Windsor

[weaver]

I'm taking some out-of-town guests to Windsor Ontario for some Italian food next week. Can anyone recommend a good restaurant?

Edited August 10, 2003 by weaver (log)

[maggiethecat]

Welcome to eGullet, weaver.

I'm sorry I can't help you, but I'm posting in solidarity. We hit Windsor on many the long trek between Chicago and Ottawa, and I'd love to hear about a good Italian place.

Or Greek place, or French place or Vietnamese place or pizza place or Thai place or breakfast place.

Well, you get the idea.

[Michael Laiskonis]

I haven't been across the border in ages (sad, as it is only a 20 minute drive), but there are indeed some here in the Detroit area that feel the overall dining scene is better in Windsor. Sorry I can't recommend anything specific...

[gourmande]

I'm from Windsor and can safely say that there is no shortage of Italian eateries here, and just about all of them are on Erie Street aka via Italia. Depending on when you're planning to dine out, reservations could be necessary as Erie street is especially popular with diners from across the border.

Weaver, what type of Italian eatery were you looking for (cuisine, atmosphere)?

[gourmande]

Welcome to eGullet, weaver.

I'm sorry I can't help you, but I'm posting in solidarity.  We hit Windsor on many the long trek between Chicago and Ottawa, and I'd love to hear about a good Italian place.

Or Greek place, or French place or Vietnamese place or pizza place or Thai place or breakfast place.

Well, you get the idea.

The one and only French restaurant just closed after 25 years. The chef owner (michel) has packed up and returned to France - I am relatively new to Windsor so I am indeed sad about the void now left. The only good thing about him closing shop was that I inherited his remaining stock of duck fat (due to my continuing praise of his confit de canard)

[Alex]

Welcome to eGullet, weaver.

I'm sorry I can't help you, but I'm posting in solidarity. We hit Windsor on many the long trek between Chicago and Ottawa, and I'd love to hear about a good Italian place.

Or Greek place, or French place or Vietnamese place or pizza place or Thai place or breakfast place.

Well, you get the idea.

The one and only French restaurant just closed after 25 years. The chef owner (michel) has packed up and returned to France - I am relatively new to Windsor so I am indeed sad about the void now left. The only good thing about him closing shop was that I inherited his remaining stock of duck fat (due to my continuing praise of his confit de canard)

Sorry, weaver, that you weren't able to get more specific info. I'm fairly new to eG and just saw your post today.

I haven't lived in the Detroit area for about 15 years, but I do go back there from time to time to visit my chiropractor and spend time with an old friend. The Windsor dining scene has always been a major draw. As far as Italian restaurants go, I remember LaGuardia fondly, but it's been a while...

As for French restaurants -- gourmande, it looks like La Cuisine is still in business.

maggiethecat, I'm an immense fan of Mason Girardot Alan Manor and highly recommend it for your next trip across the border.

The Mini Restaurant has great Vietnamese food.

Here's the Detroit Free Press guide to Windsor restaurants.

[gourmande]

Thanks Alex... I knew La Cuisine was to reopen but François (why did I call him Michel in my previous post ) could not or would not tell me much about the new chef(s).

I second your recommendations for The Mini, it's one of our favourite places!

Other favourite haunts of ours include:

Canadian/American cuisine

Porcino

Chatham Street Grill

Plunkett's (casual, bar/bistro style atmosphere)

Aldo Goldberg's (casual)

Italian

Spago Trattoria

La Zingara

(there are MANY other good Italian restaurants, we just visit these two more often)

Asian

The Mini - Vietnamese

Wah Court - Chinese

Koto Buki - Japanese

Pub food

The Nisbett Inn

The Kildare House

The Butcher and Banker

[gourmande]

I'm taking some out-of-town guests to Windsor Ontario for some Italian food next week. Can anyone recommend a good restaurant?

So, it's been a while but, where did you dine and how was it?

[Betts]

I just returned from a 5 day trip to visit the rels in Essex and Kent counties. I kept asking them where were the chef driven restaurants using local produce and meats. No one could think of any outside of the fried perch dinner places. Your lists are wonderful and I'll pass them on. What about outside of Windsor - Kingsville, Leamington, Chatham?