A foodie’s weekend in Niagara

Just a short drive from Toronto is Niagara-on-the-Lake, a popular weekend escape for city dwellers. This picturesque and historic town is known for its endless vineyards, orchards, boutique shops and upscale restaurants. But as you head down the QEW, I highly suggest taking a few scenic detours along the way to uncover some of the region's best hidden gems.

Justin and I packed our bags early and loaded up the Mitsubishi Outlander for a weekend trip. Though our dog Pete loved the extra space to hang out with me in the trunk, he had to stay home for this road trip. Even with a bit of morning traffic leaving the city, the drive in the Outlander was effortless. The immersive Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate audio system paired with a carefully curated playlist set the perfect tone for our weekend adventure.

Our first stop took us to Jordan, just minutes off the QEW and about half an hour from our final destination. Because no road trip is complete without coffee and pastries, we pulled into Pearl Morissette’s bakery known as R PM Bake House. While Pearl Morissette is legendary as one of Canada’s top-rated culinary experiences, its bakery is famous for its sourdough loaves and baked goods made with local ingredients. With so many options, it was nearly impossible to choose which ones to try. We settled on a croissant stuffed with hazelnut frangipane, a sweet fruit filled scone and a savoury cheddar biscuit. After all, we still had plenty more stops ahead. A quick wander around the downtown shops, a short nature hike and we were back in the Mitsubishi Outlander to head to our lunch destination.

Just a few more exits down the QEW brought us to Fat Rabbit in downtown St. Catharines, a Michelin Guide-recognized restaurant celebrated for its house-made charcuterie and in-house butcher shop. From the lunch menu, we went with the classic burger, a porchetta sandwich, summer slaw (with hazelnuts and pecorino) and the crispiest potatoes (served with two sauces for dipping). As arguably a burger connoisseur, Justin declared this as one of the best burgers he has ever had. It was perfectly cooked to medium-rare with freshly ground beef, dijonnaise pickles, caramelized onions and gruyere cheese. We’re already planning our next visit to explore Fat Rabbit’s dinner menu.

With our bellies full, we hopped back in our three-row SUV for a scenic drive along Niagara’s iconic parkway that follows the Niagara River. Both historic and new properties line one side of the road, with endless views of the river along the other. During our stay, a bit of construction on the road added some rough terrain, which turned out to be the perfect chance to test out Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control. We put the Outlander into Gravel Mode and continued along our way.

The dinner we had been looking forward to most on our weekend getaway was at Kitchen 76, the signature restaurant at Two Sisters Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It did not disappoint. Serving Italian cuisine with a Niagara twist, the setting and views alone are worth the visit. Driving up the long laneway lined with vineyards on each side, you feel like you’ve been transported to Tuscany. The restaurant patio overlooks endless rows of vines and we were lucky enough to catch the sunset while dining al fresco.

Our meal began with meatballs in a traditional red sauce and whole fried artichokes. It’s a dish you don’t come across often, so it’s a must-try. For our mains we ordered two types of pasta: rigatoni bolognese and mushroom pappardelle. We also split the half roast chicken with a sausage and rapini farro. Paired with Two Sisters house-made red wine, we were almost too full for dessert. But alas, no Italian meal is complete without tiramisu, and we are glad we didn’t pass it up.

After a weekend filled with incredible food, drinks and endless scenic views, it was time to head home in the Mitsubishi Outlander. We can’t wait to see what awaits us on our next Niagara road trip.