Stay & Play

Culinary Adventures & Cottage Family Fun at Viamede Resort

by Jennifer Merrick

“Good stuff is coming out of that door,” says my 14-year-old son. He continually cranes his head towards the kitchen, eagerly anticipating the next course of the blind tasting menu at Viamede Resort, a century-old property situated a two-hour drive north of Toronto in the Kawartha Lakes district.

“This one’s fun,” says our waiter, who places an appetizer in front of us with corn prepared five different ways, including popcorn. For the parents, it’s paired with a Riesling from Tawse, a Niagara winery.

It’s the third dish of our seven-course dining experience at Mount Julian restaurant, prepared by Chef Kevin McKenna, a culinary master who prides himself on creating dishes that highlight local natural flavours. And local here often means right on the 165-acre property of Viamede itself, which has gardens, forgeable forests, and even their own farm.

During our stay, we see the animals first-hand on a tour of the farm, one of the complimentary scheduled activities for guests. Kids help herd the turkeys back in the pen, watch as the geese waddle en masse to get their food, hold a tiny quail egg and the best part, watch the piglets play. “They love this,” says our guide as he turns on the hose. The three littlish pigs (who will each eventually grow up to be 600 pounds) splash around in the running water, and seem to be having as much fun as our kids did during their water fight earlier in the day.

Guests also have opportunities to forage with Chef McKenna, an activity he compares to treasure hunting, with the riches being wild leeks, cattail hearts, garlic, dandelion greens and berries; or join him on a visit to a local farmer’s market to source ingredients for the evening’s meal.

As enjoyable as these endeavours are, they all have a purpose, which is to bring the best food possible to the table, and ensure good stuff, as my son puts it, keeps coming out that kitchen door. More does. From the chilled strawberry soup and smoked pickerel to the prime rib that melts in your mouth and the white chocolate and panna cotta for dessert, it’s a meal our family will never forget.

“I came to the Kawartha’s for the pure beauty of the area…”

The natural beauty of the region was one of the reasons Chef McKenna decided to make this his home. It’s the best of cottage country with the 32-kilometre Stoney Lake as its focal point, ideal for swimming, fishing, kayaking or just enjoying its views from the dock, beach or the cottage porch. Wooded areas surrounding the resort feature hiking and biking trails. Be sure and keep an eye out for 400-year old ‘Viking’ oak tree.

Family Fun

It’s all the fun of a cottage without the work. Amenities include a water trampoline (a huge hit with the Energizer bunnies, aka, our kids), indoor/outdoor pool, steam room and sauna facilities. There are no additional resort fees for scheduled activities, which includes crafts, games, farm tours, guided hikes and wine tastings.

At no extra charge, the resort also caters to canine pets with an off-leash dog park, treats at reception, and a donation made in your dog’s name to the Maggy Fund, which brings over injured dogs from Instanbul. Bella, our own rescue dog, gives it a four paws up.

If you Go:
Accommodation ranges from rooms in the main lodge to one and two bedroom cottages with many package options available. Starting in September, transportation from Union Station will be available for $30. Be sure to make your dinner reservations before you leave!

www.viamede.com
www.thekawarthas.ca