Food for Thought with Alex Bielak - Rolly Rockets BBQ

I’m sure there is a saying somewhere that on matters of food it is often worth listening to a man who looks well fed. Such a recommendation, from a largish chap I met in the course of my work, saved my butt the other day. I had kept my family waiting at the end of a long work week finishing up “just one more thing”. They were justifiably grumpy, and we all wanted something to eat. Fast.

So it was we found ourselves at Rolly Rockets BBQ located at 470 King St West, corner of King and Locke St. Don’t be fooled by the Google Street view which shows an uninviting view of a walled-up, for-lease GP Grumpy’s Sport’s Pub and Grill. There is now a patio, seating about 30, and the inside “décor” is a mix of high definition TVs and picnic tables covered with bright red and white plastic, seating about 100.

Food for Thought with Alex Bielak

Chef Dan Megna

Research! 

In my last piece, I wrote that I’d had the chance to spend some time thinking about potential topics for this column. My “research” included a couple of outings to the 7th Annual “Food and Drink Fest” at the Careport Centre in Hamilton in late March. (see additional pictures by clicking here) 

The visits were facilitated by Shannon Tew, Event Manager for the Festival. She informed me that about 10,000 visitors were expected to attend what has become “the region’s largest food and beverage show of its kind.”

Food for Thought - Barbara Caffe

Giilia and Joe DeLuca

I mentioned in my inaugural column I’ve tended to stick close to home in terms of eating out. So when the Hamiltonian’s Publisher, Teresa DiFalco, suggested we have an initial meeting to discuss the idea of a food and wine column at a Stoney Creek location I had to actually consult the GPS!

In 20 minutes or so I found myself down the QEW (or “Highway Q” as the GPS voice insists on calling it) at 387 Barton Street, Barbara Caffé. The meeting with Teresa was delightful, and even more so as we were served an attractive antipasto platter to nibble on.

The platter featured prosciutto, salami and “giardiniera” (pickled cauliflower, peppers and spicy eggplant), 3 cheeses, including a lovely tomato bocconcini, all accompanied by a tasty fresh bruschetta. Oh, there were olives too, although I’m generally not a fan.

As we sketched out what I might write about, I took in the surroundings, including the colourful mural. (Take a look at the photo of Teresa and I in her intro, or travel down to the Caffé.) The business began as a gift shop almost 24 years. Founder Joe DeLuca still runs things, with the assistance of daughter Giulia, and the vibe is clearly one of regulars dropping by.

That’s hardly surprising since, shortly after it opened, the shop quickly became a hangout for Joe’s friends. Being a hospitable sort, he made them coffee. It wasn’t long before a few tables were added to accommodate a growing clientele. In turn beans, and a few other deli items, were stocked for sale.

Giulia relates how her Mother used to make her school lunches in the back of the shop. Apparently the smells were so tantalizing customers clamoured for sandwiches to be added to the offerings. As a result, larger premises were required, so they eventually moved into a bigger location next door, and the current business was born.

Now they have a full display of fresh cakes and pastries and, in addition to serving meals to their loyal, regular clientele, Giulia says they also do a great deal of catering for weddings, stag parties, private dinners and other functions.

On Thursdays and Fridays, weather permitting, the barbeque is on outside the Caffé. Giulia’s Nonno (Joe’s father) still makes the sausage that is charcoal grilled along with other meats like chicken burgers and lamb spedini. (I didn’t get to try any as I was leaving, but the smell of the sausage was delicious.) See additional photo's of Barbara Caffe here.  

To learn more about the menu see the review by Dan Kislenko in the Spectator ten months ago. I hope reading the review will also help illustrate how Food for Thought will differ from other restaurant reviews: As I said in my first column, in addition to talking about the food, I’ll try to give more of a flavour (no pun intended) of the places I visit, along with some back story about the parties involved.

At the end of March I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days doing “research” for future columns at the “Food and Drink Fest” held in Hamilton. There is much going on in our region: I believe Hamilton has considerable potential for being at the epicenter of a much needed culinary renaissance in the “905”.

More on that in future columns. 

Alex

Food for Thought - The first steps in our journey

Food for Thought – The first steps in our journey…

May 7th 2012.

Welcome to my introductory column. I see it as a first step in a shared culinary journey with you, the readers of the Hamiltonian.

Whatever my bio may say, at the heart of it, I love everything about food. I love shopping for it, prepping ingredients, cooking and of course sharing a meal with family and friends. I love talking about it, and I love a glass of wine, though I still have much to learn in that department. What don’t I love? My wife will tell you I’m not so besotted with everything about food that I embrace tidiness or washing up!

Ultimately I'm very much a foodie with eclectic tastes from Gorilla Cheese to Blacktree! (And if that means something to you then you’ll have an inkling why, as Publisher, Teresa was so enthusiastic about this new venture for the Hamiltonian.)

Though we’ve been in Waterdown for over a decade, and have eaten out our fair share, the truth is we’ve

Introducing Food for Thought, with Alex Bielak

Alex Bielak and our Publisher, Teresa DiFalco

I am pleased to announce a new feature on The Hamiltonian entitled "Food for Thought". As you may have guessed, Food for Thought will  be all about the art of wining and dining, related advice and tips, and places to go in and around our great city.


I am very fortunate to have enlisted  Alex Bielak, and true to our motto "Powered by Hamiltonians", Alex has donated his time and expertise. Here is a little bit about Alex.

Alex Bielak comes by his passion for food honestly. From an early age he spent most weekends and holidays working in his father’s wonderful delicatessen in London, England. At home, he grew up with a loving fusion of French and Polish cooking. He learned how to cook the perfect steak from his father and how to make a meal out of a few leftovers from his mother. Widely travelled, he developed a deep appreciation of European cuisine that quickly spread to all food once he came to Canada over thirty years ago.

As a keen amateur chef, who appreciates good wine and spirits, Alex loves to entertain. He is a member of both the International Wine and Food Society and Les Marmitons, a “social club of gentlemen who share a common interest in fine food, wine and the culinary arts.” He shares his kick-ass kitchen with his wife, two daughters, and grudgingly, two cats. He loves cooking gadgets and toys of every description.

If you would like to contact Alex, you can reach him at fft@thehamiltonian.info We are very much looking forward to Alex's column.

Welcome Alex!

Teresa DiFalco

Publisher, The Hamiltonian