Eatdrink #42 July/August 2013

№ 42 | July/August 2013 www.eatdrink.ca 39
Spolestra recently hired Chef Jamie Craig, formerly of the
Stone Willow Inn (Wildstone Bar & Grill) in St. Marys.
Chef Jeff Fortner has taken over the helm in the kitchen at
Avenue Dining at the Idlewyld Inn. Diners know Fortner
from stints at Blue Ginger, black trumpet, The Hunt
Club and, most recently, The River Room.
Habitual Chocolate and Fire Roasted Coffee’s new flagship
café downtown at Talbot and King Street is slated to open late
July. Pastry Chef Michele Lenhardt, formerly of The River
Room Cafe and Private Dining, Black Walnut Bakery Café
and Agora at The Art Gallery of Ontario, has been hired by
Dave Cook as a chocolatier and baker at the new operation.
Fresh n’ Wolfe is the new fresh, healthy, and fast brother of
The Early Bird. Opening soon, it will be serving up sandwiches,
paninis, soups, salads, smoothies and similar fare. Located in the
front portion of the former Nite Owl. “Come in on your break
from the office and grab yourself something great, and to go!”
says proprietor Justin Wolfe.
Byron Freehouse will be opening in mid-late summer.
Owners Kathryn Banasik and Robbin Azzopardi are
describing this new venture as “bistro meets sports bar with
simplified food prepared in the freshest way possible, using
locally sourced ingredients.” The sixty-five seat ``local``
will have a fifty seat patio. On Chef Joshua Sawyer’s menu
expect to see such signature items as Grilled Fish Tacos, Thai
Curry, Steak and Frites and Buttermilk Fried Chicken.
Just down the street, Mark Kitching of Waldo’s on King and
partner Mark Navackas are opening a new restaurant in
Byron in the premises formerly occupied by Dar’s Diner, to be
known as Waldo’s in Byron.
Ilderton’s Rich and Deb Hunter made a bold decision to make
The King Edward’s patio smoke-free this year. They also
started offering a variety of beer flights, with five samples for
only $8 plus tax. Since their taps are typically split 50/50 between
Ontario craft beers and British Isles selections, you can do an
Ontario flight, a UK flight, or a mix. www.thekingedward.com
World Tailors is a group of courageous women from around
the world who make World Cooks aprons, sold in London,
Ontario. They come from refugee camps in the mountains
of Nepal, small villages in Africa, cities in South Korea and
Afghanistan, and islands like Fiji, among other places.
www.worldtailors.ca/our-story/
London’s first “Food Truck Rally” is slated to coincide with the
opening weekend of the annual Western Fair, September 6–8.
Eldon House is the ideal place for afternoon tea, served Tuesday
through Sunday until September 1st. Enjoy traditional scones
with locally made jams and butter, served with a variety of
delicious teas on the elegant lawn of London’s oldest residence.
Reservations recommended. (481 Ridout St. North, 519-661-5169)
London’s
Celebration
Destination
FOOD WITH FLAIR!
Every Night Is
a Great Night
for Something Special
VOTED
• Best Fine Dining
• Most Romantic
• Best Atmosphere
30
Tableside
Cooking &
London’s Best
Caesar Salad
Lunch Weekdays
Dinner 7 Nights a Week
1 York St. (just W of Ridout)
Ample Free Parking
Baby Grand Pianist 6 Nights a Week with Reservations
www.michaelsonthethames.com • 519-672-0111