Thursday 7 July 2016

Soup Pa Main - Not Super Man - Restaurant

SOUP PA 228 Main St S  - Phone: 905- 235 - 3337


Soup Pa

A Tom's Top 10 Spot for Counter Service Lunch - SOUP PA 228 Main St S Newmarket

Daily Soups
I was thinking about a Tom's Top 10 List for lunch spots, when it occurred to me that there were various kinds, including some with full service, and some with counter service and methinks the two deserve their own categories - which, alas, will take me more time.

Meantime, I'd become acquainted with the Soup Pa restaurant on Main St S Newmarket, which has quietly gained a steady, mostly word of mouth breakfast and lunch following with their fresh food fare of sandwiches and savoury, healthy soups as well as their popular home baked granola bars.

Hands on restaurant owner, Nessie, takes pride in making sure Soup Pa uses the freshest of ingredients to cater to a fickle, but so far very satisfied, health conscious crowd. Of course his new ice cream window may throw a wrench into all that healthy eating going on at Soup Pa! See Soup Pa's informative but fun ad-spot here!
My sandwich, stacked neatly into a stone-baked looking herb grains bun, baked fresh on Main St as well - a great cooperative Main St businesses arrangement - was served, grilled at my request, and stuffed "healthily" with smoked chicken, roasted peppers, goat cheese, layered greens and a splash balsamic. Mmmm. the chewy but crisp exterior-ed bun snapped off on a pull-bite with ease, the plumpness of the roast peppers exacting just enough moisture to accent the bun and tangy cheese. Vera nice-a!

I opted off the soupa on this hot day but I'm told that eating or drinking hot liquids actually  cool you down, so maybe next time!

The personable, friendly, small town service combined with the fresh product and window-seat view of Main make for a great quick lunch time stop or longer with a friend. Cozy enough to stay but you don't feel uncomfortable doing take-out. Or take-away. Whatever they call it these days. Sippy Soups!?

Now with an outdoor side patio as well, an option for dining outdoors is a nice one if you don't prefer the cozy confines of air conditioning and like to be in the fresh air.


The Ice Cream Store NOW OPEN


Being on the corner of Timothy and Main St's in Newmarket has also enabled a spot for Soup Pa to open an old fashioned ice cream window as well, and so The Ice Cream Store now features delectable, premium, Canadian icon ice cream by Central Smith

Watch TPE for Ice Cream Store Grand Opening special Ice Cream Coupon

Soup Pa Restaurant Menu



Wednesday 29 June 2016

Tom's Top 10 Ice Cream Newmarket

I Scream, You Scream!

When it comes to ice cream people are funny...they all have their favorite brands or flavours or types but in the end, everyone just loves good ice cream, so does the list for Tom's Top 10 Ice Cream Newmarket....Newmarket is lucky to have a few places that specialize or feature unique ice cream styles and here is Tom's Top 10 list. Tom's Top 10 takes into account both quality and service.

ICE CREAM STORE @ TIMOTHY & MAIN
They are in no particular order. Some links provided.

Tom's Top 10 Ice Cream List for Newmarket, Ontario Canada

1) Dairy Queen - Long time fave -  located at Yonge and Savage Rd. Infamm-m-m-ous soft ice cream and ice cream cakes too! Address: 16563 Yonge St, Newmarket, Phone:(905) 953-1500

2) ICE CREAM STORE - Old fashioned ice cream window featuring Central Smith ice cream! Premium Canadian Ice cream since 1952. CS offers a complete dairy bar with dreamy treats which include (waffle) cones, sundaes, milkshakes & frozen yogurt. Yum-m-m! @Timothy & Main St S

3) Baskin Robbins - Still the most flavours and options with a fair quality ice cream.
Located @ 66 Davis Dr. East.

4) Bene Bene Waffle & Ice Cream - Name says it all. Fave for Ital style Gelato. 234 Main St S Mini patio. Sit in or out.

5) Froshberg Gelato - 17600 Yonge st - Selve-Serve Gelato! 1st Newmarket location inside Upper Canada Mall.

6) Yoyo's Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt - 18195 Yonge St - Yummy Yoyo's a must try!

7) Books Cafe N' Things 208 Main St South. Coffee, tea or ice cream!? Just don't get any on the books!
 8) Menchies Frozen Yogurt - 17906 Yonge St - Ice Cream and frozen yogurt

9) Natures Emporium - 16655 Yonge St - Organic - also lactose intolerant, glucose free dairy and ice cream.

10) Olympic Softee Mobile ice cream service - The good old ice cream truck! Have your event catered with soft ice cream!

Saturday 25 June 2016

Newmarket / Aurora Tom's Top 10 Dining Guide Eateries Listing

Twenty years ago, as Entertainment Editor in Newmarket at Cover Story Newspaper York Region, I wrote a Tom's Top Ten List of eateries in a dining out guide and listed my fave restaurants, often writing about the places listed through my food review-like diners column "Local Flavour" and about entertainment in "At The Clubs" including the York Region and Newmarket area listings.

So I decided to somewhat recreate Tom's Top 10 Dining, through a guide-like format with a variety of eateries, pubs, and restaurants, using a number of restaurant categories to better guide you.


Tom's Top 10 Dining Guide

First came Toms Top 10 Dining and Entertainment Guide then Tom's Top 10 Pizza and now a list of Tom's Top 10 Dining establishments that provide facilities for dining out within 15k radius of Newmarket. Tom could be in the mood for any of the Top 10 on any given night and they are listed in no particular order.

Tom's Top 10 takes into consideration menu diversity, value, service, hospitality, quality, reputation, consistency and overall experience. Links provided.
Best Breakfast - Maids Cottage on Main St


Buffet Restaurant - Mandarin Restaurant 
                                  The Buttery - Sunday


Pub Food -               Lil' Brew Hops

                               Fionn Mccool

Sea Food -                The Sociable Pub

                                   All Thai Up

Suchi -                          Itaru - Main St
                                  Golden Maki

Steak House -          The Keg Steakhouse

Burger -                   Ground Burger Bar
                                     Harvey's

Italian Food -           Joia Ristorante & Wine Bar
                                  Palace Pizza & Spaghetti House

Fish & Chips -         The Cove = best deal
                                 Chip & Malt = best catch

Mexican Food -       Made in Mexico  

Caribbean -              Enmores

BBQ -                        Big Bone BBQ 
                                  Rick's Cookhouse                           

Special Groups  -   Stellar Hall and Event Centre
                  


Tom's Top 10 Ice Cream location now at Main & Timothy St Newmarket
                            Here are some other Newmarket area listings for dining out or dessert.

Main St Newmarket Featuring

4 Seasons
http://www.4seasonsnewmarket.com
Cafe Hesed - Lunch Specialty
https://twitter.com/cafe_hesed
cupCAKE
http://iwannacupcake.com
Econo Pizza
http://econopizza.ca/
The Goulash House
http://thegoulashhouse.com/
The Grey Goat Pub & Grill
http://www.greygoatpub.com/
Hungry Brew Hops
http://www.hungrybrewhops.com/
Just Brunch
http://www.justbrunchrestaurant.com/
The Maids' Cottage
http://www.themaidscottage.com/
nutmeg bake shop
http://www.nutmegbakeshop.com/
Olde Village Free House
https://twitter.com/kinghenrysarms
Rawlicious Newmarket
http://rawlicious.ca/canada/locations/newmarket/
Sushi Jun
http://www.sushijun.ca/


Others in the area

Astoria Shish-Kebob House
http://www.astoriashishkebobhouse.com/
Bagel World
http://www.bagelworld.ca/
Bangkok Thai
http://bangkokthaicuisine.ca/
The Buttery Restaurant
http://www.thebutterynewmarket.com/
Boston Pizza Newmarket
http://bostonpizza.com
The Cedar Grill
http://www.the-cedar-grill.com/
CrepeStar Dessert Cafe & Bistro
http://www.crepestardessert.com/
Thai Golden Bell
http://thaigoldenbell.com/
India Time
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/india-time-newmarket
Jack Astor's Bar and Grill
http://jackastors.com/
Lone Star Texas Grill
http://www.lonestartexasgrill.com/
Mandarin
http://www.mandarinrestaurant.com
Montana's
http://www.montanas.ca/
Molisana Bakery
http://www.molisanabakery.ca/
Moxies
http://www.moxies.ca/
Mr Greek Mediterranean Grill
http://www.mrgreek.com/
Pho Saigon
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/pho-saigon-newmarket
The Pickle Barrel
http://www.picklebarrel.ca/
Tom and Jerrys Bistro
http://www.tomandjerrysbistro.com/
Romano Panini
http://romanopanini.com/
The Sociable Pub
http://www.sociablepub.com/
Swiss Chalet
https://www.swisschalet.com/
The Works
https://www.worksburger.com/
Egg Smart
http://www.eggsmart.ca/
India Gate Exclusive Indian Cuisine
http://www.indiagate.ca/
Just Pho-Nomenal
http://www.justphonomenal.com/
Newmarket Plaza Fish & Chips
http://www.yellowpages.ca/…/N…/Fish-Chips-Plaza/1128321.html
Piccola Italia Restaurant and Pizzeria
http://www.piccolaitalia.ca/
Pita Pit
http://www.pitapit.com/
Solo Sushi Ya
http://www.solosushiya.com/
Taka Sushi
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/taka-sushi-house-newmarket
Wimpy's Diner
http://wimpysdiner.ca/

East end

Al Casale Ristorante
http://alcasalerestaurant.wix.com/alcasalerestaurant
Cousins Deli
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g181744-d767922
Chitose Asian Cuisine
http://chitosecuisine.weebly.com/
General Sushi
http://www.generalsushi.ca/
Golden Dragon Chinese Food
http://www.goldendragonchinese.ca/
Gino's Pizza
Golden Maki Japanese Restaurant
http://www.goldenmaki.com/
The Greek House
http://www.urbanspoon.com/…/r…/Toronto/Greek-House-Newmarket
Halibut House
http://www.halibuthouse.ca/
Il Bistro Cafe & Pizzeria
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/il-bistro-cafe-and-pizzeria-newmarket
Lion & Firkin
http://www.firkinpubs.com/thelionandfirkin
Lobo Iberico Restaurant
http://www.loboibericorestaurant.com/
Mary Browns
http://marybrowns.com
Mel's Dinor Restaurant
http://www.urbanspoon.com/…/re…/Toronto/Mels-Dinor-Newmarket
Naples Pizza
http://www.naplespizzanewmarket.ca
Rolling Wok
https://www.facebook.com/RollingWok
Sunrise Caribbean Restaurant
http://www.sunrisecaribbean.com/
Swiss Chalet
https://www.swisschalet.com/
A Taste Of The Islands
http://www.atasteoftheislands.ca/
Tweedy's Patties
http://www.tweedys.ca/
Wraps On The Go
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/wraps-on-the-go-newmarket

More...
1812 Grillhouse (Schomberg)
http://www.1812grillhouse.com/
Aqua Grill (Aurora)
http://aquagrill.ca/
The Chicken Place (Aurora)
http://www.thechickenplace.ca/
Fusion Italian Caribbean Cuisine (Keswick)
http://www.yelp.ca/…/fusion-italian-caribbean-cuisine-keswi…
Granny's Fish & Chips (Aurora)
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/grannys-fish-and-chips-aurora
Greystones Restaurant (Aurora)
http://www.graystonesrestaurant.ca/restaurant.html
Hansons (Vandorf)
http://hansonsrestaurant.com/
Jacx (Queensvile)
http://www.jacxrestaurant.com/
Joe's Burger/ Shawarma (Richmond Hill)
http://www.joeshamburgers.ca/
Joia Ristorante (Aurora)
http://www.joiaristorante.com/
Komachi Sushi (Aurora)
http://www.komachisushi.com
The Keg (Aurora)
https://www.kegsteakhouse.com/
The Korean Grill House (Markham)
http://koreangrillhouse.com/
La Gondola Pizzeria (Bradford)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Gondola-Pizzeria/337583046272608
La Mexicanada (Bradford)
http://www.lamexicanada.com/
Mercury Diner (Aurora)
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/mercury-diner-aurora
Nino D'Aversa (Aurora)
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/nino-d-aversa-bakery-aurora
Orchid Thai (Aurora)
http://www.orchidthai.ca/
The Rose Family Farm (Mount Albert) May - October
http://www.rosefamilyfarm.ca/
Shawarma Land (Aurora)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawarma-Land/552798798120671
State & Main (Aurora)
http://www.stateandmain.ca/
Sushi Den Teppanyaki (Aurora)
http://www.sushiden.ca/
Symposium Cafe (Aurora)
http://symposiumcafe.com
Tatlows Broiler Bar (Holland Landing)
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/tatlows-broiler-bar-e-gwillimbury
Tin Roof Restaurant (Bradford)
www.tinroofrestaurant.com
The Twisted Fork (Mount Albert)
http://www.twisted-fork.ca/
Zucca's Ristorante and Pizzeria (Mount Albert)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zuccas-ristorante-and-pizzeria/761261897252396

Saturday 19 March 2016

Tom's Top 10 Pizza Locations Guide Newmarket

Tom's Top 10 Pizza Choices Newmarket Guide Listing

A Slice of heaven from Piccola
It was only a natural that Tom's Top 10 would tackle pizza choices. Tom's first job in the restaurant business was with Pat & Marios Restaurants at their first ever store located on Ravel Road in Toronto Ontario and first main claim to fame in the kitchen, before become Kitchen Manager, was the pizza flipper! TP was the fastest in the house, trained by the original management from the Mother's Pizza chain which was all owned by Yesac Corporation - Caseys spelt backwards - another "chain" restaurant-bar they owned.

Pat & Mario's restaurants were actually the first of their kind as a chain restaurant in Canada to combine family dining with a DJ / dancing - also having a bar and dance floor area that kicked in about 9:30 pm - preceding Pete & Marty's, Mr Grumpps and the rest.they specialized in Italian and Irish cuisine!

Tom's Original Top 10
But back to pizza! We took great pride in prepping the dough, adding just the right amount of yeast and allowing for overnight proof time so the pizza pies were absolutely perfecto! We used a conveyor type oven so they went in one side and out the other done, cut, and thrown up in the window with the P&M's signature mix of grated mozzarella and brick cheese's part of the secret to their popularity.

Later on P&M's opened locations at Yonge & Eglinton, Front & Church and Airport strip and TP worked with the Executive Chefs at the original parent store, assisting in coming up with and trying new menu items including the addition of 'gourmet" wood oven pizzas - individual pizzas made with a "pastry-dough". Mmm..goat cheese, artichoke hearts, sundried tomato! Crisp snap off to the bite! Ahh..Memories!

Tom's Top 10 Pizza Newmarket takes into account selection, service, freshness, variety, consistency, value and taste. They are in no particular order as Tom recommends any of them depending on the mood!
Tom's Top 10 Pizza Parlours

Piccola Italia Ristorante 130 Davis Drive 905-836-5783 Tombit: Great crust. Italian Bakery soon! No night delivery.

Palace Pizza & Spaghetti House  727 Davis Dr  905-898-1511 Tombit: Longtime traditional fave.

Econo Pizza, 237 Main St S  905-898-6666 Tombit: Good pizza, abundant toppings, good value.

Al Forno Pizza 161 Davis Dr- 905-830-0009 Tombit: Gourmet style pizza. Deelish.

Titos Pizza : 89 Davis Dr 905- 952-2222 Tombit: Fresh dough and top grade toppings. Wings too.

Molisana Bakery 16635 Yonge St  - 905-830-0803  - Tombit: Fresh. Home made sauces. Great crust. No delivery.

Naples Pizza 17915 Leslie St  - 905-895-9925 - Tombit: Family owned. Garlic crust house specialty.

Boston Pizza- 18119 Yonge St   905-953- 0229- Tombits: Dine-in fave. Great for kids / families.

Regino's Pizza 14810 Yonge St Aurora 905-841-7002 - Tombits: Not in Newmarket but does deliver.

Chubby's Burger 1100 Davis Dr - 905-836-8200 Tombits: Unusual name for a best pizza. Stonebaked. No delivery.
Think you have what it takes to be a Toms Top 10 for Service, Restaurant, Entertainer, Fine Dine or Pizza? 289-221-0928

Wednesday 2 March 2016

Down East Charm @ Sociable Pub

Sociable Pub - 17380 Yonge St. Newmarket, Ontario, Canada - 905-235-7782
I first caught inklings that the Sociable Pub could be some good when I read a few positive postings online about them. Through research, I discovered the "he" of the husband / wife owner duo, Lenny Ochiogrosso, had been the long time (over 20 years) manager of Archibald's Pub in Richmond Hill before coming out of "retirement" and taking on the Sociable Pub in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, along with his Darmouth, Nova Scotia born wife, Lynne Gallant.  Experience and a natural at hospitality, "Lord tunderin' by, this may just work" was my first thought.

This particular location itself has a long local history as firstly a protected heritage building, and secondary for businesses. So any proprietor must respect the heritage conservation regarding any construction or structural changes made inside or out, and all changes need approval. Operators have had to make work the existing design with minimal changes over the years since first refurbished which all adds character in the end. The result is a beautifully kept old,  estate home set up to be a functional business. It just needed the right keepers.

The first to open in the location after it was restored in the 90's, was as a "Just Deserts" franchise. I recall reviewing them on our local Rogers TV show, "Out & About" , I once Co-Produced and Co-Hosted featuring the local dining and entertainment scene. They had had such beautiful wood beams with gorgeous hardwood flooring then, not as shiny today perhaps, but still very much the same two-level design and charm. The upstairs now is mostly for larger groups I believe and down features a bar and more seating, with live ambiance performers on the weekends, all wrapped in a down east cuisine that includes lobster rolls and P.E.I. mussels. My recent stop there left me drooling for more, but I'll get back to that.

Just Deserts did not last, in fact around that same time a girl named Vivi Lemonis was shot accidentally while eating at a Toronto Just Deserts location, killing the brand as well at the time - although that certainly wasn't the only reason they didn't survive as the location was always too big for...well... just deserts! Even after their departure, a number of entities have tried their hat over the years with no one really managing to have it running as it should to be - functional and successful. Most struggled, such as in more recent years Big Chris BBQ and before that Orleans. Orleans came closest, but never seemed to master the hospitality side, and seemed bent on in-your-face bands, too often, too loud for the location.

Did you know! In an East Coast pub one might yell Sociable!... like we would Cheers!
The Centre of the Universe

Problem also is / was the trend of late that some clubs and restaurants - many in the area - follow, is this process where they have few regular clients but instead rely on the acts bringing all the patrons in on their designated nights as the place's main / only crowd. It always has to be a collaborative effort between artists and owners / managers / staff to maximize attendance but far too often now a days the onus would be on the entertainment alone, with no effort to build their own regular clientele or do much in or out of house advertising, like we did in the old days.

I recall walking into Orleans at times during non-band hours and it was like a morgue. No house music - live or canned - no people, no greeters during open hours, just no atmosphere or warmth. And then consistency - one week entertainment the next not - or the same rotation of bands alongside unspectacular, inconsistent food. And it just didn't feel welcoming.


The Sociable Pub Experience

It's best to check out a place without them knowing when you plan a review or blog to really get a taste of how a real patron would feel, so I arrived with no reservation to an almost full restaurant - save one reserved four-top and a couple spots on the bar, which I really didn't feel like doing. As I stood puzzling my choices, I was immediately greeted and given my options - bar and eat, or wait for an opening, or if perhaps the now late reservation doesn't show I could wait and see about that. Finally, after standing in idle while watching steaming dishes of food like their garlic shrimps, looking a nice count size and screaming out my name, I chose sitting at the bar, half expecting to get sloughed off but still hopeful. Although dressed with a suit and tie, I felt comfortable with the casual dressy style most patrons seemed to be wearing.

Shortly thereafter I was approached about a beverage and I asked about a Rickards on tap ( hey man, I'm out of touch on beer ok!) which they did not have, but the attentive barkeep knew a similar on-tap alternative which was actually quite suitable. The waitress could see me as she punched orders in, my corner bar seat overlooking her terminal, my face conveying complete patience and understanding... and lo and behold, shortly into my beer I guess they gave her the okay to give me that table which just happened to be right beside the solo performer entertainer and it could not have been a better spot. No wonder they had reserved it. Cool. Their loss, my gain!


Bill Nadeau plays live ambiance
I'd pretty much assumed correctly that the hands-on owner was that knowledgeable friendly barkeep, and later was informed that his wife and partner was also working the floor. In other words, these are two hands-on owners who have obviously taught their staff about the most important element in the industry, hospitality! Seems a simple thing I know, but so often it is the missing critical element from staff, particularly in Newmarket I've observed over the years, who have either simply not been trained to do it always, or just don't care to. "What can I get ya?" just doesn't cut it. I suspect with this couple, it comes naturally, with the fairer half hailing from Canada's east coast originally where they are renowned world-wide for their hospitable nature.

As the evening's live ambient Singer / guitarist, entertainer, Bill Nadeau, began performing his first numbers, some cool jazzy and bluesy instrumentals, as my waitress who was holding up great even though my experience could see a little of that "deer in the headlights look" with a full and busy restaurant, took my order - which I'd chosen PEI mussels knowing the Down Home style theme of the restaurant....and they didn't disappoint. Plump, tender, plucked easily - like snapping daisy heads - from the wide open shells, the now separated mussels, left swimming in a white broth infused with fresh herbs, and served with TSB's unique garlic toast while my discarded shells filled the accompanying extra bowl brought for just that! If I could change anything, I'd personally prefer just plain crusty fresh bread to soak up the delicious broth flavours, unimpeded by the crispy garlic toast flavours, worth absorbing all on their own.

It was Some good Mmmmmmmmaritime!

A woman from a larger birthday party at the tables next, approached me about my extra chairs at some point, easily able to still chat, with the guitar player pouring out some Peter Gabriel, Elton John and David Wilcox among tune-age. This is why I call it live ambiance, because it's there, but not overpowering - something that experience, from years in the business with Archibald's in Richmond Hill, brings.

With the Sociable Pub, I see a smart, live light entertainment setup that's affordable for the house - with often a solo performer. Duos and Trios would probably work nicely as well but the performers aren't necessarily the evening's main focus, although enjoyed immensely and an integral part of the experience, but it's the hospitality and the food that are the stars.
And that is the key.

I must say it is an absolute pleasure to know that the new operators at now The Sociable Pub, Lenny Ochiogrosso and wife Lynne Gallant, bring great down home hospitality, food and experience to the location. They understand the simple formula for success I feel, and, for that reason, can likely remain as hosts of that historic location for as long as they wish. 

As Lenny informed me, " We hoped to open a place for a certain older age group, so they wouldn't have to leave town to enjoy a night out. A place we'd like to go to"

That my friends is as close to my philosophy on hospitality as I've heard in some time.


Sitting at my perch, I could easily observe how the staff were handling the overflow, always seemingly able to greet before an exasperated, confused, "what next?" expression could envelope them. I look forward to a more detailed in-depth taste and Tom's Top 10 review of The Sociable Pub whose menu is unique, not too complex - from Scot-Irish traditional stews to Nova Scotia Lobster, to P.E.I. delectables...Delicious and down-home sounding.

Next on my wish-taste-list will be their crab rolls followed closely by the crab fritters!

See More Tom's Top 10 Listings

I'll see YOU...out there! - Watch Bill Nadeau recorded live from The Sociable Pub Here
TP