ON THE MENU: WHAT’S OPENED AND CLOSED ON THE LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE
Here's a list of what has come, gone and changed in Hamilton and Burlington in January.
Launched
Fuel Grill (28 Barton St. E., Hamilton)
A new fast casual restaurant has opened in the Barton and James North area, serving smash burgers, sandwiches and milkshakes. The recent grand opening touted $5 burgers, with any chicken sandwich or burger offered at $6.99 the following weekend, signalling that we can expect a focus on cheap eats at this new spot.
IG: @fuel.grill.ca
Kebab Fazil (1000 Upper Gage Ave., Hamilton)
The Fennell Avenue eatery has opened a second Hamilton location on Upper Gage, with tons of cozy booth seating. Key features of the menu include fire-grilled kebabs, barbecue chicken, and shawarma.
IG: @kebabfazil
Leaven House Bakery & Café (297 Dundas St. E., Waterdown)
A bright café that is quickly becoming known for its hand-whisked microground chai and matcha lattes crafted with house-made syrups, baked goods made in house along with scratch-made focaccia bread that is used for their artisan sandwiches. The space is filled with art painted by the owner’s mother, and with plants from the owner’s sister’s business, Ridgeway Florist, just down the street.
IG: @leaven_house
The Forge Bar-BQ (1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster)
Formerly the recently closed Pub Fiction in Ancaster, The Forge Bar-BQ has been born of a new partnership that features chefs, pitmasters, restaurateurs, and hospitality pros including award-winning pitmasters Mark and Robyn Wilson, and Jeff Crump of Earth to Table fame, among others. The menu features BBQ plates and platters, while the tradition of regular live music continues on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
IG: @theforgebarbq
Marty’s Pizza Bar (298 James St. N., Hamilton)
Martello’s promised a new experience at the end of last year and they delivered with an entirely new restaurant concept named Marty’s Pizza Bar. Expect a casual hangout spot, open late, slinging wood-fired pizza pies, beer, wings, late-night snacks and cocktails.
IG: @martyspizzabar
McCallister’s Handcrafted Sandwiches (307 Barton St. E., Hamilton)
This new take-out sandwich spot is centred around made-to-order sandwiches, fresh salads and wraps, plus drinks and treats, for breakfast and lunch. It’s rapidly gaining a following for its high-quality ingredients and inventive sandwich creations on baked-in-house focaccia, like the braised short rib sandwich dubbed Filthy Animal.
IG: @mccallisterssandwiches
Piper Arms (1786 Stone Church Rd. E., Stoney Creek)
This prolific Ontario pub franchise has finally landed in Hamilton, bringing elevated pub fare in a comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant is known for its daily specials on beer and wings, as well as its weekend brunch.
IG: @piperarmsstoneycreek
Rosewood Garden (3455 Fairview St., Burlington)
Afternoon tea lovers will be ecstatic to hear there’s a new tea house in town, serving tiered afternoon tea in a traditional setting featuring vintage decor. Think Victorian furniture, delicate china cups and doilies. The menu offers exciting not-so-traditional vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options for both the Victorian and Rosewood afternoon tea sets. Open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations via rosewoodgardentea@gmail.com.
IG: @rosewoodgardentea
Spoon & Fork (1200 Brant St., Burlington)
Spoon & Fork has been offering fine Japanese and Thai dining in Ontario for more than 25 years, and Burlington is the latest location. The dine-in restaurant offers an “all you can taste” menu and an a-la-carte menu with a wide selection of options including sushi, sashimi, grilled meats, rice and noodle, dishes, curries and dim sum.
IG: @snfrestaurant
Rebranding
Montrose Breakfast Restaurant (195 Rebecca St., Hamilton)
The breakfast restaurant formerly known as A.M. Breakfast Restaurant has rebranded with a new name and look. A post on social media explained, “Over the past two years, we’ve grown, and so has our vision. What we’ve built is ready to reach beyond one city. What’s not changing: Our ownership & management; Our commitment to quality and genuine hospitality; The food you love; The experience you expect.”
IG: @montrosebreakfastresto
Temporarily closed
Born & Raised (224 James St. N., Hamilton)
Closed for a break from mid-January and back just in time for Valentine’s Day, and open the occasional night when there is a big event at the new TD Coliseum.
IG: @bornraisedyhm
Stonewalls (339 York Boul., Hamilton)
The beloved restaurant and music venue is currently closed and undergoing renovations, but has announced that it will be reopening mid-February.
IG: @stonewallshamilton
– List compiled by HAMILTON CITY Magazine contributor Suzanne Zandbergen. If you have a restaurant opening or changing, please let us know at meredith@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca.
