This London restaurant is in the top 100 places to dine in Canada
CBC News | Posted: November 22, 2024 6:30 PM | Last Updated: November 22
Cintro on Wellington made the list on Open Table's annual ranking
Cintro on Wellington has been serving Asian fusion cuisine from their small dining room for just eight months and has already been named among the top 100 restaurants in Canada.
The annual ranking from Open Table uses diner reviews and metrics to determine the list in no particular order.
The restaurant at 731 Wellington Street is owned and operated by Chef Joseph Tran and his partner Ivy Pham. Tran, an internationally awarded chef, wanted to open a restaurant in London that served an elevated dining experience at an affordable price.
The constantly changing menu features dishes that play on Asian classics like spring rolls and dumplings, chicken, beef and pork, along with vegan options.
A passion for cooking inspired by travelling the world
Tran's culinary journey began when he was young and travelled abroad.
"Growing up, my dad always wanted me to become a doctor, but I couldn't do it; I couldn't put my face in the books," he said. "So after high school, I decided to just travel to different places. I went to Vietnam, went to Tokyo, and I did have to do some work there just to get by, and then I fell in love with cooking from my family, and it just ignited me to do it."
WATCH | Chef Joseph Tran on how he's perfected his cooking:
He returned to London to study at Fanshawe College and worked at a co-op at Best Western Lamplighter Inn with Chef Nick Gucanin-Gazibari. That experience led to an opportunity to work with Chef Takashi Ito at the Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria, B.C., who sent Tran to international competitions.
"I love doing the competitions and love the stress and everything," said Tran. "I did Chaine des Rôtisseurs, did national, regional, international, and brought home gold for Canada."
While Tran admits running his own restaurant comes with another level of stress, he credits his family for giving him the drive to continuously elevate his cooking.
"Definitely my parents and my life partner, Ivy. She pushes my buttons every day and doesn't let me stop."
Exeter restaurant also lands spot in top 100
Eddington's of Exeter was also named among Open Table's top 100 restaurants of 2024. Owner and Chef James Eddington has been serving the Huron County community for the past 28 years.
"It was a great surprise," said Eddington. "I have to credit that to my great staff and wonderful patrons."
The farm-to-table restaurant at 527 Main Street South is in a building that dates back to the 1870s and is fully accessible.
"We actually have a 25-acre farm where we do specialty vegetables and produce on our own that we bring to the restaurant, and partner with other farmers," said Eddington.
LISTEN | Chef James Eddington on making the top 100 restaurants in Canada:
The menu includes a variety of beef, chicken, lamb, and salmon dishes, along with seasonal vegetables and pastas.
Eddington, who has been sharpening his culinary craft at Eddington's since he was 19 years old, said running a restaurant comes with hard work and long hours, but it's worth it.
"We're lucky to be in a social community where we have fun with these guests, we have fun with these people. They are community and the customers would become almost family," he said. "Somebody younger doing it, I'd say just dive in if you're passionate about it and get your hands dirty."