Enjoy this farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of Uxbridge
Do you enjoy exploring Ontario for new restaurant finds as much as we do? If so, this hidden gem in the heart of Uxbridge is a must-visit! Located an hour away from Toronto, Urban Pantry is a contemporary Canadian, farm-to-table restaurant, that serves seasonally inspired cuisine with locally sourced and sustainable dishes.
Urban Pantry opened its doors over 10 years ago. They boast a delicate mix of casual and fine dining. Before becoming a local favourite, Urban Pantry was known as a diner called Texas Burger, run by the Pagidas family. After being in the restaurant business for 26 years, they decided that the diner needed a change and a new concept. Niki Filntissis (Pagidas), took on the challenge of transforming the local’s favourite burger place into a fine dining restaurant. She combined her passion for culinary and change, and built a restaurant that gives back to the Uxbridge community.
What makes Urban Pantry stand out from other restaurants in the Durham region? The circle of support in the Uxbridge community. Niki spent her childhood years in Uxbridge and when the time came to run a restaurant, she knew she wanted to do something for the people of Uxbridge.
Urban Pantry collaborates with local farmers, breweries, and cideries to bring Ontario’s unique taste to each plate. The restaurant has received Feast On Certification which recognizes businesses committed to sourcing Ontario grown and made food and drink. This is how Niki ensures that in addition to supporting Ontario’s local agriculture and beer/cider manufacturers, the dishes that are served in the restaurant are local, sustainable, and from farm to table. Since the ingredients that are used to prepare the dishes are locally sourced, the menu varies from season to season and even day to day.
Wine lovers will enjoy their trip to Urban Pantry as this restaurant is Wine Country Ontario certified and their menu is composed of 40 per cent Ontario wines. The restaurant offers unique and exceptional wines for everyone’s taste. If you are a fan of beer or ciders and are not too familiar with local breweries and their products, Urban Pantry is a great place to give those a try.
When visiting Urban Pantry, a perfect way to start your dining experience is by ordering their spirits. These spirits will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed on a hot summer day. Our choice was Mykonos Mule, Walters Caesar, and Lemon Honey G&T. Mykonos Mule captures the taste of Greece, true to the roots of the Pagidas family, with its flavourful skinos mastiha liqueur. Walters Caesar is a perfect option if you are craving a staple Canadian drink. Lemon Honey G&T is for those who prefer their drinks sweet and fruity.
Drinks in hand, let’s dive into the food. Some people prefer to skip appetizers and go straight to main course meals, however, we encourage you to try some of the delicious Urban Pantry starters. We tried the Antipasti, featuring one-bite soft fried mozzarella with soppressata on the side, and Crab Falafel Sliders, with wild-caught blue crab, served on brioches. These appetizers are easy to share with your family and friends.
If you love your greens, we recommend trying the Seafood Salad. This salad has a mix of chilled crab and shrimp, combined with fresh Uxbridge greens, citrus, and pistachio, to create a delicious dish for seafood fans.
Time for the main course. Urban Pantry’s mains have everything from Buttermilk Fried Chicken to Bibimbap, which means there is something for all tastes. Our eyes gravitated to the Veal Tenderloin, made with fresh Ontario veal, and served with a warm orzo salad, as well as the Seafood Puttanesca, another find for seafood lovers with an Italian twist.
One customer favourite is Urban Pantry’s Bison Burger. If you have never tried one, you’re missing out. The Bison Burger is made from Uxbridge’s Thunder Ridge bison, which means that the meat is locally sourced. We recommend ordering the burger medium-rare for a warm, red center that oozes with juicy, bison-forward flavour. The fries were served with a highly addictive garlic aioli on the side making a great addition to the burger.
We hope you saved some space for dessert. The desserts of the day were Mini Panna Cotta with strawberry and Portokalopita (orange cake). Mini Panna Cotta is a perfect dessert for a light, sweet finish to your dining experience. Its soft base with Willowtree Farm strawberry puree on top will melt in your mouth. If you want to try something unique and extremely aromatic, Portokalopita is just what you are looking for. It is a traditional Greek dessert that is soaked in syrup, with orange zest and a scoop of passionfruit ice cream on top. This sweet citrusy dessert is a perfect finish for those with a sweet tooth.
If you are craving a road trip, Urban Pantry is a perfect reason to visit Uxbridge and support a family-owned, locally driven restaurant. The delightful atmosphere of the restaurant and friendly staff will make you feel at home. You will find yourself tempted to try the entire menu because each dish is one-of-a-kind. Put on your stretchy pants and settle in for a meal you will not soon forget.