On the Road....Thunder Bay is a great place to stay!

Even before we started driving toward Thunder Bay, we began to get super pumped after receiving several emails, tips and calls about all the MUST eat foods and places to dine in the city. With high expectations, we got in the car and started the adventure. We stopped at a few scenic lookouts on the way and I was amazed by the natural beauty that Northern Ontario had to offer.

We arrived in Thunder Bay at 6pm after a leisurely drive, and immediately showered and primped up for our first food adventure at Lot 66. After hearing many great reviews about this hot spot, the anticipation was at its max and we could not get there fast enough. We arrived early to have a cocktail at the bar while we waited for our table. As we scoured the room, we watched many amazing dishes being delivered to other patrons, and studied their reaction to their first bites. Everyone seemed so satisfied that we could not wait to order. When we arrived at our table, the ladies next to us were receiving their meals. I must have looked so envious, because one of the ladies offered to share her mushroom risotto. At first I couldn't believe I was considering tasting a complete stranger's meal. That soon changed to me not being able to believe how good it was when she put a few forkfuls on my plate. It was amazing and I knew that whatever we ordered would be, as well.

When the food arrived, we were extremely pleased with its presentation and flavor profile. We started our tour of Lot 66 with their Wild Forest Mushroom Gnocchi and the Pear and Blue Cheese Salad. I immediately placed some of the Gnocchi onto a plate and shared it with our food neighbors to return the favor. They were very pleased. For our next course we had Wrapped Pork with a chipotle cheddar risotto and 16oz Rib Steak with a horseradish butter and frites.  Both of these items were not on the online menu but came highly recommended.

For dessert, we had a coffee caramel cheesecake and a chocolate lava cake with mint chip ice cream. The atmosphere, service and food were all stellar and, again, these pictures do not capture how delicious the food was. While discussing Thunder Bay with our food neighbors, they confirmed the other food recommendations I received from readers of this blog, so the next morning we couldn't wait to to try the other Thunder Bay "musts."

We were told that the Hoito is the place for breakfast and everyone we asked said we had to have the pancakes. Period. Our pancakes came out with crispy edges, just the way I like.  Not just any normal pancake, these were large, flat, crepe-pancake hybrids and it seemed everybody had their own way of eating them. Some roll them with bacon or sausage in the middle to make a wrap, some just cut and eat. I took inspiration from one of the other patrons and put syrup between each of my three pancakes, before folding and cutting off multi-layered bites of syrup filled heaven.

Our last stop, as if we needed any more food at this point, was at The Persian Man for a couple of oval-shaped, frosting covered delicacies apparently known to everyone but us as a Thunder Bay must. At first, it seemed like a large doughnut, but it is actually a cross between a doughnut and a cinnamon roll. The first one was delicious, but the second one in the car a few hours later was even better.

I can't wait until the next time I have an excuse to head to Thunder Bay and I will definitely plan more time to digest all that this hidden gem has to offer.