Hamilton’s Booming Food Scene

Everywhere I looked, there was a new restaurant, cafe or food truck proudly perched on the streets. I couldn’t believe my eyes: although I now visit the city regularly, I’m finding it impossible to keep up with Hamilton’s booming food scene. While restaurants who’ve been around for decades (like Capri) continue to thrive, there are dozens of new kids on the block who are just as eager to share their love of food/drink with the world. That’s always a good thing. The heightened level of talent, determination and drive has energized the city and created a culinary hotbed that is about to explode. Led by a group of passionate, food-obsessed locals, I recently had a chance to feast my way through Hamilton’s booming food scene. Here’s a look at their newest spots…

Mattson & Co (opened November 17, 2015) – This resto is so new that it wasn’t even officially open when we first visited! As soon as we stepped foot inside the beautifully-decorated space I could tell that a lot of hard work and passion went into making the dream a reality. There’s no question that these guys have elevated the Hamilton fine dining game: from the elegant decor and live jazz music to the attentive service and the stellar dishes being put out by the kitchen. This is the place to head for dates, special events and intimate dinners. Oh, and I love that they focus on using local ingredients (like cheese from the Cheese Shoppe On Locke and organic chicken from Fenwood Farm). Tip: order the slow-braised merlot-marinated beef short ribs served on a bed of buttery yukon gold purée and topped with crispy onions and pea sprouts — you will not regret it.

Nellie James Too (opened October 15, 2015) – You’ll only need to spend about a minute or two with Chef Ken LeFebour to understand that his love for food is deeply intrinsic. With what seems to be boundless creativity, he pulls inspiration from available ingredients (dishes on the blackboard change daily) and layers flavours like an artist paints a canvas. His dishes are unique, expertly-balanced and deliberate; the man pours every ounce of his being into each plate. And the restaurant – named after his beloved grandmother – has a palpable pulse which beats in the kitchen. Head here if you’re looking for a food experience like no other. Tip: reserve a spot for family-style feasts on Sundays (#SundaySupperSeries for $34) and let the chef take you on a culinary journey. In my opinion, it’s the best way to even begin to understand Chef Ken’s brilliance.

Saltlick Smokehouse (opened April, 2015) – Meat heaven. That is all you need to know. Prepared in-house daily, all the meats here are seasoned to perfection with tantalizing rubs and smoked with all-natural charcoal and wood. This is the kind of place you should head to with a group of friends to devour incredible cured/smoked meats and throw back a few rounds of bourbon. Food is served family-style so you’ll have to share the deliciousness with your fellow diners (something that becomes a challenge when the food is this good). Tip: the 14-hour smoked Brisket Sandwich, Beef Ribs and Southern Fried Drumstick are all musts. Grab dinner early as they’ll serve until 9 pm or when they sell out – whichever comes first!

Butcher and the Vegan (opened April, 2015) – This place actually made my photog’s eyes twinkle (she’s vegetarian and often has limited options at the restos we dine at). James and Faiza – aka the Butcher and the Vegan – are all about showcasing local products and suppliers in the Hamilton-Niagara region. In fact, they try to only use products within an hour’s drive! More importantly, the restaurant is a place were everyone can dine. Together. The menu offers a huge range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options for all those with dietary restrictions and lots of proteins for the unrestricted. Tip: go here for brunch and devour their Caramel-Banana french toast. Made with almond milk batter, the baguette is topped with caramel, bananas, agave candied pecans and maple sugar. Sinfully good. Oh, and definitely try the Green Apple Pilsner from Nickel Brook Brewery: it was the crowd favourite in our group.

Saint James Espresso Bar & Eatery (opened October, 2015) – Good things happen when best friends join forces. And fortunately for Hamilton, this means incredible coffee made with a fancy shmacy Steampunk machine. Watching these guys craft a cup of java was as entertaining as going to a live performance. It’s an experience — one that had passersby pressing their noses against the floor-to-ceiling windows. Tip: I haven’t been to many places in Canada that serve Steampunk coffee so don’t leave without giving it a try. And pair it with a Captain Crunch square, cuz, well, why not?! Oh, and I hear their Dr. Pepper Hot Chocolate is pretty damn good.

Hotti Biscotti (opened September, 2015) – Cutest. Name. Ever. This is the place you’ll want to head to satisfy that sweet tooth. Known for their biscottis (which are softer than the average Italian biscuits), they are always developing new, innovative flavour combos — like pumpkin spice, pina colada and vegan banana nut. The store is filled with tons of other handmade goodies so be prepared to leave with a sugar high. Tip: the Skor Biscotti (family recipe), Caramel Pecan Brownies and Peanut Butter Pops are the way to go.

Knead Pizza (opened October, 2015) – It’s all about unique, chef-selected ingredients at this pizza shop. You can dine in (there’s seating for approx 30 people) or take-out (so you can devour an entire pie without anyone ever knowing). One look at the chalkboard menu and I was drooling over the flavour combos: Smoked Brisket (caramalized onion, gorgonzola & honey), Veg Head (rapini, garlic, chillies, onions and feta cheese), The Mushroom (wild mushrooms in wine, goat cheese and basil). Ok, I’ll stop the torture now. Tip: order the Mango Tango with crispy pork belly, pickled jalapenos and mango — yes, yes, yes! The sweet-spicy-salty combo is on point.

If you haven’t been to Hamilton in the past few months, you haven’t been to Hamilton. The city is constantly reinventing itself and working tirelessly to show the world what it’s made of. In my opinion, a big part of its resurgence is due to its booming food scene (more on that here). That’s great news for those looking for inspired, delicious food; with a culinary gem evolving this rapidly, you are guaranteed to find food that will put a smile on your face.

The food tour featured above was coordinated by Hamilton’s Economic Development Office as part of a press trip to Hamilton. Our meals were complimentary. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.