I’m always falling in love with my city. Hamilton is filled to the brim with hidden gems, and if you take the time to look you are sure to find something great. Berkeley North is hands down one of the brightest gems I have found to date.
Berkeley North’s atmosphere is open and inviting. They’ve fused together an interior décor style that is both modern and cozy. Bold, new age art is hung from the brick walls while an assortment of potted plants are used as decorations against white shiplap.
Two show stoppers of the restaurant include the beautiful bar area and the glass bay door. The bar keeps to a black and white colour scheme, allowing for the various bottles of liquor to be the centre of attention. The bar is where the magic happens – their bartenders are known to whip up some of the best cocktails in Hamilton.
The glass bay door allows for incredible natural light. When the weather is nice, the door is rolled up and allows for easy access to the patio. Sitting inside the restaurant with the door open is what dreams are made of; the cross breeze and sunshine are phenomenal.
The dining experience offered at Berkeley North is unlike anything else in Hamilton. The menu is designed to be shared amongst your table; pick the items you want to try, spoon some out onto your plate, and pass the dish to your friend beside you.
The first item we tried was the Avocado Salad. A unique and refreshing take; the stars of the dish are the avocado, edamame, and puffed buckwheat.
This dish in particular showcases just how passionate and talented the chefs at Berkeley North are. There is a thorough understanding of how to layer different elements of a dish, from combining different textures to flavour profiles. This is by far one of the coolest salads I’ve tried to date.
The second item we tried is Cumbrae’s Ribeye Steak. Berkeley North is known to use responsibly sourced ingredients, as well as shop locally, and this steak is no exception. This steak alone should inspire you to shop at your local butcher.
Brought to the table in a cast-iron skillet, the steak is served medium rare alongside fried potatoes. The steak is tender and juicy, while the potatoes are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Berkeley North’s dessert feature is always changing, but we had the chance to try a delightful ice cream while we were here. A scoop of coffee infused ice cream sits atop bittersweet and salty chocolate pieces, topped with meringue. Very elegant presentation.
While I’m personally not a huge fan of coffee, I still quite enjoyed this dessert. The dish was balanced with all the flavours working very well together.
Berkeley North offers an outstanding experience that I cannot recommend enough. The staff is genuine, the atmosphere is lovely, and the food is always incredible. The co-owners of the restaurant, Matt Webber and Diana Chetcuti, are two of the most personable people I’ve ever met. I always feel like a welcomed guest at Berkeley North and like my time is valued. If you are in the King William area and need to grab a bite to eat, try Berkeley North.
Quick Tip: Don't skip on the bread: deliciously fresh with homemade butter. So good!