“You just opened a different type of restaurant.”
” It’s going good. People love the food and they keep coming back and coming back and coming back. Best poutine you can get here”
Category Archives: Restaurants
The SunRun Pantry is up and running!
It’s been 2 years since Natalie Wood opened The SunRun Cafe in downtown Maynooth. The spot quickly became a popular eating and gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Natalie’s skill as a chef and her desire to provide a healthy eating environment resulted in a steady, loyal clientele, as was evident in the groups of regulars that gathered every Sunday morning for breakfast. The cafe used organically grown foods as much as possible, and Natalie made almost everything in house.
In late 2013, Natalie, a Red Seal chef, who before coming to Maynooth was Executive Chef at The Couples Resort near Algonquin Park, decided it was time for a change. The cafe was closed for restructuring and renovation. So with windows papered over to hide the changes, a new page in Nat’s life began.
The result is the new SunRun Pantry. Feb 5, 2014 marked the re opening of the business to the delight of Natalie’s 
regulars. Still providing high quality light lunches, great coffee, and House made baked goods in half of the cafe, the addition of an all natural and organic grocery fills the other half of the business. Shelves are stocked with organically grown flours, fruits, and cooking and baking ingredients. An added feature now is house made, frozen prepared foods to take home for dinner. Meat and meatless lasagna, Mac and cheese and Shepherd’s pie just to name a few of the possibilities. And soon Friday nights will herald pizza night. There is also a selection of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.
Stop by for a visit if you’re in Maynooth and while there check out all the other great shops and services in the town. You can find the SunRun Pantry at 33021 Hwy 62, Maynooth. Phone: 613-338-1001.
Ron Kapitain, Entertainment Editor
Ron is a longtime cottager in the Bancroft area. A custom carpenter by profession, he now lives full time in Hastings Highlands. As a founding member of local band Salty Dog, Ron enjoys an active interest in the area’s music and arts community
Rural Review: Access to goods and services you want…not always an easy thing
Living in a small rural community, you get to know the small business owners and usually see them every day out and about and shop there weekly or if you are like me almost daily as I can only buy what I carry ( or in my “old lady” buggy as I am often told). Being able to get to know your local business owners is a wonderful thing which I am enjoying. As they get to know you and your tastes, they are able to know what you are looking for before you do.
For example, as soon as I am through the door at the Rural Roots Cafe or the South Algonquin Eatery and Pub my order is already being served up. To me this is quality service and the chat you usually end up having always puts a smile on my face or my sides hurting from a good chuckle.
Another exceptional thing is the quality of unique goods you do have access to here from food, art to spa products. I am in awe of Nicole Duncan at Spatopia/Hill 88 with the spa products to the gluten-free recipes that she creates. Yes, I do try to recreate one or two recipes but mostly I let my mother as she is now following Hill 88 as she is practicing a gluten-free diet.
Spatopia’s products are all natural, that’s right chemical free. Nicole has vast experience in developing new and innovative products like bath balms, body scrubs and butters, facial toners to essential oils. These are all her own creations and I urge you to drop in as you won’t be disappointed.
Like all small towns, we have the grocery stores, the all in one stores, restaurants, hardware stores and a few clothing stores so you can exist with what is available.
Now here comes the rub…. you might not want what is just available, ok I might not. So, is this wrong of me to go to a larger city occasionally to buy what I want or need for that matter? Sometimes it comes to selection of what I am looking for, or price point, or I just want to go have a day/weekend in the city. Thank goodness for the TROUT having shopping days every once in a while that gives me the access to do so on the days I am not going with a friend that drives (see I can still support a community business while going out-of-town).
Shopping outside your community to me is not a bad thing. Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Market Cafe & Fudge Factory
The Market Cafe & Fudge Factory building was built in the 1940’s and was the old Bancroft Movie Theatre. Upon entering the front door, the terrazzo lobby floor and the ticket window provide a hint of days past.
The cafe area seats 40 people comfortably, with the menu including some seasonal plates along with soups, sandwiches, quiches and meat pies, a variety of fresh salads, and of course.. ‘baked goodies’. In addition, fresh fudge is made on site. Choose from at least 20 or more flavours, and don’t forget your FREE TASTE and your FREE quarter pound of fudge every time you purchase a pound!
Both the main floor and the upstairs shopping area feature items from Canada and around the world. Items include glassware, pottery, jewellery, clothing, rattan furniture, calendars, cards, candles, prints, ornaments, place mats… and so much more!
South Algonquin Eatery and Pub
On Saturday, July 13, a day perfect for the patio, the South Algonquin Eatery celebrated their official grand opening along with patrons, local dignitaries and Moose FM.
“So far are plans are right on target,” said co-owner of the South Algonquin Eatery Jake Krupa.
Open for four months now, Krupa, and co-owner Wayne Bolger have watched their business expand with the busy summer season in more ways than one. Soon opening as a rental and performance space is the South Algonquin Eatery’s rear dining hall. The freshly renovated space contains a performing stage and a bar and seats approximately 130 people.
Living North of 7 