Eatdrink #67 September/October 2017 "The Decade Issue"

34 | September/October 2017
SPONSORED BY
Road Trips
eatdrink.ca |@eatdrinkmag
The Bounty of Huron County
Ten Favourite Culinary Stops
By JANE ANTONIAK
September is a brilliant time for culinary
travel in Huron County. The earth has
been warmed by the summer, the harvest
of root vegetables is in full swing,
the lake is the perfect temperature for swimming
and the beach crowds have thinned.
Eatdrink writers and photographers have
been road-tripping across Huron for nearly all
of our ten years. While it’s impossible to sum
up Huron in a list of ten, here are some of our
favourite foodie stops, in no particular order.
Hessenland Inn & Vineyard, Zurich
Black Dog Village Pub & Bistro
in Bayfield is the place to kick back while
enjoying much more than a traditional pub
menu. The offerings includes Ontario confit
duck wings, local herbed mushrooms on toast
with Quebec triple crème brie, and incredible
burgers with a variety of cheeses. With an
in-house baker and a culinary team led by
cookbook author Kathleen Sloan-McIntosh,
the food is not to be missed. Nor is the
impressive selection of local and imported
beers on tap. For winter, hit the whisky list.
Then spend the night somewhere within in
walking distance, such as The Little Inn.
Zehr’s Country Market offers
another kind of bakery experience, including
outstanding fruit pies and Chelsea buns,
making this a must-stop, south of Bayfield. Go
early for pies, especially on holiday weekends.
The shop also has great cheeses, smoked pork
chops, and other meats. For us, though, it’s the
pies and buns! Closed on Sundays.
Metzger Meat Products — Winners
of the Traditional Side Bacon award from
Ontario Finest Meats numerous times,
Gerhard and Heike Metzger run a superior,
three-generation, German butcher shop in the
tiny village of Hensall. With on-site smokers,
expert butchery and natural ingredients, this
is a must-experience for carnivores.
Hessenland Inn on Highway 21 between
Grand Bend and Bayfield is a special occasion
venue for weddings and other events. It is
also home to a burgeoning vineyard, the
passion of chef/owner Frank Ihrig. He and
Liz Ihrig are the second-generation operators
of this immaculate site, which includes five
acres of gardens. The chef’s table kitchen
dinner with wine pairings is a special treat. Or
experience dinner at one of the summer or fall
vineyard events. The care and craftsmanship
of the kitchen, and the Inn’s hospitality are a
winning pairing.
Culbert’s Bakery in Goderich is just off the
square (which really is a circle) and is operated
by Darin Culbert. Culbert is one of a long line
Lake Huron sunsets are spectacular, all year round.