Corner House In Stouffville

Two words about the food--Life changing! I went here with my friends for brunch and the menu was impressive. I got the hangover hash, which is a must have. The staff were super nice and friendly. They were on point. I'll definitely come back again!

I was not there! The last time I was there (about 6 months ago) it was a great place.

Occupying the corner of Park Dr. and Main St. in Stouffville is casual dining experience, The Cornerhouse on Main. This unique and eclectic restaurant boasts international and globally-inspired cuisine and three stories of diverse ambiance, giving guests a new experience with each visit. Partners Jennifer Kah and Paul Walker have owned this neighbourhood treasure for four short years, with a goal to transform The Cornerhouse into a place for everyone. Each floor features its own charming milieu, from the finer dining atmosphere on the first floor, to the intimate lounge upstairs, and the bright, modern third floor giving guests a gorgeous view from the top. Live music fills The Cornerhouse every Saturday night, while chef Charlene Santos – a classically trained master of international cuisine – shines in the kitchen, creating delicious dishes for three stories packed full of guests.

We experienced The Cornerhouse on a blustery weekday afternoon, grateful to escape the cold and curl up in a cozy chair with some great food. Although each dining experience is different for us, this was one for the books – with a table full of dishes from the starter, dinner, dessert and even brunch menu filling our hungry tummies. To start, Chef Santos delivered two tasty appetizers to our table, including our favourite charcuterie plate we’ve ever had – the Big Board ($40).

This rustic starter, served on a large wooden chopping block, comes with more food than you could possibly know what to do with. Arranged beautifully was an assortment of fruit, pickled vegetables, and nuts – the perfect toppings for slices of asiago, aged cheddar, parmesan, blue cheese and brie. Boar sausage, serrano ham, salami and chorizo also accompanied this dish, with a tomato jam and other spreads giving us an unlimited number of combinations to try. The star of this charcuterie plate, however, was the duck bacon. Slathered in Jack Daniels maple syrup and given its distinct taste from its fifteen spice dry rub, this new twist on an old favourite is the perfect addition to any meal – especially the Big Board.

Our next starter was the Crispy Pork Ribs ($14). Braised for six hours and then flash fried, these perfectly crispy ribs were complimented by a zesty kimchi mayo and house-made ketchup. With a heat that hits the back of your throat without lingering, and perfectly crunchy cabbage, it’s the Kimchi that makes this dish so dynamic, and is a must-try for anyone looking to excite their tastebuds.

Next up were our two main dishes. The Boar Pizza ($19), a chef favourite, was so colourful and festive you would think it was meant to match the holiday season. Topped with wine-soaked cranberries, chives, caramelized onions, shaved jalapenos and boar sausage, this pizza came perfectly cooked – crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and chewy throughout. The subtle gameyness of the boar was complimented well by the sweet cranberries and spicy jalapenos, rounding out each bite with a fine-tuned balance that Chef Santos seems to have mastered.

Our second main was the Seared Salmon Filet ($26). A great choice for those looking for a lighter option, this salmon came perfectly flaky and moist, sitting atop a bed of black wild rice and glazed with a sweet chili ginger. King oyster mushrooms and bok choy added to this distinct Asian-inspired meal, and the nutty wild rice absorbed the fragrant flavour of the dish without losing any of its texture.

Taking a step back from dinner and moving into my favourite type of meal was our brunch dish. Served warm with a dollop of freshly made whipped cream was a heavenly order of Thick Cut French Toast ($12). Two pieces of bistro Italian loaf make this dish so exciting – with a crunchy outer crust and a warm, soft and indulgent center, this meal is wonderfully comforting on a cold day. Finishing off this simple but tasty dish were fresh apples, cinnamon and warm syrup.

The Crunchy Banana Split ($9) and Mini Dessert ($5) signified the end of our meal, finishing our experience off with two unique and delicious desserts. The banana split, a favourite among regulars, is not what you think when you hear the name – but in the best way possible. Hand rolled into a spring roll are stewed plantains and jack fruit, glazed with brown sugar and bourbon and served with a side of vanilla ice cream. This dessert is perfect for those looking for a little bit of sweet – but not too much sweet, and the crispy spring roll gives this dessert the perfect texture. Although we weren’t sure we could eat anymore, the Mini Dessert proved to be the perfect finale. Served in a tiny espresso mug was a silky and indulgent chocolate pudding topped with fresh whipped cream and two tiny cinnamon donut sticks. Sweet, but not overly chocolatey, this rich pudding is a welcome end to any meal.

From vintage decor, local art and cozy, mismatched seating – to a playful chef who infuses mosaics of flavour into simple concepts, The Cornerhouse on Main won’t disappoint for your next meal out.

Great pizza and never had a bad meal here. The rooftop patio is amazing and our "go to place" on a beautiful summer evening.

Not from the area and stopped a corner house because we were starving. Wow we're we ever surprised. Service was outstanding, food was unique and beautifully presented. The choice of wines was out of this world. Will definitely make the drive from Penetanguishene again and again and again.

Absolutely a winner!. We had a summerlicious meal at The Cornerhouse this weekend, after our fabulous experience during winterlicious. Once again, The Cornerhouse exceeded our expectations!
Friendly and attentive staff, beautiful ambience (especially the patio) and of course the food. Everything was incredibly flavourful, cooked perfectly and served in a timely manner. As with most restaurants during winterlicious/summerlicious (i.e. Toula), we didn't feel rushed out of the restaurant. Even with a full restaurant, we were told to take our time and enjoy our meal.

Changed for the better!. My husband and I tried this place again not knowing there were new owners. The food was really good. I had grilled calamari for an appetizer which was tender like it should be. And then had the baked chicken for a main. My husband had mussels for an appetizer, then the salmon for the main. We really enjoyed the food. We sat upstairs. The atmosphere and decor were great. There's seating upstairs with a patio outside and they have live music on Thursday & Saturday night. We were very pleasantly surprised.

Loving the new Cornerhouse!. I have lived in Stouffville for nearly 15 years. My husband and I had been to The Cornerhouse maybe three times in the span of those years. Every time the service was mediocre, food was inconsistent and we overall were not pleased. Recently I believe last Strawberry Festival new owners took over and since we've been in SEVEN TIMES! We love what they have done with the place. The bathroom are wonderful, individual powder rooms, there's a beautiful wine wall displaying all of the bottles and the place is much more inviting.

We have eaten off every menu, as they change it with their seasons. My husband's favorites are the caeser salad, panko crusted shrimp and the lamb chops. I myself am a vegetarian, and have experienced some of the best and more unique vegetarian dishes I have ever been served. In the fall I had cracked lentil/wheat cakes that had vegetables and it was just incredible, most recently I've tried a vegetarian casserole that is to die for!!!! I now recommend the restaurant to all my friends and it's one of my first choices if we take guests out to brunch.

The staff is so welcoming, the kitchen is very accommodating and the owners are making and have make some great changes to the place.

Overall I am so happy that the place has had some new life to it!