School of Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities | University of Western Ontario
WELCOME TO LONDON ONTARIO!
an alternate route in response to the effects of the pandemic
If you haven’t noticed, there’s a pandemic going on. The impacts of COVID-19 are far reaching; it even influenced our little project here. Because of the virus’ spread, many of the establishments we were planning to visit in mid-to-late March were asked to close. As Bryan Lavery remarks, “Navigating the road ahead is uncertain and depends on many variables. Many indie restaurants are in grave danger of going under, working against narrow margins and significant loss of revenue and employees.” Yet, our resident expert remains optimistic about the future. Lavery says that the hospitality business will most likely survive with changes to the way restaurants operate: “People will always want to gather to socialize, celebrate and break bread.”
At the same time, we here at The London List wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Below we’ve profiled The Ones That Got Away--that is, the restaurants we were hoping to visit, and why we wanted to eat there so badly.
The Little Bird Cafe
Type: Breakfast/Brunch
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Why we wanted to visit:
The Little Bird Cafe is one of the latest ventures by The Wolfe Brothers, two avid restauranteurs in London. Reminiscent of their popular venue The Early Bird, Little Bird features a pared down menu and a more muted, intimate setting in the heart of Wortley Village. We wanted to experience its unique atmosphere, innovative twists on classic breakfast items, and generous portion sizes.
What we would’ve ordered: Chicken and Waffles with a Grapefruit Rosemary Mimosa
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Closed/Open?: Closed for business; no delivery available
Honourable Mentions: The Early Bird, Campus Hi-Fi
Black Walnut Bakery
Type: Cafe/Bakery
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Why we wanted to visit:
Black Walnut Bakery has got you covered with delicious baked goods, sandwiches, salades, soups and a variety of coffees. Co-owned by a London couple, Mandy and Edward Etheridge, this bakery was chosen for how well it has integrated into the community. In a short conversation, Edward says the bakery tries to buy local food as much as they can. Their jams and rhubarb are farm direct. Also, they buy “base ingredients and make from scratch, rather than purchasing far away processed/frozen foods as so many do these days.”
What we would've ordered: Homemade Turkey Sage Cranberry Pot Pie and a Pumpkin Chai Cruffin with a freshly grounded coffee
Closed/Open?: Both locations, Downtown Richmond and Wortley Village, are closed for business
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Honourable Mentions: Fireroasted Coffee, Commonwealth Coffee Company, Reset Social Cafe, Wisdom Cafe
Boombox Bakeshop
Type: Dessert
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Why we wanted to visit:
Boombox Bakeshop is a veg-friendly bakery and cafe specializing in vegan goods and gluten free vegan goods. They are infamous for their cupcakes, which come in a great assortment of flavours. We wanted to try both their signature cupcakes as well as more playful flavours, while experiencing the retro, vibrant vibes of the shop.
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What we would've ordered: an assortment of a dozen cupcakes such as chocolate strawberry, blue raspberry, and chocolate pistachio
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Closed/Open?: Open for parking lot pick-up and deliveries only
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Honourable Mentions: Boxcar Donuts, Havens
The Root Cellar
Type: Lunch/Dinner
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Why we wanted to visit:
The Root Cellar is an innovative seasonal menu and an edgy venue. The restaurant is well-known in the London community for its strong focus on local fresh produce and working with small regional suppliers. In addition, The Root Cellar made it their mission to source ingredients that are ethically-sourced and organic. The menu features unique protein choices such as organic grass-fed beef steak and free-range organic poultry, along with many plant-powered dishes.
What we would’ve ordered: Homemade kombucha, truffle fries, and buffalo burger
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Closed/Open?: Closed for business; no delivery available
Honourable Mentions: Plant Matter Kitchen/Bistro
Mr. & Mrs. Bao
Type: Mr. & Mrs. Bao
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Why we wanted to visit:
Mr. & Mrs. Bao is a restaurant that has also become a food truck. It frequents Western University's campus during the warmer months and is quite popular among the students. They have a variety of baos, which are a type of filled bun or bread-like dumpling in various Chinese cuisines.
What we would've ordered: Korean Beef Bao, Cripsy Chicken Bao
Closed/Open?: Closed for business.
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Honourable Mentions: Shelby's Food Truck
Dolcetto
Type: Casual Fine Dining
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Why we wanted to visit:
Dolcetto is a popular, upscale Italian restaurant outside of the downtown core. It has a distinct community feel, with its kid-friendly environment and numerous events hosted on site. It also puts an emphasis on preparing healthy meals from seasonal ingredients grown locally. It was rated one of the top 100 patios in Canada by Open Table.
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What we would've ordered: the risotto with a tiramisu cake for dessert
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Closed/Open?: Take-out available Thursday-Sunday from 4-8 pm
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Honourable Mentions: Grace Restaurant, Abruzzi