I think seeing Kip and Shaz twice in a week is a brand new record, and that’s a good thing. Sadly, our visit last night to West 50 will likely be the last time I see them for quite some time as they prepare to make their way to Milwaukee. Hopefully we’ll see them around these parts, and hopefully get a chance to read on some of their new experiences on their blogs.
But as noted last night we headed to West 50, on Burnhamthorpe across the street from Square One in Mississauga. Things started off poorly – it appeared Mary and I barely beat them there and got a table, but when Kip, Shaz, and Shazia’s brother arrived moments later they were told we hadn’t arrived yet. So Mary and I were reading the menus while our friends were on their first pints before a text message asking if we were lost made me realize we were all in the same restaurant after all. Now, what we ate:
We started off with the Spring Roll Sampler (vegetable, beef, Moo Shu), Parmesan Dusted Onion Ring Tower, and Crispy Buffalo Chicken. I didn’t sample a spring roll but the onion rings were good and the buffalo chicken was well received by the table. I went on to have the “Oh Canada” burger, described as having a “one inch crust of pulled bbq smoked pork, maple bacon, roasted onions, and cheddar cheese” with a side of their Beer, Beans, & Sausage Soup. The burger was good, the pulled pork could be better, and the soup was nice with a far-too-crusty crostini floating inside but taking on no liquid whatsoever. Shaz’s brother had the same with the substitution of a house salad topped with Asian Ginger Sesame dressing. Kip got the Cuban Roasted Pork sandwich with a house salad and Savoury Lemon dressing, described as tasting like “oil” by the man himself. Shazia had the Wheat Beer Roasted Beef Shepherd’s Pie which she noted was very well done with excellent quality beef, but came floating in an ocean of grease that seemed too much to get past. With Mary enjoying her 3 Foot Long Spaghetti Noodles with Cheese Stuffed Meatballs, Garlic and Mushrooms in a Tomato Basil sauce it was only Shazia’s dish that failed to impress on some level. We were all confident that once they’ve had a chance to exist a bit longer and work out some kinks that everything will taste much better.
And for you beerophiles we made sure to sample quite a few. I enjoyed my Mill Street Coffee Porter, Fullers ESB, Big Rock Traditional Ale, and Holy Smoke Scotch Ale; not so much the Muskoka Hefeweizen. I lost track of what the others were having but I believe Shazia enjoyed a couple pints of Blackthorn Cider and her brother liked Kip and Shaz’s recommendation of Waterloo Dark. I remember Kip having, and not enjoying, Affligem Blond and De Koninck Amber Ale. I think he shared my sentiments of the Muskoka as we both tried that one. As a sidenote, make sure you ask what their features and seasonals are, they don’t advertise them but they do have them.
We’ll have to attempt an OA meetup in the spring when it’s beer season again!
Today’s Random Links
Well, if nothing else the ‘Brief Safe’ should keep things.. safe..
Worst-Dressed Teams In Sports, courtesy of Shady
Turning works of art into ads.. genius!
Confirmed LCBO Winter Release