Heart of the Hammer dishes up coffee & community

By Julie Gordon

The Heart of the Hammer Café on King Street East and Sherman opened in December 2009 and has become a popular gathering place in the community of South Stipeley. Part of the café’s success comes from owner Rebecca Doll’s commitment to providing the best quality coffee and food. More significantly, Heart of the [...]

From earth to table : an interview

By Karen Burson
Jeff Crump, Executive Chef of the Ancaster Old Mill, is one of my favourite people to interview. He doesn’t indulge in airs and graces. He doesn’t strut about, festooned with medals, nose in the air, but is casual, gracious and welcoming. He offers me a taste of his latest dish (gnudis – a [...]

Cheap Eats: Quesadillas at Bread & Roses Café

The Quesadilla combo offers you a changing assortment of fillings of your choice, with the mainstays being refried beans, onions, cheese and colourful vegetables.

Farmers’ Market Roundup

With peak produce season rapidly approaching, this is the perfect time to commit to both eating and shopping locally. Here’s a round-up of some of the best markets Hamilton has to offer:
Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Jackson Square, Hamilton. Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday from 6:00 [...]

Poco Loco – Appetizing to Wallet and Stomach Alike

By Sarah Popek
On May 1st 2009, Jorge Botero and his wife Janice celebrated their second successful year of business at Poco Loco on Ottawa Street North.
Poco Loco is one part retirement plan, one part attempt to offer Hamiltonians healthy, ethnic food that’s ready in less than eight minutes. The restaurant is able to serve [...]

Cheap Eats: Loving the sandwiches from Bonanza Bakery

By Karen Burson
You know how it is when you find a snack bargain that’s too good to be true — you want to keep it to yourself so the restaurateurs won’t smarten up and decide to charge you more. Bonanza Bakery, however, is one neighbourhood treasure that’s too good to keep quiet.
The steady [...]

Cheap Eats: Christina’s Cakes

By Karen Burson
Concession Street is an example of an under-loved neighbourhood. Have you even heard about the Saturday farmers’ market that takes place in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Church (on Viewpoint Avenue) from May through November?
If not, you’ve probably also been missing out on Christina’s Cakes — a stellar bakery located [...]

Cheap Eats: Savoury Broccoli Cheddar Muffin at My Dog Joe

By Karen Burson
Westdale Village has its share of incredible eateries, but the one I visit most often is My Dog Joe. The dish I’m after? The abundantly cheesy broccoli-cheddar muffin. Always served fresh from the pan, this savoury snack is satisfying, filling and boldly textured with chunks of broccoli and pools of cheddar. And at [...]

Q&A: The city chicken debate with Yuki Hayashi

By Karen Burson
Hamilton’s Yuki Hayashi made headlines last fall when animal control responded to a call that she was keeping a trio of chickens in her backyard. The birds were moved to a farm in Caledon, but the issue’s not going away so easily. Karen Burson’s interview with Hayashi follows…
H – What was the [...]

Food review: Tapestry Bistro

By Karen Burson
The dining space occupied by Tapestry Bistro is a refection of the rough n’ ready yet sweet character of the building’s inviting exterior. The details of the converted former hydro station make the space feel by turns romantic and utilitarian. Warm brick and wrought iron, soaring ceilings and curved lines all combine to [...]