Jonathan's is our local go-to restaurant for all special occasions. The most recent was Cole's 17th birthday last week, before that was a big lunch for Claire's graduation and certainly any time my parents come to town we know exactly where we are going to dine. In the summers, I share lunch on the patio with my girlfriends, or just a glass of wine, appetizer and the pages of a good book.
Located just off Lakeshore, on Thomas & Church Street in Oakville, Jonathan's provides wonderful food at good value. It is no surprise, in a tough business, it has been around for 30+ years. I believe it often gets a bad rap because it is perceived as snooty or expensive. I have not had that experience. Indeed I have experienced both snooty and expensive at other local establishments but not here.
For me expensive is when you get crappy food-service quality or poorly prepared food at outrageous prices (ie. Seasons or Milestones). For less money than Seasons and not much more than Milestones, I've eaten consistently enjoyable, perfectly prepared, fresh, well presented meals for a good price.
I get frustrated because each time a place is recommended - often after people are aghast that I go to Jonathan's - I will go only to learn that each is outrageously priced and the food is sub-par. Is it the price that makes people think it's good? Is it the Lakeshore Road location? Is it the "story" of the owner and the buzz created?
I just wish my beloved Jonathan's was not closed on Sunday.
So, I am now on the lookout for a Sunday restaurant. My plan is to attend as many local restaurants as my life allows. With a girlfriend, with one or a combination of my kids, or alone, I'll enjoy my quest to find at least one more local option.
Using Jonathan's as my basis of comparison - figure an 8* out of 10 - let's see what's available out there!
Any suggestions?
*Why not 10 out of 10? Service. Sometimes food does not come out of the kitchen as quickly as expected and the meal takes a bit longer than had been allotted.
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I come from a food family. I grew up and worked in the grocery industry. I've eaten in some of the best, some of the strangest and some of the worst restaurants in North America. The bottom line? I look for good food, well prepared with fresh ingredients at a good price. No matter where I am or what I'm eating I always look for VALUE. The last thing I want to feel at the end of the meal is ripped off - or hungry. Unfortunately it happens all too often.
