EAT +DRINK
THE ROYAL At the hotel’s main restaurant, executive chef Albert Ponzo is definitely in his element. Ponzo, who honed his craft at many of Toronto’s best spots (including the beloved Le Sélect Bistro), takes full advantage of the produce at the hotel’s own local Edwin County Farms and sources from the area’s extensive list of local producers. Refined Italian cuisine with French flourishes takes centre stage here on an ever-changing seasonal menu. Standouts include the Cacciucco, or fish stew, made with Fogo Island cod, shellfish and a delicately nuanced tomato-fennel broth. For pizza lovers, there are classic options like the Margherita or, for those who like a little heat, the ’Nduja, which—with its namesake spicy spreadable Italian sausage, mozzarella, stracciatella, tomato and onion—would give any hot city spot some serious competition. There’s also a well-curated wine list featuring local favourites (of course) and some international picks as well as an original cocktail list. THEROYALHOTEL.CA
THEIA A short walk from The Royal, you’ll find Theia, a gem of a wine bar run by business and life partners Margot Kenny and Myles Harrison. The intimate, unfussy space invites you to share in their love of natural wine alongside some beautiful small plates of thoughtful food. With local ingredients forming the foundation of the menu, Theia’s specialties include Ontario coppa, Cressy House Wakefield cabbage and hand-cut PEC Black Angus beef tartare. WEARETHEIA.CA
STELLA’S EATERY Chef Leah Marshall Hannon’s cuisine at Stella’s Eatery is inspired by her memories of the food she shared with family growing up. In her contemporary bistro, she uses local ingredients to create warming comfort food and doesn’t shy away from flavour. The brunch, dinner and drink menus might change with the seasons, but the always-available country-fried rabbit with pickled hot peppers and coleslaw and the stacked cheeseburger and fries are tried-and-true faves. STELLASEATERY.COM
TRAIL ESTATE WINERY One of PEC’s early adopters of low-intervention winemaking, family-owned Trail Estate has been employing mostly organic and regenerative farming practices since 2018—and the results are in the glass. Clay, gravelly soil and layers of limestone along with the local climate and plenty of patience produce lively and refined wines that have just the right amount of natural acidity. Sip on whites with notes of citrus or reds that are reminiscent of the freshest summer berries while enjoying the outdoor seating overlooking the rows of vines, or head inside to the contemporary tasting room and bottle shop to sample the goods and bring some home to share. TRAIL-ESTATE.MYSHOPIFY.COM
PARSONS BREWING COMPANY Chris and Samantha Parsons co-founded this family-run brewery, bottle shop, restaurant and taproom, which is just a five-minute drive from The Royal. On offer is a wide array of beers, from refreshing summer suds, like the Crushable Pilsner, to more wintery beers, like the Stalwart Bastion Oatmeal Stout. The Latin American-influenced food features lots of local ingredients and is designed to complement the Parsons’ naturally unfiltered brews; standouts include a Caesar salad with charred corn and lime dressing and homemade empanadas. PARSONSBREWING.COM