Review - Nina's Bistro, Hamilton, Ontario

A few times driving into the city on Main Street, there are a couple of restaurants coming into the city center. For a while, there was a place called Izzy's, which seemed to look ok, but Bob and I never got a chance to try it out. A few weeks ago, another place opened up, and I had driven by it a few times, so I decided we should check it out for our monthly - Nina's Bistro.

We started at Hess for a few beers to enjoy the warm weather. Hess Village is always a good place to go when its warm out. Patios abound, and its a good place to chat. Later on in the evening, things pick up and the younger crowd comes in. We only stayed for about 2 hours, then walked over to Nina's. Bob had wondered about the place, so it was a good choice.

It was quiet when we got there about 5:30, and we sat down and had the pleasure of Nina, the owner, serving us. We had mentioned to her that we wanted her to show us her best, so Bob started off with the stuffed baby portobello mushrooms, and I had the crab cakes. The mushrooms were good, but Bob had said that La Paizza stuffed portobello was better. It looked good to me, but he knows portobello mushrooms! The crab cakes had to be the best I have had. Crispy on the outside, and lots of crab on the inside. I hope it was all crab, and not the crab-like substitute. If it was all crab, then it was an excellent choice!

Bob had the stuffed chicken, which he seemed to enjoy, and I had the bacon-wrapped fillet. It was done perfectly, and being hungry guys, the portions were well worth it. Potatoes and veggies were done to perfection. We had mentioned to Nina that it would have been nice to see a rack of lamb on the menu, or maybe even a pork tenderloin. There are so many options for mediterranean food, that she could make a great menu up as things pick up.

For dessert, Bob ordered the lemon cheesecake, which was good he said, and I ordered a custard. I wanted something light, but was disappointed that the dessert I got was a day old at least. Creamy desserts like that, need to be fresh that day, or forget it - its like chewing rubber. I had to send it back, and of course, desserts were on her. We ordered a bottle of wine, and had a spanish coffee afterwards. For $125, it wasn't bad at all. Generous portions, and tasty food, made for a great evening. We gave some suggestions to her to improve, which she graciously accepted. I think we will go back in a year, and see how she is making out. If she changes up a few things on the menu, this could be a place to be.

After dinner, we headed to Koi in Hess Village for a nightcap, and enjoyed a few coffee and Drambuies. It was a nice evening to sit outside and enjoy!

Recipe - Grant's Chicken Cacciatore

I like chicken. I look for recipes on Allrecipes.com, and usually I don't have all the ingredients needed to make something from the list...I don't know what spices to have on hand...so, I have to improvise. Usually, I grab the temperature that I have to cook something, and lo and behold, *poof*, I end up with a great dinner. Here's what I had tonight;

Grant's Chicken Cacciatore

4 chicken legs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 can of mushrooms
1 bottle of tomato sauce (I use PC tomato and basil sauce - cheap, and good)
salt and pepper
some garlic powder
some crushed chilis
some hot chilis

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Brown chicken pieces in olive oil.
3. Lay in casserole dish.
4. Saute mushrooms in pan (use the chicken fat and left over oil in the pan), until they
are browned on the edges.
5. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crush chili the chicken to your taste.
6. Pour mushrooms over chicken.
7. Pour tomato sauce over chicken and mushrooms.
8. Bake in the oven until finished (about an hour).
9. Serve and enjoy!

Tonight, I had spinach and boiled new taters with it...and of course, a bottle of Peller Estates Baco Noir 2004. Dinner was delicious, easy to make, and I still have most of the bottle left to have this evening while I blog!

Enjoy the recipe!

Recipe - Stir Fry Pork Tenderloin on Rice

There are a few easy recipes that I have for myself, in order to mix things up a bit, for dinners. Here is something I made the other night;

Stir Fry Pork with Chinese Rice

1 pork tenderloin
1 bag of stirfry veggies (these are usually premade at stores, which is good for singles)
1 pkg of Dainty Chinese Fried Rice
1 tblsp soy sauce
1 tblsp oilve oil
1/2 tsp crushed chilis
salt and pepper to taste



1. Cook up the rice, according to the package.
2. Add some olive oil to a pan on medium heat.
3. Add the bag of veggies, and cook halfway.
4. Add pork tenderloin, sliced, to veggies.
5. Cook until done, and add soya sauce, crushed chilis, and salt and pepper to taste.
6. Voila! Serve stirfry on rice bed, and enjoy! Makes enough for 2, if you don't want to look like a pig in front of your date...otherwise, dig in, and definitely head to the couch after for a snooze on a full tummy!

Recipe - Easy Chicken with Mushrooms

Like I had said in a previous post, I am no fancy chef, by any means. I like to dabble with food, and create easy meals for myself, when I have to work all week. This gives me a chance to make a few meals up for those days when its been hectic at work, and I just want to heat something up for leftovers. Usually, I cook a big meal on Sundays, with the leftovers carrying me through the week. Here is something I whipped up, that was easy and tastes good;

Easy Chicken with Mushrooms

6 chicken pieces (I used chicken breasts - bone in, skin on)
can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup of milk
can of mushroom pieces
some olive oil
salt and pepper
grated parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Brown chicken in pan with the olive oil.
2. Place browned chicken in baking dish.
3. Whisk together the soup and milk, and pour over the chicken.
4. Pour drained mushrooms over chicken.
5. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over everything (depends how much cheese you like...)
6. Salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bake in oven for about 45-60 mins.
8. Enjoy!

The sauce was a little runny, but it would be good with mashed potates to sop up.

Recipe - Great Tasting Chili!

I know this post is a little out of date, but my buddy came over for Superbowl, and I cooked up a batch of chili, which is one of my faves, for when the guys come over for sports or for poker. It's quick and easy, and tastes great!

Great Tasting Chili

1 onion
1 green pepper
a few mushrooms
2 pounds of lean ground beef
2 medium cans of diced tomatoes
2 reg cans of kidney beans
2 pkgs of chili spices

1. Cut up the onion and green pepper, and saute with olive oil in a fry pan. Halfway cooked, add sliced mushrooms. While the veggies are cooking, brown the ground beef in a 4 qt pot.
2. When the ground beef is cooked, add the packages of chili spices to the beef, and stir in.
3. Once the beef is coated, add the sauteed veggies to the pot.
4. Open the cans of tomatoes and add...stirring in.
5. Open the beans and drain first, and rinse under the tap. Add the beans to the pot.
6. Turn heat on low, and allow to simmer for a bit (the longer it simmers, the better it tastes!).
7. Add crushed chilis, depending on your taste.
8. Serve and enjoy!

Its an easy recipe, and I have had rave reviews about it. Great for living by yourself, and freeze batches for the cold days ahead.