Cornwall ON - I sample a lot of food, and I rarely will write a review so when I do it’s usually because it’s either been amazing or awful.

Yesterday I was running from client to client and famished, so I stopped in at Moustache Joe’s for lunch.   I and have always been amazed at the consistency of quality of the food and service.

There are some restaurants in town where I go and I can order the same dish and it’s like it was a completely different meal.  It’s hard in the food biz to hit a high note and maintain it, but to the credit of Joe Aiello and Moustache Joe’s that’s exactly what they do.

When I stop for lunch there I usually have the veal Parmesan as they are about the only place in town to get real Italian veal parm, but I was famished and ordered the Linguini in white sauce with shrimp and lobster.

For lunch it was perfectly sized with a hot garlic bread slice.   The sauce was full of creamy flavor.  Moustache Joe’s serve some of  the best shrimp and seafood in Cornwall.  Always fresh; always a bite to the shrimp.

I give lunch at Moustache Joes 4 1/2 Red Chef’s hats out of 5!

They also do an amazing Smoked Salmon panini for lunch too.   If you’re as hungry now as I’m starting to get I’ll see you at Moustache Joe’s soon, and when you go tell them that you read about them on The Cornwall Free News!

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I’ve lived in Cornwall Ontario now for a little over six years.   Tuesday evening I attended the Monthly Wine Tasting Event at Moustache Joe’s and was blown away.

(Our host Joe Aiello with Sylvie Lizotte of the Cornwall Regional Art Gallery)

There is a growing dining scene in Cornwall as it’s becoming a destination location for people from Montreal, Ottawa, and the area looking for a short hop break from the usual, and Moustache Joe’s is on the radar.

(Roze Fitch of Upper Canada Mortgage)

You can only attend by reserving your spot as space is limited and the demand for a seat is great; after Tuesday night I can see why.

The food is simple yet elegant.  It’s true fine dining at it’s simplest.  The common denominator of good food prepared well with amazing service, and served with a fine wine.

(Tasting plates which included 5 Year old Balderson Cheddar & Havarti cheese, Soppressata Salami, Cherizo Sausage, and some amazing Black Pepper Paté)

The evening started out with a wine tasting.  There were five selections available and Scott Drennan of Dionysus Wines & Spirits presented them sharing about their origins and natures.

We had a Pinot Noir from France; (2007 Albert Bichot Bourgogne) A Chianti from Italy (2004 Fassati la Gaggiole); My favorite and a popular one at our table; Ziccardo Q Tempranillo (2006) which had fruit flavours which seemed to ripple out in waves.

(The scallops were utterly perfect!)

There was also some Australian Elderton Ode to Lorraine which at $42.95 per bottle was the most expensive wine we tasted on the evening, and  Peter Lehmann, The Futures Shiraz (2006).

( Christian Barque of Knox Fine Dining in Moose Creek who’s hard at work turning the old Snetzinger’s Hardware store into Cornwall’s new Steak & Seafood restaurant & Martini Bar)

The wine served with the main course was Ménage a Trois (2008) from California.  The reasonably priced wine ($17.95) is a mix of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvingnon and also was very popular.  It had fruit flavours with a very nice flow.

The main course was a simple plate of Beef Short Ribs braised to perfection with a filling Garlic mashed potato.   The ribs delicately fell off the bone and melted in your mouth and the gravy didn’t overcome the natural flavors of the meat.   The plate was garnished by carrots for a splash of colour.

The desert was a rich Creme Caramel!

Moustache Joe’s hosts their Wine Tastings the third Tuesday of each month with a different theme and presentation.    As much as a lunch destination as it is in the Downtown core; their evening fare on the weekends is also in demand and reservations are always suggested to avoid disappointment.

They also do some amazing catering.   Check out their website to learn more about this jewel in the crown of fine dining in Cornwall Ontario!   Moustache Joe’s is located at 109 Pitt Street.  You can reach them at 613.937.0700

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Wow, was all I can say.     I wanted to surprise my lovely wife on our 2nd Wedding Anniversary.   It coming on a Tuesday night my first inclination was to go out to Montreal and spoil her, but Gaye Adams of the DBIA  keeps telling me to “Spend Locally” as much as I tell people to  “Advertise Locally” so I decided to try

Peppermill’s in The Best Western Parkway ( 1515 Vincent Massey Drive Cornwall, ON K6H 5R6 (613) 932-0451)

We made a reservation (always recommended as they’re busy even on a Tuesday night) tucked away into a nice table and enjoyed some of the best seafood we’ve had in Cornwall!

My wife was happy to find Wolf Blas Cabernet to accompany the Land and Sea plate which deliciously combined Scallop, Tiger Prawn, and a Sirloin steak that she enjoyed so much she didn’t want to share.

I feasted on their Seafood Mushroom caps and had a lovely spinach salad with roasted Goat cheese and crispy pancetta.   The salt rush was amazing!

Something I really applauded them on was hot fresh bread served with the meal.   Many restaurants in Cornwall don’t do this; simply putting cold bread down or plastic wrapped rolls.

Singing us out a slice of Anniversary Cake with Candle was a nice touch too!

Our server Anna was fast; the environment perfect for an Autumn getaway without having to go far.

Presentation 5

Value 4.0

Service 4.5

Zing & Wow 5

Overall 5  out of 5 Red Hats

Congrats to Peppermills on getting our first 5 star rating!

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I took in breakfast at Spinners yesterday for the first time.  ( 118 Pitt Street )  Spinners realy strives to get that Diner feel down and they do a super job.

What struck me most was all of the little touches from the table design to the movie and music memorabilia on the walls, and the general feel for the place.

The menu was smart, prices fair, options good, and service super.   Good coffee too!  I was going to have the Steak n Eggs (next time) but ended up with fresh fruit which actually arrived fresh!

Presentation 5

Value 4.5

Service 4.5

Zing & Wow 4

Overall 4.5  out of 5 Red Hats

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I need to start taking photos when I do Resto Reviews!   I did breakfast at Harv’s Diner Friday morning for a biz meeting.   I’d never been there before.   While the building looks gray and non descript on the outside, it’s a bright oasis on the inside.

Surprisingly busy I could tell why after my breakfast.   They like to do the Home Cooking thing; from their own special Home Made Baked Beans (A bit sweet, but with real chunks of meat, and quite good) to a really good cup of coffee.

Portions were plentiful and options choice.

I had an order of their beans and the Philly Steak Omelet.   They arrived quickly even though they had a full house at the time.   The waitress was very professional which you don’t see a lot of in Cornwall.   She didn’t say “youse” once either.

Breakfast seems to be the meal that Cornwall Restaurants do best, and Harv’s Diner is one of the finest I’ve had in Cornwall so far!

Presentation 4

Value 4

Service 4.5

Zing & Wow 4

Overall 4 out of 5 Red Hats

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  They did such a nice job creating their eating space and had just got their liquor license.  It looks like another restaurant in Cornwall may be in jeapardy.

Sadly since Chef Shawn left there were an awful lot less cars in their parking lot…

Calls to Chez Nous are greeted by the message that they are closed for “Kitchen Renovations”.

Hopefully that is just the case and they open again soon. 

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There are some great places to eat here in Cornwall.  Alright,  not that many, but a few.    On a nice sunny day a day trip in the country can be a super thing to do.

About an hour from Cornwall; just outside of Ormstown Quebec, and near the Covey Hill Road is a hidden gem; Ye Olde Rockburn Pub & Restaurant.

Your host and cook Joann McGerrigle has been serving up amazing pub food and a fine pint of Guiness or cider for over twenty years now.

You can sit on the terrace or cosy up near the fire.  The service is fast and the food is always top notch.

I love starting with their crab cakes ($8.95 for two generous portions with a curry/mayo dressing on the side) and their pub fries are probably the best I’ve ever had.

They have some fine gourmet sandwiches, pizza, salads including their special house dressing and traditional fish & chips.    If you go on Sunday’s they have a super Brunch as well.

And if you’re really lucky it may be classic car day as several area clubs stop by enmasse.  You can check out one of Joann’s Classic MG’s too.

So whether you just want a ride in the country; nice date spot; or have a hankering for crab cakes like I get take a ride to Rockburn Quebec and visit Ye Olde Rockburn Pub & Restaurant.

Presentation 4.5

Value 4

Service 4

Zing & Wow 4

Overall 4 out of 5 Red Hats

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I love chip stands.  I love a good steamed dog  as well.    Seguin Patates (921 Marlborough St N, Cornwall, Ontario, Canada) is a venerable old chip stand here in Cornwall.   It’s been around for a long time so this year I thought I’d do a review of it.

I love their Coney Sauce; the fries are super and fresh cut as they should be.   The burgers are ok.   This year they’ve raised prices though and I’m not sure if there’s been a staff change or not but the service seems to be a lot slower.

Parking is usually good too.

To sum up; if you need a fix of fries this is a good place to go.   Prices are higher though and don’t go if you’re in a rush.

Presentation 4

Value 2.5

Service 2.5

Zing and Wow 3

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I’ve been asked that a few times now; about how we can run The Cornwall Free News.   Well right now it’s a labour of love.  You plant a seed, nurture it; and hopefully one day it’ll sprout some fruit.

A lot of people have helped and spend their time  so far and a lot more will before The Cornwall Free News fulfills it’s place as Cornwall’s number one place for local news in the Community.

If you want to help make this dream come true there are a few things you can do.

Tell your friends – the more people that read this the better.

Tell us what you want to read here.  Sports, Gossip, local Politics.

This is your newspaper Cornwall.

Post comments and participate in our stories.

If you are a business or have a service consider sponsoring us with an ad or sponsoring one of our columns.

Write for us.   This is your soapbox.  We are not affiliated and do not have any specific agenda.

Consider making a donation.  Have a spare ten dollars, even in this economy, and like our site?  Send it on over!

Finally – KEEP READING us.  Come back as often as you can.

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L I N K Congrats to local Italian eatery Casa Paolo (1600 Vincent Massey Drive) received a glowing review in The Watertown Daily News.   Click the link to check it out.

While not my favorite Italian food in the area it is a lovely place for a good meal.

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