Our first visit to Hamilton was an exciting one – not only because we’d finally get to check out Born & Raised – our client Vittorio Colacitti’s new restaurant, but we also would get to take on a Hamilton Tiger Cats game, visit with some old friends, including culinary pro Emily Richards and check out the specialty grocers that call “The Hammer” home.

Some highlights:

STAY: Staybridge Suites

EAT: Born & Raised (Order everything. Trust us!), Aberdeen Tavern (the Aberdeen Burger is delicious), Saint James Espresso Bar & Eatery (we loved the “The Drive Thru”), an espresso at Bar Michaelangelos (super old school Italian joint)

SHOP: Denningers, Fortino’s, Hamilton Farmers’ Market

SEE: Waterfalls (there’s about a dozen of them in the area) and the very FIRST Tim Hortons, a Hamilton Ti-Cats game at Tim Horton’s Field