Couple Serving Up Schnitzel and Shawarma In Peterborough's West End

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Husband and wife Siddiqullah Ronnie and Mansura Shikder are serving Peterborough a unique menu including shawarma and their signature schnitzel at their restaurant Casper in Peterborough’s west end.

Ronnie serving a chicken schnitzel plate as one of five signature schitzels that include veal, turkey, pork, chicken and croque schnitzel. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located at 901 Lansdowne St. W., Casper also serves Indian food, pasta, burgers, sandwiches and salads on their regular menu. They opened last summer with all their food made in-house and are his own recipes.

“It's a multicultural city here,” explained Ronnie. “I don't want anyone to walk into my restaurant and go out buying nothing.”  

availible sides with the schnitzel are basmati rice, onion rings, french fries or mashed potato. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

He was involved in The Schnitzel House in the same location in a partnership but reopened as Casper as a solo entrepreneur. He was not in Peterborough during its operation.

Ronnie wanted to specialize in schnitzel because it was a popular dish in the Middle East that he enjoyed and he wanted to add something new to an already diverse food market in Peterborough.

“Schnitzel, there’s not too much (in Peterborough),” he explained. “You can find everything like shawarma, burgers and pizza everywhere but schnitzel but maybe once in a while.”

The couple opened the business because they wanted to be their own bosses, settle down in Peterborough and spend more time together as a family.

“It was our dream to give our own business somewhere in Canada so that we can both work together in the same place and spend more time,” explained Shikder.

Ronnie (left) and Shikder (right) have two children together and moved to Peterborough less than a year ago. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Ronnie started his professional cooking career in his home country of Kuwait in 1999. He worked in a small but popular restaurant chain throughout the Middle East and Africa called Casper & Gambini as a kitchen staff and eventually a kitchen manager/head chef. His restaurant is named after the restaurant as Ronnie considers it a lucky name.

Ronnie came to Canada in 2014 and worked at Montana's BBQ & Bar in Richmond Hill. He became a kitchen manager and head chef during his eight-year tenure with the restaurant prior to opening Casper in Peterborough.

His years of experience in the culinary world gave him the confidence and knowledge to open Casper.

“There is no compromise on the quality of food,” said Ronnie. “That's what I learned from Casper and Gambini. Always quality, quality, quality.”

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Photos: Peterborough Lakers Present Retirement Jersey to The Pizza Factory Owner Peter Bouzinelos

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The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers presented the Pizza Factory owner Peter Bouzinelos with his own jersey and Lakers season tickets in celebration of 43 years of business. Bouzinelos has been a team sponsor for several years. He is closing down The Pizza Factory for retirement with the last day on Jan. 29.

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Local Entrepreneur Susan Tung Opening Hunter Street Japanese Restaurant At Former Hanoi House Location

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The Land of the Rising Sun is making its way to downtown Hunter Street as local entrepreneur Susan Tung is opening the restaurant Naka Japanese Food & Drink for mid-February announced on Wednesday.

Susan Tung (left) and her family formerly owned the Golden Wheel Chinese restaurant in SPringville. Photo by Jordan Cooper.

The restaurant will be occupying the vacant and former Vietnamese eatery Hanoi House located at 213 Hunter St. W.; both owned by Tung.

“I decided to go with this concept because I wanted to continue to promote Asian cuisine in the city,” she said. “There were times I wanted to do something more mainstream for Peterborough but that’s not me and I know if I’m not fully passionate about it, it won’t do well. I’m excited to take on this new challenge with my team and come back to Hunter Street full force.”

Hanoi House on Hunter Street had its soft opening on Valentine’s Day in 2020. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Hanoi House (Hunter Street location) had its soft opening on Feb. 14, 2020. It closed down in late July last year to consolidate both restaurants into one location on Lansdowne Street. The second spot opened on Dec. 9 of the same year.

Tung contrasts the differences between her Vietnamese and Japanese restaurants.

“While the ambiance at Hanoi House is bright, healthy and green, our new brand is intimate, cozy and dark,” she said. “This is the ‘Ying’ to our ‘Yang.’”

Ramen, fried chicken, freshly-shucked oysters, cocktails and draft beer are some of the menu options announced. The restaurant also features weekend karaoke according to an Instagram post.

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New Restaurant Vik’s Lake and George Bistro Opens in Peterborough

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A new bistro opens its doors Friday in downtown Peterborough, serving up soup, sandwiches and other hardy dishes just across from Del Crary Park.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Vik’s Lake and George Bistro is owner Vik Sharma’s passion project.

“I had goals of opening my own restaurant,” he says. “Even though I am still learning, I am trying new things everyday.”

After living in British Columbia for ten years, Sharma moved to Peterborough in September with goals of running a business centred around the customers in the community.

The restaurants motto, “We serve with passion” are some of Sharma’s words to live by when running his bistro.

“People love good service. Of course the food is important but they dine-in expecting a level of (hospitality),” says Sharma. “You don’t get another chance to make a first impression.”

He says the new business has been busy with Skip The Dishes and DoorDash orders, even garnering returning customers before the official opening this Friday.

“Social media, word-of-mouth, anything to get that brings people in,” he laughs.

Sharma makes the beef burger patties in house, with his golden-brown hashbrowns cooked made-to-order and his signature green tea available for the breakfast, lunch and dinner crowds. The restaurant also offers Halal options depending on availability.

Although Vik’s Bistro is still finalizing their menu, the $7.99 ($6.99 for seniors) basic breakfast special has already been a hit in the community.

“If I hear (comments) from the customers, I always listen to them. It’s all about taking care of them, and listening to learn what they want in the future,” said Sharma.

With entrée options such as eggs benedict, poutine and various pasta dishes, Sharma says the menu is sure to feature something for everyone.

To those looking to try out the new restaurant, they are open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday to Sunday at 25 George St. N.

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New Restaurant Agave By Imperial Serving Fine Mexican Cuisine In Downtown Peterborough

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Margaritas, empanadas, chilaquiles and more are on tap at one of downtown Peterborough’s new restaurants, Agave By Imperial that opened in early December.

(from left to right) Jennifer Guiterrec, chef; Manesh Chowdry, co-owner; Juan Pablo Olvera, chef and Javier Reyes, prep cook. The restaurant’s logo is a yellow outlined pineapple and tequila bottle on a black background. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It is owned by cousins and partners Manesh Chowdry and Jim Grover who also own The Imperial Tandoor on 554 Lansdowne St. W. Agave By Imperial is located at 376 George St. N., at the spot formerly occupied by The Fusion Bowl — that was also owned by Chowdry and Grover — next to The EL[P] in downtown Peterborough.

Chowdry opted for a Mexican restaurant since he already had a successful Indian restaurant, didn’t want to compete with himself and had a personal liking to Mexican food. He added that he met with Mexican chefs and believed they could add a level of authenticity to Mexican cuisine in Peterborough.

“Same as Indian food, Mexican food is full of flavour and it's loved by many,” said Chowdry. “One of my favourite cuisines is Mexican other than Indian. We came across these wonderful chefs and we thought it could be a really good team to work together and bring something special to downtown.”

Chowdry also noted that while Peterborough is already diverse in the restaurant business, it doesn’t hurt to add even more.

“By bringing diverse restaurants, I feel this will give people enough to go out in Peterborough and explore different things,” he explained. “Peterborough has a lot to offer, it's just that people need to go out and see what things are being offered.”

Classic Mexican staples served at Agave are Quesadillas, nachos and tacos but also include upscale items on their menu. Dishes include grilled shrimp, grilled chorizo, watermelon cevhice, basa and more.

The restaurant offers two happy hour times from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. and again from 9 p.m. to close. It offers $8 margaritas, tequila and $5 classic tacos.

“It's all about the experience,” explained Chowdry. “We want them to take the experience and always think about the next time they come back. Of course there is taste, flavour and great drinks but it's all about the moments you enjoy here with our team and we hope we can succeed at the same level as (The Imperial) Tandoor and here as well.”

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City Seeking Peterborough Airport Restaurant Operator

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The City of Peterborough is seeking an established Food Service operator at the Peterborough Airport through a Request for Proposals process announced on Wednesday.

File Photo.

The restaurant was constructed as part of the Air Terminal building in 2011. The building has three wings made up of a City-owned restaurant facility with a capacity for 50 patrons, an airport lobby and administrative offices for Airport management and operations.

The City of Peterborough is seeking to establish a long-term operating agreement to provide food services at the airport.

Anyone interested in submitting proposals to provide food services at the airport can find information regarding RFP-32-22 online at Bids and Tenders - City Of Peterborough.

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The Pizza Factory To Close After 42 Years Of Service

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After 42 years of signature extra garlicky Caesar dressing, pasta and pizza, The Pizza Factory is closing its doors on Jan. 29.

BOUZINELO’S BRAND OF OLIVE OIL AVAILABLE AT The Pizza Factory CAME FROM HIS HOME VILLAGE OF KOUTSI, GREECE. THE TREES were planted over 50 YEARS AGO THAT MADE THE OIL. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The restaurant had posted a notice on its doors informing its customers of its closure next month. Peter Bouzinelos owned and operated the business since April of 1980, five years after arriving in Peterborough in 1975.

Since The Pizza Factory’s opening, it has remained in the same location, on the corner of Lansdowne Street and The Parkway.

THEIR CAESAR DRESSING IS SOLD IN JARS AND IS AVAILABLE EITHER AT THE RESTAURANT OR SELECT GROCERY STORES IN PETERBOROUGH AND THE SURROUNDING AREA Photo by David Tuan bui.

The Pizza Factory specializes in Greek and Italian food and offers specialties such as pizza, ribs, chicken, panzerotti and souvlaki.

They sell their own brand of products under the name ‘Peter’s Famous Foods’ such as their signature Caesar dressing, reputedly known for its extra garlicky taste.

They also sell olive oil where the olives are grown in Bouzinelos’s hometown of Koutsi, Greece and were planted over 50 years ago. The olives are harvested, hand-picked and cold-pressed by his brother who then ships them to the business for packaging.

Last June, the restaurant started selling two-feet slices of pizza — that was the largest in town — that stemmed from Bouzinelos’s son Kenny (who also works at The Pizza Factory). He got the idea from seeing other pizzerias in Toronto and New York and wanted to replicate that for Peterborough.

Gift certificates remain available at the restaurant but must be used by Jan. 29.

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Local Mexican Restaurant Celebrating 20 Years In Business in Downtown Peterborough

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For two decades, La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant has been serving downtown Peterborough a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine as they are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

Sandra Arciniega, La Hacienda owner streaming her cooking classes as one of the services offered at her business. Photo courtesy of La Hacienda.

“Seems like yesterday when we opened our doors for the first time back in 2002,” reflects Sandra Arciniega, La Hacienda owner. “Those years when our town was not as multicultural as it is today, times when finding tortillas, avocados or any other Mexican ingredient were such a challenge.”

Dubbed as ‘a little corner of Mexico,’ the restaurant serves food that owner Sandra Arciniega grew up eating.

“Those times when I felt homesick, dreaming of tasting those memorable and unique flavours of home, that is when the idea of opening an authentic Mexican restaurant was born,” she explained. “The love for my culture and my passion about its food needed to be shared with family and friends around the table.”

Arciniega when she opened La Hacienda in 2002. Photo courtesy of La Hacienda.

The restaurant carries signature dishes such as enchiladas, Sopa Azteca (tortilla soup), locally-sourced cricket tacos and guacamole.

La Hacienda is a gathering place that celebrates the culture, creativity, and diversity of Mexico according to Arciniega.

The restaurant hosts events to bring Mexico to life in Peterborough such as Mexican folk dance, live mariachi band, Day of the Dead Night Gala and cooking classes on and offsite.

In 2018, Arciniega expanded with a retail store adjacent to the restaurant called Mercado La Hacienda. It sells a variety of Mexican products such as salsa, chips, and even crickets.

As part of its celebration, La Hacienda is re-launching its in-house artisan product line that offers items such as roasted salsa verde, mild salsa, salsa Macha, roasted salsa, salsa para enchiladas, pickled serranos, handmade tortillas and corn chips.

“I feel grateful and proud of what La Hacienda has become,” said Arciniega. “We are not only a restaurant but a destination that conjures up memories.”

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Hometown PTBO: Pat Crough on Purchasing and Running the Corner Café and Retiring

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks Pat Crough, Corner Café owner about getting into the food industry, cooking history, purchasing and running Corner Café and his retirement.

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Peterborough Musicfest Launches Diner's Book of Restaurant Coupons

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Saving at local restaurants has become easier with the return of Peterborough Musicfest’s Diner’s Book announced on Friday.

File photo.

The book is available immediately and has coupons for 56 restaurants for $25. It is a $600 value that allows the user to ‘buy one entrée, get the second half price’ according to a press release. Musicfest is offering a special of buying four booklets for the price of three.

Diner’s Books cost $25 and are available at the customer service desk at Lansdowne Place, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism office on George St. or online.

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