Why Lincoln is the perfect choice for an Ontario getaway

Chef Christine Flynn has her plate full. She sells her own spice, Buzz hot honey, a spicy-sweet Niagara flower honey created in collaboration with Cook With Zing. She is the executive chef at iQ Food Co. in Toronto and also the owner of the Good Earth Food & Wine Co. in Beamsville, Ont., where she serves wine and teaches cooking classes. And this spring she launched her latest cookbook, “A lavish meal”, focusing on modern recipes for dinner. “It’s a love letter to the joys of cooking and eating, whether you’re feeding your family or just having a quiet, restorative meal on your own,” says Flynn.

When she do have downtime at home in the Benchlands of Niagarashe opts for activities that restore and refuel: quiet date nights, foraging in nature, or digging through the excellent array of antique shelters in and around Beamsville, a community in the City of Lincoln, which also includes the nearby community of Jordan Station.

“Lincoln, including Beamsville and Jordan Station, feels a bit like its own secret pocket in wine country,” says Flynn. “Although we are only minutes away from the QEW, we feel so far away from everything. The pace just slows down here, and since we have so much open space, you can really tune in to the different seasons and unplug in a way I never thought possible in a big city.” Here are a few of her favorites for your next trip.

Running across the Bruce Trail, this 36-acre conservation area is a peaceful place to connect with nature (a “stunning” waterfall certainly helps) and offers a few delightful perks, too. “There is a wide variety of trees and plants. Plus, for amateur mushroom collectors – like me! — there are plenty of fungi to look out for,” says Flynn. “Parking is free, which is another plus, and it is rarely crowded like some of the other trails in the area.”

Flynn likes the outdoor space at this winery in Jordan Station because of the view. “The patio is under a beautiful Bedouin-style tent overlooking the vineyards,” she says. But she’s equally enamored of the creative cooking, from wood-fired tofu to sausage casseroles to peanut butter and jelly chicken mousse. “And a lot of dishes are cooked over a living fire by (chefs) Ricky and Olivia,” says Flynn. “The wine list is small but excellent, and the food is always beautifully curated.”

The Vineland location of this European-inspired store is in a huge greenhouse and is filled with plants, flowers, and basically everything you need to grow them, says Flynn. “They also have really nice workshops, gifts and do-it-yourself kits.” After browsing, stop in the on-site cafe for a homemade croissant, a heartier sandwich, a full tea set, or a salad packed with local vegetables and greens. “It’s a cozy place to sit and enjoy lunch or afternoon tea.”

We failed to get hold of a reservation Pearl Morissette? The award-winning restaurant also has a small bakery just around the corner for more casual fare. “By day, RPM Bakehouse is a world-class bakery, but they recently opened for bistro-style service on Friday and Saturday nights,” says Flynn. Expect a short menu with a long list of Ontario fishermen, farmers, cheesemongers and mushroom pickers. “This is a place that makes you feel like you could be in the Hamptons or maybe a quiet village in France, but with flavors that are specifically Niagara.”

Drive along Highway 8 between Good Earth and Butterball’s on any given summer Sunday and you’ll be gifted with a shopping bonus: “at least half a dozen stalls brimming with Niagara fruits and veggies, baked goods, sandwiches, fresh flowers, and more,” Flynn describes. “I love this little stretch of road — ending up at Butterball’s, which is full of old (and maybe a few new) treasures, is my happy place. You can also go back to the highway and continue the vintage adventure on Prudhommes antique market. A perfect day, as far as I’m concerned.”

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