Northside Restaurant

In March of 2008,  Johnny, Jeff and a couple of friends went to the city to indulge in all it has to offer. Over dinner, the fellas spoke of their discontent in their current positions and their desire to better their careers. After a couple of meetings discussing the possible location/concept etc. etc. of their “soon to be restaurant”, Johnny’s old boss offered him the restaurant that he was currently the chef at. From their Jeff and Johnny were faced with a big decision. To stay, or to go. After weighing their options the boys decided to give it a shot, as they were both big fans of the restaurant to begin with. From there, The Northside was established in June of 2008.

Since opening their doors, The Northside has underwent significant changes, including an entire interior renovation, and a major menu overhauling. The boys have earned themselves 2 best fining dining awards in the County of Northumberland and have been nominated for a Business Acheivment award in both the Emerging Business category as well as the Hospitality and Tourism category. Johnny has been featured at the “Savour Ontario” event held in Toronto, which celebrates the slow food movement, and also has his recipes featured monthly in an area magazine.

There are big plans for The Northside over the next couple of years, so keep your ears to the ground and your mouths to the forks. Join us and see what all the hype is about!

Jeff has spent the majority of his last 10 years in the restaurant industry. At only 28 years old he holds a great amount of knowledge of every aspect of the restaurant. Like most, Jeff started dish washing. From there he headed his first kitchen (albeit not much of one), before moving to the front of the house. Jeff honed his skills as a bartender a few local restaurants, and eventually earned himself a general manager position at a new restaurant and bar in Port Hope. After a year and half of helping The Great Farini establish themselves as a mainstay, Jeff decided to move on when Johnny presented him with the opportunity to become partners in The Northside.  Still learning everyday, Jeff has big plans for the future of the restaurant and is incredibly proud of what he and Johnny have accomplished.

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Movie: Stand By Me

Favorite Drink: Gin and Tonic

Most memorable meal: Oddly enough, the first time I ever ate at The Northside. Before our time as owners, but, Johnny was still the Chef. I had scallops for the first time ever and they blew my mind. They still do.

Brooke is a graduate of Western University with a degree in Geography. She will also be attending Fleming College this fall to continue her education, by taking G.I.S. Brooke is best known for always being bright and cheery and holding down many of jobs. She is an incredibly hard worker and we are very lucky to have her.

Favorite Food: “Duck Risotto is by far my entree of choice here at The Northside, but really, anything you bite into will change the way you think about food. Plus, the Eggplant and Chevre is amazing!”

Favorite Movies: The Crow, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Up, October Sky

Favorite Books: The Black Sun, The Innocent, The Glass Castle, Anything by Bill Bryson, Mans Search for Meaning.

Favorite Drink: Spicy Caesars, Wine, Diet Coke, Vitamin Water.

Favorite Passtime: Anything active and outdoors, reading, horseback riding, working out.

Brittany is a very talented server and has great calm under pressure. She is currently enrolled at Queen’s University for Biology. Her goal is to one day get herself into med-school and become a Dentist. This summer she will be doing some volunteer dentistry work in Nicaragua. Very cool. She also enjoys playing hockey in the winters, and running in the summer.

When Brittany first started at The Northside she was a vegetarian. Johnny has since changed her ways, and, I believe she is now, officially, a carnivore.

Favorite Food: Anything cooked by Johnny, escargot and steak.

Favorite Movies: Blow, The Thomas Crown Affair, Avatar and Taken

Favorite Books: The Time Travellers Wife, Flowers for Algemon,  
                                 A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard

Favorite Drink: Caesar, Chocolate Milk and Vitamin Water

Favorite Pass times: Travelling and cottaging.

Troy is known for a few things… One: He’s a great drummer. He went to school for music at Mohawk in Hamilton, and currently plays in three different bands in town, including our Sunday house band The Northside Gang. Two: He’s notorious for taking simple stories and making them into epic novels. Three: He’s has about 1200 original jokes; 8 of which made anyone laugh. He’s a special guy and we love him dearly!

Favorite Food: Anything in sandwich form

Favorite Book: Crazy from the Heat: The Autobiography of David Lee Roth

Favorite Drink: Any kind of Beer

Favorite Passtime: Playing in a band when everyone is in the pocket!