Jan and I used to live in an old house in Toronto with the occasional mouse. Chris used to live with Grant in an old house in Toronto 500 paces away from us with a battle cat. Chris and Jan got married. Now, Grant is getting married. Got that?
Doesn’t matter. What I’m trying to say is this weekend saw a reunion of old friends to celebrate a new union. But to get there, we had to drive about an hour north of Toronto. Chris and Jan graciously picked me up from the airport and we were on our way.
We passed the adorable Caledon Inn. Then several minutes later realized we were all hungry. We swung the car around, and after several “I swear, it’s just over that hill,” pulled into the parking lot.
Built in the 1800s, the farmhouse was used as an inn for travellers. Now it’s a restaurant, banquet hall and a pub.
The James McCarty Pub oozes old-fashioned charm from the overgrown sign, down the stairs to the stone basement, to the TVs tuned to a golf channel.
Even more notable, the blackboard listed risotto osso bucco as the special of the day! It was tempting but we couldn’t spoil our appetites for the rehearsal dinner, so we settled on a light lunch.
I got the soup of the day ($2.99) which I’ve now lost my notes for but I think it was a homemade lentil, smoked ham type of broth. Jan and I both ordered the bruschetta ($6). It came with four thick slices of garlic-rubbed toast and I’m willing to bet tomatoes from a nearby garden. Very simple and very good.
Chris’ chicken club looked great, with real thick chicken breast and bacon and homemade fries with a roasted red pepper aioli dip.
This pub was great. Cozy with a handful of tables and a compact, confident menu. I wish we had time to stay for a few pints but we had more things to do, and people to see. Make sure you drop by if you’re roaring down the road. It’s just over that hill.
The James McCarty Pub/Caledon Inn, 16626 Airport Rd., Caledon, Ontario, (905) 584-0033. More info here.
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