The Social Bar and Table located at 26 Ontario St in Port Hope

June 30, 2018:  Reservations for our dinner had been made at the Social Bar and Table.  We actually had dined at the Social Bar and Table for lunch before on one of our first visits out to Port Hope to see the salmon migration.  I remembered the lovely Classic Burger we shared with a helping of their French fries with a creamy dip.  

We were reserved a table for two inside their cozy restaurant which was so nice — we only were able to sit at the bar when we were here for lunch last time as their restaurant is not very big.  (They also have a gorgeous patio overlooking Walton Street.)

Entrance and patio

Our server was so pleasant and made our dinner such a pleasure that night.

Dinner menu

Drinks menu

We started off with some local beers on tap.  I had the Social Lager, a Muskoka Brewery pint while Ken had the Dry Cider from Pommies.  I loved the slight bitterness of the Social Lager pint as well as the sweet notes of the Cider.  It was definitely my kind of beer.

I also loved that the beer were served in their own beer glasses.  The design of the Muskoka Brewery beer was adorable with a “fill” line on the top and their logo on the bottom of the glass.  I really like small details like these. 🙂

Dry Cider from Pommies. $7
-clarity and refreshment made from 100% Ontario apples
Social Lager, Muskoka Brewery. $5 
-Bracebridge all malt lager with a light hop bitterness

PEI Mussels. $15
-wild mushroom and herb broth

We started off with two appetizers, the PEI Mussels and the Trout Salad.  Mmm, both of these dishes were so good!

I was so impressed with how the PEI Mussels were so plump and fat!  The wild mushroom and herb broth was great and Ken couldn’t stop sipping it and sopping it all up with the crumbly bread.  It was a great seafood starter.

Port Hope seems to do their seafood dishes really well as their Smoked Trout and Watercress Salad was impeccable as well with a smooth and moist trout on top of a light walnut and pomegranate vinaigrette fresh greens salad.  It was light and delicious to open up the appetite.  A perfect summer salad. 🙂  I noticed that a lot of tables around us also ordered the smoked trout salad too!

Smoked Trout and Watercress Salad. $14
-walnut and pomegranate vinaigrette, goat cheese, red onion, cucumber

Crispy Pickerel. $28
-marinated Spanish inspired vegetable and bean salad

For our mains, Ken picked the Brisket Sandwich and the Crispy Pickerel which was part of their featured menu.  The Crispy Pickerel was amazing.  The presentation of the dish was gorgeous too with the lightly battered fish fillet curved upwards with the medley of Spanish inspired vegetables and beans underneath it.

The pickerel was so flaky and not over battered at all.  I loved it. :9  The medley of vegetables included halved cherry tomatoes, diagonal cuts of asparagus, and beans!  The asparagus were so crisp and fresh — it is asparagus season after all.

The Braised Brisket Sandwich was nice too with a helping of their famous fries and dip.  The braised brisket was firm and meaty without being too salty.  I liked the brioche bun too.

Braised Brisket Sandwich. $16
-brioche bun, caramelized onions, mushrooms, Swiss cheese. Served with fries

Moist

Mango and Kiwi Mousse

We  thoroughly savoured our meal and enjoyed every bite of the dishes.  Thus, we were quite full.  However, when asked about dessert when our plates were cleared, I couldn’t refuse to try their Mango and Kiwi Mousse.  It sounded like such a unique dessert concoction that I had to make space for it.

Luckily, it turned out to be a small portion of dessert.  Its presentation was so nice with the mousse in a glass and the strawberry half hanging out on the edge of the glass was cute.  There were gooseberries in it too.  I liked the hints of the kiwi taste in the mousse.

Succulent and fresh fruits

There were completely zero complaints about this dinner and it was one of the best that I’ve had in Port Hope.  The service was impeccable, the choice and presentation of dishes were fantastic, the tastes were delectable, and the environment was so cozy and comfortable.  Everything was splendid!  I highly recommend a meal at The Social Bar and Table if you are in Port Hope!  (And being that this was my second time dining here, I can definitely vouch for a return visit!)

The interior of the restaurant from my seat

More wine features on the wall

FTC Disclaimer:  Although the Municipality of Port Hope reached out and invited me to a complimentary visit to promote the businesses in Port Hope, the opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the Municipality or businesses.