The latest local go-to for incredible food and views is Burlington’s, The Isabelle Restaurant + Lounge.
Welcome to The Isabelle Restaurant + Lounge- an incredible culinary experience headed by Culinary Director, Chef Ben Heaton, which recently opened on Burlington’s waterfront inside the new Pearle Hotel & Spa. HOLR was invited to experience Isabelle during an evening dinner service where we were left thoroughly impressed with the restaurant’s food, overall ambiance, and accommodating staff.
Upon entering Isabelle, you are instantly transported to a lakeside oasis. The restaurant and lounge features an intimate dining room setting with an all-weather terrace that wraps around the property and looks onto the breathtaking waterfront. These views are a true highlight and must-see for guests.
Creamy neutrals and chic accents come together to create a warm and inviting atmosphere within the space. Guests get an exclusive look into the kitchen as purposeful wall cutouts highlight the chefs in action.
In addition to the incredible views, Isabelle also offers a unique dining experience that emphasizes the locality, freshness, and seasonality of Ontario produce, with many of the ingredients coming directly from Pearle Hospitality’s own farm located close by.
Guests will absolutely fall in love with the menu at Isabelle because of the farm-to-table inspiration and intricacy behind each of the curated menu items. It features plant-forward and share-style dishes that are globally influenced with vibrant flavours inspired by coastal climates from around the world- those of which include the Mediterranean, Middle East, and California. The highly anticipated menu also includes some of Chef Ben’s favourite dishes such as Braised Farm Greens Pie, Saffron Malfatti, and Whole Grilled Fish – fresh from market daily.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by friendly and knowledgeable staff who help walk you through the menu, offering information on top recommendations or details behind each dish. As HOLR had the pleasure of dining at Isabelle, we were surprised with a curated round of items from the menu and were excited to experience Chef Ben Heaton’s take on local and seasonal dishes.
The first course opened with Smoked Eggplant, featuring pomegranate, walnut, and green olives served with a delicious, homemade, warm pita. This rich and creamy dip makes for the perfect start to your meal and can be shared among guests or enjoyed all to oneself.
For the second course, we were delighted to try the Wagyu Crudo, which came topped with truffle soy, green peppercorn, and scallion. This delicacy was light, refreshing and the perfect segway into the third course of the night.
For the third course, we fell absolutely in love with the Ricotta Dumplings. These soft, pillowy clouds were an absolute dream to devour. This dish is a must-try when you visit.
Finally, the fourth course consisted of what can only be described as a chocolate lover’s dream. Chocolate, so aptly named on Isabelle’s dessert menu, features coffee, date, cynar, and espresso. It is, without a doubt, the perfect way to end off your night.
To accompany your meals, house cocktails are a perfect pairing. The Elder Highball and Sumac Margarita are delicious and highly recommended.
Helpful staff is always available to chat or answer questions, often offering tidbits on the inspiration behind the recipes, dishes or restaurant, itself.
Overall, the experience was superb all-around- incredible food, friendly staff, and a beautiful setting easily take Isabelle to the top of our “Must Go Back” list. We especially can’t wait to return this summer to enjoy the location’s stunning patio views.
If you are interested in visiting Isabelle, additional information on booking and viewing the menu can be found at Isabelle.ca.
This is a culinary experience for the ages that you do not want to miss.
Published by HOLR Magazine.