*Watershed* is on the road… In this issue, it’s all about soaking up the summer, supporting the businesses that are working hard to create the food we savour, sourcing special ingredients and finally getting back out in the fresh air to the markets and the shops we love.
Mirepoix Farm
438 County Road 24, Milford
mirepoixfarm.ca
Tim Noxon grows organic vegetables and herbs along the shore of East Lake in PEC to create dried herbs, condiments and spicy sauces like Applehouse (with apples) and go-with-everything garlicy sweet Sriracha. Home chefs and restaurateurs are devoted fans, inspired by the exceptional flavours and Noxon’s passion for good ingredients. He spent time in Eritrea on the east coast of Africa where locals would have their sun-dried hot peppers milled into a powder for lentil dishes like addis – which he ate addictively twice a day.
Robin’s Nest Farm Market
14260 County Rd. 29, Warkworth
robinsnestfarm.ca
Want to get more connected to where your food comes from? The Robinson family of Robin’s Nest raises their farm animals with a lot of love and commitment to environmental practices. They’ve been doing it for more than 40 years, with parents John and Cathy passing the knowledge onto their daughter Amanda Twigg and her husband Jonathan. Come say hello and buy choice cuts of beef, including steaks and sausages ready for barbecuing, poultry, pork, lamb and oh-so tasty bacon (stock up)!
Rosehall Run
1243 Greer Road, Wellington
rosehallrun.com
The rocky soil and dry conditions on the historic Rosehall Run farm property near Wellington are ideal for growing wine grapes. Co-founder and head winemaker Dan Sullivan has turned this natural advantage into some of the most acclaimed wines in the County. Stop in for the seasonal rosés for easy summer drinking, like the vibrant Dry Rosé with hints of strawberry and watermelon, or the sparkling Pixie with a delightful blend of Vidal and pinot noir that’s been aptly described as “quite chuggable.”
The Pink Café
73 King Street West, Unit 6, Cobourg
thepinkcafe.ca
Happy thoughts are pretty much guaranteed when you’re surrounded by playful pink décor and drinking pink lemonade. The Pink Café in downtown Cobourg makes a statement with the light-hearted hue with menu items like the Pink Loaf and the Pink Dog, a sweet take on a classic pogo. This hot dog-on-a-stick is coated with waffle batter and topped with gooey caramel, chocolate or strawberry! (They also do a savoury cheese version.) And Nutella fans will love the specialty crêpes and waffles.
The Counter Restaurant
11 Front Street, Trenton
thecounterrestaurant.ca
Here’s a Reuben sandwich you don’t want to miss out on. The Counter Restaurant husband and wife team, Kylie and Braden Lawther, brine and cure the meat inhouse for incredible tangy corned beef. The two met at the culinary program at Fleming College and bring their talent for scratch-made to “elevated diner” comfort food like grilled cheese and standout potato salad (loaded with chive sour cream, old cheddar and bites of crispy peppered bacon). Tip: check out their after-hours long table adventures!
Lighthall Vineyards Cheese
308 Lighthall Road, Milford
lighthallvineyards.com/cheese
If you know the wines, you’ll love the rotating cast of sheep’s milk cheese also on offer at Lighthall Vineyards, down a quiet country road in Milford. It’s the quintessential pairing, whether you’re sipping a crisp and sparkling Lighthall Pinot Noir on your back patio or taking a tour of local vineyards. Lighthall starts with fresh ewe’s milk from a nearby farmer and crafts varieties like small-batch feta in brine, sharp cheddar, an Alpine Style, a savoury blue, and Milford Reef, a rich and creamy mild cheese that ages into a stronger, more intense flavour.
Betty’s Pies and Tarts
7380 County Road 2, Cobourg
instagram.com/bettyspiesandtarts
When you need a sweet fix, the iconic Canadian butter tart is one of the best going. Betty’s Pies and Tarts makes award-winning classic butter tarts, some with pecans, some with raisins and some with just that irresistible brown buttery goodness on its own. The delectable pastry tart shells also come filled with lemon topped with whipped cream, and raspberry with a sprinkling of coconut. All this is inspired by the original Betty the baker who started the business in her Elizabethville home in 1975.
