Pabellon Gastropub
The Gastropub is a new concept to me. I tried out Wellington Gastropub in Ottawa (definitely worth checking out if you are in the area) and loved the idea of pub-feel combined with high quality food.
When I drove by Pabellon Gastropub and saw the term Gastropub, I was not sure how to respond. Would they ruin a great idea in the way the Joy Supper Club ruined the idea of a supper club? I decided to check it out.
The patio is one of the best in Kingston. While not busy just yet as they haven’t really done a lot of advertising, it is spacious, well furnished, and I was lucky enough to get some nice live acoustic guitar when I went. There is something relaxing about being on a patio with a cold drink, listening to live music, with cars driving by below you. The interior is equally well furnished. Lots of wood trim and cushy benches line the area. It is quite a large space so I wonder how it will fill out in the coming months.
This is the blackened swordfish steak (dusted in Cajun spices then pan roasted and served with a creamy chorizo sausage and leek fettuccini) for $20.50. I really enjoyed the seasoning and the firmness of the swordfish. It wasn’t dry and fell apart in nice flakes. The pasta was made in house, fresh, and nicely bouncy. The sausage added some nice zip to the dish.
This is the vegetarian gnocchi (blanched then sautéed with mixed mushrooms, oven-dried cherry tomatoes and asparagus slices, coated with a four cheese sauce then broiled until golden brown) for $12.55. J had this dish and really enjoyed it but found it a bit rich. It was difficult to finish the whole thing without feeling really heavy. The gnocchi had a nice texture. Pretty satisfying for a vegetarian dish.
This is the baby spinach, baby lettuce leaves, feta cheese, cucumber cubes, oven-dried cherry tomatoes, crispy bacon and sweet chili raspberry vinaigrette for $10. R had this dish and said she enjoyed the dressing but found the lettuce slightly bruised.
This is the crispy calamari (calamari strips flash fried until golden, lightly dusted in lemon pepper seasoning and served with a roasted red pepper aioli) for $10.15. C had this dish and said she liked it.
This is the Baked Tilapia and shrimp (served with provencal fork mashed potatoes and caper lemon butter sauce) for $19.75. I had this and said she liked it.
These are the Otter tails (deep fried pastry, dusted with cinnamon sugar and filled with both vanilla and chocolate pastry cream) for $5.50. The tails read better on paper than they tasted. The main problem was the deep fried pastry. Deep fried pastry should be a lot lighter and thinner or you risk having it get too heavy and drowning out the other flavours in oil. I didn’t love this dessert.
Overall, Pabellon Gastropub is a welcome addition to the food scene in Kingston. They have an extensive wine/scotch/beer list and their patio is really quite comfortable. The food is interesting and it is quite well made. I look forward to more Friday evenings here.
This place used to be Johnie Mac's, a restaurant that relocated after it failed on the doomed corner along Ontario Street. I am not entirely sure if Pabellon is being operated by the same folks, but since it seemed to have sprung up overnight, so I would hazard a guess of yes. I had zero interest in this place until I laid eyes on the food. All of the dishes, save for the otter tails, look fantastic. Will have to try out a meal on their patio before it gets too cold out.
We went to this restaurant in July and were very impressed. I don't believe they are at all affiliated with the owners of Johnny Mac, who also own Kelsey's and Montana's. The food was very well prepared with interesting presentations. It was also very reasonably priced. Our party of 3 adults and one child came to less than $120.00. The service was excellent and attentive. The home made rolls were awsome, as was the gourmet in hous made ice cream. This included entrees, drinks, and a couple of desserts. We ate on the patio, which was comfortable and spacious. They also have some outdoor couches and the music was very tastefull and not overly loud. We will definately go back. I don't believe they is anywhere like it in Kingston.
Location?
That omission is totally my fault. Address is: 1-1185 Princess St, just up from Princess and Sir John A.
Sounds great. I had written it off on location alone, so will have to remember not to judge a book by its cover. Must try it before patio weather completely disappears!
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Sergio Zevallos head Chef at Pabellon. I would like to thank you for the comments posted in this and other sites, It brings me great joy to know that my food pleased your palates.
I regret to inform you that due to forces beyond my control our restaurant closed its doors on Saturday September 4th and thus ending a great endeavour. I however will be staying in this wonderful city and soon hope to find a new place where I can once again share my passion for cooking. Thank you all
Say it ain't so. This is terrible news. Pabellon was on my list of restos to try in the near future. Thank you for letting us know, and please let us know where you end up.
Boohoo! I was already planning a date night here. Hopefully we can try Sergio's food somewhere else very soon.
rats! we were looking so forward to checking it out ourselves. well, best of luck in your next endeavor… we'll be waiting to see what's next.
Oh no! My partner and I had dinner there a couple months ago, and it was fantastic. I had the swordfish, and is was very good as described above. I'm saddened to see a wonderful restaurant close its doors.
As a new comer to this city and this country it feels me with joy to read all of your comments, I am back in the job market and I am sure there will be a place for me in this great town. Thank you all!!
Thank you all for the comments and well wishes, as a newcomet to this country and to kingston, it feels me with great joy to read your comments and wellwishes. I am sure that I will find my place in this great city and soon be on the gastronomic map again. with your permission I will add your comments as par of my CV as they are best reference letter one can get. Thank you all
I am glad I was able to get there before the doors closed! Sorry to hear about the closing of your shop Sergio. I look forward to your future endeavours in Kingston!
How disappointing! It seemed like a very unusual location. I know that downtown rents are astronomical, but the gastropub format doesn't seem particularly well-suited to a strip mall up from the Kingston Centre. I hope that Sergio is successful at landing a job elsewhere in Kingston as it sounds like he did a great job running the kitchen at Pabellon.