Proudly Canadian. 100% Beef. People Pleaser.

These three words truly describe The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro. Located at 298 Princess St in Kingston, Ontario, it offers a relaxed and funky dining experience with elaborate and handcrafted creations. Pineapple, peanut butter, avocado, egg, beets, you name it - The Works generously piles it on top of a fresh beef patty and a bun. With an overwhelming list of creatively named burger topping combinations, there is something for every taste.


The Works has been doing quite well for itself since its official opening in July 2011 by owner, Shirley MacLean also known as "Sexy Red", offering over 50 gourmet burgers, fresh-cut fries, milkshakes and beer - seems like a 50's diner with a quirky twist! How does it all go down? Diners have a choice of seven different patty options - Canadian beef, chicken breast, ground turkey, portobello mushroom cap and gourmet veggie as well as the option of upgrading to a cheese stuffed beef patty (cheesy-licious!) or to a lean elk patty (my fav!). Another amazing aspect about this burger joint is their commitment to offering equally delicious burgers to folks with gluten intolerance and vegetarians!

As for the starters, I fully endorse the Tower-O-Rings which literally are a stack of crispy breaded onion rings (best I've ever had!) served with two dipsticks (make sure to get the Beechhouse and Tzatziki Chill sauce) for dippin'. With all this food talk, you'll sure get thirsty - the ice cream milkshakes and slushies are the way to go!

The Works Gourmet Bistro Burger definitely redefines what a burger with "the works" really means!


Burgers aside, The Works interior decor also needs to be given a round of applause as it screams construction site/factory with a definite polished touch. Hello industrial themed! Nowhere else would you ever find big garage door windows that open up in the summer, pipes over top with valves and gauges, pendant lights hanging from the ceiling and creatively designed walls with licenses plates, knick knacks and art paying homage to a local rock band.

You'll also notice drinks being served in measuring cups, metal trays, light bulb salt and pepper shakers and table tops branded with the restaurants name - how neat is that!

Local chefs from nine Prince Edward County restaurants have officially kicked off Spring Countylicious - a month long food festival celebrating the start of Spring and helps launch The County’s tourism season but more importantly, this promotion marks the 9th year of the wildly successful culinary celebration that attracts local food lovers to fill their bellies with delightful locally-inspired meals.

Check out these great tips for making the most of Countylicious thanks to The Great Waterway.

Exciting news!

I was chosen along with five other food bloggers to participate in Melt Magazine's Blogger Challenge to use my imagination and culinary chops to create a delicious appetizer recipe using Tre Stelle Bocconcini as the main ingredient.

The spring-inspired dish I choose to make is light and refreshing with a mixture of sweet and savoury. Perfect for an afternoon picnic or sipping white wine by the water, this dish will make you wanting more! I know I can't wait to make it again.

Herbed Focaccia with Caramelized Apples, Prosciutto & Bocconcini 

Serves 6 - 10.

INGREDIENTS 

2 sweet apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 tbsp 15 mL lemon juice
2 tbsp 30 mL unsalted butter
3 tbsp 45 mL brown sugar
1 tbsp 15 mL lemon juice
1 tbsp 15 mL honey
3 sliced prosciutto, cut lengthwise into thin strips
1 focaccia bread
8 Tre Stelle® Bocconcini Medallions,drained
2 tbsp 30 mL fresh mint, thinly chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 300ºF (150ºC).

In a medium bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice; set aside. In a large skillet add butter and brown sugar; cook over low heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is bubbly - approximately 1-2 minutes. Increase heat to medium; add apples and cook for approximately 10 minutes, stir constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place focaccia onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with honey and randomly place caramelized apples and Bocconcini medallions onto top. Place prosciutto slices in between Bocconcini medallions. Bake for 5-6 minutes or until focaccia is warm to touch. Remove from oven and sprinkle with mint. Slice and serve.

With spring just around the corner, Prince Edward County’s Maple Syrup Producers are eagerly awaiting The County’s sweetest tradition - Maple in the County! Taking place on Saturday March 28 and Sunday March 29, this year marks the 14th celebration of the award-winning festival.

Presented by the Maple in the County Maple Syrup Producers, and with support from The County of Prince Edward’s Community Development Department, this year’s event features participation from ten local sugar bushes and several wineries and restaurants. Programming includes a line-up of on-farm family-friendly activities including pancake breakfasts, sugar shack tours and demonstrations, taffy, wagonrides, lumberjack shows, maple products and more! In addition, several off-farm activities are planned, including:

Free Public Skating

Saturday March 28 from 9:30 am – 11:00 am and Sunday March 29 from 1:00pm – 3:00 pm at the Prince Edward Community Centre in Picton

Free Family Movie

Sunday March 29 at 2:00 pm at The Regent Theatre in Picton

In addition to a weekend of family-friendly activities, Maple in the County kicks off The County’s tourism season. Maple is an event for both County locals and visitors, and after a cold winter enjoying the Maple weekend is part of a quintessential County experience.

A full list of participating sugar bushes and activities and events can be found on the Maple in the County website, www.mapleinthecounty.ca. Look for the iconic “Maple Map” available throughout Prince Edward County and in local newspapers.

As you may or may not know already, one of the many gigs I do (aside from being a workaholic) is social media for two local boutiques, Agent 99 and Blueprint Clothing in my adoptive town of Kingston. I work with fabulous people and the brands they carry are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I had the opportunity to collaborate with local gal Jesse Whale of Closett Candyy for a Valentine Lookbook and yes I dabble in photography. Here's a little secret - I'm not one to self promote a whole lot but I'm getting there!

Here are a few of my favourite shots:

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet. Come and connect at The End of the Thread…” and you won’t ever want to leave. Situated on the corner of Princess Street and Montreal Street in historical downtown Kingston, it was a mix and match of a financial and artistic background that brought owners Steve and Tracey to open up shop and begin a serendipitous adventure in the Limestone city.

With their original location in Brighton open for six years already, it was time for a change of scenery. End of the Thread Antique Emporium is not your traditional antique shop – it is a mix of vintage and new pieces but also unusual one-of-a-kind items. You best be thrilled with your purchase, as returns are not accepted.

Keep reading here on the Kingston Lobby.

If you don't know this already about me, well let let me tell ya! I'm all about that brunch time - an indulgent wake-up call complete with fluffy pancakes, eggs benny or french toast can cure any hangover or weekday exhaustion in my books. While there is no shortage of spots to eat out in Kingston, I have my favourites that satisfy my morning sweet tooth or savoury delight cravings. Taking each bite after a sip of coffee is always gratifying!

My favourite spots in downtown Kingston:

Sleepless Goat

Where: 91 Princess Street

Half stack of french toast with good ole maple syrup!

{Sleepless Goat}

Dianne's

Where: 195 Ontario Street

You can't go wrong with eggs benny with a side of chowder and lobster!

Add a bit of spunk, sparkle and beauty and you've found the Lamb sisters, Calie and Samantha of Two Lamb Boutique. These gals are all about unique, stylish accessories and clothing. When I first met them at a pop up shop in Kingston, Ontario, I was blown away by their passion for one of a kind pieces. Having grown up in a small town, from a young age they were always on the pursuit to finding something special in neighbouring thrift shops, flea markets and independent boutiques. Career gals by day, fashionistas by night - Two Lamb is a Toronto based e-boutique that truly deserves props! You know me and pretty things - one of each please!

A few of their stunning pieces:

Guess what Kingston?! 

Award-winning all-you-can-eat buffet, Mandarin Restaurant is welcoming the New Year with the announcement of its latest location in Kingston Ontario in spring 2015.

Set to open in spring 2015, this is the first Mandarin branch in Eastern Ontario, located in the Frontenac Mall on Bath Road.

"We are absolutely delighted to open our doors in the original capital of Canada," says Mandarin President James Chiu. "It is an historic move for Mandarin as we enter Eastern Ontario and open in a city with such a vibrant mix of community-minded people and businesses," he added.

The Kingston location will serve many of the same delicious dishes from Mandarin's popular buffet lineup.  "Mandarin focuses on providing high-quality food and service to our valued customers. We thank everyone in Kingston for welcoming us to this great city, and we invite them all to experience our award-winning, all-you-can-eat buffet," Mr. Chiu said.

Since opening the first restaurant in Brampton in 1979, Mandarin has focused on steady growth in Southern Ontario. The opening of the Kingston location will bring the total number of Mandarin locations to 24. 

Get excited Kingston!

For more information, visit mandarinrestaurant.com.

If you don't know this about me yet, I love SPRINKLES so obviously anything with them I love too! So when I heard that Kim Laidlaw from the test kitchen of CHOW had bestowed upon us a marvellous creation known as the "turducken" of doughnuts, I was beyond thrilled. And no, this does not involve any type of meat!

The breakfast pastry has custard, chocolate, and a freaking apple fritter in other words say hello to "a cream-filled, double-fried, chocolate-glazed vector of desire paved with sprinkles as subversively menacing as clownface." Though not available anywhere yet, sharing is caring and too all those donut lovers, sprinkles all the way!

What's your favourite donut?

Photos by Chris Rochelle