Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy, the locavore chef’s new Niagara Falls venture
The man with his name on the place (Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Jamie Kennedy (Gilead Café , formerly of Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar and JK Rom, etc.), describes his new venture, Windows by Jamie Kennedy, as “a taste of Niagara and a feast for the eyes.” Given his commitment to local and seasonal food, it’s fitting that dining at Kennedy’s latest restaurant will require a journey to one of the world’s natural wonders. We took a trip down to Niagara Falls to check the place out.
The restaurant is housed on the dining floor of the Sheraton on the Falls, with panes of glass—some frosted, others with a wood grain—separating Windows from the Fallsview Restaurant that occupies the main eating area (the two restaurants share a kitchen, but have separate fridges, stoves and staffs). The decor at Windows is fairly simple; complementary shades of brown accent the room, while candle-filled Mason jars—a classic Kennedy touch—light up the tables. One wall is lined with booths, while the opposite one is devoted to the restaurant’s namesake windows, offering a spectacular view of the falls (though unfortunately the weather was a tad gloomy during our visit). There’s also a wine wall that shows off the expansive array of bottles selected by Tony Aspler and Bruce Wallner.
The kitchen is helmed by chef de cuisine Ross Midgley, whose seasonal menu is intended to show off the bounty of the Niagara region, paired with a wine list that will ebb and flow over the course of the year. Starters include a salad of Soiled Reputation greens matched with Easter radishes and a sorrel vinaigrette ($12), while a minestrone soup features braised rabbit and arugula and black walnut pesto ($17). Currently, mains are very meat-heavy; a confit and roast of duck is served on a bed of duck schmaltz–roasted potatoes and drizzled in a sour cherry glaze ($32). For dessert, a chamomile panna cotta is topped with a rhubarb gelée ($12). Last but not least, Kennedy’s famous twice-cooked frites are indeed available, served with a house-made chili and a cider vinegar mayo ($7). Those keen on tightrope walking best make reservations now—we’re pretty sure this spot will offer a bird’s eye view of daredevil Nik Wallenda’ s upcoming stunt.
136572 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Chamomile panna cotta with rhubarb gelée ($12) paired with amaretto-infused chamomile tea Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows21.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows21/ may12windows21 0 0
Chamomile panna cotta with rhubarb gelée ($12) paired with amaretto-infused chamomile tea
136570 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Pan-seared perch fillet with fresh pea shoots and blue and white potatoes, drizzled in a beet sauce Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows19.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows19/ may12windows19 0 0
Pan-seared perch fillet with fresh pea shoots and blue and white potatoes, drizzled in a beet sauce
136569 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Confit and roast of Ontario duck with duck schmaltz–roasted potatoes and a sour cherry glaze ($32) Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows18.jpg 624 409 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows18/ may12windows18 0 0
Confit and roast of Ontario duck with duck schmaltz–roasted potatoes and a sour cherry glaze ($32)
136568 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Smoked whitefish on house-made sourdough with an onion and radish salad and a dollop of crème fraîche Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows17/ may12windows17 0 0
Smoked whitefish on house-made sourdough with an onion and radish salad and a dollop of crème fraîche
136567 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Pork belly on crisp Pink Lady apple topped with shallots Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows16/ may12windows16 0 0
Pork belly on crisp Pink Lady apple topped with shallots
136565 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Vegetable ceviche with beets, sweet potatoes, shallots and chives on a tiny potato latke Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows14/ may12windows14 0 0
Vegetable ceviche with beets, sweet potatoes, shallots and chives on a tiny potato latke
136564 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Spring minestrone soup with braised rabbit and arugula and black walnut pesto ($17) Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows13.jpg 624 409 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows13/ may12windows13 0 0
Spring minestrone soup with braised rabbit and arugula and black walnut pesto ($17)
136571 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Mushroom strudel Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows20.jpg 624 409 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows20/ may12windows20 0 0
Mushroom strudel
136563 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Fresh spring greens with Easter radishes and a sorrel vinaigrette ($12) Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows12.jpg 624 409 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows12/ may12windows12 0 0
Fresh spring greens with Easter radishes and a sorrel vinaigrette ($12)
136566 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A plate of quick-pickled fiddleheads Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows15/ may12windows15 0 0
A plate of quick-pickled fiddleheads
136562 (Image: Courtesy Windows by Jamie Kennedy) The wines, selected by Tony Aspler and Bruce Wallner, prominently on display Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows11.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows11/ may12windows11 0 0
The wines, selected by Tony Aspler and Bruce Wallner, prominently on display
136561 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows10.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows10/ may12windows10 0 0
136559 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Jamie Kennedy’s signature Mason jars Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows9/ may12windows9 0 0
Jamie Kennedy’s signature Mason jars
136558 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows8.jpg 624 409 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows8/ may12windows8 0 0
136556 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The tables were specially arranged for the event, but they’re normally arranged in a more typical fashion Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows6.jpg 624 409 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows6/ may12windows6 0 0
The tables were specially arranged for the event, but they’re normally arranged in a more typical fashion
136555 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Jamie Kennedy and chef de cuisine Ross Midgley with Tony Aspler and others listening on Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows5.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows5/ may12windows5 0 0
Jamie Kennedy and chef de cuisine Ross Midgley with Tony Aspler and others listening on
136554 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The Falls themselves Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows4/ may12windows4 0 0
The Falls themselves
136553 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The Falls themselves Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows3/ may12windows3 0 0
The Falls themselves
136552 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Glass panes divide Windows from the main Sheraton restaurant Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows2/ may12windows2 0 0
Glass panes divide Windows from the main Sheraton restaurant
136551 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Looking out onto the city Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows1/ may12windows1 0 0
Looking out onto the city
136550 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Jamie Kennedy at a launch event for his new restaurant Introducing: Windows by Jamie Kennedy https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may12Windows_intro.jpg 656 437 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-windows-by-jamie-kennedy/slide/may12windows_intro/ may12windows_intro 0 0
Jamie Kennedy at a launch event for his new restaurant
Windows by Jamie Kennedy, Sheraton on the Falls, 5875 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls, 1-866-374-4408, windowsbyjamiekennedy.com, @WindowsbyJK
I’m not that excited.
Famous for sourcing organic produce…not much good after that. He should probably trade in the chef jacket and stove for a a tractor and pair of overalls
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