ciao!travels
Set your watch to
lake time
Wild Luxury
The 30 min boat ride, spent
scoping out eagles’ nests dotting
the treed islands, to Crow Rock
Fishing Lodge whispers that
you’re in God’s country, but
circling the last rocky piece of
shoreline, it becomes clear that
this heavenly place is as much
about the destination as the
journey to get there. The lodge
is perched on Canadian Shield
rock, overlooking the water
and an impressive rock face. It
feels like a secret hide out, but
reservations are essential, and
dinner is worth the drive. Predinner ceasars (or white wine for
the white pant set) while kicking
back on Indian red Adirondack
c hairs are de-rigeur before Jody
makes her rounds taking orders
for dinner. Ribeye and chicken
are on the menu, but anyone you
ask will remind you the pan fried
pickerel is what you came for. So
is the key lime pie. The owners
have perfected a light, fluffy
version while running their
winter fishing lodge in Florida.
Boat transportation from
Kenora is provided for guests
of the lodge (stays begin at four
nights). And if you can’t stay
in one of the super cute cabins
for the rest of your life, they will
graciously take you back too.
crowrock.com.
Local Goods
Anyone with even a minor
appreciation for fresh picked
produce and handcraf ted
goods will be richly rewarded
at Matiowski Farmers’ Market
every Wednesday. This happy
18
ciao! / aug/sep / two thousand sixteen
one-stop shop for items from
the city’s top artisans and
food purveyors takes place
under the big white tent on the
harbourfront. Octogenarians
and in-the-know hikers head to
the hand carved walking stick
vendor for the area’s perennial
favourite accessory.
Beer O’Clock
Drinking LOTW water is
something summer residents
avoided—until Lake of the
Woods Brewing Company found
a way to turn that liquid into
gold. Suntana gold ale, that is.
Only four years into production,
and LOWBrewCo has already
out-paced its growth, producing
57,600 litres of small batch craft
beer 12 times a year. Blueberry
flavoured ale, beautiful servers
and a sunny patio that fronts
2nd Street is enough to attract
crowds, but the burgers, butter
chicken and fish ‘n chips
(walleye) are some of the best
we’ve had. The fact that this
charming theme restaurant is in
a former fire station is surely a
hint at the city’s new home town
heroes. lowbrewco.com
Dockside Dining
One of the pleasures of visiting
a resort destination anywhere
in the world is hanging over
the water on a sundeck patio,
taking in the action going by.
The Boathouse, at the end of
Matheson Street, is Kenora’s
place. Planes, powerboats and
kayaks jockeying the waterway,
offer the rotating view here. The
prime location is only half the
reason it should be on everyone’s
list, though. The eggs bennie
and blue chese and asparagus
omelettes are both morning
stand outs, and a smartly curated
lunch and dinner menu mixes
familiar crowd favourites with
creative new flavours to keep all
satisfied. theboathousekenora.com
Breakfast on Coney Beach
For those aiming to get a bit of
lake spirit without the hassle
of getting a boater’s license,
a pontoon shuttle from the
harbourfront to Coney Island
zips travellers to Kenora’s most
popular beach in about five
minutes (between 10 am-6 pm,
1‑807‑407‑4680 for info). On
Sunday mornings from 8 am to
noon, brunch is served out of the
beachfront canteen to waves of
resident waffle lovers. Plate sized
waffles are topped with locally
picked strawberry or blueberry
topping for $6—and since
you’re at the canteen, there’s no
judgement for those wanting to
top their waffle with a Revel.
MS Kenora
With the smooth intonation
of a radio disc jockey, captain
Allan Luby hooks passengers
of the MS Kenora with stories
of intrigue, wealth and royalty.
Lake history proves to raise a
few eyebrows. For others, sitting
back and staring is enough
to be lulled into a meditative
state as scenery rolls past—
until the captain points to an
eagle soaring nearby. Cap off
cruising with an old fashioned
buffet and a prime all-water
view window seat, and this two
and a half hour ride becomes
complete mind, body and soul
nourishment. Greens are fresh,
fried chicken moist, ribs juicy
and roast beef tender. Mashed
potatoes and silky Nanaimo bars
secure this as a “no counting
calories” kind of meal! And it is
100% worth it. mskenora.com