Guests can grab a cognac and head out to the terrace at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka with astronomer Robin Tapley, who identifies celestial wonders in the night sky.JW MARRIOT THE ROSSEAU MUSKOKA
From fly-in dining to Don Giovanni, resorts in Ontario are catering to taste and experience.
When it comes to dining at an Ontario resort, we want it all – an enjoyable atmosphere, whether that be casual, elegant or anything in between and delectable menu choices featuring local fare, all at different price points.
For many resorts, though, creating unique experiences involves combining gourmet cuisine and adventure activities that can one-up them over other resorts in competition for the travel-industry dollar.
Here are a few favourites:
ELMHIRST RESORT AND SPA
Farm-to-table ethic, VQA wine tasting, craft-beer partnerships, cooking classes, barbecue on the boardwalk, fishing packages – Elmhirst in the Kawarthas is well known for their “signature experiences.” These include a floatplane tour over Rice Lake followed by lunch overlooking the lake, and a Locavore Luncheon menu featuring fresh local ingredients from the Elmhirst farm or local providers. This year, Elmhirst has partnered with Westben Centre for Connection and Creativity through Music as part of Westben’s Dare to Pair series of events. Elmhirst will be hosting a Dine with the Don event on July 7 after their performance of Don Giovanni – including an opera-inspired menu paired with wines from Huff Estates. Also look out for the 295 Block Party – a celebration of food grown and raised in the local 295 phone exchange, cooked with traditional methods such as open flames and smokers. elmhirst.ca
Georgian Bay Airways will fly you to Henry’s Fish Restaurant on Frying Pan Island in a float plane.GEORGIAN BAY AIRWAYS
FLY AND DINE
Okay, so this one isn’t a resort, but it’s cool nonetheless – while staying at a local resort in the Muskoka and Georgian Bay region, allow Georgian Bay Airways to take you up in one of their float planes for a tour around 30,000 Islands, then they will whisk you for lunch at Henry’s Fish Restaurant, located on Frying Pan Island near Sans Souci. “We get a lot of people from cottages, and the cities,” Andrea Hardy of Georgian Bay Airlines says about the Fly and Dine program. “We are getting a lot of tourists from Europe now, people celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Henry’s is very popular, so we’re kind of like the shuttle.” Henry’s is reopening this season with new ownership. georgianbayairways.com
DRAKE DEVONSHIRE
Says Paula Desjardins, the hotel’s manager, about one of the newer offerings in Prince Edward County: “We know travellers are looking for special, memorable experiences when they travel, whether that’s through food, drink, art, culture or community.” The Drake offers guests outside-the-box packages for exploring the beautiful region of Prince Edward County and enjoying the region’s delicious food and drink offerings, that are made with local ingredients wherever possible. Part of Drake Hotel Properties (including the iconic Drake on Queen Street in Toronto), some of the experiential options this summer include Pints +Paddles, a 1.5 to 2.5-hour kayak or canoe excursion, guiding sightings of migratory birds and other waterfowl, followed by a pint of feature beer at Drake Devonshire, or the Drake Escape Package featuring accommodations and bicycles for two, with a packed lunch from the Drake kitchen. thedrake.ca
The Culinary Connoisseur package at Millcroft Inn and Spa is a guest favourite.MILLCROFT INN AND SPA
MILLCROFT INN & SPA
Their Culinary Connoisseur package remains a popular one for guests during the summer months, pairing a three-course dinner at Headwaters Restaurant with an overnight stay and full access to all activities and amenities – including outdoor yoga on the grounds next to the four outdoor hot pools, guided forest walk tours on 100 acres of woods, and complimentary mountain bike rentals. “Having a 100-acre forest to play in helps burn off some of the butter and cream from dinner!” innkeeper Bill Cutt says. Millcroft is located in Caledon. millcroft.com
MATTAWA RIVER RESORT
Cottages and cabins situated amid a much-loved eco-tourism resort, far removed from the urban grind, Mattawa is a great destination for a summer respite, and dining is a central attraction. Signatures include food off the grill – hand-trimmed steak, pan-seared catch-of-the-day, pork, chicken, ribs, and organic veggies grown locally. The activities available around dining are numerous – fishing in the Mattawa River, horseback riding, paddle boards, nature hikes and more. “All our food is handmade, nothing is frozen,” owner Nicole Grigorov says. “We use only the freshest, purest ingredients, bought locally.” For younger campers, Ms. Grigorov points to kid-friendly dishes such as made-to-order mini pizzas, juicy hotdogs and hand-tossed chicken nuggets. mattawariverresort.com
JW MARRIOTT THE ROSSEAU MUSKOKA
Guests naturally prefer to stay close to the water during the summer months, so a popular program combining tasty cuisine with outdoor activities is lunch or dinner at The Deck, the resort’s lakeside bistro. After a day of boating, canoeing, kayaking or paddle boating, guests can seamlessly move over for a thin-crust pizza from the wood-burning stone oven. The Muskoka Chophouse offers a classic steakhouse experience, including great food featuring certified Angus beef with a curated wine list. One noteworthy, after-dinner private group experience is a session out on the resort’s terrace with astronomer and naturalist Robin Tapley, who, with the aid of a Meade 12-inch LX 200 Schmidt Cassegrain telescope, identifies constellations, planets and celestial wonders in the night sky. Guests are invited to grab a cognac and head out on a beautiful night. therosseau.com
ALLISTON
The Nottawasaga Inn Resort in Alliston is a popular destination, particularly for golf enthusiasts (45 holes within the beautiful Nottawasaga Valley), with the downtown area becoming a popular spot for quality dining options. DaGrazia Ristorante is a newer, upscale restaurant, featuring fine Italian cuisine – situated right across from the Circle Theatre (built in 1938, and still showing prime movies) – and Bistro Seven Seven, next to the railway tracks, serving French cuisine, remains a popular choice. The Alliston BIA has been pushing for blending the downtown and rural areas more effectively. “Rural and urban are integrating creative new kinds of balanced living spaces, blending the values of both worlds into one,” Linda Spurr, general manager of the Alliston BIA says. Alliston is a growing town, combining everything a bigger city has to offer, such as fine dining and boutiques, with a friendly small-town atmosphere. rurban.ca
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