Earlier this month, Konrad and I had the opportunity to take some time off from work and escape the city to enjoy country hospitality and local culinary experiences of Prince Edward County, an island on the north shore of Lake Ontario 🌊
We have stayed in the Waring House, which is a lovely 19th-century style inn known for its beautiful gardens, vintage charm, two fantastic restaurants and country hospitality.
Accommodation includes both antique appointed traditional country inn rooms furnished and decorated to reflect its 19th century origins as well as larger, more modern guest rooms and suites. All are charming, comfortable and reflecting Ontario’s domestic heritage.
Amelia’s Garden is a picturesque restaurant overlooking lovely gardens. It is a place of seasonal and regional cuisine celebration as all of the meals are prepared with seasonal local foods and brought to perfection by talented culinary team of The Waring House. On the premises, there are also vegetable gardens, where chefs can pick produce for their recipes.
The Waring House is a great off-season destination in Prince Edward County as it offers special packages to experience relaxed, country life away from the hustle and bustle of the city and be as close to culinary heaven as you can get without requiring a second language or passport (it is just a two-hour drive from Toronto!)
The Countylicious package is part of a broader festival that celebrates culinary ventures in Prince Edward County, featuring prix fixe menus and unique experiences from local restaurants and producers. The package includes weeknight accommodation at the Inn, breakfast and a Countylicious Dinner for two in Amelia’s Garden Restaurant.
This was a very special experience that brought us closer to the people who help put County food on our plates. We really enjoyed learning about Countylicious menu that was created by the Waring House’s chefs and inspired by ingredients found in their own backyards. Words could never describe how delicious this dinner was! 😍
I have outlined all of our choices for you down below – let me warn you though that by looking at this appetizing feast you may experience hunger! 🙊
Since the Countylicious package also includes breakfast, our treat continued until the next morning! 🍽😋
The Waring House is centrally located in Picton, with close access to the many other amenities the County has to offer – great local wine, artists and artisans, history, fabulous beaches, breathtaking scenery, and so much more.
Sandbanks is among the largest and most beautiful beaches in Ontario, with golden sand and sparkling water. Konrad and I have never been here before. We have planned many times to come here during the summertime, but we were always worried that it would be too crowded to actually enjoy it. I am so happy that our first visit here was in the fall (or should I say winter – look at this snow!) when nobody was here and we could walk around while admiring the natural beauty of this place! 😍
Local winemakers are serious about wine and the tasting experience in Prince Edward County is refreshingly unpretentious all year round. With tasting rooms in rustic old barns, industrial production facilities as well as modern, sleek, concrete and steel buildings, it is fair to say that wine tasting in Prince Edward County is always an exciting adventure!
Konrad and I visited Norman Hardie, which is one of the most famous wineries in the County with outdoor farm vibes and the relaxed atmosphere. After wine testing, we chose some goodies to bring home with us. My personal favourite is County Chardonnay, which is a brilliant, stony and tart chardonnay with cashew, peat smoke, lemon-lime and chalky limestone notes – a flavour, very unique to PEC, that added a perfect finish to our Countylicious experience ! 🍷
Have you ever visited Prince Edward County off-season? Let me know your favourite memories in the comment section down below! xx
Sponsored by The Waring House. All opinions stated are my own.
