As we (finally) head into lakeside lounging and golf club swinging season, Ontario’s cottage country-goers have a couple new dining options – and they’re backed by a famed Canadian chef.
Renowned Chef Mark McEwan – known for everything from top-tier Toronto restaurants (including ONE Restaurant at the A-list-filled Hazelton Hotel) and fine grocery stores to his role as a judge on Food Network’s hit series Top Chef – has teamed up with Great Gulf Group. The powerhouse partnership brings The McEwan Group’s reliably delicious culinary creations to Great Gulf Group’s cottage country properties, Lora Bay (Georgian Bay) and Taboo Muskoka (Gravenhurst).
Giving both the local community and faraway foodies something to talk about, the buzz-worthy collaboration introduces new, elevated wining and dining experiences to both properties. For those in the dark, Lora Bay is a premier golf club surrounded by a residential lifestyle community on Georgian Bay, while Taboo Muskoka is a popular waterfront resort on Lake Muskoka, known for having one of Canada’s top 100 golf courses.
Taboo Muskoka
Mark van Dam
A Powerhouse Partnership
Nigel Hollidge, Managing Director, Resort Development at Great Gulf Group says they partnered with the McEwan Group to develop menus that reflect their unique culinary vision while maintaining high standards. “McEwan is a great Canadian success story, as is Great Gulf,” Hollidge tells STOREYS. “Our two organizations stand for award winning service and quality. With our goal at Taboo and Lora Bay being focused on creating memorable food and beverage experiences, there seemed to be no better natural fit than The McEwan group.”
Chef McEwan, who’s no stranger to Georgian Bay or Muskoka, has guided the culinary transformation at both properties, which will soon fill with visitors for the long-awaited summertime season. The team at The McEwan Group was closely involved in all aspects of the revival, including menu curation, kitchen staff training, and recipe curation. The resulting menus are distinctive and rooted in quality, creativity, and classic flavours.
“We didn’t need to strive for something entirely unique because each location naturally delivers its own distinctive experience,” Chef Mark McEwan tells STOREYS. “Our focus was on thoughtfully tailoring each dining experience to reflect the character of the location and cater to the preferences of our guests. The culinary offerings are crafted to suit the moment, with a strong emphasis on execution and timing. At Taboo, we embraced the warmth and authenticity of an Italian kitchen, while Lora Bay offers a refined, classic continental menu — a choice that may seem traditional but provides a solid foundation and a diverse range of options. Our primary objective was to elevate the standard at every level, ensuring excellence from top to bottom.”
Andrew Ellerby, Mark McEwan, Nigel HollidgeMark van Dam
Gourmet Golf Games
For the avid golfers, Lora Bay likely needs no introduction. Known for its exceptional golf course, which began a three-year, multi-million-dollar golf course improvement project in 2022 (final upgrades will be completed this year), Lora Bay sits between the waters of Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment, just minutes from Thornbury. Shaped by nature, the celebrated golf course boasts stunning views and features tee decks that range from 5,100 to 7,100 yards.
In the charming clubhouse overlooking the bay, the Lora Bay Restaurant now boasts The McEwan Group’s fresh new dining experience, with accessible contemporary cuisine featuring coastal touches. Appealing to both residents and visitors, the menu features seasonal seafood specials and a selection of thoughtfully crafted signature dishes in a familiar yet unique setting that reflects the inclusive spirit of Lora Bay.
Menu items include lighter dishes like yellowfin tuna sashimi, lettuce wraps with teriyaki shrimp, and a Baja taco salad, to more substantial meals like bucatini with a five-ounce “Nona’s” meatball, pan-seared mahi-mahi with charred pineapple salsa, and roasted salmon.
The attachment of Mark McEwan’s beloved brand – likely a familiar one with the elite golfers – makes the Lora Bay Restaurant just as much of a destination spot as the property’s golf course. “Lora Bay is home to my family, and now we will bring our hospitality vision to life not only in the restaurant but also on the course, elevating the overall experience while also creating a destination restaurant in Thornbury and beyond,” said Mark McEwan in the press release.
Lora Bay Mark van Dam
A Tastier Taboo
Established in 1926 – when Muskoka was a far different, more remote place – Taboo Muskoka is go-to for families wanting to experience a piece of the region’s paradise. The property has been part of the Great Gulf Group of Companies since 1984 and has evolved over the decades.
The revamped and refreshed Boathouse Restaurant at Taboo Muskoka offers another reason to book an overnight stay or to boat over from the cottage for dinner this season. Set against the backdrop of the forever-stunning Lake Muskoka, the restaurant offers a welcoming, cottage-like vibe and serves up elevated – but completely approachable and comforting – reimagined Italian goodness made with local ingredients. A flexible menu offers dine-in, takeout, and catering options.
Menu draws include everything from apps like fresh whipped ricotta with Muskoka honey and caesar carpaccio with sour dough croutons, to larger dishes like a tiger shrimp risotto, eggplant grilled cheese, spicy rigatoni, and a variety of pizzas – and literally everything in between.
“Muskoka has always been on McEwan Group’s radar, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Taboo and Great Gulf teams as we look to put the resort back on the culinary map as a true Ontario dining destination,” said McEwan.
Taboo Tim Deegan
The refreshed Lora Bay and The Boathouse are both now open for business (offering a great excuse for a season-opening road trip). Hollidge says that the reaction to the new wining and dining options has been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s even better than we hoped for, ” says Hollidge. “Our guests love the new menus. Our staff are really excited to get to work. They’re enjoying learning about the finer details of a great dining experience that McEwan has brought to both locations. Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. It’s already clear we have made a great decision to partner with the McEwan group.”