(Back-to-back Portuguese food in the GTA (is Hamilton included?) - 2 of 2)
The Little Grasshopper Cafe' is where I had originally planned to eat, but they would be closing. I then considered it for the following day so that it would act as breakfast and lunch ... an early lunch.
The name was interesting, but I didn't ask about its etymology. Portugal has a strong symbolic relationship with roosters and hydrangeas, but I was interested in eating and moving along up the QEW toward Toronto proper. Nonetheless, it's a smaller cafe' behind a brick storefront that is roomy inside.
I did not want a big meal and I did not want Canadian food. I selected a fish sandwich, which was a good sized filet. It worked very well for what I needed. I washed it down with a bottle of Sumol. And, on the way out, I added an impulse purchase - a pastel de nata - which was gone in a flash. It was all good.
The proprietress of the restaurant was on hand, took my order, and was the server. She was very pleasant. The prices seemed fair.
Hamilton is a surprisingly large city, with about 3/4 of a million inhabitants. While it sits in the kink in the "Golden Horseshoe," its downtown core sits inward from the lake. And, in between the lake and downtown, there are residential neighborhoods and small businesses. The area changes very quickly, with some parts being frayed and others being gentrified. The Little Grasshopper Cafe' is in a nice enough area and street parking can be found very close to the restaurant. Additionally, it has a somewhat hippie-dippy mural on the exterior that will also help you locate it. I would return, but I think it would also make a great place for morning coffee and an omelette or pastries. read more