Free Corn Roast!
Have you ever heard of “Fare on the Square“? Me neither, but to be honest any event that promises free roasted corn instantly has my attention. This Saturday, from 11am to 3pm, a dozen local restaurants will set up shop behind Kingston City Hall on Springer Market Square to tempt you with a variety of delicious dishes. Each plate will feature locally grown fruits, vegetables and meats from our famous Farmers Market. Tickets for the latter are $2, and can be purchased in advance from Tara Natural Foods or the Tourist Information Office. And in case you’ve forgot, the roasted corn is free! Read more
Death of the Drive Thru
On my way walking to work this morning, I listened to a debate on CBC regarding whether or not cities should restrict, ban or do nothing about drive thru’s. For many people they are the ultimate convenience, while other health-minded folks see them as the scourge of the urban landscape. Although this debate is more prevalent in larger cities, it is still relevant in Kingston, and is one that I feel quite strongly about. I can appreciate the necessity of drive thru’s for disabled and elderly people, and even sympathize with parent’s who would rather not park their vehicles and unbuckle 3 kids just to get a double double, but something has to be done. Read more
Olivea
I can’t recall the exact date, but at least two years ago, a fire destroyed the Greek Village restaurant across the street from Market Square. This prime locale sat vacant with boarded up windows and derelict signage until a glimmer of life was spotted earlier this past Spring. A leased real estate sign along with a banner indicated that Olivea, another restaurant by Stev George, was coming to the limestone city. I considered this a very exciting prospect, as Market Square has undergone a positive transformation since the Greek Village days, and it’s commercial surroundings should reflect positivity rather than stagnation and misfortune. New business in both the charred Greek Village or abandoned TD Bank will liven up the entire area. Read more
Asha Sushi
Kingston has a great spread of ethnic eateries, and although I often opt for Darbar’s delicious madras, it would seem as though curry is not the preferred flavor in Kingston. With Sakura opening up on Bath Road, as well as a downtown that is literally bursting with a few extravagant sushi restos, and many smaller “hole in wall” take out establishments, it’s clear that Kingstonians are crazy about sushi. Now before I go any further, I must warn you that my sushi experience was limited to avocado rolls before I dreamed up this adventure, and in my mind, they barely qualify as sushi. Thus, in an effort to broaden my horizons, and expand the Kingstonist food and drink section, I ventured into the unknown, and found myself inside Kingston’s best sushi restaurant, Asha. Read more
Morrison’s Restaurant
If ever there was a Kingston institution, it would have to be the greasy spoon known far and wide as Morrison’s Restaurant. Located on King Street, Morrison’s enjoys prime real estate that looks out onto Springer Market Square behind City Hall. The street-side marquee is an awesome throwback to yesterday, while the retro interior is similarly aged to perfection. A classic, casual diner, Morrison’s is always buzzing with activity, and the constant clatter of dishes and cutlery in one of the cities most active kitchens. It’s as well known as many of the historic landmarks in the area, and you either love it or hate it. As shocking as it may seem, I was surprised to find out that there are people in Kingston who don’t like Morrison’s! Read more
Spaghetti Is Ready
The seasonal student population of Queen’s, St. Lawrence and RMC has been departing over the past few weeks, and the impact has been noticeable in the area between the institutions, specifically the downtown strip. We’ve noticed signs in various storefronts announcing reduced hours until the tourist traffic picks up, while other ghetto-centric eateries have closed up shop entirely until the return of our young scholars in September. This trend was noted on my recent culinary adventure to Spaghetti is Ready, a relatively new Italian resto on the corner of Division and Queen. Read more
Serves You Right
There have been countless times where I’ve walked past an enticing restaurant, but have yet to build up the nerve to go inside. My general reluctance is due to the fact that I want to ensure that I make the most of my culinary experiences, in which case I more often than not opt for a tried, tested and true dining establishment. Thankfully, Kingstonist has forced me to broaden my gastronomical horizons, and embrace new taste sensations in locations that I’ve overlooked in the past. This past Saturday, I set out downtown to break the Megalo’s brunch routine and try something different. Read more
Stuff’d Urban Eats
It all started back in the 18th century when English Aristocrat, John Montagu, crafted a meal by placing bits of cold meat between some crusty slices of bread. This culinary creation was perfect for the 4th Earl of Sandwich, as it allowed him to play cribbage while eating, without getting his cards greasy from handling meat with his bare hands. The popularity of the sandwich began to spread amongst Europe’s upper class, and during the industrial revolution grey collar workers adopted it as an affordable, and portable meal delivery system. Read more
The Welly Boot Throw
Easter greetings from all the contributors of Kingstonist.com. Although we are full of turkey, ham, and foil wrapped chocolate eggs, we managed to roll down to the Kingston Brew Pub today for their annual “Welly Boot Throw.” This event challenges teams to brave the elements and toss the Brew Masters old rubber boot as far as they can. Entry fees get the teams a free meal, and a pint of beer, while all the proceeds are generously donated by the Brew Pub to Hospice Kingston. For a better explanation, as well as sights and sounds from this unique Kingston event, check out the podcast below, and our new Flickr page.
Special thanks to David Bailey for the podcast. More to come in the near future. In the meantime, don’t forget that every time you comment you are entered into our monthly draw.
The Welly Boot Throw [7:47m]: Kingstonist’s Guide to St. Pat’s
Whoever was in charge of scheduling St. Patrick’s Day on a Monday this year must have had one massive hangover after their shenanigans in 2007. For working stiffs like myself, this means that I have to use a vacation day, just to ensure that I get my fill of green beer, mardi gras beads (since when did they become Irish?), and inebriated sing-alongs. For the unseasoned rookie, the fact that St. Pat’s falls on a Monday could result in Tuesday also being a write off. Fret not, whether you’re experienced or new to celebrating this magnificent day in Kingston, the following is your definitive guide of places to go on St. Pat’s. Read more
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