Is it about the burgers and the amazing cocktail menu? Maybe it’s the live music six nights a week, plus Saturday afternoons and some of the best background tracks I have heard coming out of an iMac anywhere? Perhaps it is the hidden gem backyard patio with full service bar that with the expansion happening this summer is going to be the biggest in Barrie. I’m going to tell you; it is actually all of the above that makes Kenzington Burger Bar on Dunlop Street a stellar spot for food, drinks and a great evening out.
I first met owner Brandon Clark and his best friend and right hand man Neil Ornella at the ORHMA awards at the Nottawasaga Inn. They were alongside Marco Ormonde from The North offering diners classic Whiskey Sours, traditionally made, with Crown Royal, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites and bitters. The attention to detail for a drink is unusual for a bar, but quality matters and they know it. The drinks were fabulous; I decided then and there, a drink, dinner, I wanted to experience firsthand entire experience that is Kensington’s.
I rolled in first one Saturday night with a gal pal; we took our seats at the bar, this being one good looking, fully stocked, back lit, bar that serves up classic fresh made cocktails.
We ordered our drinks and settled in with spinach dip for snacking, having observed the size of the loaded nachos, realizing it was far beyond the size of our appetites.
I don’t usually recommend drinks, but I can’t say enough about the cocktails shaken and stirred at Kenzington. The talented bartenders are mixing up classic signature cocktails, using fresh ingredients. Fresh makes the difference be it at the bar or in the kitchen, as Neil Ornella tells me “we use fresh squeezed lime juice vs bar lime, we do it properly”.
The bar also houses the mighty iMac, with a playlist I would like to have. The music is the perfect accompaniment; it keeps the room humming until the live band starts.
Neil Ornella told me during our interview that he is responsible for the bar music, which is a compilation gleaned from their own playlists, carefully blended to suit the mood of the days. If it’s Saturday afternoon; it is going to be Blues and Rock, Stones and Faces, Led Zeppelin with a side order of Motown. Very tasty!
Neil apparently takes to the stage to play music too and I am marking my calendar for the annual “Those Guys Christmas Spectacular”.
I returned to the Kenzington with an appetite to try the namesake burgers; taking two hungry teens with me. A first for me was the bartender’s creation of a namesake cocktail; the “Penelope” was to my liking, Grey Goose based, magic in a glass with a hint of lime, it had my taste buds primed for the main event. The menu is ably explained; step one, pick your style of burger, step two, pick your bun, gluten free options are available, step three, pick your meat, beef, chicken, turkey or veggie, step four, choose your side, perhaps you’re in a mood for fries or rings, or green it up with a salad.
There are suggested favourites too; I went with the “Black & Blue”, Blue cheese, blackened spice and bacon”, on a Brioche Bun. The “Californian” is a popular choice; avocado, Monterey Jack, bacon and chipotle mayo. Are you perhaps feeling “Crazy”? That menu item requires 24 hours’ notice and includes 1 lb. of beef! For non-burger fans there are numerous poultry options, veggie wraps and the Canadian tradition of Poutine also appears in a plethora of incarnations. We three were pleased with our burgers and sides. The kitchen is small, so sip your beverages slowly, staff are upfront about this, your burger is worth the wait. As they say, this is “simple food, done properly”.
Timing and longevity are partners for Brandon Clark; Kenzington has been a fixture on Dunlop Street for seven years now, we can expect to see cross branding with his purchase of Tropical North next store. This partnership is hot, bringing watersports and SUP rentals to the waterfront and these sports enthusiasts will logically bring their appetites to Kenzington Burger Bar.
Another appetite enticing option is for the Kenzington Food truck to come to you! What a great way to bring flavour and party atmosphere to your wedding or family celebration.
I wonder if it comes with the same great sound track.
Neil Ornella captured the essence of Kenzington when he said; “It’s a true testament to the bar, and all the integral components of what make it a successful business to have an independent restaurant, especially in downtown Barrie be a staple, and be a staple for as long as it has been and continue to be. It’s just starting for us, in all honesty within the last eight months the amount of growth that the bar has gone through in regards to the food business is incredible, just incredible!”
Well Neil and Brandon, I think business at Kenzington Burger Bar is about to become even more incredible! The famous Kenzington “Kitchen Sink burger” caught the attention of John Catucci, host of the Food Network’s “You Gotta Eat Here”, who came recently with the film crew to the resto and shot a segment for the series which will air during Season 4 in the new year. Big congrats! I hear mojitos are making an appearance on the summer menu, fresh muddled mint and lime, a fitting time to raise my glass to toast your continued success!
Kenzington Burger Bar
40 Dunlop St E, Barrie, ON L4M 1A3
(705) 725-1667
This review was originally posted on Simcoe Dining in July 2014.
Copyright 2015 YYZtech Group Media Ltd. Used with permission.
Review Update:
Since my review was published I am pleased to share that Kenzington Burger Bar has opened another Kenzington BB restaurant in downtown Orillia!
You will find KBB 2 at:
85 Mississaga Street East
Orillia, Ontario
L3V1V6
(705) 558-2262
http://www.ontarioslakecountry.com/listing/kenzington-burger-bar#sthash.drUi0d0v.dpuf
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