RAMEN
With Pho being the ruling noodle of 2013, it seems that foodies of the world are gradually moving across South-East Asia finding their new food favourites. Pushing the Korean classic aside, it’s predicted that ramen noodles, a Japanese dish consisting of thin white noodles accompanied with a clear meat or fish-based broth will be at the forefront of 2014 trends.
Check Out:
Sushi Star (3.5 stars YELP)
127 King Street E
COMFORT FOODS
Expect to see more stylized grilled cheese sandwiches and haute hamburgers, as traditional comfort foods get a gourmet makeover. Old-time comfort foods are shacking up with modern ingredients like avocado, shrimp and candied bacon.
Check Out:
Macaroni & Cheese ($13) @
Bread Bar (4.5 stars YELP)
258 Locke Street S
Grilled Cheese from Heaven ($11) @
Bean Bar (4.5 stars YELP)
1012 King Street W
HOT BREWS
If “late-night coffee runs” has more than one meaning to you, then you’ll be pleased to hear that tea is taking over as the hot beverage of choice in 2014. Specialty tea stores have been popping up in shopping malls and collaborating with restaurants for the last year, and the trend is here to stay.
Check out:
Ginger Peach or Lemongrass Rosehip @
Ceylon Tea Bush
218 Locke Street S
SOUR BREWS
It may not sound appetizing - or even safe to eat - but “sour” beers are a growing trend and are predicted to be appearing in your local liquor stores. Like sourdough bread, sour beers get their name from a fermentation process that allows the active yeast to permeate the brew. Another strong flavour to look for in your hops: alcoholic ginger beer.
Check Out:
Panil Barrique Sour ($14.70 for 750mL)
Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer ($3.65 for 330 mL)
ICE CREAM
While cupcakes, macaroons and donuts have all had their chance in the spotlight, the tried and true favourite is undergoing a palette makeover. Gourmet ice creams will be more commonplace, along with pop-up ice cream stores (à la Magnum in Toronto this summer) and decadent ice cream sandwiches.
Check out:
Rudy’s Paletas @
The Burnt Tongue
10 Cannon Street E
UMAMI
The newest of the five basic tastes, umami is predicted to be found in more diverse foods. The Japanese term translating to “pleasant savoury taste” is usually found in tomatoes, cabbage, shellfish and MSG salts. Look for it in salt blends, sauces and cooked into the growing and popular “umami burger”.
Check out:
Umami Salt ($10) @
www.umami.com (LA-based franchise, Umami Burger)
LOCALLY-SOURCED EVERYTHING
For the last few years, “local” has been a buzzword in restaurants, super markets and circles of young hipsters. But apparently, 2014 is the year for really implementing local diets and farm fresh cuisine. Jump on the bandwagon by shopping at your local farmer’s market, or looking into farm to table box programs that deliver local food to your home.
Check out:
Hamilton Farm Box deliveries from:
Plan B Organic Farms
www.planborganicfarms.ca
GLUTEN-FREE
Gluten is here to not stay. If you thought the celiac-friendly diet trend would have faded away with 2013, you were wrong. Menus and grocery stores will still be actively supplying gluten-free options during 2014.
CAULIFLOWER
2013’s vegetable of the year is still trending, just not quite as much. Mashed, grilled or baked into meat and wheat dishes, cauliflower will still be widely available on menus across town.
DONUTS
Donuts had their moment in the sun in 2013, but will be drifting into the shadows with 2014. Still available at your favourite bakeries and grocers, gourmet donuts will be ready for purchase throughout the year.
Amanda Watkins
LifeStyle Editor
Where a “Cedar” once stood, Pinks Burgers has now occupied the clearing. The new fast food joint is the first of its kind and has brought students a new pit stop for quick and crowd-pleasing food.
Sandwiched between two of campus’ top 24-hour fast food fun zones (Subway and Taco Del Mar) Pinks is the new home of afternoon and evening made-to-order burger services.
They currently serve original hamburgers, double or single, with a variety of available toppings. In addition, they serve up gyros, fries, milkshakes, and a small selection of beer on tap. With a simple menu yet something for everyone, Pinks is sure to be a hit among students.
Although the restaurant’s cringe-worthy name may be reminiscent of undercooked meat and various diseases and infections, when I first tried their burger, it was well cooked and really quite tasty. The patty was handcrafted by their kitchen staff, who you can watch complete their culinary work in an open kitchen at the back of the store. Each customer has the option of choosing their toppings from an extensive list ranging from ketchup to grilled onions, and bacon or cheese for an added charge.
Their portions are generous, providing filling food for a reasonable price (single burger: $4). The service was forgivably slow, as it is a new joint that probably isn’t used to swarms of malnourished students attacking them all at once.
The burger was hearty and filling with both a quality patty and fresh bun. The accompanying fries ($2) were pretty standard, but they weren’t too greasy or salty- an affliction that other local burger joints have been hit with. The cost of the two items was reasonable and comparable to their aforementioned neighbours. The restaurant itself is extremely spacious and provides ample seating at both tables and a long bar-like counter.
The restaurant is open late on both weekends and weeknights to accommodate night class and nightlife.
Overall, Pinks Burgers is more of a delight than their queasy name leads on. Their accessible location and tasty and reasonable menu are bound to entice customers and please the masses.
Elizabeth Root
The Silhouette
Celebrating its tenth birthday, the “Meatless Monday” movement has grown to more than 29 countries since its inauguration at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This proactive movement has been monumental in inspiring not just individuals, but workplaces, schools and cities to take on this weekly challenge. Launching this initiative is a step forward to better health, a more sustainable environment and the welfare of animals.
This simple, one-day program can easily be implemented into food services across McMaster University. This is not saying that the entire campus will be banned from serving meat on Mondays; rather, emphasis could be put on meat-free options for this day. Informative brochures and signage could be displayed to help educate students and inspire them to make positive food choices. Highlighting a meat free special on Monday is an easily attainable action, one that would reap many benefits.
University is a time of development and learning where many students begin to make independent decisions about their own diet and lifestyles. In a longitudinal study done by Tufts University, it is shown that 66 per cent of first years didn’t consume the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables a day, 50 per cent of all students didn’t get enough fiber, 60 per cent were eating too much saturated fats and 59 per cent of students surveyed said that they knew their diet has gone downhill since they went to post-secondary institutions.
These statistics are problematic in the world we face today, and we must find ways to curb these alarming figures. What greater way to promote healthy living than with weekly reminders and specials of health-conscious food choices. With a focus on meals infused with fresh fruits and vegetables, McMaster’s students would begin their week on an encouraging note, hopefully inspiring them to make positive food and lifestyle choices for the rest of the week.
According to meatlessmonday.com, a reduction in meat consumption, even for just one day of the week, can have extensive benefits to your health. One can reduce their risk of heart disease and cancer, fight diabetes, curb obesity and prolong your life. The government could also benefit from this cutback through lowered healthcare spending on treatment of chronic preventable diseases.
By starting Meatless Mondays at McMaster, it would be a huge step to becoming more environmentally sustainable. The United Nations estimates one-fifth of all environmentally deteriorating greenhouse gases come from the meat industry. Water use for meat consumption is also huge (meatlessmonday.com estimates around 1800-2500 gallons of water is needed to produce a single pound of beef). Mac’s environmental footprint can drastically change with this one-day reduction. All small progresses are baby steps into creating a better planet.
Lastly, there are huge benefits on decreasing meat consumption to reduce animal suffering. Routine factory farm practices in Canada are beyond horrid, and animals are put through a lifetime of suffering. By reducing the amount of meat on our plates even for just one day of the week, we are directly saving lives.
It would reflect positively on McMaster to take on this proactive initiative, and it would set a precedent for other Canadian schools to follow. Starting a Meatless Monday program at McMaster will snowball effect to healthier lifestyles and sustainable practices.
Amanda Watkins
LifeStyle Editor
The Chef’s Wagon
16-24 James Street North
With an unconventional address, The Chef’s Wagon leads more of a nomadic life.
As a James Street staple food truck, the Wagon is located next to the James/King William intersection, but prefers an established location to conventional wheeled travel. Opened in December of 2012, this food truck is firmly planted as a fast and fresh place for homemade burgers on the go. Their patty meat is made fresh daily, never frozen, with local Hamilton ingredients, no additives or preservatives, and charming names like “The Mountain” and “The Steeltown Gyro.”
Mex-I-Can Restoraurant (not a typo)
107 James Street North
If the abnormal spelling of the word “restaurant” in its title isn’t enough to make you want to give them all your business now (and no, that’s not the Spanish spelling), then perhaps the genuine hole-in-the-wall atmosphere and cheesy (in both senses of the word) Mexican cuisine will.
Serving up your classic quesadillas, enchiladas, canada pharmacy chimichangas and so much more, Mex-I-Can gives you an authentic sketchy Hamilton restaurant experience complete with tasty and authentic Mexican cuisine.
Mex you can have your burrito, and eat it too.
The Burnt Tongue
10 Cannon Street East
With its grand opening just two months ago, The Burnt Tongue is already a local hot spot for soups and sandwiches. When we went by at lunchtime, the lineup was consistent and the restaurant was bustling. With a soup menu that’s updated every day, novelty sodas, and Rudy’s Paletas- delicious Hamilton-made gourmet popsicles- it’s no wonder they’re already a student household name.
Try the Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup with a Peanut Butter Paleta for dessert, and you will be one happy Hamiltonian.
Charred Rotisserie House
244 James Street North
Quality chicken is hard to come by on campus, so why not venture down to this Portuguese rotisserie for their stellar poultry? With full, half and quarter chicken dinners, their meat loving menu will make the most of your Paleolithic diet.
A home-y environment, friendly staff and a pulled chicken on a bun will have you coming back for more.
McCartney & Son Salad Emporium and Eatery
282 James Street North
This restaurant owner’s clients have included Robert Plant, Bob Dylan and Samuel L. Jackson. I know, right? Once a caterer to the stars, McCartney now runs this urban and spacious salad bar close to the corner of Barton and James. In addition to spending a hefty chunk of time serving celebrities out of Toronto, he is also the manager of Hamilton’s favourite sandwich shop and James Street classic, Jack and Lois.
Will a salad bar serving tens of toppings at $7 a pound, sandwiches, soups and ice cream, the Salad Emporium has enough to satisfy all of your cravings.
James North General Store
261 James Street North
It’s both a coffee shop and clothing store. Yes, the James North General Store is heaven on earth. Established in June of this year, this new shop will feed and clothe you. With inexpensive coffee and tea, vintage handbags, contemporary clothing, jewelry and work from local artists, the General Store puts a modern and trendy spin on a neighbourhood staple of the past.
Although they’re closed on Sundays and Mondays, head on over the Tuesday after Artcrawl for their monthly post-crawl, tax-free sale.
Mulberry Street Coffee House
193 James Street North
A super hip cafe open for your enjoyment, Mulberry Street Coffee House will pump you with caffeine in style. Serving up tasty beverages, including a Nutella latte, Mulberry also offers a diverse selection of homemade cookies, paninis and grilled cheese sandwiches.
In addition to food, their charming atmosphere with vintage couches, chandeliers and exposed brick walls will have you coming back again and again. Sit back, relax and let Mulberry make you feel at home.
The Green Smoothie Bar
236 James Street North
For all the health nuts out there (bless your sweet devoted souls), The Green Smoothie Bar serves up delicious, nutricious and ambitiously crafted beverages.
On top of their tasty smoothies, you can also pick up some of their flavoured kale chips or packaged nuts. The next time you’re artcrawling, vintage shopping, or walking downtown, make a stop at The Green Smoothie Bar, your colon will thank you.
Tips to keep your etiquette worries at bay during potentially awkward Thanksgiving dinners.
@whatthekins
Thanksgiving dinner is predictable. You’ve got your roasted turkey, tin can-shaped cranberry sauce, and squishy JELLO-like pumpkin pie. It’s all very delicious, but a change can be too.
Mac Farm Stand offers a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables that can easily be incorporated into your standard Thanksgiving meal to jazz it up and inject new flavours. Here are two easy recipes that can be thrown together with the help of Farm Stand ingredients.
Golden Delicious Baked Apples
A great dessert on its own, or served alongside a healthy sliver of pumpkin pie
Ingredients:
- 4 large apples (Farm Stand)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. cinnamon
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 tbsp. butter
- ¾ cup boiling water
- Honey (Farm Stand)
Yield: 4 servings
Instructions:
1) Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. While your oven is heating up, core your apples, making sure you remove all seeds. Leave about 2.5 cm of apple at the bottom of the fruit, and gauge the cored centres to be around 3 cm in diameter.
2) In a bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Place your apples in a baking pan and stuff each fruit with this newly created mixture. Top each apple core off with a pat of butter.
3) Add the boiling water to the bottom of the pan and bake for around 30-40 minutes, or until apples are tender (read: not mushy, that’s dutty). Remove your apples from the oven and baste with the juices from the bottom of the pan. Drizzle a small amount of honey over each apple.
Farm Fresh Raspberry Sauce
A tasty alternative to pre-packaged cranberry sauce.
Ingredients:
- ¼ of an onion, finely chopped (Farm Stand)
- 60 mL red wine
- 1 chicken bouillon cube or small chicken stock pot
- ½ cup water
- 30 mL honey (Farm Stand)
- 5 mL corn flour mixed with water
- 45 mL raspberries, mashed or gently pureed (Farm Stand)
Yield: 4 servings
Instructions:
1) Sautee onions in a pan on medium heat until tender. Add red wine and allow to cook for a minute or two.
2) Mix in chicken stock, water and honey.
3) Let simmer for 5 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in flour paste and raspberries. Let simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened.
Regardless of what anyone says, the only universal language that matters is delicious food. Sure, we all have our own tastes and preferences, but a good meal can bring people together more than the release of GTA V or a hatred for Miley Cyrus.
And although delicious food seems to only come from fine dining experiences or our grandma’s kitchens, it’s more accessible than many of us know.
Locavores. Yes, that is a real term. They have one up on foodies of the city, and continue to indulge in consistently delicious food by eating locally and experiencing fresh and tasty meals. A locavore is someone who eats local food that has been grown or produced within a designated radial area of his or her choice.
Local food is commonly defined as any product farmed within a 160-kilometer radius of your residence. But currently, in grocery stores and farmer’s markets across the province, local has become more synonymous with “organic” and can include food from within a 1,500-kilometer radius, stretching all across Ontario.
Hamilton is a hotspot for local farmers' markets and homegrown produce. Its proximity to rural areas in Ancaster, Waterdown and Vineland are easily accessed from markets across the city.
Buying specialized produce can seem like a hassle, but it is easier and cheaper than many assume. You don’t need to take a stance as strong as a locavore, but purchasing local food is a process that can be easily eased into.
The largest and most accessible farmers' market for Mac students is the Hamilton Farmers' Market located at 35 York Boulevard. Since 1837, the market has been going strong at the corner of York and James, selling produce, meat and dairy products. Not even a 15-minute journey, one bus ride and a short walk will bring you to this two-storey market.
With such a long history, it’s natural that students have and should be drawn to it.
“You can always tell when school starts,” says Cheryl Berry, of Fleetwood Farms in Harley, Ont. whose family has been taking part in the Hamilton Farmer’s Market for three generations.
“We get a lot of students,” she says. “Food from the market is so much fresher.”
Although Fortino’s and Metro offer up some wonderful genetically modified creations, there’s no denying that farm-picked goods are fresher and healthier.
And surprisingly, most of the produce available at farmers' markets is noticeably cheaper than that of large grocery stores. Farmers price their crops competitively to increase sales and sell their crop yield for the year. At the HFM, you can expect to find baskets of apples for three dollars, green beans for two dollars, and bunches of grapes for less than three dollars. I mean, really, you can’t go wrong.
Ian Walker, a fourth-year Classics student and employee of De la Terre Bakery in Vineland (a bread supplier at the HFM) explains that it’s not just about the taste or price of the food that should convince you to buy locally, but the bigger picture of sustainable local economies.
“Buying locally is important for the environment, as well as knowing where your food comes from… but it’s also important because the money you spend goes back into your economy,” he says.
Joleen Schmidt, a third-year Honours Cognitive Science of Language student, grew up on a large-scale dairy farm in Tavistock, Ont. where she saw first-hand how local food is curated and how important it is to support farm sales.
“All of our dairy is sold to a supplier in our town,” she says.
“It’s up to farmers to produce their quota for the year and sell it, otherwise an entire farm can go downhill. It’s something that we’ve seen happen to some of our neighbouring farmers,” she adds.
Farms depend on sales to keep themselves supported and up and running. By buying local and contributing to the economy of our city and its surrounding areas, you’ll be helping farmers, and helping yourself.
And as someone who spent a lifetime growing up on locally-grown food, Schmidt had something to say about the difference homegrown makes.
“There’s a huge difference! A lot of our local crops are smaller, but it tastes a lot better. Corn on the cob, my lord, don’t get me started on that! Farmers feed cities! It tastes better, and you feel healthier knowing where your food came from and what’s in it,” she says.
Local food is decidedly delicious. And shopping for products from close to home is easy and rewarding. The next time you need to go grocery shopping, consider stopping by a nearby market and picking something up from your native territory. I assure you, you will have a fresh and exciting experience.
Farmers' Market
Dos & Don’ts
DO shop around: walking into a farmers' market, especially one as large as the York Street location, can be intimidating. Take some time to walk around and compare prices and food quality. All the farmers are pretty friendly and non-confrontational, so you should be fine.
DO read the fine print: a few sellers will also be marketing outsourced produce often from the U.S. I made the rookie mistake of accidentally purchasing strawberries labeled “Product of California”- don’t follow in my footsteps. Double-check your labels before handing over your cash.
DON’T go for the biggest seller: some stands will be exceedingly larger than others, but that doesn’t mean their produce is better quality. Let me tell you, bigger is not always better.
DO ask for a sample: use your judgment with this one. Grapes, cherry tomatoes, cheese, some products are definitely conducive to sampling. But when it comes to potatoes or squash or a loaf of bread, mull over what you think is appropriate and remind yourself that this isn’t Costco.
DO bring your own reusable bag: don’t be that person who puts their fresh local produce into a bag that will sit in a landfill for decades on end.
Seasonal Foods to look for
During the months of September, October and November, you can expect to find:
- Potatoes
- Squash
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Cranberries
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
- Pumpkin
- Swiss Chard
- Turnips
- And so much more…
Brianna Buziak
The Silhouette
As much as we love the fine establishments that surround the McMaster campus, there comes a time in every student’s career that calls for venturing past that comfort zone to see what else Hamilton has to offer. Any bus heading downtown will take passengers past Locke St., an area known as a hub for independently owned restaurants, coffee shops, and clothing stores, just to name a few. After some website surfing and a trip down to Locke, we decided to give these businesses some special attention.
Ole Gourmet Mexican Grill 82 Locke St. S.
Located at 82 Locke Street South, Ole Gourmet Mexican Grill is one of the first places you will see after getting off of the bus. The counter of the shop contains a large window where you can see your taco being made right in front of you. Every Tuesday, Ole Gourmet offers up pulled pork tacos at the reasonable price of $2.
The Button Pushers 119b Locke St. S.
Just before the hill is where you will find this beloved vintage hot spot. As the awning boldly declares, they provide customers with “vintage clothes, custom buttons, art and propaganda.” The Button Pushers has a variety of buttons available to buy, but if nothing quite peaks your interest, you can always request a quote for small or large orders and get custom buttons made. The schedule for new batches of clothes varies so be sure to check often to find one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else on campus will have.
Johnny’s Coffee 129 Locke St. S.
If you blink, you almost miss this quaint Locke St. café- but don’t let the outside fool you. With approximately ten tables, it provides a cozy environment, not to mention the friendly barista who greeted us with a warm welcome. Equipped with board games and a house chess set, sit down and enjoy the unique coffee shop that is Johnny’s Coffee. And while you’re enjoying one of the two featured coffees, or a vegan biscotti, follow a tip from their website and be sure to ask about the “Train Game.”
Shirin’s Fine Foods 139 Locke St. S.
Shirin’s Fine Foods hosts a variety of food to suit every taste. From tarts to cookies, coffee to chocolate, and ice cream to gluten-free brownies, Shirin’s should have something for everyone. They also surprisingly carry cabbage rolls and perogies, including dessert perogies, for those who cannot get enough of these European dumplings. They have a great selection of ice cream from birthday cake to chocolate peanut butter, but it’s only available for a few more weeks! Shirin’s is open six days a week, and closed on Mondays.
SC Consignment 162 Locke St. S.
This sleek boutique located at 162 Locke St. S. is for those who love to find designer pieces at a lower price point. They accept consignment by appointment Monday through to Friday. For those fashionistas who love designer brands, perhaps a trip to SC Consignment will mean finding a dress for one of the many upcoming formals being hosted at McMaster.
Democracy/Locke Street Coffee 202 Locke St. S.
It is not hard to miss this coffee shop on Locke, mainly because you can literally walk in from the street. A large garage-like door stands between Democracy/Locke Street Coffee and potential customers, but on the hot, sunny day that we went to Locke, the door was open so there was nothing to stop people from checking it out. The walls are painted with chalkboard paint and coloured chalk is in abundance for those who wish to express their creativity. Do not expect to be surfing the web or checking your Twitter feed in Democracy, as the chalkboard message bluntly puts it, they do not have Wi-Fi, they would rather you talk to each other. With a variety of pastry, desserts, and bagels from the Locke Street Bakery, enjoy a treat, a cup of coffee and conversation at Democracy.
Epic Books 226 Locke St. S.
Right now, Epic Books has a large tree in the front window. The large paper tree is from a recent Locke Street festival where people were asked to write their favourite children’s book on one of the corresponding leaves. But as the woman behind the counter informed us “it’s not just children’s books.” Epic Books is a warm environment where browsing is made comfortable. They have a section dedicated to local Hamilton authors for those who wish to keep it close to home. After some browsing, our personal favourite was Bun B’s Rap Colouring and Activity Book which includes a page that requires the reader to draw a freehand picture of Jay Z with a pre-printed outline of a New York Yankees hat because, after all, he made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can. Clearly that fine piece of literature is not a children’s book.
Bitten 219 Locke St. S.
After checking out the Bitten website, we knew that a visit to the cupcake and whoopee pie store was non-negotiable. Decorated in white, green and orange, it mirrors the playful look and atmosphere of the website to a T. The shop has a large window overlooking all the confectionary creations customers can choose from, including red velvet, peanut butter, or Rolo cupcakes and pies, just to name a few. If you want to have the larger selection from their extensive menu, the best time to go is around noon, just do not go on Mondays, as that is the only day of the week that they are closed.
