Olde Fish n Chips shop is hidden on First street.  Inside is a traditional Fish n Chips shop.   They do what they do well.   I recommend the Halibut.

That leaves the food court at Cornwall Square.  Frankly; I, like many in the downtown core prefer the home made options of most of the downtown core restaurants.    The only real option in the food court is Cedars who make a mean Shawarma sandwich.

So which eateries are your favorite for lunch?  You can vote in our poll and post your comments below.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Chef Ahmad showing where new fixtures will be.

CFN - Not a week goes by when we don’t get asked about when the new Truffles Burger Bistro will return to Cornwall.   The restaurant was a lighting hit in the downtown core of Cornwall Ontario before it tragically caught fire.   The new Truffles boasts a much larger kitchen, much larger seating capacity and the bar alone will be extended from 20 to 32′.   In addition their second floor will be available for banquets and special occasions.

Truffle Burger

Partners Ahmad Mansori and Dominique Gilgen who also share Eight Zero Zero have been hard at work on the myriad of details that have to happen before they can open again on Pitt Street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUGHe79JFD4

Ms Gilgen also announced in the video that she will be putting her name forward in the upcoming Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce elections.   The current board only has one member out of twelve.

We will be updating you on Truffles as more news is available!

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Joe Aiello of Moustache Joe's and Michelle Gratton

Cornwall ON - Two Cornwall downtown eateries will feature locally-produced foods on Moving Planet Day, Saturday September 24^th. At The Grind Café and Espresso Bar, the Martin’s will be cooking up a variety of treats using apples from Marlin Orchards. Around the corner, Moustache Joe and his team will feature several local lunch options.

Owner chef Joe Aiello likes to buy produce “fresh from the farmer’s hands” and says he is a regular customer at both Cornwall farm markets.

“I don’t worry about the price, if I see something fresh and delicious, I buy it. I want to give my customers the very best quality of foods possible. I believe in offering a seasonal menu because it tastes better, but I can never get enough local food as I need fairly large quantities at once. The key to encouraging restaurants to use local food is to be able to deliver a consistent supply.”  

Moustache Joe’s is located at 109 Pitt Street and the Grind Café is located at 35 Second Street East.

Moving Planet Day is a worldwide rally in support of action to address climate change. In Cornwall, the People Power: Moving Planet Rally & Parade will take place in LamoureuxParkfrom 11:00 am – noon. After the rally, organizers encourage participants and the community to come out and support the local restaurants that will be serving local fare. Michelle Gratton, member of both All Things Food and the Moving Planet event organizing committee, approached several downtown restaurants about taking part in the event; two agreed to do so. “We’re hoping that other local restaurants will take up our challenge to feature local food, not only this Saturday, but every day”.

Dana Kittle, coordinator of All Things Food, believes that buying locally-grown food contributes to more sustainable and resilient communities. She explains how eating local, sustainably-grown food also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, much of our food travels more than 5,000 kilometers before it gets to our plates. A recent Torontostudy showed that transporting 500 grams of locally-grown lamb to the city produced seven grams of carbon dioxide, while bringing the same quantity of fresh lamb from New Zealandproduced more than eight kilograms of CO₂!

Manufacturing and transporting pesticides and fertilizers, mostly made from fossil fuels, also contributes to greenhouse gases. Studies have shown that conventional farms use about 30% more energy per item produced than do organic farms using naturally-derived fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farms that rely on manure and compost for fertilizer also store more carbon in the soil, keeping it out of the atmosphere.

Not only do our food choices influence climate change, but climate change can in turn influence our food choices by increasing smog, drought and extreme weather. Some of the world’s main food-producing nations are already experiencing more-frequent dry spells and reduced crop yields, resulting in the higher prices we’ve been paying for staples such as rice, corn and wheat. By buying local, we support a local food system and become less vulnerable to global food price fluctuations.

To encourage area restaurants and families in their efforts to serve local food, All Things Food has created a “30 kilometre” local food resource guide, available at Allthingsfoodbouffe360.ca.  For more information: contact 350cornwall@gmail.com.

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Cornwall ON - It’s summertime and the patios are filling up with people having a great time and catching the best of the local music scene.  Wednesday night you can catch Mélanie Brûlée D’Amour (formerly of the General Electryk) playing at Eight Zero Zero at the corner of Cumberland and 9th in Cornwall Ontario.

Ms D’Amour fresh off her performance at Lift Off will be playing some of her old tunes and her distinctive covers.

Our recent interview with Mel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEiAEs2xhAY

Check out the wine selection at Eight Zero Zero as well as they’re new Table d’hote!

It features  their unique Sausage and Shrimp Penne;   Veal Osso Bucco; Coconut and Papaya crusted Tilapia; and Chicken Parmesan.   Of course with Eight Zero Zero it’s all about the service and experience.  This Wednesday come on out and discover that special Eight Zero Zero feeling and support some fine local music!

See you there!

Eight Zero Zero is located at 800 Cumberland Street in Cornwall Ontario. For reservations, please call 613-936-0322.

Click to watch the Eight Zero Zero Commercial!

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Cornwall ON – Moutache Joe’s (109 Pitt Street 613 937 0700) is hosting their Wine Tasting event Tuesday June 21, 2011 starting at 6:45.    The five course meal; always an epicurean delight; comes with a theme night of wine tasting.

This occasion celebrates the wines of Francis Ford Coppola’s Napa Valley Winery.   For years now people have been enjoying some amazing wine from Napa Valley where the Oscar Winning Director settled down and has created award winning wines.

courtesy Coppola Winery website - click image to visit!

The meal starts with a tasting plate and then follows with the fine home cooking that Moustache Joe’s has become renowned for.

Each plate is matched up with a particular wine.

Curry Chicken Coconut soup

Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese dressing

Veal Chop Rossini

and for desert

Molten Chocolate Cake with Raspberry sauce.

Seating is almost sold out so if you wish to take part in this one of kind Wine tasting event in the region call Moustache Joe’s today to reserve your seat at 613 937 0700.

Moustache Joe’s is open for lunch and Dinner.    Friday and Saturday you have to check out their Prime Rib!    They also are your place for Catering in the region from a small party to a major event like the Benson Centre opening!

Join Joe and his family for an amazing dining experience!

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Cornwall ON- Moustache Joe’s would like to welcome the 16,000 members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses as they visit Cornwall during the month of June!

From the city release:

The first English-speaking convention will take place on June 4-6 and will see over 4,300 people attend. A second English-speaking convention for another 4300 Witnesses takes place from June 11 to June 13. The following two conventions will welcome 7,600 French-speaking members of the Christian congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These will be held June 18-20 and June 25-27.

Moustache Joe’s is just a few blocks from the Cornwall Civic Complex at 109 Pitt Street.    Home made food and service mark them apart from the average eatery, and they offer a fine selection of wine and beverages along with their special lunch and dinner menus.    Deserts are a treat too!

You can reserve for your dining occasion as well by calling 613.937.0700

Moustache Joe’s caters your party or event as well!

Visit them today!

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Cornwall ON - That’s Renee from Spinners Diner,  and it’s amazing how much better a meal tastes when you have amazing service.  People in the Cornwall Ontario area have noticed as Spinners has won yet another Reader’s Choice award.

I eat there and so do many of  you.     Not too many other places in town offer up a Steak and Egg breakfast like Spinners does!

Click the image to enlarge.

Spinners is a real treat and is the only Diner in the area that has that old Diner feel.   Lots of space whether it be in their booths or at their tables it’s a central place to meet, greet, and eat at 118 Pitt Street in Downtown Cornwall Ontario!

They really focus on home made food whether it be from their extensive breakfast menu with choices for everyone to their new salad bar at lunch as well as some of their daily specials that you have to visit to check out!

Click the image to enlarge.

Spinners is open Seven days per week from 7 AM until 4 PM.   They accept all major credit cards and you have got to try their milkshakes!

Free coffee with every breakfast! Eggceptional!!

Visit Spinners at their website by clicking HERE.

or on FACEBOOK!

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