Cork & Bean Oshawa chose to call the police on a peaceful, paying customer for wearing pro-Israel…read moresymbols and having a calm conversation. Let that sink in. My friend -- a Christian, not even Jewish -- was meeting with a pastor for coffee. He was wearing an IDF jacket and a Star of David necklace while discussing a recent trip to Israel. No shouting. No confrontation. No disruption. Just coffee and conversation. An employee called Durham Regional Police. Officers showed up and told him his conversation was "offensive." When asked what was said that violated policy, no one could answer. No rule cited. No clear complaint identified. Just vague discomfort -- and removal. So what exactly triggered this escalation? Not behavior. Not threats. Not harassment. Symbols. And Israel. Calling the police on someone because others don't like what he's wearing or the country he's discussing is cowardly and discriminatory. Businesses don't get to selectively silence viewpoints they don't agree with. And weaponizing law enforcement to remove someone over perceived "offense" is an outrageous abuse of discretion. If Cork & Bean believes visible support for Israel warrants police involvement, they should say that publicly. If they don't, then they owe an immediate explanation and apology. Until management addresses this directly and transparently, this establishment does not deserve community support. Do better.

In late July, my best friend and I met up for some shopping and dinner in Oshawa. We also wanted to…read moreexchange birthday gifts. The place where we had dinner had tiny tables. We decided to find a cafe and casually open our presents there. We both yanked out Google Maps on our phones. She had mentioned that she had been to a Cork & Bean in Peterborough and and liked it. I trusted her judgment and said yes. I indicated that we needed to go up and hang a left. She felt that it was the other way around -- down and hang a right. When it comes to directions, she has the better track record since we've known each other. However, she realized that she had read the map wrong and I was correct. It felt like a small triumph, but I'm not the type to rub it in. I'm not horrible at directions. She is better at it. We walked over to this cafe. It may have taken three minutes. We had to wait for the light to change, so we could have done it in two minutes. This cafe had all the windows and doors wide open. We walked in and found a table to plop our stuff down. We then headed over to the counter to check out what we'd like to drink. My friend ordered an iced coffee with oat beverage. We both liked that there were dairy alternatives. She's vegan. I'd prefer to go lactose-free. I saw a sign that said that there were seasonal flavours. I asked the helpful man at the counter if it applied to iced coffee. Yes, it did. He could make any drink seasonal. Nice! I got a large iced peppermint latte with oat beverage. I paid with a credit card. I tapped and tipped. All was great. My friend got her drink first. Moments later, mine was ready. I thanked the man and headed back to our table to join my friend. There was live music at this cafe. We were here on a Saturday evening. Jordins ID (no apostrophe to indicate possession, which seemed odd) was playing. She was great. It was nice to have her in the background as we chatted. My drink was awesome. It was cold. I liked the peppermint with the coffee. It worked out nicely. A customer had brought his dog in. This cafe is obviously pet-friendly. It was nice seeing other customers ask if they could pet the dog. The owner was nice and said yes. The dog seemed to enjoy the affection and attention. We had a nice time chatting a bunch more and opening our presents. It was the perfect place for what we wanted to do. The menu also has beer, cocktails, and more. I saw a bunch of desserts in the display case. Since we had already had dessert with our dinner, we skipped getting any food. This cafe is in downtown Oshawa. It's free street parking on weekends. I enjoyed hanging out at this cafe. It's a nice place to grab a drink and chat, while taking in some local, live music. It was perfect. (341)

We went to do wine tasting here and everything is amazing. From the in house sommelier explaining…read moreall the kinds of wine, to the charcuterie board that looks divine and lastly the ambience of this place takes my breath away.

Visited Willow Springs during November for a Markham Dog Alliance event. I had no idea we had a…read morelocal winery and that it was pet friendly. The grounds are beautiful, great place for a winery, to take pictures and host an event. Parking is limited, but it works. The main building had the wine stating and they also serve snacks and small bites which is a plus when tasting wines. I can definitely picture coming here to enjoy a tasting and having so small bites. A huge plus is it being pet friendly. I love being able to enjoy this place with my little fluff!

Great farm to table restaurant still offering great service and food. We came on a Sunday for a…read more"date night", we ended up sitting at the bar but moved to a table when one opened up. The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable, and when we moved to our table our server was also great. Cocktails were fabulous and the ambiance of the place is very nice. My wife ordered this vegetarian squash dish and she loved it. I ordered the steak and the cook was perfect but I found the sauce overpowering. It's personal preference, I like my steak with just salt and pepper without sauce. My fault for not reading the menu correctly. The sides of purée and veggies were great. Overall KB hits it out of the ballpark and is so much better than the chain upscale eateries.

Been here a few times with my friends who live in the east end. This time was for a friend's big…read morebday. The menu changes all the time and menu gets released the day off. Every dish I had was very good. For this meal I ordered something different, the shrimp stuffed catfish. Never had catfish so this dish was calling me. The sauce was very tasty and had a nice kick of heat to finish. Catfish was good and the shrimp stuffing was more like a meat ball texture and not really whole shrimp like I thought. Service was very good. Our waitress was chatty and was joking around with us which was fun. Ambiance is more on the rustic side almost had a saloon feel, partly because of the old building but it was quaint. There was plenty of free parking in the rear which was convenient. All in KB is a good option if you are looking for an above average restaurant in the east end.

I just can't get 1 good meal here since new owners 2022. It's worse than a truck stop for quality…read moreof food. Chicken wings were tasteless for chicken but had a weird soapy taste that not even the sauce could cover up. Wings were reheated at least 2 times come frozen and to save money they only get the 1 kind. .....breaded. Fries are old limp with no taste. Breakfast sausage were cheapest you can imagine.... extra msg and salt So mushy. spring rolls were all batter there were no Vietnamese rice wrapped ones. Bread is that Texas thick cheap stuff. Absolutely no quality what so ever.......none. I gave 1 star because coffee was good. Just a dive eatery.

Everytime i come here i get treated like family they gave me candy and invited me into a special…read moreroom they gave me free drinks and drove me home and made me snacks.

My favourite local spot on Main Street to hangout. This gem is truly one of a kind - I love the…read moreself serve wine concept. It gives you the opportunity to be introduced to new, different wines. They have happy hour menu during the week - their charcuterie boards are phenomenal. I'll try their sandwiches next! Owners are welcoming and friendly.

Not so much a wine bar as basecamp for a journey…read more The highlight of this hidden gem is its unique self-serve system, where you can try a variety of wines by the glass, portion or sip. This allows you to experiment and discover new favourites without committing to a full bottle. You may not like everything you try, but it's always INTERESTING. The selection of wines at Wine on Main is always rotating and expertly curated, offering a range of styles and regions that wonderfully move you out of your comfort zone. The owners, a knowledgeable and curious couple, are passionate about exploring different wines and sharing their discoveries with their guests. Their passion is contagious and you can't help but be swept up in their excitement. The best shop of it's kind in York Region.

My party of four visited during Taste of Oakville, and in hindsight, the evening foreshadowed…read moreitself early -- the restaurant's website was down with a 404 error, and we kept finding two different addresses (one apparently their old location). We eventually found it. Upon arrival, the door swung open and struck a seated guest -- a sign of just how small the space is. The restaurant was full except for one four-top (clearly ours), and we stood awkwardly in the entrance -- which is essentially inside the dining room -- waiting to be acknowledged. When greeted, we were asked if we had a reservation. We said yes. "Table for eight?" we were asked, which felt impossible given the size of the room. We clarified four, and were pointed to the only open table. No name was requested; we realistically could have just walked in and taken it. The space is starkly lit with aggressive bright white lighting that feels more clinical than cozy. The artwork is interesting and gives a gallery-like feel -- it seems the restaurant is aiming for a downtown Toronto wine bar aesthetic, but it doesn't quite land. Our table was missing water glasses, and the stemware was mismatched -- not in an intentional, charming way, but more in a "we ran out" way. Once seated, we weren't acknowledged or offered water for nearly 20 minutes. Not rushing guests is one thing; leaving them feeling forgotten is another. When our server finally arrived, the service set the tone for the evening. One glass of water was poured before he realized another was missing. He disappeared, returned with a glass, inspected it mid-pour, then walked away again (dirty glass). After several more trips and long gaps, everyone eventually received water -- about 15 minutes later. He was polite and friendly, just clearly untrained. He shared that the owner is also the sommelier, cook, and server, and that he liked working there because he wasn't expected to know much about wine -- an interesting admission for a wine bar. The owner greeted us warmly but asked only one guest about wine preferences -- ironically the only non-wine drinker at the table. The concept appeared to be sommelier-led, though this was never explained. If that is the intention, engaging the entire table is essential. That said, the wines themselves were enjoyable; the service surrounding them was not. The Taste of Oakville menu promised three curated 3-oz pours paired with a charcuterie board for two. The pours arrived unevenly and slowly, with little explanation of the pairings. The charcuterie boards were plain and inconsistent between tables despite containing similar items -- basic fruit, crostini, simple cured meats, small portions of brie, and two slices of truffle cheese. No crackers, spreads, or thoughtful touches elevated the experience, and presentation varied noticeably. Our second wine pour didn't arrive until our mains, and service moved so slowly we requested a wine list to order a bottle. We were told there is no wine list -- "we're not that kind of restaurant." Instead, all reds are $80 and all whites $70, and the owner selects the bottle for you after asking only red or white. The concept might work if explained upfront; without context, it was confusing. At one point, noticing my empty glass, our server poured me a random red -- which turned out to be the same wine as our first pour -- and then left without serving anyone else. We had to remind staff we were still waiting for our second curated pour. Nothing about the experience felt curated. The most surprising moment of the night came when our mains arrived. As we lifted our appetizer plates -- still holding olive pits, fruit rinds, and crumbs -- the servers told us not to worry about clearing them and proceeded to place our main dishes directly on top of the used plates. I'm still shocked. I wouldn't do that at home, let alone expect it at a Lakeshore, or quite frankly, any restaurant. Two of us ordered the tagliatelle, which was tasty but contained only two small pieces of short rib -- and was difficult to enjoy while staring at discarded rinds beneath the plate. The other two ordered brisket sliders: two sliders, no sides. They tasted good but left diners hungry. One guest joked they kept thinking the fruit rinds were fries -- unfortunately accurate. We tried to make the best of the evening, but it never delivered the cozy wine-and-charcuterie experience we had anticipated -- dim lighting, thoughtful pairings, something special. After finishing our meal, we requested our bills and reminded staff we were still waiting for the third curated pour. We were told "five minutes." Those five minutes never came. Eventually, wanting simply to leave, we paid a single combined bill and sorted it out ourselves. Dinner for four totaled $460. This was not the boutique Lakeshore dining experience we expected, and ultimately, it was deeply disappointing.

As an Oenophile, I was excited to check out The Wine Bar in my neighbourhood. The door was open, In…read morewalked in at 4:55 to be "Greeted" by the Owner, "We don't open till 5 o'clock".......Attitude from the get go. I looked at the menu, interesting but very pricey for the offering. I looked at a row of wine bottle partially open and simply corked, no nitrogen or air extraction.....no telling how long the wine had been "Breathing"....Days? I am puzzled by the discrepancy 5 Star vs 1 Star reviews. I have no confidence in the 5 star reviews....Friends?...Self reviewed? No serious wine enthusiast would visit this establishment...bad attitude, poor value, insufficient wine care and presentation.

Came here for Valentine's Day and they had a special menu ($120pp). Plus a single rose in a vase…read more($30). We got to choose two apps, two mains, and one shared dessert. Two complimentary sparking wines were included. My partner and I choose the following: Apps: - Duck Wings - 8/10 - very crispy and flavourful, comes with 3 pieces - Tuna Crudo - 5/10 - tuna sashimi w/ wonton chips. This app was OK. Mains: - Market Fish - 9/10 - rainbow trout. fish was very flavourful. We really enjoyed this dish. Potatoes were crispy and mixed well with the creamy fish. - Short Rib Tagliatelle - 8/10 - portion was big, a bit heavy for me, but flavours were still good. We had some leftover. Dessert: - Affogato - 8/10 - the chocolate ice cream had chocolate dipped coffee beans which gave a good crunch to the ice cream. The pistachio biscotti was good too. Service was great, atmosphere was cozy, and the views were nice. They seated us facing the windows and it was intimate. Seats were very comfortable. Lots of parking outside too.

A little piece of paradise with a stunning view of the outdoors and rustic-chic interior. It is…read morelocated on the 2nd floor at Trail Hub Inc., a family owned business for nature, hikes, and outdoor activities! We made a dinner reservation via OpenTable at Nest Restaurant & Lounge. Opted to sit at the lounge because of the beautiful open space! Recommendations: - Caramelized Apple Old Fashioned - Pan Roasted Duck Breast - Roasted Lamb Sirloin

This must be the place!…read more Our first trip to Toronto and boy did we have fun. From delicious food to sipping wine, and everything in between, Toronto was a city to explore. Ladybug Wine Bar is a cute but also sophisticated wine bar located on King Street, steps away from shopping and restaurants. We stopped in here on a snowy Sunday before our flight home. They also serve Sunday Brunch. We grabbed a few open seats at the comfy bar. They do not offer wine flights, which made this experience pretty darn expensive but SOOOO worth it. We had such a fun time and the people working were so nice, we honeslty did not want to leave. They were willing to help with our selections. We actually ordered all their Reds by the glass. I know, but there were only about 6 and we had to try them all. I like to say "go big or go home" LOL! We loved almost all except for maybe a few. We ended up also ordering a charcuterie while we sip. And of course I brought a bottle home with me. If you are ever in Toronto, please check out Ladybug wine bar, it is fantastic, you won't want to leave. Cheers!

A Hidden Gem for Brunch!!…read more I came here with 3 of my girlies that love brunch. Everything we ordered was fresh, light, and absolutely delicious. We started with some drinks which were super affordable compared to other brunch places. The espresso martinis weren't too sweet and had the perfect balance. As for the dishes the standout for me was the smoked salmon toast. The combination of the eggs, fresh dill, and sliced salmon on top of toast was so yummy. Service was nice and the place was cozy/bright. Highly recommend this spot for a girls' brunch or casual date.

Our first visit to thr Wildfire Steakhouse was memorable. We made a reservation for 7 pm but we got…read moreseated earlier. For dinner time they dim the lights to provide a cozy and romantic setting. Our server Jamie was very friendly and patient. She brought us waters right away while we looked at the menu. We ordered 2 Amsterdam blonde lagers to with our dinner. They served the beers in chioled mugs. The beer was smooth and refreshing. My wife ordered the Lamb rack and I ordered the 12 oz ribeye with peppercorn sauce from the Fall prix fixe menu $69 for 3 courses. There's a choice of appetizer and dessert. I got the Dicarlo Italian meatballs and Chocolate black out cake. The Italian meatball dish was served with garlic bread and basil tomato sauce. The garlic bread can be dipped in the tomato sauce. The mains were outstanding. The lamb rack was cooked perfectly and just the right amount of seasoning. The honey roasted potatoes and vegetables were a great compliment to the dish. The 12 oz ribeye was grilled to perfect medium rare and topped with peppercorn sauce. The garlic mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. The chocolate black out cake was a nice way to celebrate my wife's birthday. The cake was rich and Overall the food was great and service was exceptional. The staff came by to take a photo for our special occasion. If you are in the Oshawa area I recommend this steakhouse.

Called to make a reservation for 10 people, I was told by the manager they could not do a table of…read more10 because it was too big, too many people and they might not have enough servers on the night we want to come in, yes, believe it or not I was told this. I hung up the phone and called the KEG right away and made reservations. Our party of 10 had a great time at the KEG, service was great and the food was beyond delicious. The bill came to around $700 dollars. Wildfire missed out on a $700 sale, maybe you should run your business a bit more professional. I don't even want to give you a one star, but the KEG gets a 5 star.

Great food! Friendly service! And requested ambiance upon arrival was met with a smile!!read more

Hidden gem that is a very short drive off the highway 401. The food is excellent, as is the…read moreservice. We will definitely be back!