Breadcrumb Path Hyperlinks
Journey CanadaTravelOntario Journey
Heritage highlights and engaging treats inside straightforward attain for guests
Critiques and proposals are unbiased and merchandise are independently chosen. Postmedia might earn an affiliate fee from purchases made by means of hyperlinks on this web page.
Article content material
Because the saying goes, there aren’t any ensures in life. That mentioned, guests to Port Perry are nearly assured of free parking.
Commercial 2
Article content material
The car tons and on-street spots provided without charge downtown are the primary advantages that day-trippers can rating upon arrival on this small city about 85 km northeast of Toronto on the shores of Lake Scugog in Durham Area.
Article content material
Factoring within the appreciable surroundings, purchasing and eating, it solely will get higher for guests who ought to come away completely charmed. Including to the group really feel is the truth that many enterprise homeowners can readily be discovered serving and interacting with prospects.
We have been smitten from the second we arrived, beginning with a stroll alongside either side of bustling, historic Queen St. to poke across the many distinct retailers and cafes. A tipple on the cozy Previous Flame brewery (the landmark constructing was in-built 1884) was the right interlude earlier than memorable eating at Marwan’s World Bistro, a spot that may be worthy of the trek by itself.
Commercial 3
Article content material
Our in a single day keep on the cute Piano Inn & Cafe, within the coronary heart of the Victorian-era downtown, capped what can maybe finest be described as a go to to a Hallmark film set.
“I don’t wish to say we’re a Hallmark film as a result of we’re not,” mentioned Sharon Runnalls, Port Perry Enterprise Enchancment Affiliation member and co-owner of Branching Out Florists. “Nevertheless it’s obtained that relatable really feel to it.”
Port Perry has, in actual fact, served as a backdrop for numerous films, together with from Hallmark. The Piano Inn & Cafe is a registered movie location, and the restaurant is featured in numerous movies and TV exhibits such because the Amazon Prime sequence Reacher.
It comes as no shock that this city, maybe one thing like a cross between Stratford and Dundas, Ont., would wish to be showcased. It’s worthy of any consideration it receives.
Journey Time
Article content material
Commercial 4
Article content material
FLAT-OUT SPECIAL
In keeping with owner-operator Christy Stone-Curry’s estimation, the Piano Inn & Cafe has been featured in no fewer than 80 movies, TV exhibits and commercials.
The flat-iron constructing, greater than 100 years outdated, bought by Stone-Curry’s grandfather in 1972 and reworked into its anchor cafe enterprise 22 years in the past, is a part of Port Perry’s Nineteenth-century heritage downtown.
“I all the time spin it as ‘you’re consuming in a movie fest,’” Stone-Curry mentioned of her widespread lunch spot, which initially housed a piano that sparked the namesake.
The piano has since been eliminated as a result of it was not sensible for movie shoots, however the historical past of the place stays very a lot intact. Multiple million bricks have been hand-scraped, Stone-Curry mentioned, as a part of the constructing’s award-winning restoration.
Commercial 5
Article content material
On the inn, we stayed within the studio, considered one of 5 distinctive lodging. There was ample house, nice decor and ample vantage factors to look out and benefit from the quiet of the downtown under our condo house.
“It’s a stunning place to be,” Stone-Curry mentioned of Port Perry. “Folks actually know one another right here. There’s loads of delight in possession.”
GLOBAL GASTRONOMY
The meals, drink and aesthetic at Marwan’s World Bistro function a love letter to proprietor Marwan Dib’s travels.
Dib has travelled the world extensively, together with time spent in Thailand, Brazil, South Africa and Egypt.
The bistro’s menu is instantly impressed by these influences, with an array of choices to appease each palette. Every little thing from Thai inexperienced curry, beef shawarma paninis, cheeseburgers and Moroccan pink lentil soup might be loved.
Commercial 6
Article content material
We opted for award-winning appetizers, together with the macaroni and cheese, which was good in its simplicity, and the super-cheesy Previous Flame and cheddar soup.
Our mains — butter hen for me, shawarma panini for my spouse — felt like becoming international decisions and didn’t disappoint.
To not be outdone by the meals menu, Marwan’s scores in each means with its adventurous cocktail choices. We cherished the Lebanese Breeze — a strawberry gin-based concoction in homage to Dib’s Lebanese heritage — and raised our glasses in approval to one thing referred to as the New Previous Common. It’s a tackle the Previous Common however with salted caramel syrup, making it a great sipper as dessert, or in our case with dessert, a decadent, made-to-order molten lava cake.
Commercial 7
Article content material
The bistro showcases an in depth wine checklist that features many hard-to-find bottles, in addition to a formidable 23 bourbons and 20 scotches.
“I’ve a collector’s spirit,” Dib mentioned.
“We attempt to convey a bit little bit of the town life to Port Perry,” he added.
The Port Social, additionally owned and operated by Dib, is bodily related to the bistro, has reside music and is ideal for pre- or post-dinner gatherings.
Marwan’s celebrates 10 years in enterprise on Queen St. this Canada Day.
HISTORY, ALL OVER TOWN
The distinctive uniformity of the downtown buildings in Port Perry might be credited to a pair of fires, first in 1883, then an much more disastrous one in 1884.
Brock’s is among the anchor companies reborn from that disastrous hearth. It rose from the ashes of William Brock’s common retailer, which was opened in 1881, earlier than the hearth, and is celebrating 143 years in 2024, at present run by fifth-generation relations, sisters Marina and Juliana Brock.
Commercial 8
Article content material
The constructing, which spans 4 storefronts, additionally housed a financial institution. Be sure you take a look at the outdated financial institution vault, which is now a males’s changeroom at Brock’s, which focuses on clothes and sneakers for ladies, males and youngsters.
Stroll alongside the waterfront in Palmer Park earlier than admiring the historic grain elevator, in-built 1874 and mentioned to be the oldest of its form in Canada.
Drop in on the almost six-decades-old Hank’s Pastries to attempt their hottest deal with, an “as massive as your face” apple fritter. We tried one, for analysis functions, after all, and it measures up.
For extra treats, swing by the Mrs. Fields Bakehouse Cafe, the corporate’s first storefront in Canada.
Lengthy identified for its mall areas, franchisers John and Jennifer Noble just lately pivoted from meals courts to streetside.
Commercial 9
Article content material
Nearly each enterprise on the town appears to be celebrating a milestone and The Pantry Shelf is not any totally different. This staple on Water St. is marking 25 years specializing in breakfast, lunch, made-in-house bakery objects and catering.
‘JUST HAS THAT FEEL’
Earlier than she owned her floral enterprise downtown, Runnalls, who lives in close by Sunderland, visited downtown Port Perry on the common, for purchasing, eating and strolling.
We requested her to explain her ultimate day within the city with a inhabitants of about 10,000, positioned north of Oshawa.
“I’d begin my day with a espresso at That Place on Queen,” Runnalls mentioned. “I’d in all probability store at Brock’s for sneakers, for certain. I’d go to Modella, then in all probability have lunch on the Piano, or The Pantry Shelf. I’d go to the brewery (Previous Flame) for certain.”
Commercial 10
Article content material
Runnalls mentioned that no less than 50% of the downtown companies are owned by girls and that Port Perry, merely put, is a gem price trying out.
“Folks come again. It’s not a pass-through city,” she mentioned. “It’s a type of locations the place you’ll be able to come and also you’re really served by the proprietor. I don’t suppose I’d be wherever else, truthfully. It’s only a good vibe. It simply has that really feel.”
ishantz@postmedia.com
X: @IanShantz
Really useful from Editorial
ROAD HOCKEY: Canadians have a need for puck-centric journey
SIMPLY ZZZ BEST: Toronto’s Westin Harbour Fort goes all-in on consolation
ENJOY STRATHROY: New lodge, outdated staples make for memorable getaway in charming Ontario city
Article content material
Share this text in your social community
