Aurora and Newmarket Bars and Pubs

Here I'm collecting data on all the pub/bars in my area.

Working hours, price for pint of of domestic draft, pound of wings, special appetizers (if any) and some of my own comments about the place, crowd etc.

Some of the places are chains, but pint of beer is pint of beer anyways...

Crow's Nest

http://www.crowsnestnewmarket.com
15 Prospect St. Newmarket, On. L3Y3T3 - Phone 905-953-8776

Closed at: Mon-Thu 11pm. Fri-Sat 11:30pm. Sun 10pm. - that's not late at all.
Pint: 6
Wings: $10

Grey Goat

74 Main Street, Newmarket, ON, Canada (905) 895-7902
http://www.thegreygoat.info/

UPD: Unfortunately this place is closed.

Almost always some crowd. Large loaded nachos can work as good meal for two.
Live bands every

Crabby Joe's

125 Pedersen Drive, Aurora, ON, Phone: 905-751-0006
http://www.crabbyjoes.com

Closed at: Mon-Thu 1am. Fri-Sat 2am. Sun 12pm. - Only Grey Goat can beat this.
Pint: $6 - kinda on expensive side
Wings: 11

Tuesday 39c wings. 1/2 price appetizers after 5pm.

St. Louise Bar and Grill

444 Hollandview Trail, Aurora, ON, L4G 7Z9, Phone: 905-841-4445
http://www.stlouiswings.com

Closed at: ?? Need to verify but late enough.
Pint: $5.30
Wings: $11.50

1/2 price wings on tuesdays and wings are best in town.

If this place is outstanding for anything it would be waitresses and their dresses. Eye candies!

Pho Saigon, Newmarket - Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup in its best

Address: 16925 Yonge Street, Newmarket, ON L3Y 5Y1
Phone: (905) 830-3488

Phở - Vietnamese beef noodle soup.

Newmarket, Ontario - with population just over 80k people has surprisingly large number of Pho establishments. There are at least five restaurants in Newmarket (I know of), that advertise themselves as Pho places and another three or four that would have Pho on the menu, while specializing on some other kind of Asian food.

The best one - Pho Saigon on Yonge st. one light north of Mulock dr. Spotlessly clear broth, always fresh condiments and, most importantly - lineup at the front door at the lunch time - the best indication of the good restaurant for the suburb like Newmarket.

For these of you who know enough about Pho - you got it already - Pho Saigon is the best place in Newmarket. For others - some introduction to Pho.

Phở Beef Noodle Soup 101

Pho is a Vietnamese signature soup, made of beef broth, rice noodles and slices of different varieties of meet. Here is what they serve in Pho Saigon:
- Raw beef (Phở tái) - finely sliced, it would be served pink and cooked right in your bowl
- Well done beef (Phở bò chín nạc)
- Tendon (Phở gân bò) - jelly-like pieces, not everyone in my family likes
- Tripe (Phở sách bò) - insights of the cow's stomach - while sounds scary, not that bad at all
- Chicken (Phở gà) - yes, just chicken
- Meat Balls (Phở bò viên)

In most of Pho places you'll find a menu of dozen or so types of soups, which are essentially the same broth and noodles but different combination of meat slices. "All in one" combination would usually be called "House Special" and will cost buck or so more for a bowl. It is also normal to ask for some extra meet (obviously for a little extra money). I personally like combination of raw and well-done beef with "extra shot" of chicken.

Basil, Lime and Bean Sprouts usually served on the side. It's up to you if and how to use them - my preference - basil and lime juice goes into the bowl straight away, sprouts wait till most of the noodles are done with. There are also sweet sauce as well as chili always on the table - make sure to try these in your soup.

Most of the Pho places would serve three sizes of each soup Small, Medium and Large. Some however would call it Medium, Large and Extra Large. I can barely manage "Medium" and "Small" is just a right lunch-size for me.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Not exactly food related, but anyway - if you have a passion for local food from local businesses, why not to do the same with your holiday tree?

Here is the map of Toronto, Ontario area Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farms

There is one for Ottawa as well.

Get you kids and dog, drive to the farmer nearby, pick and cut your own Christmas Tree.

Bill's Turkey Farm. Where to get fresh turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Address: 2978 Holborn Rd, East Gwillimbury, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-478-4677

There are couple of farms not far from Newmarket and Aurora where you can pick up fresh, air-chilled (not frozen!) bird for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bill's turkey farm is indeed my favorite. Located a short drive north from Newmarket this family - run farm has build a good reputation among local residents.

They open just few days a year - right before Christmas and Thanksgiving. Call to verify time and dates they are open. Turkeys are 15lb and more.

Big Momma'a Carrebian Restautant, Bradford, Ontario

Phone: 905-778-8118
Address: 32 Holland st. East, Bradford, West Gwillimbury, ON, L3Z1R8

Big Momma's Soul Food - typical Jamaican/Caribbean take-out place with few tables to sit, but oh! an exceptional food.

There are couple of Caribbean places in Newmarket/Aurora, but this one is worth a drive to Bradford. It's just 15 minutes from north end of Newmarket anyway.

Menu is typical Caribbean: Jerk Chicken Goat, Oxtail.. all with rice and cole slaw. Prices are good, meals are the way they are supposed to be and they even would deliver to Newmarket if the order is large enough.

Interior is decorated with Jamaican flags, portraits of Bob Marley and Muhammad Ali. Boxing is on TV screen.

Located on Holland st. (the central street of Bradford) adjusted to Mexicanada (another promising place yet to explore).

Big Bone BBQ and Wicked Wings. Newmarket, ON

Address: 207 Eagle Street, Newmarket ON, L3Y1j8
Phone: 905-853-9888
Web: http://www.bigbonebbq.ca

Guys who run Purple Pig in Aurora, next to Go Station. They sold it to someone in 2004(?) and it went downhill since than. Now getting beck to the area - the first place to do a real slow smoked stuff North of Steeles ave.

Have no idea why they are SOOoo serious about wings. Smoked chicken breast and beef brisket would look better in a place like this, but anyway the stuff I tried is good and real.

Would pay them few more visits soon, but by now - here is the take-out menu:

The Chicken Place -Portuguese Churrasco - Aurora, Ontario

Delicious portuguese - style grilled chicken.

Phone: (905) 900-0019
Address: 1 Industrial Pky S
Aurora, ON, L4G 3V9
Website: http://thechickenplace.ca

They are on Wellington/Industrial parkway, not far from Aurora GO station. One way of describing their chicken - know that supermarket greasy grilled bird for 9 bucks or something? It's nothing like that! No fat at all, but juicy, crispy skin, Pri-Pri sauce, choice of sides. Oh So Delicious!

You see the menu on the picture here. Prices a quite reasonable - $12 for the whole chicken (compare to $9 for supermarket's bird!), $9 for 1/4 chicken lunch deal with two sides and a soft drink.

One more sign they have "We are not a fast food. Please be patient" - really! There is no chicken there as you show up. They do cook it for you. You'll have to wait for 10-15 minutes or call in advance.

Copari Meats. Newmarket

Address: 1100 Davis Dr Newmarket, ON , L3Y8W8
Phone: 905-830-4377

Small local butcher shop in Newmarket. South-East corner of Leslie and Davis. My favorite - fresh meat-only or meat/veggie Souvlaki - 5 pieces for 10 dollars. They also carry exotic meats like Alligator, Emu, Buffalo, Wild Boar, Caribou , Elk, Venison, and even Kangaroo meat!!!