Flowfit

Do you ever get lucky and stumble upon something wonderful that was completely unexpected?

Well, that’s what happened to my husband and I the other day.  We just happened to be in Toronto shopping, and just happened to know exactly where we wanted to go for lunch. The pizzaria we were headed for just happened to be closed (or more precisely, not opened yet), and across the street from the pizzaria just happened to be Mariachi’s Mexican Restaurant.  Across the street we walk, and into the restaurant on what just happened to be Cinco de Mayo.

I knew we were in for a GREAT meal when we walked by their open kitchen, and every cook was Mexican.  Our hostess, waitress and the owner – you guessed it – Mexican!

I don’t give out recommendations lightly – so trust me when I say, this was the BEST Mexican food I have ever had!!  So clean, fresh, and authentic!

A great restaurant experience for me is made up of three key things:

1.  Service

2.  Food

3.  Atmosphere

CHECK CHECK and CHECK!

Mariachi’s has all three!

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, our server handed us a copy of a brief history of what Cinco de Mayo was.  I honestly, didn’t know anything about it other than it was a Mexican festival. The atmosphere was very casual, relaxed and authentic.  Although a little dark, it took literally minutes for us to feel like we’d been transported to Mexico and were sitting in a little hideaway off some cobblestone street.  I just wish I was wearing flip flops to finish that “on vacation” feeling!

Service was warm, friendly and perfectly attentive.

I had a margarita (OMG – seriously the BEST I’ve EVER had!!) along with made to order guacomole and homemade chips.  The guacomole comes still in it’s mortar and pessel, so you can make it creamier if you wish.  Hot sauce on the side.

Everything on the menu is made mild, unless you ask for it to be spiced up.  A kindness to our (lame ah-hem) North American pallets.

Our lunch came to just under 40.00 with tax and tip.  Excelente!!

If you love or even like Mexican food, Mariachi’s is totally worth the drive into Toronto!!  I can’t wait to go back and take my kids!

Triple YUM!

I love a good deal!

Nothing beats the feeling of getting something for nothing.  Well, for the months of May and June you can do just that!  JC’s Hot Bagels is celebrating their 15th Anniversary and are offering 8 bagels for the price of 6!

That’s right, buy a half dozen bagels and receive two free!

Gotta love that.

Also, you can get a coffee and a bagel for just $1.99.  Breakfast to go anyone?

If you’ve yet to try a JC’s bagel, you are truly missing out!  Take this opportunity to get something for nothing and stop in JC’s for your free bagels!

For those of you with kids at John T. Tuck, these bagels are TOP pick for Healthy Snack.

Kumar Sharma began as a head chef at a five star Italian restaurant in Rome, moved on to created authentic cuisine in Mexico and achieved great success at his own restaurant in New York city. All before moving to our small town of Burlington.  It wasn’t until he moved here and opened Kumar that he was able to explore the flavours of his homeland.

Kumar is located on Guelph Line at New Street, right across from Roseland Bowl.  Walking through the front door you will be surprised how lovely the decor is.  Not your typical Indian restaurant decor.  Inside you’ll find leather booths and high back chairs, dark wood tables and cozy artisan lighting.

With my latest venture, I was thinking it would not be possible for me to eat any Indian food with all the cream, butter and cheese they frequently cook with.  Kumar however, will adjust to most diets and has quite a few vegan and dairy sensitive customers.

What we ordered:

3 Vegetable Somosa

Alloo Gobi (cauliflower and potato in a light curry sauce)

Bengan Ka Bhurtha (roasted eggplant cooked with onion, tomatoes and herbs)

Shrimp Tandoori (for my husband ;o))

Roti bread (nan was my preference, but it is baked with butter)

Salad (simple lettuce, cucumber, tomato)

Pappadum bread (crispy and salty like a cracker)

All this for under $35.00

Fed this family of four with leftovers!

Kumar Indian Cuisine

421 Guelph Line

(905) 592-3846

Dine in or take out

L.L.B.O

The Poacher -

Average price of dinner for two (with pint each), under $40.00

The Poacher is Burlington’s oldest Pub. The original house was built in 1878 and maintains the charms of an era gone by. Cozy old world, authentic Brittish Pub is how I would describe the interior.

Located in the heart of downtown Burlington, the Poacher is the favorite meeting spot of many local business owners.

It is not just the location and interior that keep regulars coming back week after week. The food is outstanding! We’re not talking upscale food here, we’re talking good quality, hearty pub fair. Their chicken curry is the best in town. The sweet potato fries are unmatched. Some have said they have the best cheddar burger in town. My favorite I have to say are the wraps – California Wrap, Mediterranean Wrap and Chicken Caesar Wrap to name a few. Other menu items worth mention are their list of traditional Brittish fare – Steak and Kidney or Steak and Mushroom Pie, Traditional Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash and Shepherds Pie are always popular choices.

Adding to the great food and cozy atmosphere is a team of friendly, efficient servers. This is the kind of place where not only do they remember you by name, they remember your favorite beer!

Casual and laid back, great for lunch or dinner. The Poacher is always my go to lunch stop. I especially love it on a warm sunny day… their raised patio is a great spot to people watch.

The Poacher
436 Pearl Street
(905) 639-6291

(free parking in rear)