A Day Trip for Two Through Kingsville
Original blog by Millar H. | October 2021
There’s nothing like spending the day with your significant other but lately, our days off together have involved staying home, ordering take-out, and watching movies. This has become the norm for my partner and me, until recently, when we decided to do the complete opposite. We took a day trip to Kingsville to check out all it had to offer and to be honest, I am kicking myself for not having done that sooner.
Kingsville By Bike
Our day started with renting bikes from The Grove Bike Co, an addition to The Grove Hotel. We picked them up at 9 a.m. and headed to our first stop of the day which was breakfast at the Beach House Grill. It’s located right on the waterfront, which is a very short trip from the main strip in Kingsville.
Editor’s Note: Since the time of this writing The Grove Bike Co. is no longer operating.
I got the “Traditional Eggs Benedict” which was your classic toasted English muffin topped with peameal bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. It was served with home fries and a side of fresh fruit. I am a sucker for a good eggs benny, and the Beach House Grill knew exactly how to satisfy my taste buds. My partner, on the other hand, ordered two huge buttermilk pancakes with a side of peanut butter. We both loved our breakfast and we definitely didn’t leave hungry.
From breakfast, we headed to Cindy’s Home and Garden. The ride was amazing, we rode our bikes along the water as far as we could and with the view, the sun shining and us having a blast on the electric-powered bikes, we were enjoying ourselves a lot. The bikes were so much fun, all day, we were laughing because we had so much fun on the bikes. It really brought me back to my childhood, enjoying the simple pleasure of riding a bike. I know, my partner didn’t stop talking about the bikes for weeks.
Cindy’s Home and Garden is a shopping experience like none other and they’re known for their olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar. This was my first time ever going to Cindy’s and I spent a good hour perusing everything the business had to offer. They offer an incredible amount of unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, home decor, and gourmet products. I definitely didn’t leave empty-handed. We found the perfect new pot for a cactus that we recently bought and I found one-of-a-kind dog tags for my dog. Now, every time I look at my dog, I am reminded of how perfect that day in Kingsville was and how I need to go back to Cindy’s Home and Garden.
After Cindy’s, we made our way over to Pelee Island Winery. This was my first experience with a wine tasting – walking the orchards, see the grapes first hand, and indulge in several different types of wines.
The staff at Pelee Island Winery were a delight. Our sommelier, Michael, gave us a rundown of the history of the winery and how it fits into Canada’s overall winery landscape – incredibly interesting. I put my faith in Michael and let him select two of his favourite wines for me to taste and he did not steer me wrong. Our flights of wine were accompanied by a flavourful charcuterie box that included baked crostinis, cheeses, chocolates and more. It was the perfect weather to sit outside, enjoy some wine and explore the winery’s gorgeous property. The staff at Pelee Island Winery were exceptional and incredibly welcoming. They also made sure we didn’t leave without bringing a bit of the experience into our own home with a couple of bottles of wine to try at home. I highly recommend visiting Pelee Island Winery the next time you find yourself in Kingsville, it is definitely worth it.
From the winery, we headed over to Kingsville Brewery Beer Garden for one more refreshment before our dinner reservation. The brewery is located right on the waterfront with a huge patio that made for a great view of Lake Erie. The patio was a very casual atmosphere to enjoy a drink outside while listening to some really good music. My partner and I both tried their new Cucumber Lime Seltzer which was so refreshing in the sun. I wouldn’t consider myself a craft beer connoisseur, so the seltzer was an amazing alternative – tens across the board.
Our dinner reservation was at Mettawas Station Italian Mediterranean Grill. While my partner and I were riding the bikes from the brewery, we first rode past the restaurant not realizing that this beautiful historical structure is where we would be dining. I truly was taken away by the exterior of the building and even more so, once we went inside.
The restaurant’s venue is an 1880’s train station that gives an upscale atmosphere for an intimate dining experience. We ordered their signature pizza for dinner and tried the Pesto Margarita Pie which included sliced tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella and pancetta. The food and service were excellent. We also ordered their autumn-inspired Moscow mule which was so good, we ordered two rounds.
If you’re looking for a cozy, intimate dining experience for a date night, I recommend considering Mettawas Station.
Main Street
It wouldn’t be a day trip without visiting the local shops that are unique to Kingsville that offers a refreshing shopping experience as opposed to a conventional one.
We started with The Local Maker, which you’ll find on Kingsville’s Main Street. The store literally showcases the best of the Windsor Essex region and I am sure you’ll find something here from local artists and creators that will really catch your eye. We fell in love with a couple of items from the store which I had showcased around the home that I am constantly referring friends and family as to where I found them.
If you’re looking for a pick me up, I recommend stopping by the Red Lantern Coffee Co. It is a small-batch coffee roaster located on Kingsville’s Main Street. It was still quite hot outside, so I opted for an iced coffee which honestly, was better than any other iced coffee I’ve ordered. The Red Lantern offers a wide variety of different blends that you can try there or take home to enjoy. Also, if you love plants, they have a nice little selection of plants to choose from.
Even though my partner and I have more clothes than two people would ever need, that didn’t stop us from checking out The Town Emporium. Towne Emporium carries a variety of high-quality clothing for both men and women.
Before we wrapped up our day, we stopped into Kings Bakeshop and Green Heart Kitchen for some treats to bring home. King’s Bakeshop offers delicious beverages in addition to a beautiful variety of cookies, cookie sandwiches, cupcakes, cakes, and cheesecakes. We purchased half a dozen macaroons, which were unfortunately spoiled by our dog but by the way his tail was wagging, I could tell they were worth it.
The Green Heart Kitchen offers a variety of fresh, local food. We bought a loaf of fresh-baked bread and some mac and cheese for a Saturday night snack.
Between the waterfront views, friendly staff & locals, and the incredible selection of both restaurants and retail – Kingsville is the perfect place for a day trip with your significant other. We had so much fun and we can’t wait to go back and experience Kingsville charm again.