New PTBO Strong Restaurant Booklet Launched to Support Mental Health

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Peterborough diners can save on local eateries while supporting mental health initiatives as PTBO Strong has launched their fundraising restaurant book, ‘Reversing the Trend.’

The deals cannot be combined with any other offer. Photo courtesy of PTBO Strong.

The booklet has various buy-one-get-one-free deals for over 50 different throughout Peterborough. Some participating restaurants include Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Curry Mantra, P.J.’s Diner, The Pin, Brothers Pizza and more.

They can be purchased online for $30 and supports mental health initiatives from organizations such as A Right to Heal (that also carries the booklets for purchase), Elizabeth Fry - Ellen House, Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

“We are happy about that as it helps a little with our fundraising,” said Sheila Nabigon-Howlett of PATH. “I have used the booklet several times and found it great on all occasions. It’s a great deal for the diner also for mental health advocacy in Peterborough and of course for the restaurant owners as well.”

“We are so thankful to be included as the recipients of the Peterborough Strong Restaurant Book,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “It has been an incredibly tough couple of years for our clients and member agencies with the rising cost of food and living. These proceeds will allow us to purchase much-needed food items to keep our food bank shelves well stocked for our community members in need.”

More restaurants will be added to the booklet in the near future according to Tim Burke, PTBO Strong co-founder. They expire in July of next year.

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Homeless Man Recovers Missing Barbeque For Local Restaurant; Business Owner Asks Public For Essentials To Donate

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Homeless man Mike Noble selflessly recovered a missing barbecue for Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria and owner Taso Hatzianastasiou is asking the public to donate essentials to help the good Samaritan in a Facebook post created Thursday.

Noble beside the previously missing catering barbeque stored in the back of Taso’s. Facebook photo.

Hatzianastasiou had discovered his barbecue was missing last weekend and often uses it for catering. He says Noble discovered it at a ‘tent city,’ got into a fight and dragged it back to the restaurant for him according to a Facebook post.

This was not the first time that Noble has aided Taso’s. He often helps the restaurant on a regular basis according to Hatzianastasiou.

“Mike always helps me in the mornings with anything I need, cleaning, unloading my truck,” explained in the Facebook post. “He never asks for money, just food and clothes. I try to help him in any way that I can.”

Hatzianastasiou is asking that the public to donate items such as clothing (medium or large for shirts) rubber boots, running shoes (size 12), a tent, a sleeping bag and a pillow but reminds everyone that Noble does not have a lot of storage space available.

During Hatzianastasiou's public outreach, he wanted to help destigmatize any negativity toward homeless people, especially toward Noble. The latter has struggled with mental health issues and has been homeless for a few years said Hatzianastasiou.

“He’s a very good guy and gets approached by people in the wrong way because of his mental breakdowns,” he explained. “He’s a kind man. Polite and always trying to bring you up.”

All donations can be given to Taso’s which is located at 287 George St. N.

“My ultimate goal is to find this man a place he can live,” concluded Hatzianastasiou.

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Photos: New 'Plant-Forward' Restaurant The Vine Opens to the Public

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After three days of a soft opening last Thursday to Saturday, The Vine has opened to the public as a ‘plant-forward’ pescatarian-friendly restaurant. It is located at the former Electric City Bread Company location at 165 Sherbrooke St.

The menu showcases salads, soups, sandwiches, entrées and pizza. A brunch menu that also incorporates eggs and dairy is available on Sundays. Pitchers of Gatorade and Kool-Aid and a tater-tot waffle are ‘hangover specials’ that are featured in the brunch.

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David Tuan Bui


The Vine Bringing a "Plant-Forward" Pescatarian-Friendly Menu As Peterborough's Newest Restaurant

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Showcasing vegetables and incorporating seafood in a ‘plant-forward’ approach is the philosophy of Peterborough’s latest restaurant, The Vine which is having its soft opening over three days from Thursday to Saturday.

Flowers had the soft opening on Thursday and Friday with the brunch on Monday. Bookings for the first two days have already filled up. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The business is owned by couple Tyrone Flowers and Lauren Mortlock and is located at 165 Sherbrooke St. at the former Electric City Bread Company location. Flowers took a leap of faith when he discovered the business was closing down.

“Just on a whim, I came to look at it and then decided, 'You know what? We talked about this five years ago when we moved to up Peterborough that we wanted to open a place,'" said Flowers.

Flowers has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years from dishwasher to head chef. He worked at the Publican House for four years.

The menu showcases salads, soups, sandwiches, entrées and pizza. A brunch menu that also incorporates eggs and dairy is available on Sundays. Pitchers of Gatorade and Kool-Aid and a tater-tot waffle are ‘hangover specials’ that are featured in the brunch.

Despite Flowers being a meat-eater, he believed offering a pescetarian-friendly restaurant and beyond would offer a different dining experience for Peterborough. He still strives to make plant-based ‘meat’ taste like the ‘real thing.’

“I was given the idea from a former colleague and we went with it,” he explained. “We did some research and we saw all the fun things we could do with making everything like all the vegan options seem real and everything so that's why we did it.”

He recognized the vast and diverse range of restaurants that already existed in town and that going pescatarian would be a unique take that would not trample on other businesses.

“There's already a bunch of great places in town that do the meat well, you've got some vegan restaurants too and we didn't want to step on anybody's toes by doing one thing so we decided, ‘Why don't we combine it?’” explained Flowers.

The Vine is having its grand opening on Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. The restaurant is currently trying to obtain its liquor license at the publication of this article.

The following are the restaurant’s operating hours:

  • Tuesday to Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

  • Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

  • Sunday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

  • Monday: Closed

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Hunter Street Patio and One-Way Street Installations Begins Tuesday

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The installation of expanded patio areas and pedestrian space for Downtown Peterborough and one-way driving on Hunter Street begins on Tuesday.

the City has received about 25 patio permit applications.Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The City is installing decorative fencing and planter boxes next to businesses on George, Water and Charlotte Street on select expanded patios this year, using on-street parking in front of their businesses.

Hunter Street West between George and Aylmer streets is being converted into a one-lane, one-way street westbound to add more patio and pedestrian space. Chambers Street is temporarily closed at its south end at Hunter Street and will be two-way for traffic from its north end at Brock Street for the duration of the closure.

Reduced speed limits will be put in place during this time. Parking spaces including accessible spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick-up areas may be adjusted.

The installation will begin on Tuesday, May 15, 2023 with the Hunter Street West lane reduction. Installations are anticipated to continue throughout May and June to facilitate applicants that did not meet the initial application deadline.

Providing additional outdoor space for downtown businesses and visitors is another way to add vibrancy to the Central Area.

The installation of public artworks along a part of Hunter Street is running for a third-consecutive year as part of the Renaissance on Hunter public art project. The Road Mural and Artists' Gardens projects are expected to be in place by end of June, weather permitting.

Patio permit applications are due by June 1. Patio Licences are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations who are proposing to place a patio on City-owned property. More information is available at the City’s Application, Licenses and Permits webpage. Applicants are now able to submit an application, permit fee and supporting documents through the City’s website.

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East City Loaded Pierogi To Hold Grand Opening This Saturday

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Franchise fast food restaurant Loaded Pierogi is opening another location in Peterborough with a grand opening at 89 Hunter St. this Saturday.

The first location is at 1135 Lansdowne St. W. at Parkway place. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The location is at the former Reggie’s Hot Grill which closed on Dec. 18, 2021.

“We’re proud to have put so much of our heart into planning this grand opening and are committed to upholding the flavour, quality, value and exceptional service that each and every store in this franchise delivers,” said Paridah Thakkar, Loaded Pierogi owner.

Loaded Pierogi’s menu consists of classic and crispy pierogies, greens & grains bowls, French tacos, curly fry poutines, mac ‘n cheese and loaded ice cream scoops.

The grand opening will have a buy one, get one signature bowls free promo along with half off all kids’ meals and branded merchandise giveaways.

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Two Weekend Benefits Being Held To Save Sherbrooke Street PJ's Diner From Closing Down; GiveSendGo Created To Help Raise Money

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The community is rallying behind PJ’s Diner’s owners Sheri Cunliffe and Adam Jackson as two benefit fundraising events have been created to prevent the restaurant from closing its doors.

A GiveSendGo has been created by Cuncliffe to help keep the business afloat.

Jackson (left) and Cuncliffe (right) purchased the dner four years ago. Facebook Photo.

The diner is struggling to keep up with maintenance costs since the pandemic when the couple purchased the business four years ago.

“We fought to keep this place going knowing it was not going to stop the rent and bills, not to mention this was what our family had to make our home bills,” said Cunliffe in the GiveSendGo.

The Sherbrooke Street diner must come up with $9,000 by Monday or will be evicted according to a GiveSendGo update from April 18. Only $390 raised since this article’s publication.

A breakfast fundraiser is being held at the Sherbrooke PJ’s Diner on Saturday at 9 a.m., encouraging the community to eat there and leave large tips. The second event is at the Red Dog at 1 p.m. Raffles and prizes will be at the benefit gigs according to both Facebook event pages.

Singer and musician Joslynn Burford will be performing live at both events.

“We have given our all to this place and we don’t want to lose it,” said Cuncliffe.

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Photos: New Japanese Restaurant Naka Japanese Food & Drink Hold Private Soft Launch; Public Opening Next Thursday

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Peterborough’s latest restaurant Naka Japanese Food & Drink had a private soft opening, unveiling its menu and serving a select group of customers on an invite-only basis on Thursday night.

Naka’s menu features ramen, yakitori, sandwiches, an oyster bar, cocktails and draft beer. The restaurant officially soft launches to the public on Thursday.

It is located at 213 Hunter St. W. at the former location of the Vietnamese restaurant Hanoi House. The latter had two locations but the Hunter Street location closed down to consolidate the restaurant’s resources to its 1040 Lansdowne St. W. address.

Both restaurants are owned by Susan Tung who opted to open a Japanese restaurant to diversify Peterborough’s selection of available cuisine.

“I decided to go with this concept because I wanted to continue to promote Asian cuisine in the city,” she said in a prior interview. “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.”

Tung announced the opening of Naka in an Instagram post back on Jan. 25. Coincidentally, Tung opened Hanoi House almost exactly three years before Naka’s soft launch.

The restaurant is open at the following times:

  • Thursday: 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

  • ​​Friday and Saturday: 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

  • ​Sunday: 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

“I’m excited to take on this new challenge with my team and come back to Hunter Street full force,” said Tung.

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Erben Restaurant and Music Venue Opens in Downtown Peterborough

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A new restaurant and live music venue on George St. N. has opened Wednesday; with an official grand opening event happening this Saturday.

Erben is equip with a full service restaurant and bar in the front, and a live entertainment venue in the back. The venue includes a full stage and second bar available for live music and private events.

Owners Belinda Scollick and Shea Bertrand say their restaurants focus is to provide quality menu items that are “assembled from the freshest ingredients, with bold and inspiring flavours.”

“Downtown is infinitely much more fun now with the addition of Erben,” says Terry Guiel, executive director of the DBIA. “The tasty and cozy design of Erben set's a great tone for this live music gathering spot that doesn't shy away from being all about the party. A welcome addition to our downtown.”

Saturday’s grand opening will begin at 11 a.m., with drinks and food served all day. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. attendees can enjoy . The dance floor will be open for a night of partying from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with Erben’s DJ. There is no charge or cover for this event.

The party will feature giveaways for beer, Pete’s games and even a pair of tickets to Bluesfest in Ottawa.

To learn more about Erben, visit the website.

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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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