david duncan steak house by summerfield

david duncan steak house

this structure is situated a few blocks west of my apartment building. i've never eaten here on account of bad reviews. apparently, it has changed owners, but word of mouth is that it's not really a good place to dine as service is horrible and the food is so-so. ex-partner had repeatedly promised that he would take me here for dinner, but with a price tag of $104 for a steak, it probably scared the bejesus out of his pockets. i could afford to go there now, but apparently, they frown on single (as in just one person) diners. and i tend to stay away from restaurants when word of mouth rating is not good.

it is a designated heritage building and one of the last remaining examples of the 'gingerbread' style of gothic architecture in ontario. david duncan was a noted dairy farmer and built this house in 1865 which was inherited by his son gordon. upon gordon's death in 1971 it was sold and relocated from its original location to here. it was turned into a fine dining restaurant and had gone a couple of renovations.

too bad, an interesting house like this and it lacks a comprehensive historical information. this is the most i could find:
https://nyhs.ca/history/north-york-pioneer-william-duncans-legacy-lives-on-in-restaurant/
and
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?R=DC-NYHS00040
What a lovely shot of the fine old house!
Vankleek Hill, which is only 20 minutes from where I live, is called the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario. There are a ton of great gingerbread homes and businesses there.
Check it out if you ever get out this way.
July 19th, 2021  
Fabulous house.
July 19th, 2021  
@farmreporter - is that an invite to come to ottawa. don't kid, because i am ready to travel (within ontario, of course!) 😂 i'll check it out as well as hotels. i am sooooo wanting to see something else other than toronto!
July 19th, 2021  
This is a great building
July 19th, 2021  
Gingerbread gothic house? I wouldn;t have thought of describing it like that, but it is spot on!
July 19th, 2021  
Such a beautiful building which does remind me of a gingerbread house.
July 19th, 2021  
You could ask for a free house explore while doing your own review on the restaurant!
July 19th, 2021  
@summerfield
Yes, Vikki. It is an invite to Eastern Ontario. I actually live south and east of Ottawa - about as far south and east as you can get in Ontario, (east of Cornwall)
I have been thinking of hosting a 365 get together for people in Ontario and Western Quebec. Will be posting the info under General very soon.
Would the last weekend in August (27th) work for you or is the 20th better?
July 19th, 2021  
It is beautiful. I’m so sorry that after all they have done they don’t have good service and exceptional food.
July 19th, 2021  
The building looks lovely. Shame the food doesn't keep up the standards!
July 19th, 2021  
It’s a very striking looking building. I can imagine how difficult it must have been to move it and how sad that it doesn’t have a better reputation. You chose the perfect vantage point for this fabulous photo
July 19th, 2021  
Impressive building, great POV from higher grounds
July 19th, 2021  
What a gorgeous building. Even if it was top of the wozza, I couldn't justify $104 for a steak. I guess that's also the base price before taxes and tips!
July 19th, 2021  
I contacted Adi and she is available to come down to my place on both weekends though she did say that the 27th would be better.
I will try to get a Scottish bagpiper to meet us at the St. Raphael's Ruins for a photo opportunity. You would love it there! (and northy would as well)
July 19th, 2021  
@farmreporter - both weekends work for me. let's see if @northy is interested or able to come. i will have to come by train. my email is in my profile if you can please send me an email of your whereabouts and i'll book me a train seat and a hotel. thanks, wendy. this is exciting!
July 19th, 2021  
What a shame for such a great house to have such a poor restaurant and with those prices too- not worth it!! The picture's nice though. Sooooo wish I could take part in this meet-up but we will be heading to KY then.
July 19th, 2021  
A beautiful structure but sad to find out that the restaurant doesn't 'live up to its environment.
July 19th, 2021  
Lovely old house against to modern buildings.
July 19th, 2021  
I don't think I've ever eaten anything worth $104, USD or Canadian.
July 20th, 2021  
What beautiful details on this building. Really cool structure.
July 20th, 2021  
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