Jethro's Bar + Stage Will Be A Gathering Place For Local Musicians

Jethro’s Bar + Stage, owned by Kayla Howran, will open in the location of the former Sapphire Room, on Friday.

The mural at Jethro’s was painted by local artist Tim Wales. Photo by Luke Best.

Jethro’s was born in hopes to provide a small venue for artists to showcase their talents, in a cozy space with a small crowd.

As a musician herself, Howran notes how many great, larger venues are in Peterborough like The Red Dog, Market Hall and The Gordon Best theatre, though she thinks there is still room for a more intimate space.

“I feel like Peterborough has lost a lot of it’s smaller venues over the years. Some maybe due to COVID, some maybe not,” she said. “Whatever the reason I feel like we’ve lost those great, small stages.”

Howran owns Huck’s Lakeside Bar + Restaurant in Buckhorn, a seasonal restaurant, and hopes that Jethro’s will keep her busy the rest of the year.

Melissa Payne, local musician, will be the first to officially take stage at Jethro’s on their opening night, Friday. Payne is set to begin playing at 9 and Howran says she will stop whenever they see fit.

“If the crowd wants to hear more, if they’re enjoying themselves, we’ll keep going.”

The bar will be closed Monday and open the rest of the week, with an anticipated opening time of 4 p.m. daily.

Howran hopes to be able to provide matinees for parents and families to be able to enjoy, as well as late night performances.

“I think that’s important, my husband and I have two kids and there’s very few places to take them,” she said. “I can’t think of anything nicer than a Sunday afternoon going out for lunch and listening to some good local music.”

Jethro’s is inspired by the natural world, with plenty of natural wood interior, plants and a mural by artist Tim Wales.

While Howran knew hwat she wanted her new bar to look like, she also knew she wanted to preserve a bit of the iconic Sapphire Room that lived in that space for 24 years prior.

The legs of the refurbished bar stools are original from the Sapphire Room, and they’ve left a bit of the iconic blue on the exterior of the building.

“At times it felt painful, we didn’t want to cover up the old bar, but at the same time this is new,” she said. “It’s been interesting and exciting to see the transformation from one place to the other, but also nerve-wracking in that I hope I do the space justice. It is hard to cover up what once was for so long and what people loved for so long.”

To keep up to date with Jethro’s follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

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New Downtown Doughnut Shop 'Tragically Dipped' Becomes Instant Hit

Arriving early for a bite at local downtown doughnut shop Tragically Dipped may be a good idea as the new joint sees daily sellouts since its soft opening last week Wednesday.

The name “Tragically Dipped” is an homage to the popular Canadian band “The Tragically Hip” and also references Frampton’s past work as a biohazard technician. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

"We were sold every day last week and we're sold out for pre-orders every day this week," said Mike Frampton, Tragically Dipped owner.

The new business owner says he makes roughly 485 doughnuts a day for preorders. He makes them available on Mondays at 10 a.m. but typically sells out by 4:30 p.m.

Frampton is overjoyed by the customer base and volume he’s attracted in his first week open.

"I couldn't have asked it to be busier so no complaints,” he said. “It's exactly what I wanted it to do and it's doing it."

Frampton’s doughnuts are all nut-free including tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc.). Some doughnuts include gluten-free crullers, fritters, Boston cream, lemon-filled, jelly-filled, maple and honey dips that are available on rotation.

The shop also sells coffee and tea with homebrew options.

Frampton started the business as a change of direction and a mental health break from his previous job. He was a biohazard technician for 15 years, cleaning up contagions such as death scenes or hoarders’ homes.

The doughnut entrepreneur said he was finished with his past career’s trauma and wanted to go from ‘death to doughnuts.’

"Everyone in the city would know me as the 'death guy' before this and now I'm the 'donut guy' and I'll take it," he said. "This is so much better for my mental health.”

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Frampton had the storefront since May last year but ran into roadblocks and financial hiccups before opening last Wednesday.

Prior to the brick-and-mortar store, Frampton operated Tragically Dipped out of a food truck after receiving a $5,000 startup grant from the Peterborough and the Kawartha Economic Development in March last year.

In an effort to bolster and promote the community, Tragically Dipped will host First Friday Art Crawls to invite artists and chefs to do pop-ups to feature their work.

Customers can view local art and purchase it from the artists or enjoy food made by the chefs that come to in Tragically Dipped.

"Chefs to me are just as artistic as someone who is painting," remarked Frampton. "I would host a chef and they would come up with maybe a fun doughnut-themed or maybe not and we'd do food here and art."

The new entrepreneur thought his vision of a doughnut shop was not going to happen but was relieved to finally get his store open. He was overwhelmed by the response and publicity he received after his first week of business.

"This city is everything to me so to be able to do this in this city is fantastic. I wouldn't do this anywhere else,” reflected Frampton. “I'm blown away. Every time I peek out that door, there's a lineup of people and we're selling out.”

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Family-Owned Downtown Restaurant "Rare" Is Up For Sale

After three years of owning Rare, owners Kassy and Tyler Scott have put the business up for sale announced on their social media on Tuesday.

Two couple rebranded the restaurant to “Rare” in less than one year after purchasing the business. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The husband and wife are selling the business since taking over from previous owner Brad Watt — who owns Publican House Brewery — in the summer of 2019. Tyler was hired as a sous chef by Watt in 2013 at the previously named “Rare Grill House” before becoming the executive chef.

Two couple rebranded the restaurant to “Rare” in January 2020.

They are selling Rare to spend more family time with their two daughters and take care of their mental health. The pandemic was an influence on the decision but ‘not in ways most people would think’ according to the couple. It gave them time to reflect and meditate to recognize what means the most to them.

The two work tirelessly in the restaurant. Kassy works social media, marketing and in-house duties for the restaurant. Tyler worked roughly 80-hour weeks in a six-day span which barely affords him any time to see his children.

“Being able to have evenings, for now, to be able to spend with them as they grow is going to be really refreshing and really important,” said Tyler.

"Our kids are so involved in what we do here," said Kassy. "We look around this space and there's a memory that somebody can't see. Our kids have never known a relationship with their dad outside of their dad being a chef and working super hard in this industry doing super cool things."

The couple wanted to shift their professional focus and rekindle their love for nature in their new “outdoor guided culinary experience” venture called Rare Escape.

They started this endeavour to help tell stories of local food systems including how nature plays a role in getting what you eat to a table.

"A restaurant is a great place to experience each other and experience company and intimacy," said Tyler. "It's a bit of a different setting where you can go and experience your own thoughts and own connections to nature. It's about experiencing nothing else but your own feelings."

The two have stressed that they are not leaving the community since the restaurant’s mandate and philosophy is to support local as much as possible. Their new venture gives them a new outlet to support the surrounding area while leaving behind an outlet for someone to continue that motto.

"We are engraved in this community,” said Kassy. ‘We are going to continue supporting local and to find special ways to implement our community and in our next step and adventures.”

The couple has received inquiries about the business’s sale however they will provide updates on if and when it gets sold.

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Grand Opening of Downtown Restaurant At Former Hot Belly Mama's Location

Downtown Peterborough has a new upscale gastropub as The EL[P] held its grand opening on Wednesday.

El[P] owners Greg (left) and Amanda Da Silva (left) enjoying one of their several sandwiches on the menu. Amanda formerly ran a talent agency called Blake Talent Management in Toronto. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Owned by husband and wife Amanda and Greg Da Silva, the restaurant occupies the former Hot Belly Mama’s location at 378 George St. N.

The couple rented the property from Ashburnham Realty in late August then began renovations the following October last year.

The food is described as accessible yet elevated pub food according to the owners. Their slogan, “Food is Our Common Ground” is engraved on their front sign and placed on their back wall. The motto fosters a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for anyone who wants to kick back and relax after a long day.

"It's a positive space. Leave your cr*p at the door,” said Amanda. “In here in this space, let's enjoy some good conversation, good food, good drinks and have a good time."

The couple’s passion for art, music and entertainment — as both owners previously worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry — was incorporated into the restaurant’s atmosphere. The restaurant is covered in colourful art, graffiti and murals from local artists.

Originally from Toronto, the two moved to Port Hope in 2016. The small town acts as an in-between spot for all the family and friends they have in Peterborough, Toronto, Cobourg and Port Hope.

They currently operate a sister restaurant called “The EL” in Cobourg that opened in 2016. They wanted to replicate the same success they had in Cobourg for their Peterborough gastropub.

"We didn't want to pass up an opportunity to become part of the downtown core and that community with that feeling and vibe," said Amanda. "We've really thrived in Cobourg and I think Peterborough is similar to that. Everybody supports everybody, there's no bad blood between different restaurants and that competition so that's what we wanted to do here."

Despite opening during a pandemic, the couple is optimistic about the restaurant’s success being located in Peterborough.

“In the past couple of months, we've hit the road running,” said Greg. “There's a shutdown and all that but I think we're opening at the perfect timing."

"We're risk-takers and we didn't want to look back in a few years and say, 'we wish we would have done that,'" said Amanda. "As being so resilient through Covid at that location (The EL) and pivoting the way we had to succeed, I think that also gave us the confidence to be able to do this now that we're coming out the other side."

The Da Silva’s have rented the adjacent property of the former Olde Stone Brewing Company. The space is closed off and is unknown what it will be used for.

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Local East City Restaurant To Flip Its Last Burger Dec. 18

It was one of the toughest decisions to make for owners Carolyn and Steve Effer of Reggie’s Hot Grill but they are closing up shop on Dec. 18 announced Thursday.

The decision to close the East City restaurant was for the sake and well-being of the family.

“We realized over the pandemic that we need to make a lifestyle change for ourselves, for our health, for our family,” said Carolyn. “We love being here and we love the community who have supported us during the pandemic and even before that. We just had to make a hard decision and believe me, it was a hard decision.”

The family also operated the Red Wagon Family Food year-round food truck at 2621 Lakefield Road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

After living a closer family life due to the pandemic, it was a lifestyle that they become accustomed to.

“The thought of going back full-time, that lifestyle is not appealing to us anymore,” said Steve. “We wanted a more family lifestyle at home.”

Effer’s daughters were homeschooled during the COVID-19 pandemic but will resume their studies at Immaculate Conception School in February. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Cameron Green and Rej Maranda originally opened Reggie’s Hot Grill. East City Bakery purchased the business in 2013 then Peter Kayser of Kayser Financial Services took over in 2015. He rebranded it to Reggie’s Gourmet Burgers.

The couple purchased the business in 2016 running its first day on Dec. 16. They will continue to do catering, operate pop-up kitchens and “still feed the community.”

“It’s so hard knowing that you are somebody’s go-to regular Friday night meal and I really hope who does come in here can carry forward with that,” reflected Carolyn.

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Homegrown Chef Lives Dream of Opening Downtown Pizzeria

After almost 20 years in the cooking business, chef Sean Crooks gets to be his own boss by opening Pizza Bodega in downtown Peterborough in a grand opening on Friday.

Pizza Bodega’s logo was designed by Sean Crooks’s significant other. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Pizza Bodega is Crooks’s first business and is located at the side of Spanky’s bar on Hunter Street beside the Simcoe Parking Garage.

The restaurant models after New York-style pizza with a thinner crust and a bigger pie compared to most conventional places.

The opportunity to open a business came from his friendship with Matt Russelle, Spanky’s owner, who asked Crooks to supply the food for his business.

"Spanky and I have jokingly talked about working together here and there over the years," said Crooks. "The timing just happened and it seemed to be the right time and here we are."

Sean Crooks has also worked in Prince Edward County and abroad in Western Canada. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Crooks’s cooking career has had pizza follow him wherever he has gone. That made the decision to open a pizzeria as his first business venture.

Several of Pizza Bodega’s ingredients are sourced either locally or within Ontario including dry-cured pepperoni, smoked ham and spiced ground wagyu. Gluten-free and vegan options will be available on the menu.

"Everybody loves pizza and (I’m) trying to make the pizza fun and not too pretentious,” said Crooks.

Sean Crooks has worked in several Peterborough kitchens such as Primal Cuts, Gerti’s and Capra Toro. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All customers attending Pizza Bodega’s grand opening will receive a free entry for concert tickets to The Arkells. The pizzeria is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

The restaurant opened this week for a friends-and-family event on Wednesday and a take-out window on Thursday. The grand opening will feature a full outdoor back patio with live music and beer samples.

"It is my very first venture out on my own so it's definitely very challenging, said Crooks. "There's a lot more to deal with than just the kitchen side of things now I'm taking on the entire animal but I'm super excited and super nervous. I just want to see where this goes."

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Local Entrepreneurs Expand Brand With New Restaurant

Tara Lee and Adam Genge, owners of retailing business Electric City Works have expanded into the food scene by launching South - Eatery by Electric City Works on Tuesday.

Lee and Genge’s first retail location opened in 2017 on Erskine Ave after becoming finalists in the Win This Space Competition. Photo Courtesy of Adam Genge.

Located at 597 Monaghan Rd., the restaurant offers pub fare and a patio however a grand opening date has yet to be announced.

South - Eatery by Electric City Works will be the first fully licensed restaurant opened by the couple.

“We are so excited to finally have the doors open at South,” said Genge. “It was the logical next step in the growth of our business and with such great local talent, we are so proud of the menu we have put together.”

Sandwiches, burgers, nachos and wings are some of the food offered at the restaurant. Photo Courtesy of Adam Genge.

In February, the pair launched the Electric City Works Market which served wine, beer, coffee, groceries, fresh baked goods and heat at-home meals.

They rebranded their business from Chalk Therapy to their current name as a retail store, workshop and event space.

South - Eatery is currently open for takeout orders Wednesday to Saturday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m (or until sold out).

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Local Restaurant Celebrates Anniversary of Over Four Decades of Business in Peterborough

Maybe it is their famous Caesar dressing but The Pizza Factory is celebrating their 41st anniversary in business.

The restaurant has takeout and delivery available during the lockdowns Peterborough has been under. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The local eatery made the announcement during a heartfelt thank-you post on Facebook, showing gratitude to those who had supported the business during their tenure either as a customer or staff member, past or present.

“We’d like to take the time to thank the city of Peterborough and the surrounding communities for providing us with 41 years of support,” according to the post. “We could not have done any of this without you, and words can’t describe how thankful we are for each and every one of you. We will always strive to give you our best efforts.”

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 restaurant has remained in the same location during its 41-year tenure on the corner of Lansdowne Street and The Parkway.

Founded in April of 1980, owner Peter Bouzinelo opened the restaurant five years after arriving in Peterborough in 1975. He felt welcomed by the community and wanted to give back as much he could according to the post.

Bouzinelo’s brand of olive oil available at his restaurant came from his home village of Koutsi, Greece. He planted some of the trees 50 years ago that made the oil. 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.

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Local Chef Celebrates Restaurant Grand Opening With Free Burger Promotion

A dream come true for local chef and entrepreneur Om Patel as he opens “The Dirty Burger Company” with 50 free burgers on Thursday before its grand opening on Friday.

Om Patel during his tenure at Moj Foods. The Dirty Burger Company plans to have a patio and liquor license in the summer. Photo Courtesy of Whitney Lu.

The free food is to celebrate the grand opening of Patel’s first brick-and-mortar business. The burger joint is located at 211 Hunter St. W., the former location of the Hunter Street Tavern.

Customers can get a free burger through a link on their Facebook or Instagram in an online sign-up form starting at 5:00 p.m. in five or ten-minute intervals. This format will allow customers to get their burgers quickly and safely with the pandemic restrictions in place.

The three-ounce all-beef burger is paired automatically paired with onions, pickles and special sauce atop a potato bun. All other toppings are available upon request. Photo Courtesy of Whitney Lu.

Patel was a Fleming College graduate in culinary and previously operated Moj Foods located on The Queensway. His family has been in Peterborough for over 40 years and is of Indian descent. Patel uses flavours from his heritage to bring an added twist to the food.

“We’re really excited to offer Peterborough a fresh take on the classic hamburger,” said Will Trebbne, General Manager. “Om wants to bring good food back to Peterborough with an East Indian influence.”

A fried potato patty is one of two vegetarian options the restaurant offers. Avocado tacos with pico de gallo and refried beans is the other vegetarian main. Photo Courtesy of Whitney Lu.

The joint will serve three-ounce smash burgers with pickles, onions, Patel’s special sauce and a choice of other toppings. Trebbne would not disclose what specifically is in the special sauce but noted that it is a mayo base with a unique mild pepper.

Patel’s restaurant will offer authentic Indian-inspired veggie dishes and a variety of unique sides in addition to his burgers.

The toppings of onions, pickles and special sauce that come with the burger are Patel’s favourite according to the media press release. Photo Courtesy of Whitney Lu.

Many businesses have closed from the pandemic but Trebbne said Patel saw the opening to run a restaurant and fulfill his dream.

“Not a lot of people are opening restaurants, it’s a risky endeavour but it’s really exciting,” he said. “He’s been looking for a place to lease ever since last fall and we just had this opportunity.”

The Dirty Burger Company is offering takeout or delivery while orders can be done online — on their direct website or food delivery apps — or via phone at 705-400-7335.

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Middle Eastern Restaurant Ariyana Opens In Peterborough

Peterborough now offers a taste of Afghanistan, as Ariyana has opened at 396 George St. (George & Hunter). Go check it out.

[pics via @maryammonsef]

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