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Keepin’ It Cool: Best Restaurants to Dine at During the Niagara Icewine Festival 2019

January 8, 2019 by Kelly Merritt Leave a Comment

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Niagara Icewine Festival 2018

There’s no shortage of good eats during the Niagara Icewine Festival. In a region that’s like the mothership of Canadian Icewine, organizers invite attendees to celebrate winter in wine country — and how. No one loves a culinary celebration like Canadians, where passion for cuisine and its vine-born counterparts result in jovial events like these festivities. They take place over three weekends from January 11–27, kicking off on Friday, January 11 with the Niagara Icewine Festival Northern Lights Gala at Fallsview Casino Resort. From there, outdoor street celebrations and events at local wineries attract tens of thousands of oenophiles who return every year.

Activities (read: nonstop Icewine imbibing) take place at Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival and Twenty Valley’s Winter WineFest in Jordan Village along picturesque streetscapes and throughout these communities at several participating wineries. The best way to not miss anything is with a Niagara Icewine Festival Discovery Pass, entitling pass holders to choose eight wine and culinary pairings from dozens of VQA wineries along Wine Country Ontario’s Wine Route.

This quintessential dessert wine may reign supreme in last courses, but despite its super-sweet nature, creative Canadian chefs make Icewine a fixture in savory dishes from foie gras to ham, especially in the weeks surrounding the festival. Whether you reserve a table during the festival or save a visit for another time, here are a few places to check off during the Icewine fêtes. Not hitting up the Niagara Icewine Festival 2019? We can help you find the right restaurant in your city on OpenTable.com. 

Peller Estates Winery & Restaurant
Chef Jason Parson’s signature Icewine marshmallows have become legendary throughout the year at Peller Estates Winery & Restaurant, but especially during the Icewine festival when paired with sips of Andrew Peller Signature Series Cabernet Franc Icewine 2016 or Ice Cuvée Rosé. Parsons prepares them from Italian meringue folding in the Icewine to create pillows of charred goodies on wooden sticks. He and his team make 5,000 Icewine marshmallows for the occasion, plus his Icewine chocolate tart, a chocolate ganache laced with Cabernet Franc in what Parsons refers to as a chocolate pâté. And at the Icewine festival street market, Peller’s savory treat is an Icewine lobster poutine.  For the Peller Icewine dinner on January 19, guests can partake of a four-course dinner in the barrel cellar inspired around Icewine, with smoked sablefish with kimchi, Icewine roasted beets, and bison Osso Buco. Diners in the know make Peller a frequent stop also for the 10Below Icewine Lounge at Peller (pictured above), a minus-10 degrees Celsius tasting area in homage to the winemakers who must endure cold temps to harvest the grapes. Make a reservation at Peller Estates Winery Restaurant.

Niagara Icewine Festival 2018

21 Club Steakhouse at Fallsviews Casino Resort
As a huge supporter of the Icewine celebrations, Ray Taylor as chef of Fallsviews Casino Resort has almost an entire city at his fingertips. It’s a good thing since he and his staff love to support local viticulture. More than 700 people attend the Fallsviews Casino Resort Icewine galas. Participating chefs use it as their culinary showcase for the year, complete with thousands of sample bites complimented by Icewines provided by regional wineries. The resort has several dining options, but carnivores flock to Taylor’s 21 Club Steakhouse for Brooke’s Alberta Chateau Briand for two, Nebraska longbone steak, and rack of lamb from Innisfail, Alberta. But this fine-dining destination isn’t just about meat and potatoes. Diners can opt for two caviar tastings including Russian Black Pearl, sustainable wild-caught Baltimore blue crab cakes, and salt-roasted beets among other delights. Make a reservation at 21 Club Steakhouse at Fallsview Casino Resort.

Niagara Icewine Festival 2018

Vineland Estates Winery
Forest views of the Niagara Escarpment, Lake Ontario waterscapes, and the Toronto skyline draw diners to pop into Vineland Estates Winery, but they return time and again to sample foods from the creative mind of the winery restaurant chef, Justin Downes. This year in honor of the Icewine festivities, he is pairing caramel corn, walnuts, Icewine jam, and foie gras as part of a dreamy package with the Vineland Estates Winery 2016 Vidal Icewine and Cliché Late Harvest Sparkling. Known for other lip-smacking creations like house-cured meats, terrines, and rillettes, the menu never fails to impress with entrees like 16-hour short ribs and rainbow trout with miso and ham hock broth – and desserts like chèvre crème brûlée with yogurt chiffon, beetroot coulis, charcoal shortbread, and black sesame tuile. Bring a date or anyone who appreciates architecture since dining indoors includes relaxing in a renovated 1845 farmhouse or outdoors under shade sails, weather permitting. Make a reservation at Vineland Estates Winery.

Niagara Icewine Festival 2018

Kitchen 76  at Two Sisters Vineyards
The brainchild of sisters Angela Marotta and Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, these enterprising ladies found a way to share their love of the Italian table in their Two Sisters Vineyard restaurant, Kitchen76. Weekends in January, Two Sisters Vineyards events include the ‘Icewine Cocktail Experience’ where attendees will learn the basics of this distinctly Niagara wine – plus how to blend scrumptious cocktails using Icewine as the base. The adventure begins at the tasting bar with a pink mimosa from Lush Sparkling and Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine before moving to the private tasting room where wine tutors will lead guests through two more Icewine-based cocktails using the Two Sisters Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon Icewines. All that mixing and tasting leads to hungry appetites and Kitchen76 is just the ticket, especially with an order of housemade focaccia served with extra virgin olive oil from the Marotta family olive orchard dating back 500 years to the sisters’ hometown of Pertosa, Italy. Other notable menu items include braised lamb shoulder and tagliatelle at this gorgeous spot that never fails to turn on the romance and deliver at the table. Diners can partake of multiple Icewine cocktail experiences each weekend day beginning January 12 and will leave with featured cocktail recipe cards. Make a reservation at Kitchen 76 at Two Sisters Vineyards.

Niagara Icewine Festival 2018

Trius Winery & Restaurant
Icewine fans already love Trius Winery & Restaurant for the Icewine-cured and smoked salmon goat’s cheese croquettes featured on a previous menu, along with Dodd’s famed Ontario mushroom collection with Icewine onion jam, Hewitt’s Farm goat’s cheese, and Homestead Farm fried duck egg – not to mention other items like mulled red wine pear and confit duck leg with fondant potato, red wine cherries, duck liver parfait, and chocolate crumble. Not much can top the Trius hero plate brimming with beef pastrami, chicken liver parfait, spicy sopressata, capocollo, salmon rillettes, hen’s egg, smoked ham hock terrine, lamb summer sausage, aged Ontario cheddar, Hewitt’s goat’s cheese, honey comb, beet pickle, mustard, cornichon pickles, and house baguette. An exception to that, perhaps, is what chef Frank Dodd is planning to serve at the festival: a hearty, cheesy pairing of chili mac n’ cheese served with the 2016 Trius Vidal. Also on the calendar, an Icewine cocktail reception at the winery followed by a four-course dinner, serving Icewine with savory dishes paired by winemaker Craig McDonald. Make a reservation at Trius Winery & Restaurant.

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Your New Year’s Eve 2018 Dining Decider + Planning Tips for the Perfect Celebration

December 4, 2018 by OpenTable Leave a Comment

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New Year's Eve 2018 dining

It’s coming – New Year’s Eve 2018 is almost upon us. And, fittingly, it’s one of the most popular dining days of the year. Whether you want a night out on the town worthy of an LBD and your best threads or a low-key evening where food is the highlight of the night, OpenTable has you covered with thousands of restaurants – and the right one for you awaits.

The majority of diners book their New Year’s Eve plans 10 days¹ in advance, so be sure you don’t let holiday shopping and the hustle and bustle of the season distract you from securing the perfect reservation to ring in 2019. Although  22% of diners booked their table same-day for New Year’s Eve  2017, diners were 2x more likely to book in advance compared to the rest of 2017. But even if you don’t book on or before December 21, we’ve still got you covered — even up until the 31st.

To help you get started, we’ve got some tips for planning for the perfect New Year’s Eve dining experience – and a trusty decider as well.

Look and book early. Because this is one of the most popular days for dining out, reservations are snapped up early, particularly for prime times and hot spots. Start making your plans today so you don’t miss out on your top pick, keeping in mind that demand may increase after  December 21.

Count it out before the countdown. Be sure to get an accurate headcount of the revelers joining you on the big night as demand for prime reservations is high and availability dwindles the closer you get to the 31 and you don’t want a friend or loved one to get shut out. If you’re dining in a group, secure your plans sooner rather than later as we saw an increase of 5% in party sizes of 4 or more compared to the rest of the year.

Dollars and sense. Do some math before booking to set your budget so you don’t wind up starting the new year in the red. You can peruse special menus on OpenTable.com. Be sure to account for alcohol, tax, and gratuity (if not included in prices). Deals are plentiful, also. And, while a lot of diners opt to go all out on New Year’s Eve, [as compared to the rest of the year] we’ve seen a 5% increase in diners choosing restaurants where the average meal price is $30 and under.

Think about drink. All-inclusives can be incredible deals for those of us who like to bend our elbows often that night, but if you or members of your party are teetotalers, look for dining options that allow you to order drinks a la carte.

When the clock strikes midnight. Think about where you want to be exactly at midnight. Some of us like being in the thick of things, while others like to welcome the new year from the comfort of our sofas after a delicious meal out. Look for reservation times that will put you where you want to be when the new year arrives. Keep in mind, too, that people tend to dine later on New Year’s Eve. For New Year’s Eve 2017, we saw a 67% increase in the percentage of reservations from 8-10PM compared to the same time slot for the rest of the year. So book early to secure prime time tables.

Don’t forget your diet(ary needs). If you’ve got food allergies or sensitivities or you’re a picky eater, carefully study menus for any items that are your nemeses. If you’re in doubt as to whether a restaurant can accommodate your needs, call the restaurant before booking and ask to speak to a manager or a chef.

Be flexible. If your favorite restaurant lacks availability for a particular time, but your heart is set on that spot, dine earlier or later and plan something fun before or after, like a movie or seeing live music. If you live in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C., you may need to be even more flexible on times as those are the cities with the greatest number of reservations on December 31, according to New Year’s Eve 2017 data.

Need more help picking the perfect type of restaurant for your New Year’s Eve? Use our New Year’s Eve 2018 Dining Decider for an assist from the experts at OpenTable.

New Year's Eve 2018 dining

Wherever you landed, we’ve got inspiration aplenty below.Continue Reading

Dine on the Friendly Frontier: 10 Top Restaurants on Vancouver Island

November 20, 2018 by Nevin Martell Leave a Comment

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Located across the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver, Vancouver Island is Canada’s friendly frontier. The adventurous isle is home to a wealth of top-notch restaurants worth exploring after a day salmon fishing, bear watching, or kayaking. From Victoria on the eastern end to Tofino to the west, chefs are utilizing the bounty of the surrounding seas, the forests, and the fields to create modern Canuck cuisine that has North American roots but takes plenty of inspiration from the rest of the world. Here are 10 top restaurants on Vancouver Island to try.

1909 Kitchen, Tofino
Executive chef Paul Moran crafts creative small plates that benefit from the bounty of the island and its surrounding waters. Think local snap peas lavished with soy sake dressing and topped with threads of dried seaweed, steamed clams, and mussels seasoned with herbs harvested from tidal pools, albacore tartare dressed with gochujang and sea asparagus, and an indulgent white pizza featuring golden chanterelles from the forests nearby. Bonus: If you go fishing and get lucky, the kitchen is happy to prepare your catch. Make a reservation at 1909 Kitchen.

Top Restaurants on Vancouver Island

Saveur, Victoria
Chef Robert Cassels’s tasting menu gives guests a deep dive into his French-minded cuisine with modernist twists. Expect plenty of local flavors. Dishes might feature halibut from the nearby Haida Gwaii archipelago, Cowichan Valley chicken, and wild elderberries and chanterelles from the island’s backwoods. Optional wine pairings come from the Old World and British Columbia, while the beverage program features local ciders by Lonetree, Tod Creek, and Merridale. Make a reservation at Saveur.

Top Restaurants on Vancouver Island

Sooke Harbour House, Sooke
The tasting menu experience (three, four, or seven courses) is the best way to lose yourself in this artful menu featuring a cascade of local ingredients. The restaurant’s three-acre certified organic garden is home to over 200 herbs, greens, vegetables, and edible flowers, which all figure prominently in the dishes. Wild edibles, fresh seafood, produce, and proteins from elsewhere on and around the island are given equal attention. Meals might include Fanny Bay Kusshi oysters, locally foraged golden chanterelles, and rhubarb from nearby Whiffin Spit Farm. As you eat, you get a real sense of the place since the dining room features expansive views of the ocean and the majestic property. Make a reservation at Sooke Harbour House.

Top Restaurants on Vancouver Island

Little Jumbo, Victoria
The Fernet Branca-stained bar and its offerings are the center of attention at this genteel watering hole, but there’s a lot to love about chef Gabriel Fayerman-Hansen’s elevated pub fare. There are plenty of small bites that go down well with a cocktail or two – truffled fries, smoked olives, and freshly shucked oysters – but stick around for dinner and you’ll be richly rewarded. The house burger topped with onion bacon jam and smoked Gouda is a winner, as are corn risotto and barbecue beef ribs glistening with rum-allspice glaze. Make a reservation at Little Jumbo.

Top Restaurants on Vancouver Island

The Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay
Put your pinky out, it’s time for high tea. With stunning views of Jennie Butchart’s private garden or the Italian Garden and the sea, this is a tea service to remember. The sprawling spreads feature savory and sweet bites – from sausage rolls, salmon chowder en croute, and dainty cucumber and pickled ginger cream cheese sandwiches to vanilla peach cake, Bergamot-infused chocolate mousse, and lemon tart. There’s something for everyone, and no one leaves hungry. Make a reservation at The Butchart Gardens.

Top Restaurants on Vancouver Island

Summit, Malahat
Nestled in the woodlands of the Malahat ridge, the Italian inspired farm-to-table eatery looks down on the Instagram-worthy Saanich Inlet. Local elements are menu highlights –including plenty of seafood – while the wine list is rich with regional varietals. Overall, there’s a DIY attitude in the kitchen. Breads, pastas, and ricottas are made in-house. Desserts include creative sorbet and gelatos, such as daylily, and dense Black Forest cake that will send any chocolate lover into paroxysms of joy. Make a reservation at Summit.

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50 Best Restaurants in Canada with Vegetarian Options 2018, According to OpenTable Diners

October 24, 2018 by OpenTable Leave a Comment

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50 Best Restaurants in Canada with Vegetarian Options 2018

The number of vegetarians in Canada has grown from 900,000 to 2.3 million over the past 15 years, according to studies conducted by Dalhousie University. Whether vegan, vegetarian or simply interested in a nutrient-rich diet, everyone’s dining needs and preferences can be catered to with great dishes from the country’s top restaurants. This is why we’re pleased to announce our list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Canada with Vegetarian Options 2018, to connect vegetarian diners and those who love them, with top restaurants featuring menu items that can excite everyone at the table.

Restaurants from coast to coast round out the list, with Ontario having the most restaurants featured (26), followed by British Columbia with 7 and Quebec with 5. Alberta (7), Atlantic Canada (4), and Manitoba (1) also have establishments in the top 50.

The list features a range of restaurants including Toronto’s Rosalinda, a Mexican restaurant with a completely vegan menu and Calgary’s Ten Foot Henry, which boasts a selection of unique vegetarian menu items. The list also includes an assortment of multicultural restaurants including Montreal’s Middle Eastern Damas, Toronto’s Mediterranean Byblos, and Vancouver’s East is East, which features cuisine’s from the Silk Route.

Canada’s 50 Best Restaurants with Vegetarian Options is generated solely from more than 550,000 restaurant reviews collected from verified OpenTable diners between September 1, 2017, and August 31, 2018. All restaurants with a minimum “overall” score and number of qualifying reviews were included for consideration. Qualifying restaurants were then sorted according to a score calculated from each restaurant’s average rating in the “Good Vegetarian Options” category

Based on this methodology, Canada’s 50 Best Restaurants with Vegetarian Options, according to OpenTable diners, are as follows (in alphabetical order):Continue Reading

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Caroline PotterCaroline Potter is the Chief Dining Officer for OpenTable, Inc. She’s a dining trend-spotter and an OpenTable VIP, who dines out more than she eats in and has accrued more than 10,000 Dining Rewards points. Caroline started working in restaurants as a teen and she's since tackled every front-of-the-house job, from bartender and hostess to runner and server. She trained as a chef at Manhattan’s prestigious French Culinary Institute, cooking at L’Ecole. In addition to her role at OpenTable, she has written about food from farm to table for New York City’s famed Greenmarket and Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End magazines. Caroline is also a Certified Master Gardener.

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