timeout.travel fall brochure
DESCRIPTION
Treat yourself to time out in Ontario's newst travel destinationTRANSCRIPT
1
Surprising Fall experiences to share and savour.
Elora~Fergus Guelph Huron County Perth CountySt. Jacobs Stratford Waterloo Region Wellington County
treat yourself to time outin Ontario’s newest travel destination
treat yourself to time outin Ontario’s newest travel destination
Just 60 minutes from the city!Just 60 minutes from the city!
visit www.timeout.travelvisit www.timeout.travelvisit www.timeout.travelvisit www.timeout.travel
2
Fall Rides & Drives
Markets & Farm Gate
Festivals & Events
Arts & Culture
Theatre
Culinary Experiences
treat yoursel
“Who knew.... A surprising new travel d
Spending fun time out with close friends is something most of us neverseem to have enough time for. Yet when we do, we often end up havingthe time of our lives. Memories are written, experiences shared. Flavours,
sights and sounds are absorbed, savoured and recalled weeks and even yearslater. And invariably we say, “We should have done this sooner.” This Fall take time out to make a memory with someone close, in Ontario’snewest travel destination. Within a short drive west of Toronto you’ll discover awealth of entertainment, a diversity of food, a depth in art, music, theatre andaccommodation that is sure to satisfy the cultural adventurer in you. Who knew? From tiny villages like Eden Mills to nearby Guelph; from Fergus,Elora and Belwood north through Wellington County, across to St. Jacobs and
www.time
Surprising Fall experien
3
f to time outElora ~ Fergus ~ Guelph
Huron County
St. Jacobs Country
Stratford & Perth
Waterloo Region
Wellington County
estination just 60 minutes from the city!”
out.travel
Waterloo Region, to Stratford and Perth County; then on to the shores of LakeHuron—throughout this rich and unique landscape, you’ll be surprised at whatyou’ll find, and how it makes you feel. Our Fall is filled with festivals, fairs, fabulous food, and whatever specialgetaway fun you have in mind. Whether it’s just the two of you or a group offriends, there are as many reasons to visit here as there are those small dailydetails that try to stand in your way. It’s time to put all of that aside. It’s time to treat yourself; to do somethingfor you. And when you do, we think you’ll be asking yourself one question...
“Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
ces to share and savour.
Extraordinary experiencesdon’t get much better,more diverse or more
accessible than this. Located justan hour outside Toronto, Eloraand Fergus are gems waiting tobe experienced and explored. From music to award-winning festivals, uniqueaccommodations andextraordinary chefs committedto the freshest ingredients fromlocal growers; from scenic walksand drives to world-class fly-fishing, to the arts, artisans andunique boutiques, Elora and
Fergus really do haveit all. Plan to treatyourself at one of ourFall events, includingthe highlight of theautumn season, Sensational Elora—a jam-packed 11-day festival guaranteed to engageevery one of your senses. All the ingredients fora fabulous Fall getaway are here.
SEPTEMBER 10 Fergus BIA Classic Car ShowSEPTEMBER 17–19 Fergus Fall FairSEPTEMBER 25/26 & OCTOBER 2/3
Elora Fergus Studio TourOCTOBER Monster MonthOCTOBER 3 Harvest Home FestivalOCTOBER 1–11 Sensational Elora: A Festival of
the Senses
Fall dates!
www.savourelorafergus.com • 877.242.6353
Elora~FergusTHE RECIPE
FOR A GOOD LIFE
Savour Elora Fergus
4
GuelphONTARIO’S
CRAFT BREWING CENTRE
Get ready for five days ofinnovative music, localfood and drink at the
award-winning Guelph JazzFestival—then stay up all night for“Nuit Blanche”: over 30 concertsand sound installations in uniquesettings lasting until sunrise onSeptember 12. This Fall, enjoy home-harvested food, servedbrilliantly at a field dinner or atrestaurant favourites ArtisinaleCafé & Bistro or Borealis Grille.
SEPTEMBER 8-12 Guelph Jazz Festival
SEPTEMBER 11 Nuit BlancheSEPTEMBER 12 Taste Real Guelph Wellington
Field DinnerSEPTEMBER 25-26 Culture Days WeekendOCTOBER 15-16 25th Annual Guelph Studio TourMid-OCTOBER Taste of Downtown
It’s a date!
Find that special hand made treasure at the 25thAnnual Guelph Studio Tour and shop DowntownGuelph for antiques and unique gifts.
And be sure to taste some ofour locally-made craft beers on arestaurant patio, or on a brewerytour at Wellington Brewery andF&M Brewery.
800.334.4519
5
6
SEPTEMBER 18 Health & Harvest FestivalSEPTEMBER 19 Sunset Soirée & Bach Musical
FestivalSEPTEMBER 21-22 Brussels Fall FairSEPTEMBER 26 CiderfestOCTOBER 1-3 Howick Turnberry Fall FairOCTOBER 22-24 Doors Open Haunted HuronOCTOBER 19-22 Harvest of the County Culinary
Adventure
Fall classics!
Fall is the perfect time forcountryside and coastlinegetaways, and you’ll find
both in the pastoral heartland ofHuron and Perth Counties. Sample and savour the fallharvest of Huron and PerthCounties—the relaxed, rural heartof southwestern Ontario—whenyou travel the routes fromShakespeare to the Shoreline.Getaway and explore the themedself-guided routes that take youalong historic Highway 8, out ofthe city through charming Perth
Huron & PerthTOURING & TASTE TREKS
www.ontarioswestcoast.ca • 888.524.8394 ext 3
SEPTEMBER 3-5 Mitchell Fall FairSEPTEMBER 17-18 Milverton Fall FairSEPTEMBER 24-26 Culture DaysOCTOBER 15-17 12th Annual Quilt Show
and Sale
Fall drives!
County villages, to the goldensands of Lake Huron’s shorelineand Ontario’s West Coast. Harvest the bounty of ourtwo C ounties, stopping at farmgates, picking the best of theperfect fresh fruits, vegetables andbaked goods at local farmmarkets. Meet the folkswho grow the food,prepare it and provide itfor your table. Seven themed routestake you away from thebig-box hustle to thepleasant bustle of broadmain streets in the towns andvillages that dot this lush falllandscape. Take your time to dine andenjoy a culinary experience inhistoric dining rooms, bake shops,bistros and pubs, with chefs whooffer the finest local produce ontheir menus—fresh from the fieldsof Perth and Huron Counties.
Visit www.shakespearetotheshoreline.ca for complete
travel themes and routes.
SHAKESPEARE TO THESHORELINE
www.visitperth.ca/timeout888.366.0160
www.timeout.travelDo it for you!
www.timeout.travelDo it for you!
7
Discover a quieter, gentlerplace where fields aretended with care and
sumptuous local foods takecentre stage at our renownedfarmers’ markets and finerestaurants. Here, in the little village ofSt. Jacobs, originality flourishes incontemporary craft studios andtrend-setting shops. Museums,exhibits, professional theatre, andleisure pursuits intrigue andentertain, while superb hospitalitybeckons at our fine inns. Come be our guests this Fall!
St. JacobsLIFE IN THE PAST LANE
SEPTEMBER 19 Taste Local Taste Fresh, St. JacobsOCTOBER 23-24 Kissing Bridge Trail Studio TourNOvEMBER 11-14 St. Jacobs SparklesyEaR-ROuNd St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
(Thursdays & Saturdays)
Make it a date!
www.stjacobs.com • 800.265.33538
9
Ahh... StratfordCANADA’S PREMIER
ARTS TOWN
Come applaud the dramaticcolours, scents and soundsof autumn in Stratford. Our
Victorian streetscapes and gardensare alive with burnished golds,russets and crimsons. It’s the time to celebrate thefreshness of harvests and savourthe seasonal cuisine created bymaster chefs, thrilling theatrics,international thought-provokingfilms and the authentic heritage ofour town. Stratford is the perfect placefor a stimulating escape. We haveexciting getaway packages at ourinns and hotels with our criticallyacclaimed restaurants offeringmenus created with foods at thepeak of their flavourgathered from farms a fewmiles down the road. Andas always, our friendlywelcomes make Stratfordeven more special. What are you waitingfor? Your autumn escapeawaits.
SEPTEMBER 18 Stratford Garlic FestivalSEPTEMBER 19-26 Savour Stratford Perth County
Culinary FestivalOCTOBER 13-17 DocFest StratfordOCTOBER 15-17 Stratford Heritage WeekendOCTOBER 22-24 Stratford Pride Weekend
Save the date!
www.welcometostratford.com/autumn • 800.561.7926
10
auguST 26-29 UpTown Waterloo Buskers FestivalSEPTEMBER 2 Kitchen Ceilidh, McDougall CottageSEPTEMBER 11 A Taste of Scotland, McDougall CottageSEPTEMBER 11-12 Monarch Days, Wings of Paradise Butterfly
ConservatorySEPTEMBER 12 UpTown Dining Walking/Tasting TourSEPTEMBER 18 Doors Open Waterloo Region
Royal Medieval FaireSEPTEMBER 19 Taste Local Taste Fresh Culinary EventSEPTEMBER 25 Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival
SEPTEMBER 26 Word on the Street Book and Literary Festival
OCTOBER 1-2 Martins Fruit Farm Harvest Celebration
OCTOBER 8-16 KW OktoberfestOCTOBER 11 KW Oktoberfest
Thanksgiving Day ParadeOCTOBER 8-31 Bingemans ScreamPark
(weekends)
It’s a date!
Waterloo RegionPAST AND FUTURE IN PERFECT BALANCE
This fall the Waterloo Regionoffers a tapestry of arts,culture and mouthwatering
culinary delights that will speak toyour creative soul.
From local festivals offeringwarm apple dumplings,homemade cheeses and old-world German schnitzel to theedible utopia of the coveted FiveDiamond Awarded Dining Roomat Langdon Hall, come taste themagic and discover the depths ofour artistic spirit.
www.explorewaterlooregion.com • 877.585.7517
Wellington CountyFLAVOURS FROM FARM
TO FORK
Wellington’s culinaryculture is nurtured by arich history of
agricultural pride. Here you cantap the source of many distinctproducts—from tender wild boarand ostrich, to organic chai icecream and fine artesian sheep’smilk cheeses. Our restaurateursare leaders in support of the morethan 100 farms and markets thathelp to bring local flavours to theirfinest dishes. If you’re a food lover, you cantake a professional cooking classfrom a Certified Chef de Cuisineat Everton’s 200 year-old Inn ontheir two-acre estate. Completeyour culinary experience with visitsto the Aberfoyle Antique Market,
or trek off the beaten path on our many trails. Relaxat a spa, explore the shopping treasures in our smalltowns, tour the studios and relish the warmatmosphere and country spirit Wellington County isknown for. And be sure to pick up the annual GuelphWellington Local Food map and connect with thecreative community of food producers committed toproviding yourfamily withsuperior products.
auguST 29 Puslinch Farm to ForkSEPTEMBER 12 Taste Real: Experience Dining al
fresco on Deerfield’s FarmSEPTEMBER 17-19 Eden Mills Writer’s FestivalSEPTEMBER 18-19 & 25-26 Erin Studio Tour SEPTEMBER 25 Wellington Rural Romp, a self-
guided farm tour of over 20 farms and markets
OCTOBER 1-3 Saugeen Autumn Leaves Studio TouryEaR ROuNd The Butter Tart Trail
Fall dates!
11
Welcome to the Heartland of Localby Anita Stewart
DRivE dOwN aNy HigHway OR
BaCk ROad iN THiS SPECTaCuLaR
region and you’ll see food… beingplanted, growing, for sale or in a myriad ofexcellent restaurants—from the most casualto the most upscale. Sunflowers ring cornfields; soft winter wheat is harvested forpastry, herds of cattle graze and there arethousands of acres of beans. It’s from thislarder that our regional chefs are shopping. Join me and dive into it with a healthyappetite… stay for a while and get to knowthe agricultural diversity that stretches fromWellington County in the east across theheartland of Waterloo and Perth to LakeHuron.
At LaNgdON HaLL COuNTRy HOuSE
HOTEL & SPa (1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge)Chef Jonathan Gushue oversees the kitchen,harvests the massive garden, forages for wildedibles on the estate and creates the mostintelligent, utterly delicious dining experiencein the region—five star and all-Canadian. AGushue menu will sing of the seasons and adeeply rooted sense of place—venison loinserved with the wild leeks he picked that dayor Mulmer Vista lamb sirloin with Jerusalemartichokes from the garden. NiCk aNd NaT’S uPTOwN 21(21 KingStreet North, Waterloo) is an example of howgreat a locally-inspired restaurant can be.The culinary passion shows. Nick and hissous chef Sean banter back and forth in theiropen kitchen and between them turn outbrilliant, approachable food. A pile of well-read cookbooks is stacked on the bar. Nickand his wife/partner, Nat, have a very realconnection to the landscape of WaterlooCounty. It may be basil-scented bisoncroquettes stuffed with old cheddar andserved with a chipotle-blueberry sauce, or acrisp duck confit atop rosemary roastedpotatoes. Their strip loins are dry aged for 50days and seasonal desserts are a must! Theprix fixe menu changes daily and is veryreasonably priced. Publican/entrepreneur Bob Desautelsjust gets it. He has been sourcing local beersand Ontario/Wellington County ingredientsfor his pub, THE wOOLwiCH aRMS (176Woolwich Street, Guelph) for well over adecade. In his words, BOREaLiS gRiLLE (1388
Anita Stewart is an author, culinaryactivist, locavore and founder of Food DayCanada. She resides in Elora, Ontario.
12
interpretation of the region’s culinary riches.The chalkboard menu changes daily but youmight find steamed Lake Erie pickerel cheekswith scallion, ginger and warm sesame oil orsome DeMartines family prosciutto withOntario purple asparagus salad and Monforte‘Toscano’ sheep cheese. OLd PRuNE (151 Albert Street, Stratford)owner Eleanor Kane and Chef Bryan Steelehave mentored many of Canada’s currentcrop of top chefs in their fantastic kitchen. Thequiet elegance of the dining room is a perfectbackdrop for some of the most delicious foodanywhere in Ontario. It may be as simple as afingerling potato chowder with smokednorthern pike and balanced with a bit ofacidic sorrel or a rhubarb strawberry cobblerwith ginger ice cream. Chris and Mary Woolf are seasonedculinary perfectionists. Their restaurant,wOOLFy’S aT wiLdwOOd (Hwy 7 at PerthCounty Road 118 near St Mary’s), reflectstheir love of the industry and of theirclientele. They know their customers by name,a rare thing these days. FORagER FOOdS (27 Main Street,Bayfield): Awesome! I love this place. Themenu is limited and hence it’s beautifullyfresh. Antony John’s fabulous greens fromhis farm in Sebringville are drizzled with theirown miso dressing; Metzger’s Meats summersausage are layered with hothouse tomatoesand tucked into good crusty rolls. Eat herebut also bring a cooler and ice packs to takehome some double smoked bacon, a poundor two of great Canadian and Quebeccheeses and the next day’s salad fixin’s. Across the tree-lined street is the more
Gordon Street, Guelph) is “radically local”.Many of the restaurant’s features use stonequarried nearby and locally milled hardwood.The power is Bullfrog green energy and histeam is busy installing solar panels. ExecutiveChef Jim Loat buys his produce from a CSAat Ignatius Farm; fish is from Lake Huron andrather than rice, he uses Red Fife wheatberries combined with spelt. Chef Matthew Foote, one of the mosttalented chefs ever to hit Wellington County,divides his time between the BREadaLBaNE
iNN/FERguSSON ROOM (487 St. AndrewsStreet West, Fergus) and the newly renovatedand named NiTH RivER CHOP HOuSE inWellesley, a region embedded in WaterlooRegion’s Mennonite food/farming culture.Nith River Chop House is all about good localmeat. Harriston Packers beef is teamed upwith Smoyd Farms potatoes for amazingsteak/frites. PaN TaPaS BaR & gRiLL (107 DownieStreet, Stratford) is brand new but, with itscountry-elegant decor, looks as though it’sbeen around for ages. Chef Jordan Lassalinecomes directly from years of being Sous Chefat The Old Prune, and many of “the Prune’s”suppliers are now on the Pan Tapas menu.Church Hill Farm (c.1842), where Max andVicki Lass raise heritage breeds, supplies mostof the meat from the goat-like Kathadin lambto English Large Black pigs renowned for theirthick back fat and perfect for charcuterie. Aaron and Bronwyn Linley met in the1990s at the Stratford Chefs School. Theyopened their tiny gem of a place, BijOu (105Erie Street, Stratford), a few years later. It isfilled with locals who love their French/Asian
13
gOaT CHEESE aNd FaRM FRESH
POTaTO CROquETTE
A delicious, easy to prepare recipe fromChef Matthew Foote using local ingredi-ents found throughout our region.iNgREdiENTS
• 1 kg cooked, mashed, cooledChieftain potatoes
• 250 grams goat cheese• 1/2 bunch each of fresh chives,
tarragon and flat leaf parsley,chopped
• 400 grams all purpose flour• 500 grams bread crumbs• 4 eggs, beaten, with 100 ml water• Kosher salt and pepper• Olive oilMETHOd
• Combine potato, cheese and herbsin a large bowl and mix by hand. Taste
mixture and adjustseasoning asrequired.• Form into hockeypuck-sized disks andrefrigerate for twohours.• Place flour, eggs
and bread crumbs each into individualshallow containers; season each withsalt and pepper. Bread potato mix infollowing order: lightly flour, egg washand finally bread crumbs.• Pan fry croquettes on medium heatin a large, pre-heated pan, threeminutes each side. Serve as anappetizer with a small green salad or togarnish an entrée. Makes 6-8 pieces.
elegant LiTTLE iNN. It boasts a long-standing reputation for excellent foodfocusing on the locale. Lake Huronwhitefish is either pan- or deep-fried fortheir fish and chips. The wine list is one-of-a-kind, with Ontario VQA vintages not onlyfeatured, but fully explained. Well done!
wHERE TO Buy OTHER yuMMy
dELiCiOuSNESS! Tucked into the old Fergus Market building,FRaBERTS not only sells ultimately localingredients, Chef Derek Roberts prepares a myriad of take-away items for quicksuppers and picnics beside the Grand Riverwhich flows through the heart of town. gENTLE RaiN in Stratford—one ofthe best organic/whole food stores in theentire province. Look for Filsinger applecider vinegar; freshly pressed Perth Countysunflower oil, Church HillFarms frozen meat andGuelph-roasted PlanetBean fair trade coffee. CuLBERT’S BakERy
(49 West Street, Goderich)is one of Ontario’s greatold bakeries (c.1877) wherelocals and tourists head to get freshlybaked cream puffs (try the chocolate) andnon-Tim’s doughnuts. Good bread forpicnic lunches on the beach. MONFORTE daiRy (49 Griffith Road,Stratford)—a ‘must visit’ for anyone wholoves great cheeses. Owner Ruth Klashenhas brought amazing cheeses back to theregion which was once world-renownedfor its dairy industry.
14
Stratford celebratesFROM FIELD TO CHEF
The Travelling GourmetRURAL RITZ
starts mid-September
OUR MASTER CHEFS are passionate about localfood! Savour tempting cuisine created with thefreshest flavours, handpicked from farms justdown the road.
OUR FALL GETAWAY PACKAGE includes one nighthotel accommodation, breakfast and dinner fortwo and a sampler of Guelph’s premium craftbeers.
TWO NIGHTS IN THE BELLINGER SUITE at historicHillcrest House, including two 30-minutemassages, a private gourmet dinner prepared byour award-winning chef, and custom breakfasts.
PAMPER YOURSELF AT DEVONSHIRE HOUSE. One-nightstay, breakfast, lunch and a $150 spa treatmentvoucher. Combine with Erin Studio Tourweekend, September 18-19 and 25-26.
Relax in ErinRESTFUL RETREAT
Autumn MapleGOURMET ESCAPE
St JacobsFALL GETAWAY
Perth CountyGET REAL. GET RURAL.
3-day all-inclusiveCULINARY ADVENTURE
FOR TWO! Trips to local producers, hands-oncooking classes, all meals, transportation, feesand 3-nights accommodation. A fabulousculinary experience: October 19–21 only.
VISIT LOCAL FARMS AND PRODUCERS IN STYLE viastretch limousine, private gourmet dinner, 2nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts, maximumof 8 participants. Includes taxes & gratuities.
$39900 / couple$27500 / couple
$49500 / couple
from $25900 / couple
FREE for everyone!
$142800 / couple from $22900 / couple
Getaway to Guelph CRAFT BREW SPECIAL
from $25900 / couple
from $22900 / couple
$49500 / couple
$39900 / couple$27500 / couple
www.visitguelphwellington.ca/fallgetawaywww.ontarioswestcoast.ca
www.welcometostratford.com/autumnwww.RecipesToExperience.com/ruralritz
www.explorewaterlooregion.com/getaways
www.devonshireguesthouse.ca
www.visitperth.ca/timeout www.stjacobs.com
Getaway Packages (for more visit www.timeout.travel)
$142800 / couple
FREE for everyone!
15
luxury weekend getawaysenter for a chance to win one of two
luxury weekend getawaysenter for a chance to win one of two
luxury weekend getawaysenter for a chance to win one of two
www.timeout.travelDo it for you!
www.timeout.travelDo it for you!
www.timeout.travelDo it for you!
Prize includes:For two: One night luxurious accommodation at Log Cabin Heaven, Elora’s only 5-Star CountrySpa Retreat. Gourmet dinner prepared by award-winning California Blue Ribbon Chef. Full bodymassage with custom-blended organic Aroma Therapy oil. Wet-cedar sauna, indoor heated poolwith waterfall. 100% private. Hands-on cooking class: learn cuisine techniques and food secrets
from a professional; then try them at home. Breakfast, of course, is included. Visitwww.timeout.travel to enter, and for full contest details.
Prize includes:For two: Two nights luxurious accommodation at Langdon Hall with in-room wood burning fire-place. Chef’s five-course tasting menu on Saturday evening, participation in Langdon Hall’s culi-nary guest events including afternoon wine tasting and Sunday morning cooking demonstration.Breakfast daily. Friday dinner for two at Benjamin’s in St. Jacobs, tickets to Drayton Theatre, $100
voucher for Outlet Mall. Visit www.timeout.travel to enter, and for full contest details.