Mother's Day...The Mother of all Days for Restaurants

Holy crap, Mother's Day is almost upon us and like many a guy out there who procrastinates the heck out of everything important it seems, you have nothing special planned for mom. Sure you could get her a great flower arrangement from a long time florist in town maybe Cassidy's on Main St Newmarket, which do have some Mother's Day Special arrangements going on, but is that really enough for Mom on her special day? I mean come on. Flowers are a given. Pick some up at the farmer's market if you have to but do do flowers! Hey...that doesn't sound too good out loud. Anyway do flowers! And a meal!

Mom's Choice on Mother's Day

But don't give mother another one of your special BBQ's or pretend to cook something you know she will take over - take her out to eat! Newmarket & surrounding area have a lot of places to go, whether you want dining and entertainment or just dining, with even a few new restaurants in town.

For my money, I'm taking Mom somewhere I know she'll like..providing my sisters let me, but that's another story. LOl. Let's just say sisters rule mom's time come Mother's Day in my house, with us boys outnumbered and out aged by the older sisses...Truth be known they deserve first crack as they are much more in tune and touch to mom's day to day stuff, much more than I anyway, but my brother might have a case. Over to you bro!

At any rate, one year I took my mom to what was then called Deli House Brunch, now more branded as Stellar Hall, still Deli House Catering fresh, but with  some new kitchen staff and crew, still all hands-on supervised when possible by Johnny and now wife Marcel of course...and my mom had a great time.

It wasn't the food she raved about, although as I recall it was quite good with various stations set up to make or serve some fresh hot dishes to order, while others were set out buffet style or crepes, pasta station etc. We got mom her plate I think and picked out for her, but Johnny took the time to come around and spend time welcoming her I guess because later on she actually was quite taken by it, mentioning it several times. And my mom is no easy cookie to please! But she raved about it. Trust me..she can be quite vocal if she's displeased somewhere, so I pay attention.

" Who was that fella," she'd said, " The owner I think. A really nice chap.....You know I really liked him. He was such a nice person"...I don't know what Johnny did or said, but I do know he recognizes hospitality is a big part of being successful in a business where you rarely can please everyone. And he's genuine. My mom likes that.

I first met Johnny Cutrone when I was a bartender at Newmarket's Glenway Country Club, now an abandoned lot, when we both served fine dining night, as they were not set up for that and I'd had some experience.  I showed him french service...Zee rest eezz heeztory! Lol

 They've come a long way since opening that first deli shop on the corner of Yonge and Mulock slinging breakfasts at 6 am to get by, along with his mom and dad. His Dad only recently passing away from cancer..and a great guy himself. Definitely give you the shirt off his back if he could..

View from Stellar Hall Window

So maybe that's what mom saw. just a raw welcoming spirit and some darn good food she likely would normally have found something wrong with!

Happy Mother's Day all. Go where you want but go... I do know Stellar Hall is putting on an extra special Mother's Day deal this year with something for everyone..omelet stations, carving stations..the works! I'm drooling just writing this. Oh..and some good old fashioned hospitality! Egads!

Mom the nest builder

A Top Choice for New Year's Eve in Newmarket for Dancing, Dinner, Party!

With 2015-16 coming up, Stellar Hall in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada is starting to form its own New Year's Eve Traditions. 

Having known the owner's family prior to the first D.H.Catering location opening, when a then strapping young owner, Johnny Cutrone, came and asked my opinion on the idea of opening a breakfast spot, wherein I think I said, "Go for it!" Its evolved since then to catering and now also a hall.

Don't be alone New Years!

We met when I was a single dad working at Glenway Country Club as a bartender & filling in as fine-dining night waiter too, as they didn't have anyone who knew French Service - other than one other guy & Johnny who I'd coached on it. He too was a single waiter then who'd learned his craft mostly working for a caterer at Aurora's Atrium from a young age and we hit it off as friends despite the age difference. Young pup! lol.

So it was only a natural that he evolved from breakfasts, to catering, to a full fledged Stellar Hall, as is now sported at 1220 Stellar Lane Dr. upstairs above the bowling alley. Of course, he now has kids as well as a wife, and whilst mine are older we're all friends and that's what New Years Eve is about - spending time with friends & good people, and so who better to play host and for me to attend at on N.Y.'s, especially when part of your job is to assist with the nights success!

 

$75 Includes Open Bar, DJ, Live atmosphere for Dinner

The food speaks for itself - Fresh always with a variety of delicious entrees on the gourmet buffet, Carving Station, Hot H'ordeuvres, Midnight Buffet, Champagne Toast!

Reserve for New Years now...Request Tickets or call TP@905-289-221-0928

Dance, Dining, Party Restaurant Hot Spots Guide to G.T.A., Newmarket, York Region,

TOM's TOP 10 is 20 years old!

Welcome to At the Clubs and Local Flavour all rolled into one! Traditionally January & February are the slowest times of the year in the hospitality industry and to that end communicating what restaurants and clubs have is important.

In addition to what I was able to note here on what clubs & restaurants / bars are doing in the new year, there is more info more posted in my Tom's Top 10 Newmarket Dining Entertainment Guide already - accessible to you via this link or simply by Google searching " Entertainment, Dining, Newmarket" or

Click To Toms Top 10 New Year's Eve Guide Newmarket area.

Watch for TPE's Tom's Top 10 Dining reviews.



Group Booking Choice! Stellar Hall and Events Centre - 1220 Stellar Dr, Newmarket - Book now for a sure to be sold out 2016 event! New Years Eve Bash $75 includes buffet dinner, hot hors doerves, and OPEN BAR!...Always a blast at Stellar Hall. Call TP@ 289-221-0928 for the best deal in town!

Sparro Ristorante now open

But I'm sure all of Tom's Top 10 have some kind of entertainment and dining specials set up for NY's and Valentines - check out the Tom's Top 10 Dining Entertainment Guide to access them all.

TOMBITS: I discovered another place in Newmarket recently called Fionn McCool's located at 17315 Leslie St Newmarket and features $5 Craft Beers Thurs with Live acoustical Entertainment as well as LIVE BANDS WEEKENDS, 905-898-7899. $20 New Year's Eve. Also..on Main St below Made In Mexico Tequila 185, Top 10 worthy as well, offering up some dining w dancing and occasional live entertainment .

Now Open!Watch for new Italian restaurant by Riverwalk Commons and Main St, Sparro Ristorante,

New Fish & Chips on Main St.

In my travels I'm often in a hurry and doing fast food and expect a value for my dollar when doing so and in response to that Tom's Top 10 categories will continue to pop up on your screens with our latest being Tom's Top 10 Pizza! Enjoy! Mange!

TP Out!