Between the crisp produce, refreshing treats, and ice-cold drinks, it’s not that absurd to suggest that food just tastes better in summer. That feeling of going to town on an ice cream cone before it drips down your hand, or cracking open a cold one on a scorching day scratches an itch that no hot chocolate in the dead of winter can scratch. The flavours of summer are heightened with the freshest ingredients, some of which may have been harvested that very same day. Take advantage of it while you can and enjoy the taste of sunshine in Hastings County at these excellent spots.
Sugary Delights
Let’s cut right to the chase: it’s the one season where dessert before dinner is entirely acceptable. A treat like ice cream at The Scooped Moose or Kawartha Dairy is best enjoyed during the hottest part of the day. For a new spin on an old favourite, try Ontario Water Buffalo Company’s rich and creamy buffalo milk gelato in familiar fruity or chocolaty flavours. Both Hidden Goldmine Bakery’s Gold Dust Lemon Bars and Memories Bakery and Tea Room’s rhubarb or strawberry upside-down cakes do a fantastic job letting the fruity flavours of summer shine.
Seasonal Savoury Eats
You may not equate summer with pizza, but the locals in Coe Hill sure do, thanks to the Barn Chefs’ authentic Italian woodfired pizza offered only on Fridays in summer. For the more traditional, nothing says summer like a burger and fries. Savour a juicy burger on the screened-in porch patio at cottager favourite, The Hideaway, or hit the road for fresh cut fries at a roadside chip truck like Smokin’ Chip Wagon or Leo’s Chip Truck. Further north in Maynooth, the Sun Run Café’s simple menu lets the lively tastes of summer shine, through perfectly cooked fish, pasta, and vegetables.
Perfect Produce
Many locally-grown fruits and vegetables are in their prime during the summer months, so it’s best to load up and get your fill of the fresh stuff before the colder weather comes knocking again. Stay at a bed and breakfast like Trails Edge B&B or Marmora Inn and get fueled for the day ahead with a breakfast featuring a rainbow of fresh Ontario fruits. Alternatively, go straight to the source with a visit to a Harvest Hastings Farmers’ Market, found on Fridays in Bancroft and Saturdays in Marmora and Maynooth.
Thirst Quenching Drinks
Picture this. You’re on a dock at the cottage, admiring the lake sparkling as the summer sun beats down on you. In that moment, what do you reach for? An ice cold drink, of course! Stock up for the cottage with a stop at Bancroft Brewing Co for a growler or two of your favourite brews, like their refreshing Sawmill Lager. The crisp taste of Kings Mill Cider Co’s hard cider will hit the spot with multiple offerings including a cider flavoured with ginger grown just minutes away.