Mr Prime Rib

"We were pleasantly full after finishing our meal, but asked about dessert anyway. The server returned with a platter of desserts all on plates and decorated with whipped cream. There was a pecan tart, two different chocolate cakes, rice pudding and caramel fudge cheese cake."

Hardrock '42

New restaurant opens in the Days' Inn downtown.

Sophisticated cafe/wine bar opens downtown

There is a good selection of wines served by the glass in rather large nine ounce servings and several exotic beers are available including two on tap both from The Lake of Bays Brewing Company in Muskoka, one an amber coloured pale ale and the other a darker porter.

The Hourglass provides urban, chic experience

The menu is like a small book; the first page details the owners' desire to have a restaurant that caters to people who have celiac disease, a condition that does not allow those afflicted to eat anything made from wheat, rye or barley.

Todd and Conway's excellent steak adventure

Two chaps, with a flare for fine food, Todd Robson and Conway Fraser, were tasked with finding out just who is serving the best cuts of meat in Greater Sudbury. The rules were simple: restaurants had to be locally owned and operated. No franchises. It was a difficult, yet delicious journalistic journey.

The Apollo never disappoints

Although Greater Sudbury has many good places to eat, and some that are great, it's safe to say the majority of us return to the same two or three restaurants over and over again to order our favourite things. When it comes to food, most of us don’t like surprises. The Apollo on The Kingsway is one of those friendly and familar places where families celebrate special occasions, couples go on first dates and women meet for "girls’ night."

Eatery popular with golfers and gourmets

Open daily from 11 am from Easter to Thanksgiving Mary and Rod Jouppi have developed a lovely piece of property with beautiful vistas into a nine-hole executive golf course. After playing a round of golf at the Sixth Avenue Golf Course, players look forward to coming into the Eatery for a drink or for a bountiful feast from the kitchen. Armchair athletes will also enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner. No one walks away hungry after ordering a heaping helping dish full of food.

Parker House's new owners doing the right thing

We recently had a pleasant dinner at Parker House. It started with a glass of New Zealand Chardonnay, an antipasto plate, and good conversation with good friends. The antipasto plate ($8.50) could feed one or two people as an entrée. There was plenty of salami, capicolla, grated Parmasan, black olives, and warm grilled eggplant, zucchini and peppers served on a bed of greens and with grilled pesto bread.

Novices 'Thai' it and they like it

Whether you are a Thai food aficionado or a novice, My Thai Palace offers an authentic and diverse Asian food menu that will have you craving more. From the moment you walk into this former "doughnut shop location," you are warmly welcomed and transported into a rich culture of food and hospitality. As Thai food novices, my dining companion and I decided on lunch, entering the restaurant with an open mind and a sense of adventure.

Italian bistro has some room to improve

Ripe is a bistro in the South End of the city. Having visited the restaurant before and enjoyed the experience, I prepared myself with heightened senses and a genuine desire to enjoy the evening. The restaurant has a warm decor and its location benefits from plenty of natural light and an urban- like atmosphere. I called for reservations earlier in the day. I was a little surprised to learn that it was based on first-come, first-serve, but I was up for playing the odds.

Casey's taken over from Tommy

Tommy's Not Here is the haunt of a slew of loyal customers and upon my visit, I quickly realized why. Located in the basement of the House of Kin at the Four Corners, my guest and I were warmly greeted and escorted to our table in a welcoming manner. The decor is warm and cozy something that I commend considering we were entering the basement. What surprised me was the lack of table linens to create that "upscale eatery" theme that the owners have clearly established.

Creme Brulee satisfies connoisseur's taste

The name Alexandria's conjures up images and scents of the Middle East with its heart-healthy food, pleasing aromas and varied tastes. It’s been a long time since I last ate at Alexandria's, and it was almost comforting to see the same waitresses ushering patrons to their seats and greeting them with genuine pleasure.