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Niagara restaurant reccomendations

torakris

By torakris
in Ontario: Dining

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torakris

torakris

Posted
Posted

This summer I am bringing a Japanese friend (and her son) for a 2 week trip to the US, since there isn't a whole lot to see in Cleveland :hmmm: we have decided to drive to Niagara falls and spend 2 nights there.

We will be traveling with 4 kids between the ages of 4 and 9 so we are are looking for some reasonably priced (yet decent :biggrin: ) restaurants that are fine for children and close to the falls....

It has been a very long time since I was last there, any recommendations for things to do with kids?

We haven't decided yet exactly when to go but are thinking somtime between July 16 and July 22, are the weekends really crowded? Should we aim for a weekday?

Kristin Wagner, aka "torakris"

 

docsconz

docsconz

Posted
Posted

We were there with our kids a few years ago. NF is a very touristy town. The Falls themselves are spectacular. The Maid of the Mist is a lot of fun and worthwhile. I think that is the one must-do thing there.

As for food, we went to the Rainforest cafe, although I don't think I could recommend it. It is typical tourist fare in a gimmicky environment. It is not unpleasant, but it certainly isn't special.

A fun day trip would be to the Niagara Peninsula for some great scenery and wine tasting. While a number of the wines are quite good the area is particularly known for its ice wines. Thirty Bench is my favorite winery in the area. Toronto is nearby too and a lot of fun. They have a fabulous zoo amongst other great attractions.

John Sconzo, M.D. aka "docsconz"

"Remember that a very good sardine is always preferable to a not that good lobster."

- Ferran Adria on eGullet 12/16/2004.

Docsconz - Musings on Food and Life

Slow Food Saratoga Region - Co-Founder

Twitter - @docsconz

torakris

torakris

Posted
  • Topic Starter
Posted

can feel my trip get longer and longer..... :biggrin:

Are kids welcome at wineries?

they may not be after they meet my 4 year old son..... :hmmm:

Kristin Wagner, aka "torakris"

 

torakris

torakris

Posted
  • Topic Starter
Posted

by the way how far is Toronto from Niagara Falls?

Kristin Wagner, aka "torakris"

 

wattacetti

wattacetti

Posted
Posted

Toronto is about 2.5 hours away by car though it could be a bit shorter depending on how leaden your foot is.

The Rainforest Café that docsconz mentioned is obviously a chain establishment, and you can find a chain restaurant version of "casado", Costa Rica's offering to the world: salad, gallo pinto, some vegetable offering and a lump of protein of your choice. Pass…

Actually Costa Rican casado isn't as bad as my description here (I avoided any salad when I was there) but it literally is salad, rice with beans, vegetable and some type of meat. And the Rainforest Café in San Francisco has a nice aquarium.

Susan G

Susan G

Posted
Posted

By all means! Stick to the Canada side of the Falls when looking for food options..........not only are the gardens there prettier, but there are more mom-and-pop restaurants in that downtown. As I recall, the northern side of the falls has numerous Asian restaurants: My favorite was a Korean-Japanese place with astounding kimchi. Sadly, the name escapes me.

I'm a canning clean freak because there's no sorry large enough to cover the, "Oops! I gave you botulism" regrets.

torakris

torakris

Posted
  • Topic Starter
Posted

We actually have a Rain Forest Cafe here in Tokyo :biggrin: have never been though..

I can see though that the kids would probably like it :hmmm:

Kristin Wagner, aka "torakris"

 

Jake

Jake

Posted
Posted

Kris, I haven't been to NF in years, but a friend recently moved down there, I'll ask her for some rec's for you -- she is a foodie, husband a chef and they have kids, so hopefully she'll have some ideas that would appeal to you. Doc's suggestion of Niagara on the Lake is a great one, it's beautiful there in the summer. PM me if your schedule will allow meeting up with a fellow eGer for a meal.

Barbara Laidlaw aka "Jake"

Good friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies.

JohnnyH

JohnnyH

Posted
Posted

You could always visit lovely, scenic Buffalo. If you're at all interested you could take a ride to the Anchor Bar -- home of the original Buffalo wing. Not sure it's worth a trip on its own though, other than for the novelty factor.

"All humans are out of their f*cking minds -- every single one of them."

-- Albert Ellis

mkjr

mkjr

Posted
Posted
can feel my trip get longer and longer..... :biggrin:

Are kids welcome at wineries?

they may not be after they meet my 4 year old son..... :hmmm:

I think that the Hard Rock Cafe in Casino Niagara would be a good bet for kids - but food would be similar to the Rain Forest - kids can enter on the upper level and do not need to be older than 18 to get in.

I have seen many kids at the wineries. Check out Chateau Des Charmes which makes very good wine and is probably the closest winery that I know of from the Canadian side of the falls and is also easily accessed (just off the QEW without having to go too deep into Niagara on the lake – takes about 15 minutes). http://www.chateaudescharmes.com/

If you decide to go into Niagara on the Lake (about a 20 minute drive) then try the restaurant at the Queen’s Landing Inn http://www.vintageinns.com/ which has a fantastic restaurant (and a great local wine list – Lailey Cabernet Franc is a favourite of mine) and I have seen kids there and since they are also a hotel they should be used to kids. I will say it is a little pricey though but lunch is not bad.

As for the Anchor in Buffalo, I was there last weekend and I love the original wings. If you take kids go during the lunch hour.

Toronto is about 120km away. I say that in distance because if you drive like I do it means less than an hour. If you drive the speed limit it is just over an hour.

officially left egullet....

SYoung

SYoung

Posted
Posted

2.5 hours! Geez, my grandma can do it in less than 1.5 hours. :biggrin:

If you're looking for decent food, I'd stay away from the Falls and head for the Niagara on the Lake area. If you have time, I'd agree with others that doing the wine tours is a good idea and some of them have pretty good restaurants. For more info, check out http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/.

Toronto is about 2.5 hours away by car though it could be a bit shorter depending on how leaden your foot is.

The Rainforest Café that docsconz mentioned is obviously a chain establishment, and you can find a chain restaurant version of "casado", Costa Rica's offering to the world: salad, gallo pinto, some vegetable offering and a lump of protein of your choice. Pass…

Actually Costa Rican casado isn't as bad as my description here (I avoided any salad when I was there) but it literally is salad, rice with beans, vegetable and some type of meat. And the Rainforest Café in San Francisco has a nice aquarium.

  • 4 weeks later...
prasantrin

prasantrin

Posted
Posted (edited)

Just this week, the New York Times has an article on doing Niagara Falls with kids. For wineries, they mention Hillebrand Estates as being at least a little child-friendly, food-wise.

Edited to add: Inniskillen (sp?) is also mentioned as a winery with a number of things which can help keep children occupied.

Edited by prasantrin (log)
  • 3 weeks later...
DeVeaux

DeVeaux

Posted
Posted

Stay on the Canadian side. Niagara Falls, NY is my hometown, but it is a dump. Do go over to the American side to eat at Fortuna's Italian Restaurant, though - it's hard to find, but just go ask some one along Pine Avenue. The same Family has owned it for about 40 years, and I went to school with the current owner.

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

GordonCooks

GordonCooks

Posted
Posted
Stay on the Canadian side.  Niagara Falls, NY is my hometown, but it is a dump.  Do go over to the American side to eat at Fortuna's Italian Restaurant, though - it's hard to find, but just go ask some one  along Pine Avenue.  The same Family has owned it for about 40 years, and I went to school with the current owner.

Who's worse now, Macri's or the Como?

DeVeaux

DeVeaux

Posted
Posted

Haven't been to Macri's for a long time, but I never liked the Como, so they've got my vote.

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

  • 3 months later...
ejebud

ejebud

Posted
Posted

I'm in From New Jersey with a small group of guys. We are at the Holiday Inn just off the highway and are looking for an incredible meal for Saturday evening. We hava a car but would like to keep in under 30 minute drive. Show us what this part of the world is made of!! Blow my mind!! Money not an issue. What is the best of the best?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

President

Les Marmitons-NJ

Johnson and Wales

Class of '85

GordonCooks

GordonCooks

Posted
Posted
I'm in From New Jersey with a small group of guys. We are at the Holiday Inn just off the highway and are looking for an incredible meal for Saturday evening. We hava a car but would like to keep in under 30 minute drive.  Show us what this part of the world is made of!!  Blow my mind!! Money not an issue. What is the best of the best?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

Where in Niagara? Niagara on the lake?

ejebud

ejebud

Posted
Posted (edited)
I'm in From New Jersey with a small group of guys. We are at the Holiday Inn just off the highway and are looking for an incredible meal for Saturday evening. We hava a car but would like to keep in under 30 minute drive.  Show us what this part of the world is made of!!  Blow my mind!! Money not an issue. What is the best of the best?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

Where in Niagara? Niagara on the lake?

We COULD go to Niagara on the Lake, Yes. We had dinner at the Niagara Culinary Inst. tonight. It was a good meal.

Eric

Edited by ejebud (log)

President

Les Marmitons-NJ

Johnson and Wales

Class of '85

Marlene

Marlene

Posted
Posted

There aren't too many places in Niagara Falls proper that are outstanding. Especially since the 21 restaurant in the old casino has been replaced with a steakhouse of much lesser quality.

If you are willing to drive then On the Twenty, Hildebrand Winery or any of the Vintage Inns restaurants in Niagara on the Lake are worth looking into.

Marlene

Practice. Do it over. Get it right.

Mostly, I want people to be as happy eating my food as I am cooking it.

ejebud

ejebud

Posted
Posted
There aren't too many places in Niagara Falls proper that are outstanding.  Especially since the 21 restaurant in the old casino has been replaced with a steakhouse of much lesser quality.

If you are willing to drive  then On the Twenty, Hildebrand Winery  or any of the Vintage Inns restaurants in Niagara on the Lake are worth looking into.

Marlene,

We are going to On the Twenty with the help of Jeebus from this forum.

President

Les Marmitons-NJ

Johnson and Wales

Class of '85

Marlene

Marlene

Posted
Posted
There aren't too many places in Niagara Falls proper that are outstanding.  Especially since the 21 restaurant in the old casino has been replaced with a steakhouse of much lesser quality.

If you are willing to drive  then On the Twenty, Hildebrand Winery  or any of the Vintage Inns restaurants in Niagara on the Lake are worth looking into.

Marlene,

We are going to On the Twenty with the help of Jeebus from this forum.

Excellent. Please report on how it was. It's been over a year since I've been!

Marlene

Practice. Do it over. Get it right.

Mostly, I want people to be as happy eating my food as I am cooking it.

Madge

Madge

Posted
Posted

I'll also be interested in hearing about "On the Twenty." I was there about 6 years ago when Michael Olsen was the chef and it was excellent.

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