Niagara On The Lake Diary

I love escaping Toronto. Getting away from the big city is always a great idea if you're in need of a little respite.  The Niagara region of Ontario happens to be one of my favourites. Not only for it's awesome restaurants, award winning vineyards and fabulous inn's, but because I spent a significant amount of time as a child there. I have close family peppered all over the region and my memories are rich in happiness, so going to back is the natural thing to do when I need to reconnect. 

Eat

It was my first time trying The Garrison House restaurant. I heard about it from one of my favourite Food Network show Ya Gotta Eat Here. I have never gone to one of the resto's from the show...so this was fun. It's just on the outside of the main strip of Niagara On The Lake, so it wasn't absolutely packed at pre Shaw Festival matinee time. I had the Garrison Burger and was so happy I did.  I had a the Tavern Caesar Salad on the side...completely delish. My husband had the chips and they were equally as good...if not a little better than a salad.  The special creme brûlée of the day was strawberry rhubarb. I've never met a creme brûlée I didn't fall in love with and I'm officially in love with this yummy creation. 

The Garrison House

111C, Unit 2 Garrison House Drive.

Niagara On The Lake, Ontario

L0S 1J0

@tghnotl

 

Sleep

                         The Oban Inn - Niagara On The Lake, Ontario

 

My favourite place to stay in the region is definitely The Oban Inn.  The Oban is a historic landmark in Niagara On The Lake since 1824. It's quiet, intimate, 4 Diamond and i' overlooks Lake Ontario and Niagara On The Lake Golf Course. I almost hate talking about it because it's difficult to get a room as it is. But I'm here to share the love, right?  I love the quaint pool/hot tub area where I relaxed with a glass (well plastic cup) of Creekside Sauvignon Blanc. Best part...no teenagers or kids of any sort in the vicinity. ;)

                                            A room to call home.

                                         Pool and Hot Tub.

The Oban Inn

160 Front St. 

Niagara On The Lake, Ontario

L0S 1J0

@obaninn

 

Drink

I so enjoyed my Creekside Sauvignon Blanc beside the pool at the Oban, that I just had to make a stop at the winery to take home a few souvenirs. Creekside Estate Winery is located a short distance from Niagara On The Lake in Jordan Ontario.  It's a charming winery with a great little resto called The Deck. It was chilly outside when we were there and I loved that they offered blankets for your legs at lunch. It's sweet touches like that that make a place special. Creekside offers wine tours on the weekends at 2 p.m. Take a tour, stroll the grounds, stay for dinner and then it's a quick jaunt back to the city. 

Creekside Estate Winery

2170 Fourth Ave. 

Jordan, Ontario

 

Shop

I've featured The Post Office - Shannon Passero before on Glimmer, so I won't go into all the deeds again, but I show you a few of the fun things I spied on my latest visit. I was lucky enough to get a little tour of new goodies from Shannon herself...first time meeting her and she was absolutely lovely. 

She led me straight to  The Giving Keys necklaces. The Giving Keys are a initiative started by  Singer/Songwriter Caitlyn Crosby in an effort to combat homelessness. The Giving Keys have become her way of giving back. She felt that keys are in a way just like us "unique, flawed, scarred, and sometimes discarded by others." Buy and wear the necklace, and when you feel the need...pass it on to another who needs it more. My faves are the "let go" and "breathe" keys. 

Next on Shannon's "must see" list were these adorable artisan undies from The Candi Factory. Sewn right here in Toronto, these undies are guaranteed not to bunch up...you know where, and look super cute on your tushie. 

The Post Office - Shannon Passero

18 Front St. North

Thorold, Ontario

@shannonpassero