Where Claramount Club’s culinary director eats in Prince Edward County

Listening to chef Justin Tse describe his career, it can seem like there are few places he hasn’t cooked. From some of Canada’s top restaurants to Michelin-starred kitchens in England and the US, Tse has an illustrious culinary resumé. He even spent a decade in Nunavut, 800 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, creating innovative menus out of locally sourced ingredients for luxury adventurers and A-list celebrities.

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Tse’s illustrious career—which has included recognition from Hotelier magazine as a top 30 under 30 in hospitality and making it to the finals of the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition—already reads like a life’s work. But his excitement for the possibilities ahead suggests he’s only just getting started.

He recently brought his talents closer to home, moving to Prince Edward County in 2023, just down the 401 from where he grew up in Kingston. He first headed up the culinary arm of Wander the Resort before stepping into his current role as executive chef and culinary director at Delphine, inside the newly opened Claramount Club.

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“My family owned and operated several Chinese restaurants, so the kitchen was my playground,” says Tse. “Since moving to the county, I’ve fallen in love with its vibrant food scene and the ability to work hand-in-hand with the people who grow and tend our ingredients—local honey, maple syrup, meats, fish, fruits, vegetables and sourdough. I feel incredibly lucky to be a chef in Prince Edward County.”

Here are his go-to eateries, which together form the perfect road-trip itinerary for a culinary exploration of PEC.

Luso Bites

206 Main St. W., unit 1K, Picton, lusobites.com

“Owners Steve and Gabriela are bringing Portuguese-inspired classics to the heart of PEC, nestled inside the historic Armoury on Picton’s Main Street. The menu is vast, filled with authentic Portuguese dishes with bright and bold flavours.”

Go-to dish #1: Breakfast plate with chorizo, two eggs (any style), a Portuguese take on patatas bravas, toasted sourdough with quince jam and fresh cheese topped with Azorean red pepper sauce

“What is especially intriguing for me is the world of Portuguese breakfast. I’ve had lots of Portuguese food over the years, but never breakfast—and nothing like the food that Steve is cooking. You can enjoy it inside or out on the patio in the summer. But the secret move is to get your order to go and head to a local park or beach.”

Go-to dish #2: Salt cod fritters with potatoes, scallions, parsley and molho cru sauce (like a Portuguese chimichurri) for dipping

“The chorizo breakfast plate and the salt cod fritters together read as a Portuguese surf-and-turf spread. It’s salty, smoky and full of flavour. They also have some of the best sandwiches—my go-to is the bifana pork cutlet sandwich on a Portuguese bun—and pastel de nata egg custard tarts I’ve ever had.”

Mustang Drive-In

1521 Prince Edward County Rd. 1, Bloomfield, themustangpec.ca

“For the record, the Mustang Drive-In was always great, but it got even better when two chefs teamed up and bought it. Now you have everything you already loved about the Mustang paired with carnival-like classics, Tex-Mex and Indian-inspired tacos, nachos that are messy in all the right ways, and fan-favourite smash burgers.

“On top of all that, there’s popcorn, soft-serve ice cream and a really friendly cat who hangs out in the beer garden. Ian and Arvy are bringing new life to what was already a beloved PEC landmark. Go early and have dinner at sunset before you settle in for the classic double feature.”

Go-to dish: A sharing plate of tacos (pork el tandor, chicken tinga, barbacoa and Anaheim Delight)

“The tacos are a great addition to the drive-in menu. Indian-inspired flavours and techniques work their way beautifully into the perfect summer food. The braised beef is so tender, the chicken tinga is juicy and smoky, and the tandoori pork with pineapple is the ultimate combo. Don’t skip the Anaheim Delight either, which is stuffed with refried beans, Anaheim peppers and melted cheese curds.”

La Condesa

270 Wellington Main St., Wellington, lacondesarestaurant.com

“Lunch or dinner—there isn’t a wrong time to come to La Condesa. When I first moved to PEC, I ate here once a week for 12 weeks straight. I came to the county for a three-month consulting contract that ended up lasting three years. Chef-owner Sam would tease me every visit that I wasn’t allowed to leave after my contract was up. And I’m still here.”

Go-to dish #1: Fish tacos

“The fish tacos are insane. Crispy, juicy fried fish in an authentic handmade corn tortilla. They make every tortilla from scratch, which sets them apart from your everyday taco spot. Pro tip: order one taco at a time as they’re made to order and very fresh.”

Go-to dish #2: Mexican street corn

“If you’re here in the summer, the elotes are addictive. I am a creature of habit when it comes to La Condesa, so I typically order the same things every time: crispy fish tacos, Mexican street corn, tuna tostada. All of these dishes are hits.”

Go-to dish #3: Tuna tostada

“Both the Mexican street corn and the tuna tostada are great for sharing. The marinated raw tuna is always seasoned perfectly and paired with avocado and lime—and the house-made hot sauce is a must if you are a fan of spice.”

Bloomfield Public House

257 Bloomfield Main St., Bloomfield, bloomfieldpublichouse.ca

“This is my favourite dinner spot in PEC. Run by dynamic duo Laura and Elliott, it has become an iconic, beloved restaurant in the county. Not only is the food amazing, but the service is the best I’ve had around here. It doesn’t hurt that Laura knows everyone by name.”

“The menu always has something new, and Elliott and his team are incredible cooks and creatives. You can see in their dishes how much they not only respect the ingredients but have an absolute mastery of balancing flavours.

“The space is stunning too. It’s located in an old brick bank with high ceilings and a beautifully designed open kitchen. You can see an old vault door on the back wall next to the chalkboard menu. And they have a great wine list. Try a sharing-style dinner with hungry people and get the whole menu.”

Go-to dish #1: Lamb tartare

“This beautiful lamb tartare is served on crispy potato croquettes. It’s a perfect snack or starter to the meal.”

Go-to dish #2: Hamachi crudo with pickled cauliflower, beurre noisette, dill and chili

“I consider this my best bite of 2026 so far. It’s simple yet complex, and the flavours and textures are perfectly balanced.”

Go-to dish #3: Grilled sea bream for two with courgette, radish, basil and harissa vinaigrette

“The fish has perfectly crispy skin, and it’s served whole, with the head on, and a nice little herb salad.”

Go-to dish #4: Chocolate mousse, toasted marshmallow, peanut butter crunch, blueberries

“This is a surprise of a dessert. It’s essentially an elevated PB&J that you will want to tell all your friends about.”