treat yourself to time out in Ontario’s newest travel destination
Just 60 minutes from the city! Surprising Fall experiences to share and savour.
visit www.timeout.travel Elora~Fergus St. Jacobs
Guelph Stratford
Huron County Waterloo Region
Perth County Wellington County 1
“Who knew.... A surprising new travel d
treat yoursel Fall Rides & Drives Markets & Farm Gate Festivals & Events
Surprising Fall experien Arts & Culture Theatre Culinary Experiences
www.time
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pending fun time out with close friends is something most of us never seem to have enough time for. Yet when we do, we often end up having the time of our lives. Memories are written, experiences shared. Flavours, sights and sounds are absorbed, savoured and recalled weeks and even years later. And invariably we say, “We should have done this sooner.” This Fall take time out to make a memory with someone close, in Ontario’s newest travel destination. Within a short drive west of Toronto you’ll discover a wealth of entertainment, a diversity of food, a depth in art, music, theatre and accommodation that is sure to satisfy the cultural adventurer in you. Who knew? From tiny villages like Eden Mills to nearby Guelph; from Fergus, Elora and Belwood north through Wellington County, across to St. Jacobs and
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estination just 60 minutes from the city!”
f to time out Elora ~ Fergus ~ Guelph Huron County St. Jacobs Country
ces to share and savour. Stratford & Perth Waterloo Region Wellington County
out.travel Waterloo Region, to Stratford and Perth County; then on to the shores of Lake Huron—throughout this rich and unique landscape, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find, and how it makes you feel. Our Fall is filled with festivals, fairs, fabulous food, and whatever special getaway fun you have in mind. Whether it’s just the two of you or a group of friends, there are as many reasons to visit here as there are those small daily details that try to stand in your way. It’s time to put all of that aside. It’s time to treat yourself; to do something for you. And when you do, we think you’ll be asking yourself one question...
“Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
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Elora~Fergus THE RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE
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xtraordinary experiences don’t get much better, more diverse or more accessible than this. Located just an hour outside Toronto, Elora and Fergus are gems waiting to be experienced and explored. From music to awardwinning festivals, unique accommodations and extraordinary chefs committed to the freshest ingredients from local growers; from scenic walks and drives to world-class flyfishing, to the arts, artisans and unique boutiques, Elora and 4
Fergus really do have it all. Plan to treat yourself at one of our Fall events, including the highlight of the autumn season, Sensational Elora—a jampacked 11-day festival guaranteed to engage every one of your senses. All the ingredients for a fabulous Fall getaway are here.
Fall dates!
Savour Elora Fergus
SEPTEMBER 10 Fergus BIA Classic Car Show SEPTEMBER 17–19 Fergus Fall Fair SEPTEMBER 25/26 & OCTOBER 2/3 Elora Fergus Studio Tour OCTOBER Monster Month OCTOBER 3 Harvest Home Festival OCTOBER 1–11 Sensational Elora: A Festival of the Senses www.savourelorafergus.com • 877.242.6353
Guelph ONTARIO’S CRAFT BREWING CENTRE
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et ready for five days of innovative music, local food and drink at the award-winning Guelph Jazz Festival—then stay up all night for “Nuit Blanche”: over 30 concerts and sound installations in unique settings lasting until sunrise on September 12. This Fall, enjoy homeharvested food, served brilliantly at a field dinner or at restaurant favourites Artisinale Café & Bistro or Borealis Grille.
It’s a date! SEPTEMBER 8-12 SEPTEMBER 11 SEPTEMBER 12 SEPTEMBER 25-26 OCTOBER 15-16 Mid-OCTOBER
Guelph Jazz Festival 800.334.4519 Nuit Blanche Taste Real Guelph Wellington Field Dinner Culture Days Weekend 25th Annual Guelph Studio Tour Taste of Downtown
Find that special hand made treasure at the 25th Annual Guelph Studio Tour and shop Downtown Guelph for antiques and unique gifts. And be sure to taste some of our locally-made craft beers on a restaurant patio, or on a brewery tour at Wellington Brewery and F&M Brewery.
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Huron & Perth TOURING & TASTE TREKS
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Fall classics! SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 19 SEPTEMBER 21-22 SEPTEMBER 26 OCTOBER 1-3 OCTOBER 22-24 OCTOBER 19-22
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Health & Harvest Festival Sunset Soirée & Bach Musical Festival Brussels Fall Fair Ciderfest Howick Turnberry Fall Fair Doors Open Haunted Huron Harvest of the County Culinary Adventure
www.ontarioswestcoast.ca • 888.524.8394 ext 3
all is the perfect time for countryside and coastline getaways, and you’ll find both in the pastoral heartland of Huron and Perth Counties. Sample and savour the fall harvest of Huron and Perth Counties—the relaxed, rural heart of southwestern Ontario—when you travel the routes from Shakespeare to the Shoreline. Getaway and explore the themed self-guided routes that take you along historic Highway 8, out of the city through charming Perth
SHAKESPEARE TO THE SHORELINE County villages, to the golden sands of Lake Huron’s shoreline and Ontario’s West Coast. Harvest the bounty of our two Counties, stopping at farm gates, picking the best of the perfect fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods at local farm markets. Meet the folks who grow the food, prepare it and provide it for your table. Seven themed routes take you away from the big-box hustle to the pleasant bustle of broad main streets in the towns and villages that dot this lush fall landscape. Take your time to dine and enjoy a culinary experience in historic dining rooms, bake shops, bistros and pubs, with chefs who offer the finest local produce on their menus—fresh from the fields of Perth and Huron Counties.
Fall drives! SEPTEMBER 3-5 SEPTEMBER 17-18 SEPTEMBER 24-26 OCTOBER 15-17
Mitchell Fall Fair Milverton Fall Fair Culture Days 12th Annual Quilt Show and Sale www.visitperth.ca/timeout 888.366.0160
Visit www.shakespearetotheshoreline.ca for complete travel themes and routes.
www.timeout.travel Do it for you!
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St. Jacobs LIFE IN THE PAST LANE
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iscover a quieter, gentler place where fields are tended with care and sumptuous local foods take centre stage at our renowned farmers’ markets and fine restaurants. Here, in the little village of St. Jacobs, originality flourishes in contemporary craft studios and trend-setting shops. Museums, exhibits, professional theatre, and leisure pursuits intrigue and entertain, while superb hospitality beckons at our fine inns. Come be our guests this Fall! 8
Make it a date! SEPTEMBER 19 OCTOBER 23-24 NOvEMBER 11-14 yEaR-ROuNd
Taste Local Taste Fresh, St. Jacobs Kissing Bridge Trail Studio Tour St. Jacobs Sparkles St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market (Thursdays & Saturdays)
www.stjacobs.com • 800.265.3353
Ahh... Stratford CANADA’S PREMIER ARTS TOWN
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ome applaud the dramatic colours, scents and sounds of autumn in Stratford. Our Victorian streetscapes and gardens are alive with burnished golds, russets and crimsons. It’s the time to celebrate the freshness of harvests and savour the seasonal cuisine created by master chefs, thrilling theatrics, international thought-provoking films and the authentic heritage of our town. Stratford is the perfect place for a stimulating escape. We have exciting getaway packages at our inns and hotels with our critically acclaimed restaurants offering menus created with foods at the peak of their flavour gathered from farms a few miles down the road. And as always, our friendly welcomes make Stratford even more special. What are you waiting for? Your autumn escape awaits.
Save the date! SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 19-26 OCTOBER 13-17 OCTOBER 15-17 OCTOBER 22-24
Stratford Garlic Festival Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival DocFest Stratford Stratford Heritage Weekend Stratford Pride Weekend
www.welcometostratford.com/autumn • 800.561.7926 9
Waterloo Region PAST AND FUTURE IN PERFECT BALANCE
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his fall the Waterloo Region offers a tapestry of arts, culture and mouthwatering culinary delights that will speak to your creative soul. From local festivals offering warm apple dumplings, homemade cheeses and oldworld German schnitzel to the edible utopia of the coveted Five Diamond Awarded Dining Room at Langdon Hall, come taste the magic and discover the depths of our artistic spirit.
It’s a date! auguST 26-29 SEPTEMBER 2 SEPTEMBER 11 SEPTEMBER 11-12 SEPTEMBER 12 SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 19 SEPTEMBER 25
UpTown Waterloo Buskers Festival Kitchen Ceilidh, McDougall Cottage A Taste of Scotland, McDougall Cottage Monarch Days, Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory UpTown Dining Walking/Tasting Tour Doors Open Waterloo Region Royal Medieval Faire Taste Local Taste Fresh Culinary Event Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival SEPTEMBER 26 OCTOBER 1-2 OCTOBER 8-16 OCTOBER 11 OCTOBER 8-31
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Word on the Street Book and Literary Festival Martins Fruit Farm Harvest Celebration KW Oktoberfest KW Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade Bingemans ScreamPark (weekends)
www.explorewaterlooregion.com • 877.585.7517
Wellington County
Fall dates!
FLAVOURS FROM FARM TO FORK
auguST 29 SEPTEMBER 12
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ellington’s culinary culture is nurtured by a rich history of agricultural pride. Here you can tap the source of many distinct products—from tender wild boar and ostrich, to organic chai ice cream and fine artesian sheep’s milk cheeses. Our restaurateurs are leaders in support of the more than 100 farms and markets that help to bring local flavours to their finest dishes. If you’re a food lover, you can take a professional cooking class from a Certified Chef de Cuisine at Everton’s 200 year-old Inn on their two-acre estate. Complete your culinary experience with visits to the Aberfoyle Antique Market,
Puslinch Farm to Fork Taste Real: Experience Dining al fresco on Deerfield’s Farm SEPTEMBER 17-19 Eden Mills Writer’s Festival SEPTEMBER 18-19 & 25-26 Erin Studio Tour SEPTEMBER 25 Wellington Rural Romp, a selfguided farm tour of over 20 farms and markets OCTOBER 1-3 Saugeen Autumn Leaves Studio Tour yEaR ROuNd The Butter Tart Trail
or trek off the beaten path on our many trails. Relax at a spa, explore the shopping treasures in our small towns, tour the studios and relish the warm atmosphere and country spirit Wellington County is known for. And be sure to pick up the annual Guelph Wellington Local Food map and connect with the creative community of food producers committed to providing your family with superior products.
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Welcome to the Heartland of Local by Anita Stewart
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RivE dOwN aNy HigHway OR BaCk ROad iN THiS SPECTaCuLaR region and you’ll see food… being planted, growing, for sale or in a myriad of excellent restaurants—from the most casual to the most upscale. Sunflowers ring corn fields; soft winter wheat is harvested for pastry, herds of cattle graze and there are thousands of acres of beans. It’s from this larder that our regional chefs are shopping. Join me and dive into it with a healthy appetite… stay for a while and get to know the agricultural diversity that stretches from Wellington County in the east across the heartland of Waterloo and Perth to Lake Huron. Anita Stewart is an author, culinary activist, locavore and founder of Food Day Canada. She resides in Elora, Ontario. 12
At LaNgdON HaLL COuNTRy HOuSE HOTEL & SPa (1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge) Chef Jonathan Gushue oversees the kitchen, harvests the massive garden, forages for wild edibles on the estate and creates the most intelligent, utterly delicious dining experience in the region—five star and all-Canadian. A Gushue menu will sing of the seasons and a deeply rooted sense of place—venison loin served with the wild leeks he picked that day or Mulmer Vista lamb sirloin with Jerusalem artichokes from the garden. NiCk aNd NaT’S uPTOwN 21(21 King Street North, Waterloo) is an example of how great a locally-inspired restaurant can be. The culinary passion shows. Nick and his sous chef Sean banter back and forth in their open kitchen and between them turn out brilliant, approachable food. A pile of wellread cookbooks is stacked on the bar. Nick and his wife/partner, Nat, have a very real connection to the landscape of Waterloo County. It may be basil-scented bison croquettes stuffed with old cheddar and served with a chipotle-blueberry sauce, or a crisp duck confit atop rosemary roasted potatoes. Their strip loins are dry aged for 50 days and seasonal desserts are a must! The prix fixe menu changes daily and is very reasonably priced. Publican/entrepreneur Bob Desautels just gets it. He has been sourcing local beers and Ontario/Wellington County ingredients for his pub, THE wOOLwiCH aRMS (176 Woolwich Street, Guelph) for well over a decade. In his words, BOREaLiS gRiLLE (1388
Gordon Street, Guelph) is “radically local”. Many of the restaurant’s features use stone quarried nearby and locally milled hardwood. The power is Bullfrog green energy and his team is busy installing solar panels. Executive Chef Jim Loat buys his produce from a CSA at Ignatius Farm; fish is from Lake Huron and rather than rice, he uses Red Fife wheat berries combined with spelt. Chef Matthew Foote, one of the most talented chefs ever to hit Wellington County, divides his time between the BREadaLBaNE iNN/FERguSSON ROOM (487 St. Andrews Street West, Fergus) and the newly renovated and named NiTH RivER CHOP HOuSE in Wellesley, a region embedded in Waterloo Region’s Mennonite food/farming culture. Nith River Chop House is all about good local meat. Harriston Packers beef is teamed up with Smoyd Farms potatoes for amazing steak/frites. PaN TaPaS BaR & gRiLL (107 Downie Street, Stratford) is brand new but, with its country-elegant decor, looks as though it’s been around for ages. Chef Jordan Lassaline comes directly from years of being Sous Chef at The Old Prune, and many of “the Prune’s” suppliers are now on the Pan Tapas menu. Church Hill Farm (c.1842), where Max and Vicki Lass raise heritage breeds, supplies most of the meat from the goat-like Kathadin lamb to English Large Black pigs renowned for their thick back fat and perfect for charcuterie. Aaron and Bronwyn Linley met in the 1990s at the Stratford Chefs School. They opened their tiny gem of a place, BijOu (105 Erie Street, Stratford), a few years later. It is filled with locals who love their French/Asian
interpretation of the region’s culinary riches. The chalkboard menu changes daily but you might find steamed Lake Erie pickerel cheeks with scallion, ginger and warm sesame oil or some DeMartines family prosciutto with Ontario purple asparagus salad and Monforte ‘Toscano’ sheep cheese. OLd PRuNE (151 Albert Street, Stratford) owner Eleanor Kane and Chef Bryan Steele have mentored many of Canada’s current crop of top chefs in their fantastic kitchen. The quiet elegance of the dining room is a perfect backdrop for some of the most delicious food anywhere in Ontario. It may be as simple as a fingerling potato chowder with smoked northern pike and balanced with a bit of acidic sorrel or a rhubarb strawberry cobbler with ginger ice cream. Chris and Mary Woolf are seasoned culinary perfectionists. Their restaurant, wOOLFy’S aT wiLdwOOd (Hwy 7 at Perth County Road 118 near St Mary’s), reflects their love of the industry and of their clientele. They know their customers by name, a rare thing these days. FORagER FOOdS (27 Main Street, Bayfield): Awesome! I love this place. The menu is limited and hence it’s beautifully fresh. Antony John’s fabulous greens from his farm in Sebringville are drizzled with their own miso dressing; Metzger’s Meats summer sausage are layered with hothouse tomatoes and tucked into good crusty rolls. Eat here but also bring a cooler and ice packs to take home some double smoked bacon, a pound or two of great Canadian and Quebec cheeses and the next day’s salad fixin’s. Across the tree-lined street is the more 13
elegant LiTTLE iNN. It boasts a longstanding reputation for excellent food focusing on the locale. Lake Huron whitefish is either pan- or deep-fried for their fish and chips. The wine list is one-ofa-kind, with Ontario VQA vintages not only featured, but fully explained. Well done! wHERE TO Buy OTHER yuMMy dELiCiOuSNESS! Tucked into the old Fergus Market building, FRaBERTS not only sells ultimately local ingredients, Chef Derek Roberts prepares a myriad of take-away items for quick suppers and picnics beside the Grand River which flows through the heart of town. gENTLE RaiN in Stratford—one of the best organic/whole food stores in the entire province. Look for Filsinger apple cider vinegar; freshly pressed Perth County sunflower oil, Church Hill Farms frozen meat and Guelph-roasted Planet Bean fair trade coffee. CuLBERT’S BakERy (49 West Street, Goderich) is one of Ontario’s great old bakeries (c.1877) where locals and tourists head to get freshly baked cream puffs (try the chocolate) and non-Tim’s doughnuts. Good bread for picnic lunches on the beach. MONFORTE daiRy (49 Griffith Road, Stratford)—a ‘must visit’ for anyone who loves great cheeses. Owner Ruth Klashen has brought amazing cheeses back to the region which was once world-renowned for its dairy industry. 14
gOaT CHEESE aNd FaRM FRESH POTaTO CROquETTE A delicious, easy to prepare recipe from Chef Matthew Foote using local ingredients found throughout our region. iNgREdiENTS • 1 kg cooked, mashed, cooled Chieftain potatoes • 250 grams goat cheese • 1/2 bunch each of fresh chives, tarragon and flat leaf parsley, chopped • 400 grams all purpose flour • 500 grams bread crumbs • 4 eggs, beaten, with 100 ml water • Kosher salt and pepper • Olive oil METHOd • Combine potato, cheese and herbs in a large bowl and mix by hand. Taste mixture and adjust seasoning as required. • Form into hockey puck-sized disks and refrigerate for two hours. • Place flour, eggs and bread crumbs each into individual shallow containers; season each with salt and pepper. Bread potato mix in following order: lightly flour, egg wash and finally bread crumbs. • Pan fry croquettes on medium heat in a large, pre-heated pan, three minutes each side. Serve as an appetizer with a small green salad or to garnish an entrée. Makes 6-8 pieces.
Getaway Packages (for more visit www.timeout.travel) www.explorewaterlooregion.com/getaways
Relax in Erin RESTFUL RETREAT
Autumn Maple GOURMET ESCAPE
$
$
27500 / couple
39900 / couple
www.devonshireguesthouse.ca PAMPER YOURSELF AT DEVONSHIRE HOUSE. One-night stay, breakfast, lunch and a $150 spa treatment voucher. Combine with Erin Studio Tour weekend, September 18-19 and 25-26. www.RecipesToExperience.com/ruralritz
The Travelling Gourmet RURAL RITZ
TWO NIGHTS IN THE BELLINGER SUITE at historic Hillcrest House, including two 30-minute massages, a private gourmet dinner prepared by our award-winning chef, and custom breakfasts. www.welcometostratford.com/autumn
Stratford celebrates FROM FIELD TO CHEF
49500 / couple
$
VISIT LOCAL FARMS AND PRODUCERS IN STYLE via stretch limousine, private gourmet dinner, 2 nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts, maximum of 8 participants. Includes taxes & gratuities. www.ontarioswestcoast.ca
3-day all-inclusive CULINARY ADVENTURE
142800 / couple
$
FOR TWO! Trips to local producers, hands-on cooking classes, all meals, transportation, fees and 3-nights accommodation. A fabulous culinary experience: October 19–21 only. www.visitperth.ca/timeout
Perth County GET REAL. GET RURAL.
starts mid-September OUR MASTER CHEFS are passionate about local food! Savour tempting cuisine created with the freshest flavours, handpicked from farms just down the road. www.visitguelphwellington.ca/fallgetaway
Getaway to Guelph CRAFT BREW SPECIAL
22900 / couple
from $
OUR FALL GETAWAY PACKAGE includes one night hotel accommodation, breakfast and dinner for two and a sampler of Guelph’s premium craft beers. www.stjacobs.com
St Jacobs FALL GETAWAY
FREE for everyone! 25900 / couple
from $
15
enter for a chance to win one of two
luxury weekend getaways
Prize includes: For two: Two nights luxurious accommodation at Langdon Hall with in-room wood burning fireplace. Chef’s five-course tasting menu on Saturday evening, participation in Langdon Hall’s culinary guest events including afternoon wine tasting and Sunday morning cooking demonstration. Breakfast daily. Friday dinner for two at Benjamin’s in St. Jacobs, tickets to Drayton Theatre, $100 voucher for Outlet Mall. Visit www.timeout.travel to enter, and for full contest details.
Prize includes: For two: One night luxurious accommodation at Log Cabin Heaven, Elora’s only 5-Star Country Spa Retreat. Gourmet dinner prepared by award-winning California Blue Ribbon Chef. Full body massage with custom-blended organic Aroma Therapy oil. Wet-cedar sauna, indoor heated pool with waterfall. 100% private. Hands-on cooking class: learn cuisine techniques and food secrets from a professional; then try them at home. Breakfast, of course, is included. Visit www.timeout.travel to enter, and for full contest details.
www.timeout.travel Do it for you!