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| - To me, the term "tavern" conjures up images of a seedy bar in a rundown hotel. The word seedy does not even enter my mind when I think of Stonehill. This massive, two-story building houses what can only be described as a casually elegant restaurant and lounge. The centrepiece of the entire structure being the two-story wine tower with its own elevator visible from every table in the place. The tables are plentiful and very well-spaced making conversation easy and pleasant. The dining room is on the lower level, with booths along the outer walls, each with its own window. The upper level is the tavern (a misnomer, in my opinion) with a number of flat screens and different seating options. When weather permits, there is a huge balcony off the upper level as well.
The service was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The food was very good and ranged from salads, flatbreads, pasta and sandwiches to more elaborate entrées like braised lamb shank. We were there for the more casual fare, and found it to be tasty and plentiful. I really liked the Stonehill Crispy Potatoes, a fancier version of potato skins with pulled pork instead of bacon.
In an area of the city that has long been a restaurant wasteland, this is a welcome addition. Here's hoping that it will continue along the path it has started.
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