Dinner Clubs

H - September 2022

Members of the newly- formed Dinner Club H had our inaugural group meeting on Wednesday, September 28, at the Clarkson Mediterranean Bistro. Six of our 7 member couples attended: Doug and Marilyn Johnston, Wallas and Cecile Khella, Rod and Sybil McLeod, Craig and Shirley Tyers, John and Susanne Bray, and Denis and Carolyn Bailey. Only Dick Neil and Sylvia Ferderber missed the occasion.

After introductions were made the group fell into easy and convivial conversation that last through the evening. Most of us selected our meal from the fixed price menu that included a choice of several appetizers and entrees and three desserts. The food and the service were excellent. We uniformly chose the Crème brûlée for dessert, which by word-of-mouth had a well-deserved reputation. We all had a good time and look forward to our next group meeting.

A - October 2022

Group A had its inaugural dinner on Tuesday, October 4 at Merlot a French bistro on Bloor Street West at Royal York Road. Of the 10 people in our group, 8 were able to participate – Ken and Linda Foxcroft, Peter and Joyce Delves, Bob Martin with his sister-in-law Cathy, Roy Hicks, and Bob Weese, the host. Don and Brenda Gibson were unavailable.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the ambiance, the discussion, and the food. The mussels and the calf liver with onions were among the tasty dishes, as was the crème caramel.
We took the opportunity to allocate hosting responsibilities for the remainder of the 2022-23 year.
Bob Weese

J - October 2022

Four couples enjoyed the our lunch-time "dinner" at the Thai Signature Restaurant, 203 Lakeshore E in Mississauga.

We each ordered from the weekday lunch menu. It includes a choice of 3 soups or mango salad and an egg-roll in addition to a selection of 10 different mains.

The service and food was excellent, though both the "basil" dishes were quite hot/spicy.

The restaurant was not crowded, and we were able to easily converse.

Ron Kawchuk

C - October 2022

Dinner Group C finally got around to enjoying our first dinner of the season. We went to Pulcinello Restaurante, on Lakeshore Rd.

The dinner was well attended by Lloyd and Pat Posno, John and Cathy Mark, George Renfrew and his daughter Meody, Bill and Vija Rivers, and was hosted by Joan and Mike Read.

The restaurant was very busy, considering it was a Tuesday night, and like many establishments in the service industry was short staffed. Our waiter explained this from the get-go, and told us he would do all possible to give us good service. He did a great job, and served us quite well. A variety of Italian dishes were enjoyed, various pastas, seafood stew, veal marsala, and chicken. All reported very favorably on the quality and the quantity of the dishes.

Prices were quite reasonable, for example, pasta dishes in the $20 range. One minor complaint, bread was an extra charge of $6.00 and the waiter offered it to each couple, there was a lot of waste, and personally, I find the charge for bread to be an annoyance.

All in all a good time, and I believe Dinner Group C would recommend Pulcinello"s on Lakeshore

Mike Read

Dinner Group H met October 27, 2022 at the Chelsea Restaurant in Port Credit for a sumptuous dinner served by the friendly owner Allan and prepared by his wife. The 4 couples who attended, seated around the square table, had the opportunity to exchange some travel stories, downsizing woes, future travel plans ..etc.
For those who have not been to the Chelsea, it is highly recommended for the good food, accessibility, reasonable prices and friendly service.

Sorry, no picture was taken

Wallas and Cecile Khella, and I believe Dinner Group C would recommend Pulcinello"s on Lakeshore

Mike Read

H - October 2022

K - Oct-Sept 2022

In September Dinner Group K enjoyed the delicious menu at the Chelsea Restaurant with Jack and Marie Doney hosting. Alan made us all welcome and although it was a small group we had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying the good food.

Dinner Group K met at the Spoon and Fork on Dundas Street in October with all thirteen members present. Elsa and John Bedell were hosting and made everyone welcome. All agreed that the food was delicious, with a wide menu choice and moderate prices.

Mary Doney

A - November 2022

On Tuesday November 1st, six members of Dinner Club A descended on the Open Cork Restaurant, on Dundas Street just west of Highway 427.

Present were Roy Hicks, Bob Weese, Ken and Linda Foxcroft, Bob Martin, and his sister-in-law Kathy Baxter. We had a perfect table in a secluded area, just right for scintillating conversation. The food was great, and the service exceeded expectations. We asked our waitress if there was a problem getting staff, and she said no, because they hire international students to work for them.

I am sure this is a win/win for the restaurant and the students. We all agreed that we would recommend this moderately priced venue.

Bob Martin, Host

G - November 2022

Dinner Club H celebrated November at the Olive Press, a fine Italian restaurant, located in Oakville at 2322 Dundas Street West (905) 827-4241 on November 23rd.

Of the 14 people in our group, 8 were able to participate - Doug & Marilyn Johnston, Rod & Sybil McLeod, John & Susanne Bray and the host couple, Craig & Shirley Tyers.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the ambiance of the setting, the friendly dialogue and the fine cuisine. The portions of food were generous, resulting in some doggie bags going home. Our waitress was most pleasant, cheerful and accommodating.

We all had a fine time and look forward to our January "Dining Adventure". Best wishes, friends.

Craig

H - November 2022

Our group went to The Keg at Square One. We all enjoyed our meal and every one had a good time.

The ambience is very relaxing and comforting. The dinner was hosted by Gil and Frances Clay.

David Litner and Tom McAuliffe could not join us.

The restaurant was fairly busy for a Wednesday but the service was good.

Some of us took home leftovers.

Gil Clay

y

J - January 2023

We had eight members present for lunch at the Mediterranean Bistro followed by dessert and coffee at the Metcalfe’s.

K - January 26, 2023

After much debate, I decided to take Dinner Group K to the Thyme Ristorante on Lakeshore Road East.

It was a much smaller gathering than usual, as a very cherished member of our group passed away. We raised our glasses in memory of John Bedell.

The food was excellent as was the company.

I would highly recommend this restaurant to other groups that may be looking for a new venue.

E - January 18, 2023

Probus Dinner Club E met on Wed January 18 at the Open Cork Restaurant on Dundas St. In Mississauga.

Present were Victor and Mary Fornasier, Paul and Diane Walters, Brian and Joyce Mittler and hosted by Anne and John Allan. It was a very nice evening, with good food and conversation. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Our group met at Piatto's Bistro on Dundas Street. We all enjoyed a lovely variety of dinners, good company and spirited conversation. We were disappointed to hear that the long expected closing of this fine restaurant will be in June. The site will be demolished and will be replaced by a condominium. Piatto's has served this community well for over thirty years and has always given fine service with cheerful and willing personnel. They will be missed. If you plan to say farewell to this wonderful Mississauga landmark, do it soon.

A - February 7, 2023

K - February 23, 2023

Ten of us gathered on a messy Thursday last to attend our monthly dinner held at Casalinga Ristorante located at 2057 Royal Windsor Drive (Corner of Southdown Road and Royal Windsor Drive). The food was generous and delicious with a taste of Italy. Most delightful was the fact the restaurant set us up with a table for ten with three chairs on each of two sides and two settings on the other two side . . . made for much better conversation versus the long narrow tables we usually find.

Elsa Bedell brought her friend Mary, a friend visiting from Trinidad.

Marion Rogers couldn't join us this month and Bob and Jane Whitehead declined our invitation - they thought vacationing in Costa Rica was a warmer idea.

Thanks to our dinner companions for waiting while Anne and I shared a dessert. Very kind and the dessert was very good

After weather delays for the second month in a row, Dinner Group H finally got together for their February meeting at The Apricot Tree Restaurant – on March 1st!. The consensus was the food was good and tasty, the service friendly and efficient, and the desserts something to die for. Assembled around the table, taking a break from setting the world to rights are: Doug and Marilyn Johnston, Carolyn and Denis Bailey, Craig and Shirley Tyers, Sybil and Rod McLeod, Dick Nell and Sylvia Federber.

Doug Johnston

H - March 1, 2023

We dined at the Astoria Restaurant, where we enjoyed Greek salads and a variety of shishkabobs by an open fireplace.

We talked about English accents, Afgan refugee support activities, ChatGPT (an artificial intelligence research and writing app), travel (in Portugal), and Greek salads (should they contain tomatoes?).

Our ratings for the meal, on a scale of 10, ranged from 6 to 8 averaging 7.5.

A - March 7, 2023

J - March 16, 2023

We decided last year to meet for lunch instead of dinner to avoid driving in the dark

Eleven of us met for lunch at Saucy's Restaurant in Streetsville and all agreed that it was a great lunch in terms of ambiance and food.

We didn't solve any of the World's problems but everyone appeared to have a good time with lots of chatter.

Saucy's is certainly worth consideration for lunch or dinner.

Only a diminished number of our group attended the March 22 meeting at Merlot Restaurant. The food and service were excellent. We were seated a small table near the rear of the restaurant, where the ambience was pleasant and our conversation was audible.

Our appreciation of the dinner was enhanced by our partaking of the restaurant’s Wednesday special on half-priced bottles of wine (hic!).

Denis Bailey

H - March 22, 2023

E - April 19, 2023

The name Sorsi e Morsi stands for "sip and bite". Group E thoroughly enjoyed the dinner. The selection was ample, the service excellent and the food very tasty and served hot.
Attending were John and Anne Allan, Victor and Mary Fornasier, Stu and Judy Hutcheson and the hosts Paul and Diane Walters.
The location on Dundas Street near Burnhamthorpe has been occupied by a restaurant for many years. It was formerly known as Oregano and was affiliated with a Cooking School nearby. The current owners are keeping up the excellent tradition.
The seafood pasta was popular with the group. It had a delicious sauce.
The trattoria is recommended for other groups.
Attached is a photograph of the group, courtesy of Victor Fornasier.

A - May 02, 2023

Dinner Group A met on Tuesday, May 2, at La Vinia, a Spanish restaurant at
2350 Lakeshore Blvd W. Besides host Bob Weese, the group included Bob
Martin, Bob's sister-in-law Kathy Baxter, Ken and Joyce Foxcroft, Peter
Delves, and Roy Hicks. Absent were Don and Brenda Gibson, who were in
Saskatoon visiting a daughter, and Joyce Delves, who was in England visiting
a sister.

La Vinia is a fairly small restaurant and the place was full the night we
were there. Street parking, normally readily available, was more difficult
than usual (perhaps because Cirque de Soleil was just a few blocks to the
east). The food was great -- a wide variety of tapas (small plates), soups
and salads, several different paellas, and tempting desserts (including a
delicious "fried milk"). Some of us also enjoyed the extensive wine list or
a glass of beer. The discussion was, as always, stimulating.

Bob Weese

J - May 25, 2023

We met today at the Spoon and Fork. There were 12 of us divided into two tables for the All You Can Taste lunch. Here is a photo.

Barry Metcalf

A - Jun 6, 2023

The Probus Dinner Club had a wonderful meal at Vibo Restaurant on Bloor Street in the Kingsway on June 6th. The food, service and company were excellent. Our next dinner will be in September.

Barry Metcalf

G - Jun 21, 2023

We celebrated the longest day of the year and the first day of summer (June 21) by eating at La Scala Restaurant.

Everybody enjoyed the meal and we had a good conversation and great service.
As we left the restaurant, we could see a beautiful sunset on the horizon, ending a great day.

Gil

Bruce and Ester Calder offered their garden for our luncheon on July 20th.
We met at 12 noon.
5 couples were present, and to our delight, there was no threat of rain.
Barry Metclfe was the BBQ master.
Thanks for the contributions to our luncheon from our group's members.
No pictures, but we all enjoyed the afternoon.

Bruce Calde

J - July 20, 2023

On Wednesday,July 19,Group 'G' celebrated Summer by having a BBQ in the back garden of Tom and Cam McAuliffe. Everyone pitched in bringing appetizers,main course and dessert.

In attendance were our leader David and Louise Litner,our hosts Tom and Cam McAuliffe,Norm and Gail Rutenberg, Don and Barb Taylor,Bill and Gail Jones,Marty and Frances Wanat, Gil and Frances Clay and guests Bruce and Ester Calder.

Judging from the comments after tne event it was a very successful BBQ get together.

"Thanks for a great afternoon in your beautiful backyard.The beef was delicious and the ice cream galore was fabulous.

All the tasty contributions from everyone added so much to the meal."

"Thanks so much for hosting the BBQ. It was a super event and everyone had a great time.Your beautiful backyard certainly provides a great atmosphere for enjoyment."

"Another smashing party. We really enjoyed the BBQ. -- great tenderloin -- .congrats to the cook."

Tom McAuliffe.

G - July 19, 2023

A - September 5, 2023

We gathered at Flame Food + Design in the Bloor West Village where Serhai, the owner, explained the unique attributes of Anatolian food before we made our choices. We all enjoyed various kabobs, and shareable Bad Apple (eggplant and yogurt) and salad appetizers. Definitely, we give the restaurant a thumbs up and would caution diners sensitive to hot food to pay attention to the spicing.

J - September 5, 2023

12 of us enjoyed long conversations and a wide variety of well prepared lunch dishes at the Mediteranian Bistro in Clarkson on Sept 21.

We had to wait quite some time for our food as the restaurant was surprisingly very busy including another chatty group of 17 seated nearby and the kitchen was understaffed for the 1st hour.

Overall a great restaurant, extensive menu, reasonable prices, and good service, lovely presentation, but things may be a tad slow, depending.

Dinner Club H, although somewhat diminished by illnesses among our roster, had a very enjoyable evening on September 25th at the Clarkson Mediterranean Bistro. The Johnstons and Mcleods guided by our hosts the Tyers’ caught up after a summer hiatus, thought positive thoughts about the Blue Jays, the opening of the hockey season, added a few tall tales and had a great time. The food was excellent as was the service and ambience.

doug

H - September 25, 2023