If you ever drive west on Portage Ave. you have no doubt taken notice of the retro signage marking the location of the Silver Heights Restaurant. Or perhaps you have taken this route so many times that the familiar has disappeared. The Silver Heights restaurant opened in 1957 just about the same time that the neighbourhood was born and has been a St. James landmark ever since.

On this evening we were debating about dinner out before we watched the Jets game on TV. When we ran out of time we decided to order in. Owner Tony Siwicki answered the phone at his families’ restaurant himself and we had a great chat about…food of course! He recommended a couple of their most unique and popular items.

We decided to order a Caesar salad which was crisp and delicious along with a combo platter so that we could sample as many of Tony’s suggestions as possible. The chicken fingers and shrimp were pretty good but it was the wings and the ribs that really tickled our fancy.

Their legendary baby back ribs were as good as it gets. Fall-off-the-bone ribs can be achieved by adding steam to the cooking process but the best way is to slow roast them which was what I suspect the Silver Heights did. The result is a flavourful rib that is tender and yet still firm to the tooth. Both the barbeque and the Greek ribs are worth tasting, we were divided about which tasted best.

Their perogy wings were a fun rendition with sour cream, bacon and chives. The clever “Elvis” wings with peanut butter and strawberry jam sounded strange but really worked. Lovers of a sweet and salty combination will enjoy this unique recipe. If you enjoy Thai food, you’ve likely eaten chicken in a peanut sauce before. Jams and jellies are often the basis for glazes and dips; think red pepper jelly or sweet chili sauce. Now put those two taste sensations together and you have the “Elvis” wing.

Kath’s quote: Until we meet again, may God bless you as he has blessed me. -Elvis Presley

Love never fails.

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