February 2019 | Urbanicity Hamilton

FEBRUARY 2019

GALENTINE’S DAY ACTIVITIES

THE CHANGING FACE OF GORE PARK

THREE CHEERS FOR GOOD FOOD

SEE WHO’S NEW TO THE GROWING COFFEE SCENE

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF DOWNTOWN’S UPCOMING PROJECTS

EMBRACING WINTER IN HAMILTON

MAKING THE MOST OF THE CITY’S SEASONAL ACTIVITIES

A GUIDE TO SPENDING THIS FEBRUARY WITH YOUR LADIES

AN INSIDE LOOK AT HAMILTON’S NEWEST RESTAURANT

HAMILTON’S 10 BEST RESTAURANTS THAT OPENED IN 2018 DISCOVER YOUR NEW FAVOURITE DINING SPOT

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

HAMILTON’S 10 BEST CAFES THAT OPENED IN 2018

SHARE YOUR STORY AND PLACE YOUR AD HERE robert@urbanicity.com

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P U B L I S H E R + E D I TO R Robert Cekan robert@urbanicity.com L AYOU T & D ES I G N Ta fa ri A n t h o ny DISTRIBUTION Urbanicity Canada

Urbanicity magazine is wholly owned and published by Urbanicity Canada Inc. All content copyright © 2019 and all rights to distribution are reserved by Urbanicity Canada As a forum for ideas, issues, and experiences, the views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Editor, other contributors, advertisers, or distributors unless otherwise stated.

DISTRIBUTION 40,000+ readers per month.

Distributed throughout Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Aldershot, and Burlington.

12 issues per year.

(905) 531-7778 ADVERTISING INQUIRES robert@urbanicity.com www.urbanicity.com

Thank you so much for picking up this copy of Urbanicity. My name is Robert Cekan and I’m not only the new editor-in-chief, but the new owner of this esteemed publication.

Some of you may recognize me from TrueResident — an online community hub that highlights our city and its local businesses through video, photo, and news articles. I created TrueResident as a means to discover everything there was to know about Hamilton. Reason being that while I lived here for nearly all my life, I was so removed from the city beat that I really didn’t know Hamilton beyond a small radius from my home. Living in Hamilton technically meant I was a Hamiltonian, but I didn’t feel like I was. I didn’t feel like a true resident of the city; a phrase which would later become the moniker for the brand.

This realization came to me in 2014 and so I did what any millennial would and searched the internet for things to do. What I quickly discovered was that there wasn’t a single outlet whose focus was solely on local Hamilton places. Although large review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor did list some restaurants and landmarks, these were very surface-level attractions.

What I was looking for were the independent shops and restaurants that made Hamilton unique. I just couldn’t find a source that was doing this consistently.

So I decided I would create a website and become that source. I built trueresident.com with the intention of becoming a media-focused directory that only featured independent businesses, city gems, and hot spots. I’ve been doing that for nearly five years now and I’ve fallen head over heels for this city in that time.

At the beginning of last year I began experimenting with news and video content. I became obsessed with capturing Hamilton stories in both written word and video format. A lot of our work was picked up in 2018 making it a breakout year for TrueResident.

Our success caught the attention of many big players in Hamilton, including the then-owner of Urbanicity.

What started as a simple discussion of how we could collaborate together gradually opened the floor for a potential merger. The consolidation of digital and print under a unified brand was something I was curious to explore and after a few months of negotiation, I ended up purchasing the magazine in its entirety.

The deal closed mid-January and I’ve been working feverishly since then to get this issue out on time in a way that doesn’t compromise quality. Through the help of our graphic designer Tafari Anthony and an excellent team of writers, we were able to pull together a stunning edition in about half the time a monthly publication allows for.

All of this preamble leads me to the big announcement that my brand TrueResident and all of its digital assets including social media will be merging with Urbanicity this month. The combined audience of the two entities will make Urbanicity one of the largest independent news sources in all of Hamilton. It will also bring a stronger digital presence to Urbanicity, which is a particular strength of mine.

There are several other changes we’ll be working on over the course of the month including a refreshed design, updated logo, and new categories we’ll be expanding into — but that’s for the next edition. Right now let’s focus on the February issue that’s in your hand, which I believe you’ll genuinely find value in. We’ve listed dozens of places and activities for you to explore both indoor and out. We’ve also dived deep into many of the exciting projects on Hamilton’s horizon, including the changing face of the Gore Park neighbourhood and an exclusive interview with Dave Fauteux on his upcoming restaurant.

Please enjoy this month’s issue and if you have an interesting story to share or would like to write one yourself, you can send me an email directly to robert@urbanicity.com ROBERT CEKAN

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FEBRUARY 2019

Hamilton’s 10 best coffee shops that opened in 2018 See who's new to the coffee scene

THE M U S TA RD S EED CO - O P

While the Mustard Seed has operated out of Hamilton for several years, it was only last fall that this co-op grocery store constructed a new outdoor patio to enjoy coffee on.

Being located on York Boulevard, the patio can get a bit noisy but with the help of drawn curtains and string lights, this outdoor seating area can feel pretty snug and secluded.

S TI R IT U P ! CA FE

After being hit by vandals prior to opening, it was hard to say if Stir It Up would even open at all. Fortunately for us, they did and we’re thrilled as the cafe is so freaking cute.

Exposed brick walls, a warm colour palette, and varied seating options — there’s a lot here to make the cafe feel cozy. They serve a number of delicious baked goods to choose from, including some unique flavours of buttertarts like double chocolate and maple bacon.

The only downside is that the seating is right at the front of the cafe so when the front door opens in the winter, a blast of cold air hits patrons.

B RING YOUR DOG CAFE

If you’re looking to treat yourself as your dog plays and interacts with others, this is the spot. The cafe has an excellent selection of baked goods to choose from including fresh-made pastries, muffins, and cakes. If you’re in the mood for something a bit heartier, you can’t go wrong with their delicious HomeStyle Chili & Chili Dogs or their famous Home-Style Mac ‘N Cheese Goulash.

DOUG H BOY DONUTS

While Doughboy has been operating since last year, the donut shop underwent a change of ownership over the summer that included a revamp of the products, menus, and interior. The current owner is working hard to restore the reputation of the donut shop and outside of keeping the name, should be treated as a new cafe.

The donuts have gone from decent to exceptional and truly give some of the better known Hamilton establishments a run for their money.

What we still can’t wrap our heads around are how these donuts are entirely vegan. Through genius baking techniques, the donuts achieve a level of softness and taste that quite honestly outperforms most of the donuts in this city.

WAYPOI N T GA MES & CA F E

While you can expect hundreds of board games to browse through, a unique aspect of this cafe is their corner couches that has a TV set up to play console games. They also host regular Magic: The Gathering tournaments on the weekend.

Waypoint Games and Cafe is also licenced so in addition to coffee and tea, you can get yourself a beer if you so please.

DON U T MON STER

After three years of business, Donut Monster expanded beyond being just a donut supplier to become a full-fledged business open seven days a week.

Donut Monster has been such a staple to Hamilton’s donut scene that it’s hard to believe their brick-andmortar store just turned one year old.

Donut Monster’s donuts are yeast-risen and soft with a light chew. Their menu is ever evolving, featuring unique seasonal glazes and flavour combinations you may have never tried before. As an inclusive eatery, Donut Monster offers both vegan and traditional options.

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E M E RALD COFFE E CO.

Being greeted by the owner in person and then being treated to some complimentary fresh-baked sourdough bread, this Italian inspired cafe understands the importance of connecting with your guests and making them feel at home.

This geometric themed cafe made its appearance on the corner of Barton and Emerald and has been a Hamilton favourite ever since.

All of the cups and dishes were sourced from a local potter who created the earthenware by hand. More local love is displayed throughout the cafe with tables that were made by a staff member as well as through the Hamilton brews they keep on tap.

The white tiles operate in contrast to the reclaimed wood on sections of the wall while the gold light fixtures add a fantastic shine to the black, faux tin ceiling. Hexagonal mirrors line the walls, and pops of emerald green find their way throughout the cafe.

Don’t even get us started on the stunning pop art vinyl wallpaper in the bathroom!

The cafe also prides itself on the size of its kitchen relative to the total square footage. This has allowed for larger equipment and the freedom for chefs to experiment baking fresh bread, pizza, and croissants.

The pastries served at Emerald Coffee Co. are all made locally. Eric, a baker out of Kitchen Collective, creates the butter tarts and Donut Monster supplies their donuts.

NU T T Y B U T T ER CA FE

This Parisian inspired cafe has made waves ever since they opened. The level of architecture and design goes beyond anything Hamiltonians would expect for downtown. Passing through the doors of Nuttybutter transports you right into Paris.

There’s only three categories of items to choose from: macarons, vegan gelato, and coffee. Seemingly minimalistic yet all very complex in flavour. Take the macarons for instance — a dessert you’ve almost certainly enjoyed in the past.

Yet eating a macaron here is like trying the dessert for the first time as the macaron’s construction has been meticulously crafted and perfected from the years of practice co-owner Ishi spent operating out of an actual Paris shop.

The result is a dessert so tasty, it’ll almost make you weep a tear of joy.

That’s the case for everything at this cafe: uncomplicated selection with a deep understanding of what makes each of their items authentic. This is one of the few cafes in Hamilton I have no fear in recommending because I don’t think it’s possible to have a bad experience here.

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SYN ON YM SHOP

The aesthetic at this James North shop is unified in its white and wooden finishes, from the painted brick walls to their 3-inch thick table tops and hardwood flooring. The white granite countertop with its earthy speckles of colour is refreshing and the front windows allow for tremendous light to illuminate the entire cafe.

Synonym Shop almost has two sides to it as in the morning they serve brunch items like quiche and avocado toast and by evening the menu flips to craft beer and wines. Visiting in the evening can bring in live acts, vinyl release parties, and colourful lighting — it’s an entirely different experience than when you go in the morning. If you’re an artist, you have to check this spot out!

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FEBRUARY 2019

Galentine’s Day activities A guide to spending this February with your ladies

When you think of February, you think of Valentine’s Day. Restaurants are packed with couples celebrating love (or hoping to find it), chocolate and floral shops sell out, and every dollar store is bursting at the seams with red and pink decorative hearts.

But things are changing.

A lesser known and increasingly popular celebration is Galentine’s Day, made popular by the hit show Parks and Recreation. On February 13th, ladies celebrate ladies. It doesn’t matter whether you have a boo or not, Galentine’s day is all about women! Celebrate the highs and lows, the adventures you’ve been on together, and the aspirations you have. Spend time laughing until you cry and showing each other how much you care.

Here are 5 things to do in Hamilton with the special women in your life.

Belt your hearts out at karaoke Hamilton has an eclectic karaoke scene, but it’s always a good time! Grab your gal pals, pick your songs, and get up on stage. Celebrate Galentine’s Day by belting out to classics like Aretha Franklin’s iconic “Respect”, Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman”, "Wannabe" by Spice Girls, "Stronger" by our girl Britney Spears or maybe show off your singing skills with modern day female empowerment anthem “God is a Woman” by Ariana Grande.

BY LIZ ENRIQUEZ

Liz is an adventurer, researcher, and social media maven. When she isn’t researching Hamilton’s labour market, she’s fixing up her Victorian home, blogging about personal finance and being a millennial, exploring the world or hiking on the beautiful trails the city has to offer. Liz loves Hamilton and recognizes the businesses and citizens of the city on social media under Shoutouts Hamilton. www.shoutoutshamilton.com

In a group, the karaoke places guaranteed to be a good time are Tracie's Place Restaurant and Karaoke, K Point Karaoke & Bar, Emerson 109, Happy Hourz Pub, and Grand Leisure Gastro House.

Chocolate making workshop Chocolates are synonymous with Valentine’s Day. But what’s better than eating chocolate? Making it and watching the entire process! Call up your ladies and book a class with Chocolate Tales — a local shop on 430 York Blvd that’s

located beneath De La Sol Yoga Studios. This building is full of interesting businesses, perfect for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, and everyday life! Not in the mood to get your hands dirty?

Hit up Chocolat on James or Walker’s Chocolates to load up on ready-made sweets for you and the queens in your life.

Get pampered A spa day is a classic way to spend quality time with your gals. Whether you want to spend a full-day at the spa or keep it more low-key with a quick service, Hamilton has many options available to keep you feeling fresh. Mercedes Salon & Day Spa and Magnolia House Spa Salon Boutique have been two of Hamilton’s premier spas and offer a full-service experience. If you’re feeling something a little more modest, how about checking out one of the many salons in the city that offer facials and manicures?

I recommend checking out TEN Spot, Kabuki, Flo Spa, Buffed Nail Bar, and Glamorous Beauty Salon. Call ahead to see if they can accommodate a group.

Hit the dance floor Dancing with your ladies is always fun!

This Galentine’s Day, kick it up a notch with Adam and Steve. They’re two local celebrities who throw rad parties with the aim of keeping them inclusive and safe! For Galentine’s this year, they wanted to do something sweet and special to encourage even more friendships by introducing the Adam and Steve BFFL Message Wall! According

to their website, each guest receives a sticker with a number that corresponds with a message box located in the bar.

You can then submit compliments and words of encouragement to others by dropping off your messages throughout the night. So bring your girls for some upbeat dancing and uplifting letters! Tickets are available on the Club Absinthe website.

Get active with your gal pals Getting fit with people you love can be more rewarding and enjoyable than dragging yourself to the gym. Instead of dreading your workout, call up your gals and hit up a yoga studio, pilates studio, circus school, rock climbing gym, or laser tag place to get your sweat on while having fun!

Want to sweat out your toxins like never before? Try hot yoga at any of these studios that have infrared heaters: Modo Yoga, De La Sol Yoga Studios, or Dundas Hot Yoga. Interested in toning your bodies and grooving to music? Check out Studio Zee Pilates, W Pilates, or Fit Barre. For unique movement activities, explore the Gravity Climbing Gym, Zacada Circus School, Lazer Mania, or Uber Warrior in Stoney Creek!

This year, celebrate female power and friendship by getting your girlfriends together to celebrate Galentine’s Day. Plan something to show how much you appreciate all your best friends and share what you admire about each other. Because remember ladies, when women support each other, incredible things happen.

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The changing face of Gore Park

F

BY ADRIAN MEKLI

Adrian Mekli is a REALTOR® and graduate from McMaster’s Degroote School of Business.

He is a life-long Hamiltonian who has worked for various local firms such as CIBC, McMaster University, and Dofasco.

or an article that focuses on downtown developments, I’m going to first bring you the furthest place from the core — Winona. For those that don’t know, Winona was a tiny, rural, agricultural community on Hamilton’s eastern edge bordering Grimsby and is most notably known as home to the Winona Peach Festival as well as E.D. Smith, manufacturer of some of the best jams and sauces this country has to offer. This is where I spent the first 18 years of my life and where I learned some invaluable life perspectives that I carry with me today. Growing up here gave me an appreciation for the outdoors and open space, of knowing your neighbours and the importance of community, and for the purpose of this article, a realization that development can change an area forever.

After leaving Winona for downtown, my business and personal life occasionally brings me back. I am constantly shocked by what I see — and what I don’t. The fields that once helped park cars and house the craft booths and rides for the Winona Peach Festival is now home to hundreds of new townhomes and a new elementary school.

Down the street on Fifty Road that just a few years ago was a run down truck stop where my friends would grab breakfast at odd hours of the morning is now home to a Costco, RBC branch, LCBO, and many other national franchises. The list of childhood places that no longer exist goes on and on and the community that now exists is hardly recognizable compared to the memory I have.

The reason I share this little anecdote is for those of us that live, work, and play in downtown Hamilton. The ones used to walking by the same dilapidated empty buildings, vacant lots, and the like are in for a huge surprise in the coming years. So much so that I believe if you left the city now to return five years later you might feel like me when I return to Winona and hardly recognize it.

In the short 400 meters from James to Catharine along King is an area we call Gore Park. Within this four minute walk are more projects that will reshape downtown than any other area of the city. My goal was to compile an exhaustive project list that puts the transformation of this area into perspective.

Check out the map on the next page.

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FEBRUARY 2019

D EL TA B IN G O SITE The giant pit hidden behind a plywood guard fence on the corner of Hughson is home to LiUNA’s next Hamilton towers. The proposal shows two 30-storey towers sharing 525 condo units between them.

5 9 K IN G S T E This beige 40,000 square foot eyesore is home to an abandoned convenience store, a Thrift Store, and a Cash Money. The site is rumoured to be the next CoreUrban project and with buildings like the recently completed Alley on James as well as the highly-acclaimed Templar Flats and Empire Times, we can be sure to expect something beautiful here.

1 03 K IN G S T E The unsightly graffiti-covered plywood box at this address surrounds the beautiful arched entrance to what’s left of the old Capitol Theatre. An old Buttinsky’s Bar sign still hangs from the façade. The new owners will begin construction on the site in the coming weeks, bringing an entertainment venue focusing on group outings and corporate parties.

T H E O L D S P ECTATOR BUILDING The former headquarters of the Hamilton Spectator is getting a façade makeover. The building is now headquarters to Co/Motion — one of Hamilton’s original coworking spaces — and Black Rabbit which is one of Hamilton’s hottest new bars. The ground floor units, which have been in various states of neglect over the years, are now all leased to a number of exciting tenants; some of which will be open by summer.

G O RE PA RK L OFTS The old Crazy Bill’s on the corner of Catharine and King was bought earlier this year with the adjacent Pharmacy. The buyers have teamed up with Effort Trust and plan to add two floors on top of the existing structure, creating a total of 43 one- and two-bedroom condo units.

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ROYAL CON N AU GHT TOWER S The historic Royal Connaught buildings have already undergone a massive transformation from hotel to condos during their Phase 1 and 2 redevelopment. However, plans for the site are far from over. Spallacci Homes will soon announce their Phase 3, 4, and 5 which includes the construction of a 36 storey tower fronting King St as well as two shorter towers along Main. The completion of these buildings will finally change the skyline of Hamilton which has remained unchallenged for nearly 50 years.

6 2 & 64 K I N G ST E The historic properties overlooking Gore Park were purchased by Hamilton industrialist Patrick Bermingham and a silent partner from Toronto. The plan is to bring a boutique hotel to the site with ground floor and rooftop hospitality space for a unique restaurant with the best views of the core.

5 4 KIN G STR EET E Located beside the old TD Bank building (the one guarded by two lion statues) is a vacant structure that’s owned by one of Hamilton’s largest real estate players: Effort Trust. The plans show a modern 5 storey, glass exterior office building rising in its place.

1 8- 24 K I N G ST E The properties that arguably brought the heritage debate to the forefront of Hamilton politics are a row of 1850 buildings overlooking the Gore Park fountain near James St. The buildings, owned by Wilson Blanchard, were scheduled to be demolished until an 11th hour order by the city put a halt to the bulldozers. Now the plans are to keep as much of the exterior facade as possible and create residential units on the upper floors with commercial units on the ground.

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FEBRUARY 2019

Three cheers for good food Making good cheer part of the menu

If you’ve been following the burgeoning food scene in Hamilton, you’ve probably heard of (or seen across the bar) Dave Fauteux.

The force behind many of The Other Bird restaurant group’s successful openings, Fauteux nestled into the company five years ago.

BY STEFANI SOLIMAN

Stefani Soliman is a social media marketer and freelance editor. She's an avid supporter of local businesses, Canadian-made goods, and fashion. Along with her love of dogs, punctuation, and the ‘90s, Stefani is a keen recycler and instrument collector. Tell her a corny joke and you’ll be friends for life. @ stefsoliman

In his role as Manager of Operations, he helped The Other Bird expand with new restaurants in Hamilton, Burlington, London, and Paris, ON. Acting as project manager during this time of growth really helped to reignite Fauteux’s passion for the restaurant industry, as he was considering making the move to real estate before starting at

the company (we’re happy he stuck with this course!).

Now, five years after the fortuitous move, Fauteux has set out with operating partner Jordanna Cvitkovic with an idea to bring a dining experience unlike one Hamilton has seen: the Bon Temps restaurant. Set to be located in the building that was formerly Rapscallion Rogue Eatery, Fauteux knew he wanted to open a restaurant in the city, “Hamilton has been a land of opportunity for me,” he says. “I love this city and how much it’s changed.” And with his involvement in helping to propel the gastro movement in Hamilton, he’s a great fit.

Featuring French-style cuisine, what will make this latest endeavor most unique is the concept it will operate under — L'Ordre de Bon Temps or the Order of Good Cheer. As a FrenchCanadian from Ottawa, this is right up

Fauteux’s alley. The Order was founded in 1606 by Samuel de Champlain in Port Royal, Nova Scotia. After arriving from France to the East Coast, the settlers were cold, sick with scurvy, and depressed. To lift spirits, they enacted the Order which was a weekly food and entertainment celebration that occurred throughout the frigid winter months. Members took turns hunting, preparing the feast, and leading a ceremonial procession to the table.

The exceptional thing about the Order was that it was completely inclusive; settlers invited the natives on the land to join them in the revelry as well. The idea was to bring people — all people — together through food. And this sentiment is something Fauteux wants his new space to embody.

Though the Order is rooted in staying merry during the winter months, Bon Temps will be a restaurant to

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suit Hamiltonians year-round. Guests can expect small plates, French-style cooking, a robust bar program, and of course, Canadian ingredients. The wine list will feature varietals from France, Italy, and Canada. Keeping in line with the inclusiveness of the Order of Good Cheer, the menu will feature vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to accommodate diverse diets. Opening at 4 pm daily, the restaurant will provide after-work and dinner service for both reservations and walk-ins, a four-person chef’s table, as well as a late-night menu that will rotate with the seasons.

Patrons in groups six or larger will also have the opportunity to dine with a prix fixe menu for an experience reminiscent of the original L’Ordre de Bon Temps meals. Food will be served in a way that will mimic the feel of a feast at home.

to see the owner in the space; it adds something authentic.” Aiming for an opening date at the end of March 2019, late-night fondue will be part of the opening menu to warm up clients as winter comes to an end.

Diners can look forward to changes in both the interior design and the building facade. Black walls with millwork, a new colour scheme, and lantern sconces will set the character of the venue. Fauteux will also be a constant behind the bar, as he explains “It’s nice

Stay up to date with the Bon Temps opening by following them on Instagram @bontempsrestaurant.

WESTDALE 905-522-3300

Bon Temps will also be the official food and beverage partner for the Vintage Marketplace at the Hamilton Convention Centre on April 6th and 7th. Enjoy shopping some of Hamilton’s best vintage vendors and enjoy tasty food and drink while you browse.

To get a taste before the restaurant opens, attend the upcoming Bon Temps Supper Club on March 9th at the Hamilton Armouries on James Street North.

Tickets include a five-course meal with wine pairings, live music, and a cash bar. Head to bruha.com for more information.

ANCASTER 905-648-6800

LOCKE STREET 905-529--3300

www.judymarsales.com

Call Us, Email Us, Visit our Website…. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

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FEBRUARY 2019

Hamilton’s 10 best restaurants that opened in 2018 R UG A N T IN O

SZ E C H UAN NOODLE B OW L

Having opened only in December, Rugantino is Hamilton’s latest addition to the city’s Italian restaurant scene.

This is the place to go for hand pulled noodle soups!

If you’re not feeling noodles, they also have several authentic Sichuan dishes to choose from.

Expect pizzas, steak, pastas, and charcuterie using ingredients sourced from local farmers’ markets.

Szechuan Noodle Bowl offers very hearty meals that won’t break the bank. The interior decor is also pretty fun, using a number of different textures, colours and styles.

F R AT’S CU CI N A

Despite having only been opened since the weekend of Supercrawl, Frat’s has quickly climbed the rankings in terms of places to order a fancy pizza.

While this restaurant prides itself on authentic Italian dishes, their main focus is pizza and that’s something their Italian-born head chef Ruben Rapetti is an expert in.

The pink and white decor blended with wooden accents gives this restaurant a feminine feel that’s very refreshing to dine in.

NAN N A A EAT ERY

SOUVLOC KE

AMI GOS

We never knew how much we enjoyed Persian food until Nannaa Eatery opened up. There’s a serious shortage of this type of cuisine in Hamilton but Nannaa Eatery does a fantastic job representing the food and hospitality the Persian culture is known for.

Finally a proper Greek restaurant in Hamilton! While the city’s had some decent Greek food stops, none of them were a place you’d bring a group of people to.

That’s been changed with this fantastic new Locke Street addition (does the name make sense now?)

Don’t let the fact this restaurant is located in Hess Village fool you — Amigos is a quality option for sensational Tex-Mex food. Restaurants like these are helping change the face of Hess Village’s George Street which has seen a surge in sit-down eateries.

The kabobs, tachin, and specialty Nannaa fries bring fantastic new flavours to Westdale. Be sure to have baklava or a chickpea cookie for dessert!

Souvlocke doesn’t do pretentious. They want you to relax when you walk through the doors, settle in and enjoy yourself.

Delicious tacos, burritos, ribs, fajitas, botanas & ensalada all in a spot with a great vibe. Makes for a great meal before a fun night out.

Souvlocke honours the traditional, with a modern approach. You can find outstanding cocktails and a Greek wine list to accompany some truly inspired dishes you won’t find anywhere else.

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CA FE B A FFICO

M ARINA

Cafe Baffico goes from croissants and coffee in the morning to serving a full fledged dinner by evening.

The intimate space loves sourcing from Hamilton, which is seen in the physical cups and dishes that were created by a local potter, tables that were made by a staff member, as well as local brews they keep on tap.

Their rotating menu brings a new experience every time you visit but generally consists of staple items like pizza, pasta, and steak. The true pièce de résistance is their cheese-based menu items and sourdough bread. If you see these being served, be sure to order them!

This is Chef Vittorio Colacitti’s third installment on James Street North and we must say that the team at Marina has done an outstanding job. Coupled with their underground bar Shaolin that’s literally the floor below, the atmosphere alone is worth the visit.

Marina does contemporary Mexican food that’s inspired by the marriage of new and old world techniques. Tequila, mezcal, cerveza, and tacos — it’s a beautiful thing.

NA M U RES TAU RA N T & BAR

This unassuming Dundas restaurant shattered what modern Asian fusion cuisine can be.

The chef pair behind Namu has worked in French, Italian, and Korean restaurants all over Canada. This restaurant brings the best of all Asian food, combined with the sophistication and technique of French cuisine, blurring the lines between Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Chinese cultures in a small but mighty menu.

Being the lovers of sushi that we are, we had a go at the Dundas maki roll and were blown away. The rice is perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the ingredients are purposefully put together to add a superb flavour and complexity that we’ve yet to experience in Hamilton.

There’s also sushi tacos which are served four to a dish and are a perfect combination of salty, sweet, sour, and umami. The crispy wonton on the bottom is a perfect vessel to serve you the tuna, and accompaniments.

Other favourites are the Ginger Scallion Noodle bowl and the Caramelized Coconut Beef Rendang Curry, both of which achieve a fantastic flavour profile.

The only downside is that it’s a small space and gets busy often, but hey, that’s what happens when your restaurant is as good as this one.

If you're looking to dine in soon, do note that the restaurant is temporarily closed as staff members are currently on a gourmet trip in South Korea. The restaurant will reopen Friday, February 15th upon their return.

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CA R O R ESTAU R A N T & BAR

Caro has so many great things going for it that it’s almost hard to mention them all. Let’s start with the interior — being located in a corner unit, there is tremendous natural lighting which is fully taken advantage of with luscious green plants throughout the space including a green wall, that just fills the restaurant with warmth. The service is very good and attentive, they are involved with the community, and they even have an entertaining social media page.

Choosing what to order can be tough as literally everything on the menu is worth trying. Calamari, rigatoni, carbonara, lasagna, any of their pizzas — it’s all top tier quality. You can visit Caro over and over again and have a consistently great experience; that alone is worth its weight in gold.

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FEBRUARY 2019

Frost Bites festival returns I always feel like there’s something brewing in the air.”

Frost Bites is breaking barriers in Hamilton and beyond. Presented by the Hamilton Fringe in partnership with City of Hamilton’s Winterfest, the city’s only site-specific winter performance festival is taking over two beautiful churches in downtown Hamilton from February 14th to 17th, with a lineup of eight artistic companies creating bite-sized performances in untraditional spaces at New Vision United on Main St W and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on James St S.

Photos provided by DAVE PIJUAN-NOMURA

BY ROSE HOPKINS

Rose is an actor, creator, playwright, and producer, and currently works as the Associate Producer for the Hamilton Fringe. When she’s not in rehearsal or working on Excel spreadsheets, you can find her cafe-hopping and shopping for retro furniture on Ottawa St.

Frost Bites is not new to Hamilton.

Now in its fourth year, the festival has seen a variety of venues, including the Cotton Factory, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Westinghouse Building, and Barton Village. However there is a reason behind the festival’s changing home. “Part of the goal of Frost Bites is to address barriers to participation in the arts,” says Claire Calnan, Executive Director of the Hamilton Fringe. “As an organization, we realize that a door to the theatre can be one of the first roadblocks that a person faces when taking in cultural events. Finding a new venue for Frost Bites each year gives us a chance to bring art into the community rather than asking people to come to us and to artistically explore Hamilton at a time when it is changing very rapidly.”

The two church venues are not the only elements new to Frost Bites. This year, the festival will feature a collaboration between Montreal music group Thanya Iyer and local choreographer Lisa Emmons. They will be performing in the Frost Bites ‘hub’; a place for audiences and artists to gather, meet, and enjoy a Woodhouse Brewing beer before they travel to see any one of the

pieces taking place multiple times over the evening.

“This collaboration between Thanya Iyer and Lisa is about sharing the story of Hamilton beyond our borders and inviting artists from outside of our community to generate a creative reaction to our city,” says Claire.

Thanya Iyer is self-described as a 'future-folk' group using acoustic and electronic sound to create sparkling experimental pop. The group has toured Canada and the United States and has played at POP Montreal, MURAL Festival, and others. Their debut album "Do You Dream?" was released earlier this year. Their performance at Frost Bites will be their first time collaborating with a dancer.

But choreographer Lisa Emmons is no stranger to multidisciplinary work.

Her company Aeris Körper (formerly FORM Contemporary Dance Theatre) has often worked with artists in other disciplines including theatre creators, designers, and musicians, and believes that it is an integral part of artistic community in the city.

“What I love about Hamilton is its warmth and interest in its artists. People are always asking what you are working on. That curiosity and desire to share is what collaboration is all about. So it makes sense that other artists from outside the city would want to be a part of that,” says Lisa.

The sentiment is shared by Thanya Iyer. “We have a super warm place for Hamilton in our heart and love going there. The community is so warm and vibrant. Even walking down the street

While Thanya Iyer and Lisa Emmons perform in the Frost Bites hub, eight other companies are creating pieces exploring the spaces at New Vision United and St. Paul’s Presbyterian including 2017 Voaden Prize winner Michael Kras with Broken Soil Theatre, returning Frost Bites artists Peter Riddihough and Marilo Nunez with Hoffworks Productions, McMaster student group QT Collective, and Transgendant which is a new company in Hamilton with a focus on education, autism awareness, and LGBTQ2+ issues, as well as others.

“The energy that Frost Bites creates is something that audiences can really engage with,” says Lisa, who has been involved with the festival in past years as well. “Being able to take in all these performances in one evening is exciting, and you get to decide what you see. The audience is really on a hike together.”

No matter what path you take, Frost Bites promises a unique night out you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Frost Bites runs February 14th to 17th, 2019. A single ticket is $25 (or $15 for children 12 and under) and grants entry into as many shows an audience can manage in a single evening. For those wishing to make return visits, Frequent Frost Passes are $40 and grants entry into the event for the duration of the festival.

The box office, located at New Vision United Church (24 Main St W.), opens at 6:30 pm with performances commencing at 7 pm. Tickets are available online or at the door. Service charges apply to credit card purchases.

No performance is longer than 20 minutes, and each show plays multiple times a night. Stairs are present at some venues. Audiences will be required to walk outside between venues and are asked to dress for the weather.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit hamiltonfringe.ca

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Embracing winter in Hamilton Making the most of the city's seasonal activities

Remember being a kid and getting majorly excited when the first true snowfall of the season arrived? Or the feeling you had when school was cancelled and you got to spend all day making snow angels, building snowmen, and having snowball fights? As adults we tend to think of winter as a pain — the roads are bad, you have to get up earlier to brush off your car, and everything is just so… cold.

It doesn’t have to be that way though!

Winter is a magical time of year where the blanket of snow reshapes familiar places and creates new activities. People travel to Canada from around the world in order to experience winter adventures. Let’s not take for granted what we have in our own backyard.

Getting outside and exploring nature can help combat those negative feelings that tend to plague people around this time of year. Hamilton offers all sorts of fun so let’s lace up our boots, pull on our snow pants, and grab our toques — we’re going to experience winter as if you were a kid again.

Photo provided by ALYSSA POSCA

Go for a winter walk and birdwatch at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Lace up your skates at an outdoor rink

The Royal Botanical Gardens offer a variety of winter walks with their 27 kms of nature trails. You can either choose a guided tour or walk on your own.

The gardens at this time of year are known to be filled with chickadees with some people reporting the birds feeding right out of their hands! Many varieties of owls are also more active during the winter, so keep an eye on the sky.

Did you know that Hamilton has over 30 outdoor skating rinks? Visit the City of Hamilton’s website to see which one is closest to you. Of course, the most well-known is the NHL-sized skating rink at Pier 8.

The rink is open everyday and is free to skate. They also have on-site skate rentals and nearby cafés, so you can warm up afterward with a well-deserved mug of hot chocolate. Try visiting at night when the lights shine over the ice for a romantic date idea!

Hike, snowshoe, and ski Hamilton’s many trails

View a picturesque frozen waterfall

You may think that winter is dreary, cold, and bleak, but the woods around Hamilton are lovely, dark, and deep. Why not go for a winter hike on one of the many scenic paths available? Know that some trails are not maintained during the winter months so make sure you check the trail status before heading out, and that you have appropriate footwear and clothing.

A list of Hamilton attractions is never complete without a view of one of the city’s many waterfalls. In the winter, those waterfalls freeze and make for stunning views. Popular sites are the Devil’s Punchbowl in Stoney Creek, Tews Falls in Dundas, as well as Tiffany Falls in Ancaster. Brave souls can even learn to climb the frozen waterfalls at Tiffany Falls — you just have to get your ice-climbing certification first!

Snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing are also favourite activities along Hamilton’s trails. There are several shops in the city which rent out crosscountry skis or snowshoes and you can take day trips out to several different locations. The Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Christie Lake, and the Bruce Trail are all excellent options. The Hamilton Conservation Area boasts a combined total of 145 kms of trails, so there’s plenty to explore! If you’re a skilled skier and are up for a challenge, you can even try your hand at the 32 km Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail.

As always, make sure that you know your limits before setting out on any winter adventures. Stay safe, bundle up, and have fun out there!

Fat-biking is an option that has been gaining popularity as well! The tires on these bikes are specially designed for snow, so you can feel the fresh air in your face as you zoom past people on the trails. Fatbikes can be rented from a few different shops in the city including Downtown Bike Hounds and Freewheel Cycle.

BY ABBY SIMONE

Abby Simone is a freelance writer and editor currently residing in Hamilton Ontario

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