BITS + BITES
A toast to the winners
Hamilton-area breweries made a solid showing at the Ontario Cider Awards, held last weekend at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Carlisle’s West Avenue took home two people’s choice awards for their Gold Dust Cider — for best overall cider and for traditional apple cider.
Collective Arts, located on Burlington Street, took home a thirdplace people’s choice nod for their Local Press cider.
Guelph-based Revel Cider, which rents space in West Avenue’s Stoney Creek brewery, won bronze in the sanctioned judging category for their hop-based libation, Hop X.
Get it while it’s cold
Speaking of Collective Arts Brewing, they are launching a limited-edition IPA (India pale ale), just in time for the holiday season. Touted as the brewery’s “biggest beer yet,” Imperial IPA offers flavours of berry, mango, peach, and bitter hops.
The brew will be on sale at the Collective Arts store on Nov. 19 and will also be offered at select LCBO stores and restaurants. Customers are limited to four cans per person.
Opening soon: The Heather
Chef Matty Cowan has a big idea: a tiny restaurant (six tables, seating a total of 12 people each night) with small plates (a multicourse tasting menu) on Barton Street (between Wellington and Victoria).
Cowan, who has spent the past 10 years honing his craft at various Toronto restaurants, says he will feature “modern Canadian cuisine” in a six- to eight-course meal.
He will also offer a tightly curated wine list, four local beers and one cider.
Cowan says he quickly zoned in on Barton when he began searching for a location for his restaurant two years ago.
“I couldn’t get away from it. There was just something about this neighbourhood that felt like home. It drew us in.”
The Heather will open its doors Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 357 Barton St. E. For reservations, call (289) 389-1737.
Opening soon: Rick Rack Coffee House
Rick Rack Coffee House, at 292 Ottawa St. N., promises “homemade food with a twist, served on Grandma’s dishes.” The menu includes cookies, pastries, cannoli, panini and soup, as well as custom cakes.
“We are proud to pay homage to some of the things that make this city beautiful, and our hope is to inspire people through the comfort and love of food,” say owners Alyssa and Tiana Crossman.
YWCA’s At the Table launches kitchen reno
The YMCA’s social enterprise catering company, At the Table, is undergoing a kitchen overhaul.
At the Table offers catering, a café and a wholesale operation staffed by women deemed hard to employ or unemployable. The kitchen emphasizes the creation of fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, while providing women and girls with valuable training.
To contribute to the project, visit ywcahamilton.org.