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Guide to creating a farm-fresh & local Easter dinner

Time to get the family together! As we are approaching the Easter holiday you might be wondering what to make for Easter dinner. It’s hard enough with all the allergies and food preferences your family might have. We are here to help by showing you our local favourites for getting everything you need to make your perfect meal.

Easter dinner isn’t just about the turkey anymore. It’s time to explore other options like porchetta, prime rib, smoked ham, vegetarian options, and more. Our local recommendations will offer you flavourful side dishes. Are you stuck on what to do for your vegan guests and gluten-free guests? No worries, we have a list of local gems that will help you host a variety of preferences.

The main course

Enright Cattle Company

326 Hunt Rd.

Craving beef? Then Enright is the perfect option for you! They specialize in everything beef offering you the perfect variety to shake things up a little. Enright is a fourth-run cattle farm that is devoted to its community. Sustainability comes first, along with doing what it takes to provide top-quality meat and little to no waste. It’s a no-brainer! Enright also sells beef bones if you want to venture into making your own stock for the best homemade gravy. Learn more and order online.

Recommended: filet mignon, brisket, and prime rib

Barriefield Meat Market

760 15. Unit 7

Barriefield Meat Market is known for their holiday turkey hotline, but they have more than just turkey. They are a grade A butcher shop that specializes in top quality Ontario meats and prepared goods. Everything is sourced exclusively from local Ontario farms. They specialize in grade dry-aged beef, all local AAA cuts of beef, air chilled chicken, fresh Ontario pork, local lamb, certain game meats, and everything in between. One of the most appealing parts of this meat market is that they will source anything you need. Take a look at their Easter & Passover section

Recommended: AAA black angus prime rib roast, rack of lamb, and whole turkey or turkey breasts

Haanover View Farms

4062 Blessington Rd, Marysville.

Nothing beats a nice porchetta for Easter dinner. When it comes to pork products, Haanover is the choice! They are a family farm, producing ecologically raised pork, grass-fed beef, and rabbit. Value, flavour, and peace of mind are what they provide.

Find them at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market. Orders for pick up can be made from Tuesday at noon – Thursday at 8 pm. Pick-up is available on Sundays, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm and delivery is available on Sundays,1:30 – 3:30 pm. You can also find Haanover products at Pig & Olive. See what’s available through the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market.

Recommended: smoked bone-in ham, pork belly slab, frenched pork chops, pork butt roast, and pork loin

Mike Mundell’s

235 Gore Road, Unit 3.

We can’t forget about Fish Friday. Easter Good Fridays are meant for fish so why not stop by Mike Mundell’s for some fish and seafood? They have an Easter takeaway package, but you can pick your own fish to take home to make.

Recommended: salmon, cod, halibut, and live lobsters

The farms that bring you side dishes

Patchwork Gardens

4649 Milburn Rd, Battersea

When you think of side dishes there is no better local produce than Patchwork Gardens! This collaboration between two farming families sustainably grows the most nutrient-dense, best-tasting vegetables. Patchwork Gardens began with the idea that food should be grown locally and sustainably, grown without toxic chemicals. Nothing feels better than crunching into a carrot that is 100% good for you. During this time of year, there isn’t a lot in terms of seasonality, but there are some heartier side dish options. Products can be purchased at Tara’s Natural Foods, Pan Chancho, and Daughters General Store.

Recommended: red fingerling potatoes, onions, carrots, beets (red, candy and orange), and coleslaw mix

 

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Forman Farms

4040 Brewers Mills Rd.

Forman farms is located in Seeley’s Bay and offers top-notch produce. They are growing fresh, nutritious food that you and your family can rely on, especially on Easter weekend. Much like Patchwork Gardens, seasonality needs to be taken into consideration, but they are a great option for things like smashed potatoes, maple-glazed carrots, and having herbs for the turkey. Order online.

Recommended: rosemary, thyme, fingerling potatoes, garlic bulbs, heirloom carrots, and radishes

 

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Collective Joy Farm

477 MacDonnell St.

New to Kingston is Collective Joy Farms. They are a new kind of farm – a small, indoor farm that is built to supply fresh, high-quality produce. Right now, it’s a small operation but their hydroponic lettuces would be great for any holiday salad, nutrient-rich microgreens for garnish, fresh herbs for the meat and side dishes, and edible flowers if you are really looking to make your food pop.

Recommended: lettuce, micro greens, and fresh fruit juices

Joe Deodato & Family

598 Cataraqui Dr.

Although not a farm, Joe Deodato is a great option in terms of ordering produce for your dinner. They deliver your order right to your door; no having to go to the grocery store and deal with lines and product shortages. Joe Deodato & Family are continuing the family tradition of being a quality produce supplier. They have more than just produce, they have fresh baked goods available plus decadent sweets. Feel free to order dessert at the same time! Order online.

Recommended: russet potatoes, green beans, Brussel sprouts, asparagus, a variety of mushrooms, and their Easter produce boxes (ranging between $70 – $80)

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free

Knifey + Spooney

89 Colburn St. & Memorial Market (select days only)

Do you have a vegan amongst the group? Owners Radford and Christina are offering a complete meal for one, or to feed a family (4-8 servings). In addition to this you can also purchase full-size tourtière and lemon meringue pie.

Pickup day will be April 7 from 3 – 5 pm at Next Church. They can also arrange pickup or delivery at alternate times-reach out if you need it! Orders are due by April 3. Order online.

Recommended: tourtière, scalloped potatoes, spring green salad, and lemon meringue pie

Daughters General Store

63 John St.

Daughters General Store is your one-stop shop for all your eaters. In addition to prepared gluten-free and vegan options, they are a great place to get niche brands and products. Daughters is a family-owned small business curating a thoughtful selection of comfort foods and necessities that are sourced locally, from the GTA, and beyond. Daughters is a welcoming store to people from all walks of life and is deeply connected to the local community.

Recommended: vegan smoked bacon, No Whey easter chocolates, a large assortment of non-alcoholic beers, vegan meats and cheeses, and gluten-free pastas and sauces.

Tara’s Natural Foods

81 Princess St.

Tara’s is another great spot for all your diners with dietary preferences or restrictions! Located in the heart of downtown Kingston, Tara’s opened in 1972 and has been serving the community healthy and hard-to-find local products ever since. This is a staple of the Kingston community! Order online for pickup.

Recommended: gluten-free bread, flours, baking items, plant-based butter and baking items, vegan meats, cheeses, and local produce from farms.

For those looking for vegetarian fare, Kingston is a well-known destination. Explore this selection of vegetarian and vegan friendly options.

The baked goods

Bread & Butter Bakery

1530 Bath Rd.

Bread & Butter is a family-run bake shop that has been providing Kingston with amazing bread and baked goods for over 20 years. Don’t stress about making your own dessert, stop by and get some amazing baked goods and spend the extra time with your family.

Recommended: hot cross buns, breakfast pastry selection, easter basket cake, cheese trays, sourdough bread, dinner rolls

We are here to help by showing you our local favourites for getting everything you need to make your perfect meal.  

Pan Chancho Bakery

44 Princess St.

Pan Chancho is a staple in downtown Kingston. Their bread is a real treat and their pastry chefs serve up some of the best desserts in the city. Pan Chancho always has holiday goods and deals available to be purchased online. It’s a great spot to go if you are looking to purchase a premade or ready to cook meal for you and your family. Online orders need to be placed 48 hours before pickup is requested. Order online.

Recommended: carrot cake, brown sugar glazed easter ham, easter cupcakes, hot cross buns, quiche, olive rosemary bread, and croissants.

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Best restaurants serving vegan or vegetarian food in Kingston (part 2)

Best restaurants in Kingston if you’re vegan or vegetarian (part 2)

Here’s are 11 Kingston restaurants serving vegan and vegetarian dishes, from paneer curries to woodfire oven pizzas. 

1. Harper’s

93 Princess St.

Hours: Daily (11:30 am–9 pm)

Harper’s serves a vegetarian patty you can top with locally sourced produce and the restaurant’s plant-based sauce. They also serve hardy salads and various vegetarian side dishes, like fried pickles.

Highlights:

  • PlantClassic! burger (Beyond burger patty, lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion, and plant-based HBB sauce)
  • The health nut salad (broccoli, chickpeas, cucumber, pickled red onion, purple cabbage slaw, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, cilantro, and lemon-curry vinaigrette)

View menu | Contact: 613-507-3663

2. Symphony Smoothies + Raw Bar

295 Brock St.

Hours: Mon.–Wed. (9 am–5 pm), Thur.–Fri. (10 am–6 pm), Sat. (9:30 am–6 pm), Sun. (10 am–5 pm)

This smoothie and raw bar attached to a spa and yoga studio serves acai bowls, juices, and smoothies. For a healthy lunch to-go, order their avocado crunch wrap—filled with avocado, hummus, pico de gallo, and lettuce—and a smoothie with vegan protein.

Highlights:

  • Green goddess smoothie (coconut milk, guava, avocado, mango, pineapple, lime, ginger, banana, yogurt, and vanilla protein)
  • Acai superfood bowl (acai, banana, strawberry, blueberry, spinach, kale, chia seeds, coconut milk, hempseed, granola, and hemp hearts)
  • Envy refresher (kale, cucumber, mint, and coconut water)

View menu | Contact: 613-547-8711

3. Tasty Indian Bar & Grill

120 Princess St.

Hours: Daily (11 am–10 pm)

Tasty Indian Bar & Grill offers a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian appetizers, sides, rice dishes, naan breads, and soups. They also have a whole menu section dedicated to vegetable and paneer curries.

Highlights:

  • Dal makhani (black lentils, red kidney beans, and butter in a tomato gravy)
  • Veggie biryani (basmati rice cooked with mixed vegetables and onion tomato gravy, flavoured with saffron and rosewater)
  • Vegetable pakora (potato, onion, spinach, cauliflower marinated with chickpea flour, Indian spices, and deep-fried)

View menu | Contact: 613-766-0480

4. Grecos Grill and Wine Bar

167 Princess St.

Hours: Tues.–Thur. (4:30–9:30 pm), Fri.–Sat. (4:30–9:45 pm), Sun. (4:30–9:30 pm)

Grecos has been sharing Greek cuisine with Kingston locals and visitors since 1967. The downtown Kingston restaurant serves vegan and vegetarian dishes—like the fettuccine primavera pasta—initially cultivated in the owner’s small Greek village.

Highlights:

  • Bruschetta (fresh tomato, garlic, onion, olive oil, and fine herbs)
  • Fettuccine primavera pasta (fresh vegetables sautéed in your choice of cream or tomato sauce)
  • Athenian pizza (artichoke, mild goat cheese, black olives, and red peppers)

View menu | Contact: 613-542-2229

5. Namaste

178 Ontario St.

Hours: Tues. (4–9:30 pm), Sun.–Thur. (noon–3 pm, 4:30–9:30 pm), Fri.–Sat. (noon–3 pm, 4:30–10 pm)

If you find yourself roaming Kingston’s waterfront, stop by Bombay Velvet, an Indian restaurant serving vegetarian appetizers, paneer dishes, and vegetarian curries for lunch and dinner at a fixed price.

Highlights:

  • Chili paneer (batter-fried paneer, bell pepper, onion, and tangy sauce)
  • Saag paneer (chopped spinach, paneer, tomatoes, onion, and lemon juice)

View menu | Contact: 613-542-1212

 

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6. Woodenheads

192 0ntario St.

Hours: Sun.–Wed. (11:30 am–10 pm), Thur.–Sat. (11:30 am–11 pm)

Head over to this waterfront restaurant for a glass of wine and a “build your own” pizza. As well as red and white woodfired oven pizzas, Wooden Heads serves vegetarian and vegan salads and tapas like their brie al forno—spiced pistachio- and pecan-crusted brie baked in a phylo jacket.

Highlights:

  • Arbre amore pizza (tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, wood-roasted mushrooms, and artichoke)
  • Brie al forno (spiced pistachio and pecan crusted brie baked in a phyllo jacket, served with honey basil and fruit coulis)
  • Asian noodle salad (cold soba noodles tossed in cashew lime vinaigrette with carrots, cucumber and onion, topped with chili crunch, sesame seeds, mint & cilantro)

View menu | Contact: 613-549-1812

7. Pan Chancho

44 Princess St.

Hours: The store is open Mon.–Sat. (8 am–5 pm), Sun. (8 am–3 pm), and the café is open daily (8 am–3 pm)

Have brunch or lunch at Pan Chancho’s café and order their vegan smoothies and breakfast items with scrambled tofu instead of eggs. After your meal infused with locally sourced ingredients, check out their store’s freezer section for vegan and vegetarian burgers, pasta dishes, and pre-made meals.

Highlights:

  • Egg-A-Loo (scrambled tofu with garam masala, tomatoes, green chilies & scallion pappadom, fried shallots, peas, curried potatoes, and tomato sambal)
  • A little bit nutty smoothie (banana, blueberries, almond milk, and almond butter)

View menu | Contact: 613-544-7790

8. Olivea

39 Brock St.

Hours: Sun.–Thur. (11:30 am–9 pm), Fri.–Sat. (11:30 am–10 pm)

Experience a taste of Italy in downtown Kingston! Olivea serves classic Italian antipastos, pastas, and sandwiches made with fresh ingredients for lunch and dinner.

Highlights:

  • Truffled frites (with parmesan)
  • Tagliatelle (with semi-dry cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, and basil)
  • Grilled mediterranean sandwich (vegetable panino with ricotta and eggplant spread)View menu | Contact: 613-547-5483

9. The Bank at the Frontenac Club

225 King St. E.

Hours: Wed.–Thur. (3–10 pm), Fri–Sat (3–11 pm)

Located inside the Frontenac Club, this swanky gastrobar serves cocktails and vegetarian small and shareable dishes. Start with their pan-roasted Brussels sprouts and order the roasted squash gnocchi for your main meal.

Highlights:

  • Pan roasted Brussels sprouts (curry miso, butter, and honey)
  • Roasted Squash Gnocchi (house-made with whipped parmigiano, caramelized leek, balsamic roasted mushroom, and carrot microgreens)

View menu | Contact: 613-547-6167

 

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10. Flavours of India

461 Princess St.

Hours: Mon.–Thur. (lunch: 11:30 am–2 pm), (dinner: 5–9:30 pm); Fri.–Sat. (lunch: 11:30 am–2 pm), (dinner: 5–10 pm); Sun. (dinner: 5–9 pm)

Flavours of India’s menu includes a section for vegetarian meals infused with a variety of spices and sauces. They also offer a combo meal for two featuring vegetable samosa, onion bhaji, vegetable curry, aloo gobi, tarka dal, palao rice, naan, and dessert.

Highlights:

  • Cauliflower bhaji (fresh cauliflower cooked with tomatoes, green peppers, ginger, garlic, fenugreek, fresh coriander and curry leaves, and mild spices)
  • Tarka dal (red lentil purée cooked with onions and mild spices, garnished with fried onions and sautéed garlic)
  • Combo meal for two (vegetable samosa, onion bhaji, vegetable curry, aloo gobi, tarka dal, palao rice, naan, and dessert)

View menu | Contact: 613-547-6167

11. Toast and Jam

1530 Bath Rd.

Hours: Wed.–Sun. (8 am–3 pm)

Toast and Jam offers breakfast and lunch dishes with ingredients made in-house and sourced by local producers. From spiced tofu tostadas to mushroom toast featuring sourdough from Bread and Butter Bakery—located next door to the restaurant—there’s a dish for all vegans and vegetarians visiting Kingston.

Highlights:

  • Mushroom toast (Bread and Butter Bakery bread with whipped goat cheese, spinach, roasted mushrooms, and topped with two poached eggs, served with your choice of daily soup, house greens, or roasted potatoes)
  • Summer vegetable breakfast hash (roasted potato, a mix of sweet peppers, red onion, zucchini, asparagus, green beans, corn, and sunflower seeds, topped with dill-cashew crema)
  • Spiced tofu tostada (spiced tofu scramble, refried beans, pickled onion, and dill- cashew crema, served with your choice of daily soup, house greens, or roasted potatoes)

View menu | Contact: 613-766-3423

Want more vegan and vegetarian options in Kingston? Read Best restaurants serving vegan or vegetarian food in Kingston (part 1).

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Best restaurants serving vegan or vegetarian food in Kingston (part 1)

Best restaurants in Kingston if you’re vegan or vegetarian

Kingston restaurants offer vegan and vegetarian dishes infused with diverse flavours and local ingredients. We’ve created a list of vegan and vegetarian-friendly establishments serving cuisines from Mexican to Thai.

1. Mesa Fresca

1347-2 Gardiners Rd.

Hours: Mon. (noon–8 pm), Tues.–Sat. (11:30 am–9 pm), Sun. (3–8 pm)

Mesa Fresca is a locally owned spot serving Mexican fusion food including tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. During the summertime, enjoy a handmade margarita on their patio.

Highlights:

  • Tacos veganos (tajin sweet potato, black bean & corn salsa, vegan morita chili aioli, shredded lettuce, house corn tortillas, and your choice of side)
  • Peruvian salad (tender leaf greens, sweet potato, queso fresco quinoa, toasted pepitas, house cumin, and cider vinaigrette)

View menu | Contact: (613)-389-6372

2. Northside

281 Princess St.

Hours: Tues.–Sun. (8 am–3 pm)

This Australian-inspired café’s menu changes seasonally, offering avocado toast and stone fruit granola bowls that feature the freshest ingredients. You can also customize their popular menu items—like the chilli scramble—to be plant-based.

Highlights:

  • Avo smash (a whole smashed avocado, feta, mint, Thai chili, and sourdough bread)
  • Spring shoots bowl (seasonal spring veggies, french lentils, ajo blanco, salsa matcha, green grapes, pea shoots, and mint)
  • Stone fruit granola bowl (house made granola, strained yogurt with macadamia butter, stone fruit, and blueberries)

View menu 

3. Atomica

71 Brock St.

Hours: Sun.–Thur. (11:30 am–9 pm), Fri.–Sat. (11:30 am–10 pm)

Atomica is known for their eclectic menu that includes pizzas, pasta dishes, and bāo. You can sub regular mozzarella for vegan cashew mozzarella cheese on any of their pizzas.

Highlights:

  • Tofu bao (fried tofu, “buttermilk” ranch, romaine chiffonade, zuni pickles, and sesame seeds)
  • Plant-based fungi pizza (pesto, cashew “mozzarella,” cremini, shiitake, portobello & oyster mushrooms, funghi “bacon,” triple-seed “romano,” and truffle oil)
  • Rigatoni primavera (charred scallion pesto “crema,” cherry tomato, sweet peas, Swiss chard, roasted garlic, lemon, and pea shoots)

View menu | Contact: 613-530-2118

4. Cambodiana

161 Brock St.

Hours: Mon.–Fri. (11 am–8 pm), Sat. (noon–8 pm)

This Cambodian and Thai restaurant serves vegetarian and vegan dishes filled with flavourful spices and sauces. Cambodiana’s large menu also includes a section dedicated to tofu dishes like pineapple red curry tofu.

Highlights:

  • Vegetarian tofu spring rolls (three rolls)
  • Pineapple red curry tofu (cooked with sour red curry, coconut milk, pineapple, coriander, tomato, and served with rice)
  • Tofu pad Thai (Thai-style stir-fried noodles with fried tofu, green onion, bean sprouts, and roasted peanut)

View menu | Contact: 613-531-0888

5. Chez Piggy

68 Princess St.

Hours: Mon.–Sat. (11:30 am–9:00 pm), Sun. (10 am–9 pm)

Chez Piggy is a downtown restaurant located in a 19th-century limestone horse stable. In addition to their lunch and dinner menu, Chez Piggy serves brunch fare on Sundays, including vegetarian dishes like the Farmer’s Breakfast—a plate loaded with poached eggs, creamed mushrooms, spinach, sourdough toast, pecorino, and a house salad.

Highlights:

  • Pan-Zal-Nella panini (olive & rosemary sourdough, olive tapenade, tomato, basil, mozzarella, chili vinaigrette, and a house salad)
  • Farmer’s Breakfast (poached eggs, creamed mushrooms, spinach, sourdough toast, pecorino, and a house salad)
  • Cauliflower romesco (grilled cauliflower, white bean purée, romesco sauce, arugula, radish salad, and toasted almond)

View menu | Contact: (613)-549-7673

 

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6. Miss Bao

286 Princess St.

Hours: Thur.–Sat. (5–11 pm), Sun. (5–10 pm)

Enjoy Asian-fusion dishes and unique cocktails at this zero-waste restaurant in downtown Kingston. Their menu changes seasonally to offer you the freshest flavours.

Highlights:

  • Crispy shiitake wontons (deep-fried plant-based wontons filled with tofu, shiitake mushroom, and seasonal vegetables, and served with sweet and sour sauce)
  • Szechuan tofu bāo (two pieces)
  • Thai red curry (house-made Thai red curry paste, coconut milk, seasonal vegetables, legumes, fresh herbs, and served with rice)

View menu | Contact: (613)-545-0123

 

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7. Score Pizza

91 Princess St. & 1093 Midland Ave.

Hours:

1093 Midland Ave: Daily (11 am–9 pm)
91 Princess St.: Sun.-Thur. (11 am–9 pm), Fri.–Sat. (11 am–10 pm)

Score Pizza offers a selection of stone-fire pizzas and sandwiches. Order their classic margaritas and build your own pizza, adding toppings like Beyond Meat sausage crumbles and vegan cheese.

Highlights:

  • Margarita (red sauce, bocconcini, basil, and olive oil drizzle)
  • Veggie fresh (red sauce, mozzarella, goat cheese, green peppers, spinach, black olives, red onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and pesto drizzle)
  • Ultimate veggie sandwich (house-made bun, garlic butter, pesto mayo, mozzarella, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, red onions, spinach, and pesto drizzle)

View menu | Contact: (613)-542-1200

 

9. Pizza Monster

213 Montreal St.

Hours: Wed.–Thur. (4–8 pm), Fri.–Sat. (4–9 pm)

Enjoy Pizza Monster’s wood-fired pizzas topped with their vegan cheese. Thursday through Saturday, you can order their thick pizza squares through the window until 2 pm. Pre-orders and reservations are recommended.

Highlights:

  • Marinara (red sauce, garlic oil, and basil)
  • Buffalo cauliflower (garlic butter, sesame, roasted cauliflower, wing sauce, blue cheese crema, green onion, parmesan)

View menu | Contact: 613-217-1195

10. Burger 347

1347-1 Gardiners Rd.

Hours: Tues.–Sat. (11:30 am–9 pm), Sun. (noon–8 pm)

This locally owned burger joint in Kingston’s west end makes house-made black bean burgers and mac and cheese with crispy panko breading. Make any of their burgers vegetarian by swapping a beef patty for a black bean patty or try their burger bowl topped with plant-based jalapeno mayo.

Menu highlights:

  • The O.G. veggie (house black bean patty, plant-based jalapeno mayo, Mesa guacamole, pickled cabbage, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, sesame brioche bun, and a choice of side)
  • Burger bowl (chopped romaine, tomato, seared onion, house pickles, shredded cheddar, potato straws, plant-based jalapeno mayo, and black bean patty)
  • Ballpark nachos (house corn chips, jalapeno cheese sauce, Valentina’s hot sauce, pickled jalapenos, diced tomato, and sliced green onion)

View menu | Contact: 613-384-0377

Read Best restaurants serving vegan or vegetarian food in Kingston (part 2) for more plant-based options.

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Tourtière and high tea: À la carte at the Delightfully Different Tea Room

Delightfully Different Tea Room

It is a well-kept secret.

One rooted in family lore, tradition and love. One that Denise Paquette holds close to her heart – a secret ingrained in centuries of French Canadian tradition, one she shares with those who venture through Kingston’s winding labyrinth of limestone alleys to feast at her table.

Pouring tea

Tourtière, the iconic meat pie and the jewel in the crown of the Delightfully Different Tea Room, following a simple recipe: pork, beef, onion, mashed potatoes and spices.

And a secret, trademark ingredient: carrot.

“Carrot adds colour and sweetness – which might be why I’m selling so many!” laughs Denise, the owner and curator of the Delightfully Different Tea Room’s bright and beautiful foodie experience.

A seasonal delight offered only from November to February, Denise’s memories of tourtière are rooted in memories of Christmas past.

“There were six children in our French Canadian family. Every year we attended midnight mass at Christmas, and then would return home to enjoy my mother’s tourtières. It is such an important part of our culture and this is a big part of why I distinguish this offering at the Delightfully Different Tea Room.”

Tea cups

“I also make and sell a delicious homemade tomato chutney to accompany my tourtières,” she adds. “It is a family recipe that my dad used to make – he wasn’t allowed in the kitchen very often, because the kitchen was my mother’s domain!”

The Delightfully Different Tea Room shares a whimsical courtyard with Martello Alley, a colourful art gallery, at the end of one of Kingston’s classic limestone alleys, its walls brightened with works of a nearby art gallery – “a jewel!” says Denise.

“My patio really comes alive in the summer,” she continues. “Many patrons love sitting and having breakfast or lunch on their own, or coming in with friends, to enjoy the experience. Because of the shade, it’s quite comfortable even in those very hot summer months, especially with a nice gazpacho.”

Yet it is perhaps her vast collection of tea pots that inspire the most Insta-worthy moments, making the Delightfully Different Tea Room one of Kingston’s most photographed restaurants.

Tea cups“The Tea Room offers many ‘delightfully different’ experiences,” explains Denise. “I think the most distinguishable part of the Tea Room experience is being able to select your teapot from a wall of assorted pots. There are roughly 55 tea pots on the shelf and many more decorated throughout the dining room. They range in theme, size, and even cultural background – most notably there is one that is from Afghanistan with seven spouts!”

“I am not the sole collector of these gems,” she adds. “Many of them have actually been donated from various generous and kind individuals looking to honour their loved one’s favourite teapots. So, almost every pot has a story, and I love being able to share that with my visitors.”

Hanging tea cups and plates

But while the teapots are a charming draw, it is Denise’s luscious menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches – with gluten-free and vegan options – that entices her clientèle to the Delightfully Different Tea Room.

“All of our dishes are made on the premises, fresh, daily by me and my colleagues,” she says. “We take pride in the ingredients we use, and the way we make these dishes is always with love and integrity.”

“I’m known for my quiches and soups, particularly my quiche Lorraine and spicy Moroccan peanut tomato soup,” she says. “Likewise, one of our lovely fresh salads is the Israeli couscous salad, a true staple at the Tea Room. However, in the summer, our menu accommodates the season and as such we offer more of a variety, like the Moroccan quinoa.”

Soup and teaThe Delightfully Different Tea Room also offers a mystery plate – a melange of various popular items on the menu. In a light-hearted spirit of pleasure and exploration, Denise revels in delivering something palatable and delicious to her unsuspecting clientèle.

“The fun thing is that the patron doesn’t actually know what soup, or what salad, or what sandwich or dessert they are receiving! They put their trust in me and I deliver what I think is most palatable together on the plate.”

“The Delightfully Different Tea Room also offers high tea – a lovely opportunity to dress up, connect with a friend or loved one, and enjoy the atmosphere and experience – especially on the terrace in summer!” continues Denise.

Available by reservation, the Delightfully Different Tea Room’s high tea experience includes bottomless tea, a traditional three-tier tower filled with finger sandwiches, mini desserts, and scones with cream and jam at an affordable price point.

Baked goods

In addition to serving fine fare and tempting teas, Denise is also deeply ensconced in Kingston’s francophonie.

“I truly enjoy being able to speak French with my clientèle,” says Denise. “It gives me great pleasure to delight people who walk in my door knowing they can feel comfortable speaking this beautiful language with me.”

“French is a universal language – Kingston, which also has a French colonial history and a thriving military base, welcomes people from all over the country, and even the world, who make a point of engaging with us because of the French language.”

“As francophones in Kingston, we look for opportunities to connect and speak French whenever we can. I feel lucky – to speak this language, in this city and at the Delightfully Different Tea Room – and to share all of it with my neighbours and with visitors to Kingston.”

Exterior of Delightfully Different Tea Room

The Delightfully Different Tea Room is a true testament to the power of culture, cuisine and community, believes Denise.

And as she spills the tea, connecting family lore and recipes for tourtière and tomato chutney, Denise’s story reminds us that it is possible to create an authentic visitor experience.

One that revels in the beauty of culture and language.

See the French version of this story on our French website.

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Social crafting spaces in Kingston

Social Crafting Spaces in Kingston

Get crafty at local bars, spaces, and studios in Kingston. Socialize with your friends and family and create an art piece to take home and enjoy.

 

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Tett Centre

370 King St. W

Every second Tuesday of the month, meet new people, share creative insight, and start creating at open studio Tett Tuesdays (all mediums and skill levels are welcome). Join a monthly class or studio session with Michelle Reid and Natalie Bohnen-Twiddy for an oil painting session or explore sketching, painting, and poetry in A Little Peace of Nature: a beginners’ expressive arts experience. See all upcoming events on their website.

Tie One On Creativity Bar

1329 Gardiners Rd.

Enjoy a glass of local beer or wine with friends and family while creating paintings, bracelets, and other DIY projects together. Participate in one of many events that happen in-house including the Liquid Glass Beach Party, a Paint Nite – Wind Swept Dawn, or April Showers Paint Nite. Do you have a group of friends interested in crafting? Check out Tie One On Creativity Bar’s group packages.

Open: Tues – Friday (3 – 9 pm), Sat (noon – 9 pm), Sunday (noon – 6 pm)

 

The Glass House

991 Sydenham Rd.

The Glass House offers stained glass classes for beginners and intermediate students. Every month they offer beginner stained glass courses including a mini beginner stained glass course. They also offer recurring sessions of intermediate courses, including the Fused Glass Windchime course or the Garden Ornaments course. See more class details. See all classes on their website.

 

Amaranth Stoneware

745 Development Dr, Unit 7

Enjoy workshops, weekly classes, or spring and summer classes. Start with a Meet the Wheel workshop where you get introduced to pottery. If you are experienced with pottery, drop-in to a weekly open studio session, which have dedicated hours each week (Wed and Sun 10 am – 1 pm, Fri 1 pm – 4 pm). Check out unique workshops offered including the Wall Vases and Pockets workshop, or the Bird Bath/Feeder workshop. See a full list of classes on their website.

 

A Girl And Her Puppy Pottery Studio

1786 Bath Rd. Unit 8

Try a two-hour throwing or hand-building class on weekdays. Learn how to handle clay and create a nice take-home item. A Girl and Her Puppy Pottery Studio also offers kids classes for ages 9 – 12 on weekdays. Kids will learn the basic techniques of throwing pottery. See more details on their website.

 

Crock a Doodle

1690 Bath Rd.

Paint a piece of pottery with your friends, family, co-workers, or for your birthday! Drop-in between Tuesday and Sunday during open hours or make a reservation (reservations are recommended). Get some inspiration before you go from previous pieces. Stay updated about upcoming events on their Instagram.

Open: Tues and Wed (noon – 5 pm), Thurs (10 am – 8 pm), Fri (1 – 8 pm), Sat (10 am – 8 pm), Sun (10 am – 5 pm)

 

4Cats Studio

759 Gardiners Rd. (west-end)

181 Sydenham St. (downtown)

Take part in classes, workshops, and kids camps at the 4Cats Studio. At their west-end and downtown locations take part in adult and family workshops. Enjoy weekly Clay Wheel Adult workshops (ages 15+) at their downtown location. See all workshops on their website.

4Cats Studio also offers kids/teens camps and sessions for PA/PD days, winter, spring, and summer. Kids can learn pottery throwing and sculpting, painting, drawing, and printmaking. See all Kids camps on their website.

 

Kingston School of Art

647 Princess St. Unit 101

Explore your artistic side during a Kingston School of Art workshop and work with paints, charcoal, dry point, and prints. Build on your skills by attending one of their seasonal adult classes. The Kingston School of Art offers a selection of scheduled and drop-in style classes for all skill levels.

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Insider Itinerary: Jim Barber of Cataraqui Conservation

I am the Co-ordinator, Communications for Cataraqui Conservation, an avid reader, history buff, and arts appreciator. Right now, my colleagues and I are quite busy entertaining thousands of visitors and area residents for our Maple Madness festivities. Although I live in Napanee, I spend my work days and many evenings out in Kingston, enjoying the culture, sporting events, the people, history, and heritage of the city.

Read on to learn about Jim’s favourite things about Kingston.

1. Kingston Rocks!

There are few communities that can boast the diversity and variety of music venues, festivals, bands, and singer/songwriters, which are essential parts of the creative heartbeat of the Limestone City. Some of my favourite haunts include The Mansion, Overtime, The Toucan, as well as the splendid sonic majesty of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.

2. Food, Glorious Food

There is such a wonderful variety of dining experiences in Kingston. A hearty all-day breakfast or brunch on a Sunday is good for the heart and soul, as well as the tummy! Over the years, Morrison’s, The Golden Rooster, and Pan Chancho have been my go-tos for Kingston brekkie fare!

3. Hockey Heritage

As a former hockey writer/historian, it’s wonderful to explore the history of Canada’s ice-bound game from a Kingston perspective, and also enjoy the current high-level on-ice excitement of the Kingston Frontenacs. It’s inspiring, as well, to follow those, like Taylor Hall and Jayna Hefford who carved their careers from the local neighbourhood rinks onward and upward to the NHL and/or Olympics.

 

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4. Independent Record Stores

From Brian’s Record Option to Zap Records to Something Else, and many other places – there’s no shortage of vinyl to satiate my music obsession.

5. Galleries Galore

Although not an artist myself, I have a profound appreciation for those who can use visual arts to convey meaning and humanity. Art After Dark is one cool event that allows folks like me a chance to see creators in their element. I also think the Froid’Art project orchestrated by Martello Alley is an amazing way to combine nature and creativity and add some colour and warmth to the coldest season.

6. Maple Madness

Maple Madness at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area is such a fun, family-oriented event, where even we staff members can not only get some fresh air and exercise but always learn something new about our collective heritage. Oh and I hear there are also some tasty maple treats, including pancakes!

Complete the sentence: Kingston makes me… want to be out doing cool stuff every night of the week!

If Kingston had a theme song, it would be…
‘No dress rehearsal, this is our life…’ – Ahead by a Century

Describe Kingston in three words:
Energy. Creativity. Diversity.

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In Conversation with Kingston’s Museums: March of the Museums

“Museums are a conversation,” smiles David McCarey.

“Canada’s cultural institutions are places that people need to explore,” pursues the assistant curator and education programmer at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum. “People often dismiss museums as dusty old places with old ideas – and there are old ideas in museums, it’s true. But there’s also new ideas and new experiences in museums. And new ways of looking at the past.”

March of the Museums, David’s brainchild and an event led by the Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites (KAM), tries to bring to life these new ways of looking at the past, connecting cultural spaces to young inquisitive minds. A week-long series of free and family-friendly events which kickstarts Monday, March 13 and runs to Friday, March 17th 2023, March of the Museums is inspiring visitors from the Limestone City and beyond to flex their curiosity and creativity.

Whether it’s a visit to the Murney Tower Museum, Kingston’s oldest operating museum and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications, or to the 1000 Islands History Museum in nearby Gananoque, which traces the millennia histories of these lands, or a jaunt to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, devoted to shipwrecks, lighthouses, as well as the importance of ecosystems and water quality – the “festival of museums” shines a light on the lives, landscapes and waters of Kingston and beyond.

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

“Kingston’s museums are very much connected to people’s lives here,” explains David. “And the history of those lives is represented in those places.”

This year, March of the Museum is expanding to also include performance in other important cultural spaces, such as hosting a Learning Table at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Stories and Songs with Grandmother Judi, the Paddling Puppeteers at the Fairfield-Gutzeit House and Military Communications and Electronics Museum, as well as spirit-stirring drumming with Kahwa:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs.

Launched in 2018, March of the Museums has grown in leaps and bounds, seeded by Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites’ Programming and Community Engagement Committee (of which David is a member) work in engaging inquisitive young minds at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum.

“We have an education program here with plenty of hands-on activities with telephones, reproduction uniforms and just interactive stuff like Morse Code and flags, things like that,” recounts David. “And one day I thought: wouldn’t it be good if we could create something amazing for kids over March break?”

March of the Museums became a movement of cultural spaces, encouraging the participation of Kingston’s museums in whatever way they could to engage as many in the community as possible.

“Your community of interest isn’t just the one you think it is,” explains David. “Museums are also about inviting other people to become part of that community of interest and expanding your relevance. For us, it’s students, children and their families – and we love grandparents! – they are important members of our community and we love to engage them.”

“Although it’s not completely bilingual, we’re excited by our great French-language content and activities to tempt Francophone visitors,” continues David. “For instance, our displays – here at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum – engage visitors in the history of the Military Communications and Electronics Branch in both French and English.”

“We’re also very excited about our bilingual partnership with Improbable Escapes, which features Camp X, Canada’s secret spy school, and Spy Master, which puts you on your first espionage mission. These are games that take you through the museum gallery with some mind puzzles throughout some of the areas in the gallery.”

“We also have a lot of hands-on crafts for children that are pretty intuitive and translate across languages,” adds David. “For example, we show kids how to spell out their name in Morse code with a simple pipe cleaner and beads!”

“It’s difficult to say which one of the exhibits at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum I love most,” laughs David. “For example, we have an Enigma machine, an encoding and decoding machine that the Germans used in the Second World War.

“There is also a signal flapper, an incredible piece of technology connected to the First World War. It’s like a Venetian blind with cloth panels in this little frame you stick on the end of your rifle. You pull a string and it actually flaps a message in Morse Code. Frontline soldiers would use that to send messages back to the rear echelons.”

“I just can’t imagine with the artillery falling down around you, the bullets whizzing by – and holding up this signal flapper,” continues David. “There’s only one other that I’ve seen, and that’s at the Imperial War Museum in Great Britain, in the UK. And every time I walk by the exhibit, I kind of just sort of shake my head and think, my goodness, how far we’ve come technologically!”

“I also think a great deal about the sculptures we house at the Military Communications & Electronics Museum,” continues David. “Canada Bereft is probably the most famous one, an allegory of Canada suffering the loss of its soldiers in the First World War. We have three of the half scale models designed by Walter Seymour Alward, the architect behind the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. People come from all over the world to see that sculpture.”

But, believes David, museums aren’t just about objects – but rather, how those objects evoke stories that bring people together.

“In fact, one of my favourite stories of the Military Communications & Electronics Museum isn’t even on display here,” recounts David. “When we commemorated the centenary of Vimy Ridge in 2017, my friend Derek came to pay tribute to his grandfather – a signaller decorated for his heroism in the First World War.”

“When Derek joined us, he brought his grandfather’s medals, as well as these dried flowers his grandfather had collected at Vimy Ridge. He held on to those dried flowers for years and years and years, then passed them on to his grandson, who holds his grandfather’s memory very dear.”

“Objects are fleeting. But they connect us to stories and people from the past. You can almost hear the voices of those who came before us through the objects curated in our museums.”

David is dreaming big for the March of the Museums.

“I would love to see the March of the Museums become a national phenomenon – ultimately, I want visitors, families – everyone! – to engage and explore,” he says. “The neatest thing about March of the Museums is that it’s expanding.

There are museums in Belleville participating. There’s one also in Smith Falls and even in Almonte, Perth and Gananoque.”

“I love the big places – the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto and the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa,” concludes David. “But also, the humble museums in some of the little communities across Canada who have amazing, incredible, big stories to tell.”

See the French version on our French website

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Le Centre culturel Frontenac: la francophonie in the heart of the Limestone City

The Centre culturel Frontenac has always sought to forge links among francophone and francophile communities by promoting arts and culture in Kingston. 

It was 1980 in the Limestone City, Kingston, Ontario.

An era when Franco-Ontarians were defining themselves through their artists, their institutions, and the exercise of their Franco-minority linguistic rights.

A moment in time when nothing was impossible. Including here in Kingston.

Here, a community dreamed, solidaires, invested wholeheartedly in the creation of the vivre-ensemble of an entire community. Born of this shining era of Franco-Ontarian will, the Centre culturel Frontenac has always sought to forge links among francophone and francophile communities by promoting arts and culture in Kingston and the Thousand Islands.

En français.

“It was the desire of the community – who were living in a deeply minority linguistic setting – to have a common place where they could meet, develop projects and help each other out,” explains Marie-Noëlle Cyr, Executive Director of the Centre culturel Frontenac.

Forty-five years young, the Centre culturel Frontenac is firmly rooted in the fabric of Kingstonian society, its gaze trained on the future, the fruit of a vibrant and visible francophonie in Kingston, its scene rich with performing arts, culture and human complicity.

Musicians

Times have been tough for dreamers and artists (pandemic oblige!) – but, according to Marie-Noël, the Kingston art scene is bursting with renewal: “All of a sudden, we’re back in the community! People are tired of their little cocoons.”

“Tonight, at the OCTAVE Theatre, for example, it is Pandora Topp singing Édith Piaf,” she breathes. “We’re going to welcome spectators with a Parisian café – round tables, the aromas of rich coffee, waiters dressed in café attire – it’s going to be amazing!”

The 2023 artistic season delivers on the promise of Kingston’s dreamers with a dazzling season: Concerts! Theatre! Cinema! Festivals!

En Français!

Last month, the Centre culturel Frontenac partnered with the Reel Out Queer Film Festival (January 26 – February 5), presenting a selection of short films in French with English subtitles, further, announcing a partnership with the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (March 2-5) to present a selection of short films in French (with English subtitles).

In February, the Centre culturel Frontenac welcomes the famous Vaches! The Musical (February 11), which evokes the resilience of Franco-Ontarians in the face of adversity during the 1998 ice storm. They will also join forces with the Live Wire Music Series to present a bilingual double-set performance with Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki singer Mimi O’Bonsawin and Nova Scotian Ian Sherwood (February 24).

At the dawn of the Kingstonian spring, it will be the turn of Mario Tessier (March 4), the comedian and storyteller to keep his audience in stitches. This will be followed by performances by the group Les Bouches Bées (April 14), a quartet with «an almost Cajun approach to support their well-crafted French lyrics,” and Damoiseaux (March 24), a pop-jazz group with “a scent of cinema and poetry.”

 

In April, the Centre culture Frontenac will present the play Intrusions (April 28), produced by the Théâtre de la Vieille 17 (Ottawa, Ontario) and the Théâtre populaire d’Acadie (New Brunswick), which confronts its spectator with a senior woman’s humour, rage and determination in the face of the health system.

In May, Lua Shayenne will present La calebasse aux cauris (May 27), a timeless African tale dedicated to little ones. The play offers the story of little Yassama who, with the help of an old Baobab and a mysterious calabash, will try to save her community from drought.

With roots in Acadie, Ontario, Quebec, Africa and elsewhere, these artists represent the plurality of francophone Canada. Here in Kingston, we find the francophonie in all its universality and collective good spirits.

“Kingston is a destination of choice for French-speaking tourists,” says Marie-Noël. Wherever a tourist goes, there will be someone who will certainly speak French, or who will regret not having practiced enough French.”

She cites the example of the 5 à 7 Franco, hosted by the Centre culturel Frontenac every second Thursday of the month, where guests are immersed in the complicity and fraternity Kingstonians feel for the French language.

“People here have long understood that it was good to be bilingual, or even trilingual! Quadrilingual! Everyone takes French seriously – we understand the importance of maintaining the French language,” she explains.

“Francophone tourists,” she adds, “whether from Quebec or beyond Canadian borders, rarely emerge unscathed from an exchange with Franco-Ontarians.

Immersed in the Franco-Minority cultural and linguistic realities of Ontario, they develop a new solidarity that extends beyond borders, words and accents. All of a sudden, they get to know us and understand our daily linguistic realities here in Ontario, where we have to defend our linguistic gains,” she says.

Marie-Noël envisions a particularly spectacular summer season. In partnership with the Skeleton Park Arts Festival, the Centre culturel Frontenac will host Ariko (June 24, 2023), a family band from Lafontaine, Ontario, that “radiates the velvety harmonies and fiery violins of the Lefaive sisters.”

In August, the Centre culturel Frontenac will partner with the Kick and Push Festival, named for the famous bumpy train ride in the early 20th century between Kingston-Pembroke, to offer Corpus Dance Projects’ La bulle (August 2023), the story of a lunar Pierrot, presented in open air at sunset.

Its gaze firmly trained on the future, the Centre culture Frontenac is nurturing the next generation of Franco-Ontarian artists, offering summer arts camps for budding young artists.

Musicians

“To live a culture well, it must be presented and lived in an authentic way,” concludes Marie-Noël. “The summer camp allows young francophones to meet real artists, to realize that they can make a living from their art, to explore and experiment and, we hope, to develop an appreciation of the world of the arts in French.”

See the French version of this story on our French website.

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Kingston Canadian Film Festival 2023

KCFF

KCFF

What is KCFF? KCFF is the Kingston Canadian Film Festival – the largest all-Canadian film festival, which has showcased Canadian films since 2001.

This year KCFF is back fully in-person and will feature close to 100 productions, including documentaries, comedies, dramas, thrillers, shorts, and select episodes. Through March 2 – 5, enjoy screenings, Q&As, parties, workshops, networking events, live music, stand-up comedy, and exhibitions at The Screening Room, Kingston Grand, The Isabel Bader Centre, The Broom Factory, Tango Nuevo, and The Toucan.

We asked KCFF’s Executive Director, Marc Garniss, to share his top picks at this year’s fest. Read on for an insider’s take on the best of the fest. Full details are available on the KCFF website: https://kingcanfilmfest.com/

 

Slaight Music Video Showcase

This initiative, presented by KCFF and Tourism Kingston, showcases 11 music videos created by emerging artists from both the film and music scene in Kingston. Filmed over the last several months, they premiere March 4, 7:30 at the Grand Theatre. The showcase will include all the music videos, a Q&A with the filmmakers, and you can vote for your favourite.

 


I Like Movies

Visit The Screening Room March 3 (7 pm) or March 4 (1 pm) to see I Like Movies by Toronto’s Chandler Levack. This 99-minute film is a comedy about Lawrence, a 17-year-old who is navigating relationships in all areas of life while working at a video rental store in the early aughts. It’s one of the year’s most acclaimed first feature films.

 

Riceboy Sleeps

The festival officially kicks off March 2, 7 pm at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts with the opening night film, Riceboy Sleeps, directed by Anthony Shim (it plays again March 3, 4 pm). Riceboy Sleeps is a poignant drama about Korean immigrant life in the ‘90s and the changes and challenges of a mother-son relationship. The film includes English and Korean (with English subtitles).

 

Shelter

Shelter

Shelter, by Prince Edward County-based filmmaker and cinematographer Tess Girard, is a gorgeous film that explores Girard’s return to Horning’s Mills, Ontario, the people and the place, and connections to the landscape and each other. It plays March 4 (4 pm) at the Baby Grand Theatre or March 5 (1 pm) at The Screening Room.

 

Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall)

Canadian comedian Kevin McDonald comes to The Broom Factory for a stand-up comedy showcase – twice! After his first KCFF show on March 3 sold out, a second show was added March 4 (3:30 pm). You may recognize him from shows like That 70s Show, Arrested Development, and of course Canadian classic, Kids in the Hall.

 

Mix and Mingle

Don’t miss the Mix and Mingle reception on March 4 (noon – 1:30) at Tango Nuevo. This is a great way to enjoy in-person social networking with filmmakers, special guests, sponsors, and staff. Casa-Dea Winery, Spearhead Brewing Company, Stock & Row Cider, and Tango Nuevo will be providing food and drinks for the event. Admission is reserved for festival passholders – a great reason to upgrade your fest experience!

 

How to get tickets

Tickets are available now on the KCFF website. If you are looking to attend multiple films, check out their film passes for a full festival weekend.

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Valentine’s Day 2023: What to do in Kingston

Valentine's Day 2023

Gather your valentine, galentine, friends, or family and celebrate love in the Limestone City. We’ve rounded up Valentine’s Day packages, special menus, and other offers to help you share the love.

 

Dinner and Drinks

 

Wharf and Feather Valentine’s Dinner

2 Princess St.

Gather your love and head to the Wharf and Feather for their Valentine’s Day dinner menu. This menu includes an appetizer (roasted tomato soup or squid tempura salad), entrée (chicken supreme, rib eye steak, or stuffed cabbage), and dessert (strawberry mousse or chocolate cake truffles). See their website for full dinner menu details. Reservations recommended.

Available February 11 and 14.

 

 

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Days on Front 

730 Front Rd.

Dine with your darling at Days on Front and enjoy their special Valentine’s Day menu. This mouth-watering dinner menu includes beef wellington, seafood pasta, and crepe cake. You can reserve a table at tbdine.com.

Available February 10, 11, and 14

 

Dinner and a Movie

120 Princess St. (Screening Room), 39 Brock St. (Olivea)

A classic date-night combo! Enjoy a screening of Amélie (an adorable French romantic comedy), followed by a three-course meal at Olivea restaurant offering items inspired by the film. See more information on their website. Book by calling 613-547-5483.

Available February 13.

 

 

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County Sips

If you don’t feel like planning this Valentine’s day? Take a County Sips wine tour with your friends. Visit four wineries in Prince Edward County and enjoy wine tastings along the way. Let your tour guide do the work so you can sit back and relax with your pals. Learn more on their website.

 

Grab a Valentine’s day coffee

Nothing says warm and cozy like a custom brewed coffee. Grab something to warm your bones at the Kingston Coffee House (our suggestion: raspberry white hot chocolate), Balzac’s (cinnamon latte), or Pan Chancho (house coffee and Valentine’s Day baked goods). See the full coffee shop roundup on our website.

 

Kingston Food Tours

Get out of the house and get to know Kingston’s food scene this Valentine’s Day. Bring your bestie on the Classic Kingston Food Tour or the Tapas tour where you can enjoy local Kingston cuisine and learn about the magic and makers behind Kingston’s culinary scene. Learn more about the food tours available on their website.

 

Valentin’s Day Events + Attractions

 

Tie One On Creative Bar 

1329 Gardiners Rd.

Tie One On Creative bar has two Valentine’s Day events that would be perfect for crafty friends. Try their Valentine Cookie Decorating Workshop on Feb 10 (7 – 8:30 pm) or see My Kinky Valentine Burlesque show on Feb 11 (7 – 11:45 pm). See more event information on their website.

 

Something in the Water Brewing Co.

275 Princess St.

Celebrate Kingston’s Queens at Love’s a Drag at Something in the Water Brewing Co. on Feb 9 (7:30 pm). While the show is on, enjoy a cold brew (Big Quinte, West Coast IPA, Garrison Creek Pilsner) and a snack (pizza, pretzels, dips). Find more event details online.

 

 

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Spearhead Event Spearhead Brewing Company

675 Development Dr.

Have a good laugh at Spearhead Brewing Co. during their Love and Laughs comedy night on Feb 11 or see the annual drag show (Stop Dragging My Heart Around) on Feb 22 (7 – 10 pm) hosted by Rowena Whey. See all event details on their website.

Treat yourself

Enjoy a spa day (Glow Skincare Co, Stoked Sauna Co, Cher-Mère Day Spa), forest walks (Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area), yoga classes (Studio 330, Salti Yoga, Morro Yoga, Health Yoga), and more. Check out our winter wellness in Kingston story for ideas.

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Wellness roundup 2023

Winter wellness in Kingston

Beat the cold by indulging in some soothing self-care. From spas to saunas, dining to outdoor adventure, coffee to crafts, our picks will always provide a pick-me-up.

 

Cher-Mère

68 Brock St. or 787 Blackburn Mews

Cher-Mère offers products for a variety of skin, hair, and body types (dry, oily, and healthy). They also provide facials, manicures/pedicures, massages, lashes, waxing, and henna. Find seasonal, holiday, and weekly/monthly specials on their website.

Open: Mon – Wed (10 am – 6 pm), Thurs – Fri (10 am – 7 pm), Sat (9:30 am – 5 pm), Sun (noon – 5 pm)

 

Dolce Bella Spa

8 Cataraqui St.

Whether you want your makeup done, hair styled, or rejuvenized skin, Dolce Bella has you covered. They offer spa services, packages, hair salon services, and treatments. After your relaxing spa experience, head down the hall to The River Mill Restaurant for a bite to eat (2 Cataraqui St.)

Open: Mon (10 am – 4 pm), Tues (9 am – 6 pm), Wed (9 am – 7 pm), Thurs (9 am – 8 pm), Fri (9 am – 7 pm), Sat 9 am – 5 pm)

 

Little Cataraqui Creek

1641 Perth Rd.

Enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. Connect with nature, yourself, and others while you venture through forests, fields, and marsh lands. The Outdoor Centre offers snowshoe and skiing rental services daily (9 am – 4 pm). While you’re there, take a moment to feed some chickadees. Learn about upcoming special events on their website.

Open: Daily

 

Stoked Sauna Co.

225 King St E.

At the Frontenac Club, you will find the Stoke and Chill Sauna experience by Stoked Sauna Co. where you can relax using their outdoor saunas, fire pit area, and ice baths. After you’re done, enjoy the Après-Sauna Menu’s food and drink offering (split pea soup, in-house candied salmon, Frontenac fondue, fermented lemonade, mulled wine, and decadent hot chocolate). Explore packages to combine your Stoke and Chill experience with an overnight stay.

Open: Thurs (6 – 9 pm), Fri (4:30 – 9 pm), Sat (12:30 – 9:30 pm), Sun (12:30 – 8 pm)

 

Afternoon Tea at The Secret Garden Inn

73 Sydenham St.

Do you like a good cup of tea? Try The Secret Garden Inn’s Afternoon Tea experience with house-made sweet and savoury treats. Learn more about this experience on their website. Combine your dining experience with an overnight stay with Secret Garden Inn packages.

Open: various hours (see website for details)

 

Glow Skincare Co. Spa Retreat

234 Princess St.

Glow Skincare Company offers a spa retreat (sauna, eucalyptus steam room, cold plunge, jacuzzi, and a bar) and care services (naturopathic medicine, massage, and facials). Follow them on Instagram for updates on promotions and offerings.

Open: Mon – Sun (9 am – 8 pm)

 

The Refinery Spa and Social House

327 King St. E.

The Refinery has two spas available, REM (guided meditation, private yoga practice, reiki, and spa treatments) and the Spa and Social House (steam room, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, and hairstyling). Combine multiple items to create a package and get the most out of your time at The Refinery Spa (see package options on their website)

Open: Various hours (see website for details)

 

Tie One On Creativity Bar

1329 Gardiners Rd.

Get creative with friends at a Tie One On Creativity Bar event. Upcoming events include an adult tie die party (Feb. 8), paint night (Feb. 9), and saw it on Pinterest (Feb. 16). Learn more about these events on their website. While you’re there enjoy a beverage from a local brewery (see all local brews available).

Open: Tues – Sat (noon – 9 pm), Sun (noon – 6 pm)

 

Coffee and Company

53 Princess St.

Pick out a book that intrigues you at a downtown bookstore (Berry and Peterson Booksellers, Novel Idea), and head to Coffee and Company to indulge in their relaxing environment. While you’re there try one of their treats (scones, muffins, bagels, croissants) and a hot cup of joe.

Open: Sun – Thurs (7 am – 6 pm), Fri – Sat (7 am – 7 pm)

 

 

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Take a yoga class

There are many businesses that offer yoga classes in Kingston (Studio 330, Salti Yoga, Morro Yoga, Health Yoga, Samatva Yoga). You can join a class or bring an instructor to you. During these yoga experiences, you will focus on your breathing technique, improving functionality, connecting your mind, and practicing self-awareness.

Open: various hours (see website links above for details)

 

Boiler Room

993 Princess St. (Unit 12)

Enjoy a day of rock climbing at the Boiler Room. During your orientation, you will learn about the different types of climbing you can do at their facility (auto-belays, top rope with off-harness belaying, and lead climbing). Booking is required for lessons (the Boiler Room will be closed to walk-ins Feb 19 and 20).

Open: Mon – Fri (10 am – 11 pm), Sat – Sun (9 am – 9 pm)

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Staying caffeinated with Kingston cafés

Staying cafinated in Kingston

How do you take your coffee? You’ll never run out of new flavours to explore with Kingston’s variety of coffee shops. Whether you prefer to sip on a unique seasonal drink or a tried-and-true favourite, Kingston has several cafés waiting to welcome you.

SENS CAFE

136 Ontario St.

Open: Tues–Fri (8:30 am–4 pm), Sat-Sun (9 am–4 pm)

The owners of Sens Café opened their first café in France in 2014 and they’ve brought the French flavour, quality, and atmosphere to Kingston. Enjoy Quietly Coffee and its selection of salads, savoury snacks, and French pastries crafted daily by its in-house chef.

Must-try: An Ethiopian pour-over coffee with a chocolate chip cookie

CRAVE COFFEE HOUSE & BAKERY

166 Princess St.

Open: Daily (7:30 am–8 pm)

Crave is Kingston’s largest independently owned and operated coffee house and scratch bakery. You’ll be amazed at the mouthwatering selection of sweet and savoury snacks they have to offer. You can bask in the Princess Street sunshine on their patio in the summer or snuggle up by their cozy fireplace in the winter.

Must-try: Any of their seasonal lattes and their cinnamon buns made each morning

BALZAC’S

251 Princess St.

Open: Mon–Sat (7 am–6 pm), Sun (8 am–6 pm)

Balzac’s Coffee Roasters is inspired by Parisian culture and this location is the Canadian brand’s 12th café in Ontario. Balzac’s is dedicated to connecting the design of each of their cafés to their specific location. This historic Kingston venue has a unique personality that’s been enticing coffee drinkers for years.

Must-try: Seasonal winter blend coffee (marble roast with sweet plum and dark chocolate notes) and a butter tart.

COFFEE & COMPANY

53 Princess St.

Open: Sun–Thu (7 am–6 pm), Fri–Sat (7 am–7 pm)

Established in 1995, Coffee and Company is a well-loved corner of downtown Kingston. They serve fair-trade specialty coffee and tea, along with several other handcrafted drinks, salads, classic sandwiches, and baked goods.

Must-try: Raspberry truffle mocha and a muffin

NORTHSIDE ESPRESSO + KITCHEN

281 Princess St.

Open: Tues–Sun (8 am–3 pm)

NORTHSIDE is inspired by the Australian coffee scene where coffee is more than a rushed affair: it’s a daily ritual. Not only can you grab some great coffee, but they also serve breakfast, sweet treats, and alcohol. They offer online takeaway and boast one of the cutest patios around!

Must-try: Iced coffee and a bagel

KINGSTON COFFEE HOUSE

Kingston Coffee House (Market Square) – 322 King St E.

Open: Sun–Thu (7:30 am–7 pm), Fri–Sat (7:30 am–8 pm)

Kingston Coffee House (Kingston Centre) – 1046 Princess St.

Open: Mon–Thu (7 am–6 pm), Fri–Sat (7:30 am–6 pm), Sun (10 am–4 pm)

Known as “Kingston’s home for latte art,” this café provides a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for a variety of coffee lovers – and beyond! Enjoy a variety of drinks and baked goods made in-house or by a local baker. You’re sure to find vegan options here too. Near Springer Market Square, this café has an iconic view of Kingston.

Must-try: Iced hazelnut latte and a house-made chocolate chip cookie

JUNIPER CAFÉ

370 King St. W.

Open: Mon–Fri (8 am–7 pm), Sat (8 am–6 pm), Sun (9 am–5 pm)

Embedded at the back of the Tett Centre and facing the water, Juniper Café is an idyllic spot where you can indulge in some yummy treats. Their menu changes seasonally and they use local ingredients. You’ll love any sandwich made with their fresh focaccia.

Must-try: Cortado and a brownie

THE ELM CAFÉ

303 Montreal St.

Open: Daily (7:30 am–5 pm)

Step into a family-run café nestled in the Inner Harbour neighborhood. The owners are dedicated to serving simple – but delicious – seasonal food and beverages. They also have a cozy patio so you can enjoy your coffee al fresco in the warmer months. Stop by for some direct trade coffee and you might just stumble upon a community event too, like a musical coffee house or poetry open mic night.

Must-try: Flat white and a vegan coconut square

Nora’s Coffee + Sandwiches

500 Canatara Ct.

Open: Mon–Fri (7 am–3 pm), Sat–Sun (9 am–4 pm)

This west-end gem was named after the owner’s daughter, Nora. They offer multiple food and drink options, including coffee by the cup, baked goods, sandwiches, and bags of coffee to-go. You can also find bagels from Nosh, a downtown Kingston bakery. While you’re lounging with your coffee and treats take a look around and enjoy the beautiful art pieces by Vanessa Jane Martin.

Must-try: Croissant French toast (stuffed with cream, topped with maple syrup, strawberries, cinnamon whipped cream, and pecans)

Patriam

677 Innovation Dr Unit 4.

Open: Tues–Fri (8 am–3 pm), Sat (9 am–3 pm)

This coffee bar makes hot and cold drinks to go, including lattes, espressos, sparkling Americanos, and iced mochas. They also offer sweet and savoury goods including scones, cookies, biscuits, and sandwiches. They partner with different local makers, such as The Coffee Plant and Jean + Dean, to bring in additional items for their menu.

Must-try: Cappuccino and biscotti (almonds, cranberry, apricot, and kiwi)