Oakville Eats: Taste of Downtown Oakville 2014

Restaurants in downtown Oakville are being featured with a Taste of Downtown Oakville running from Feb 19th to March 4th.

Restaurant owners and workers alike are sure that Oakville residents will be convinced that leaving their homes in chilly temperatures will be worth it for an extraordinary Prix-Fixe meal.

Last week several foodies were invited to try six of the 14 restaurants with specialty fixed menus that will be showcased during the foodies-not-to-miss event Taste of Downtown Oakville. Mercedes Benz of Oakville a sponsor of the event arranged luxurious transportation for our night on the town.

Paradiso Oakville; Photo Credit: Dana Miele

Paradiso

125 Lakeshore Road East

T: (905) 339-1594

Paradiso in Oakville has an extensive award winning wine list and makes sure not to exclude anyone with an option of a vegetarian or gluten free menu.

Chef Adam Mackay served us a tasting sample of the savoury and creamy Braised Beef Mac & Cheese Coronetti, tossed with sautéed mushrooms in an aged cheddar and gruyere cheese sauce topped with a truffle crust, which will be available during the taste on the dinner menu.

Paradiso is celebrating its 20th year in Oakville and 10 years at their location in the Burlington Village Square.

The fixed menu prices for lunch during the taste are $20 without tax and gratuity and $35 for dinner.

Piazza Bistro

94 George Street

T: (905) 618-0255

You won’t want to skip Piazza Bistro, the classic Italian dining room has a soft and relaxing atmosphere and was designed by the owner. Trying the fresh margherita pizza and scallops will be satisfying and the attentive waiting staff are willing to answer any questions you have about the food. There’s no risk when you’re ordering seafood at Piazza Bistro.

The speciality featured menu is fixed at $25 without tax and gratuity.

Salvatore’s

218 Lakeshore Road East

T: (905) 844- 1010

The chef at Salvatore’s know how to cook a pasta. The fine dining restaurant specializes in high scale Italian cuisine on a backdrop of beautiful white linens and

an outstanding wine list.

Salvatore’s served a bright Calamari Grigliata, (Grilled squid sautéed with chardonnay wine, capers, lemon, gourmet tomatoes, baresane olives, extra virgin olive oil, tarragon beurre blanc sauce and finished with a drizzle of aged balsamic reduction). The entree’ was a al dente Linguini Alla Moda Di Daniela (linguini pasta tossed with julienne chicken, sun-dried tomato, fresh tomato, white wine, thyme and a rose’ sauce).

The speciality featured menu is $35 without tax and gratuity.

Julia

312 Lakeshore Road East

T: (905) 844-7401

Julia Ristorante opened in 2003 and has been pumping out fresh ingredients and unique dishes inspired by Italian and Latin cuisine, ever since. Julia, the owner is no stranger to the restaurant business, she opened Paradiso in Oakville in 1993 which sold it to the now owner in 2000.

Executive Chef, Carl Dahl, is serving a full lunch and dinner menu during the Taste of Downtown Oakville and served us the Sopa de Cosecha (harvest soup) a latin spiced parsnip and rutabaga puree, roasted beet brunoise and aji criollo. The soup is a bit on the spicy side, but it was a welcomed kick. For an entrée’ Salmón con Batata (sweet potato crusted salmon) grainy dijon & dill chimichurri, oven roasted tomato & spinach quinoa, yucca chips. A healthy entree’ that doesn’t taste healthy.

Dessert was a welcomed change on the classic italian holiday bread Pannetone, disguised as a bread pudding with fresh whip cream.

The speciality featured menu is $30 for lunch without tax and gratuity and $45 for dinner.

Da Stefano's Ristorante

266 Lakeshore Road East

T: (905) 845-6565

De Stefanos Risorante has a beautiful bright yellow and white dining room and an atmosphere that can make anyone feel like their in old Hollywood, the kind you want to be a part of. If you have a chance to sit in one of the eye catching white booths, I would take it.

Not to miss at De Stefanos is the Calamari Alla Griglia (a grilled calamari marinated in olive oil and fresh garlic, topped with black olives, grape tomatoes and a glazed balsamic reduction).

Jonathan's Bistro; Photo Credit: Dana Miele

Jonathan's

120 Thomas Street

T: (905) 842-4200

Jonathan's bistro as a modern exterior and is serving some of the most creative dishes. Lucky for foodies a delicious appetizer is being served on the lunch and dinner fixed menu. The Frog leg beignet with fried chicken skin vinaigrette and served on a ravigote sauce. The appetizer isn’t only interesting but truly decadent for your taste buds.

The speciality featured menu is $20 for lunch without tax and gratuity and $45 for

dinner.

Other participating restaurants: