Markoh's On Main - Ayer

I had a wonderful experience at Wake 'n Bake! The food was delicious, and the coffee was outstanding. The shop has a charming atmosphere with quirky furniture, and the service was quick and friendly. Highly recommend!

The good: I appreciated the nostalgia of the old Browns Drug Store from years past. Unfortunately, that’s about all I enjoyed. The bad: First, it was clear from our server's demeanor that she was unhappy and didn’t want to be there. Secondly, nearly half the items on the menu were unavailable because they were in the process of changing it. If that's the case, why not remove those items? Third, the extra charges became a bit overwhelming. My girlfriend ordered the crispy chicken BLT Caesar wrap, which sounded like it would be a filling meal. However, it turned out to be a disappointing, pre-made option that looked like something you'd find at McDonald's. And to top it off, it didn't come with any sides—fries were an additional $3.50 on top of the $13.00 for the wrap. I opted for a Greek salad with chicken. While it looked decent initially and tasted fine, it was drenched in excessively watery dressing. We might consider giving this place one more chance after they sort out their menu.

This charming café opened its doors in November 2022, and I'm thrilled that there's now a place for coffee in the area. With the commuter train just a short walk away, I can imagine they attract quite a bit of foot traffic. They serve breakfast all day, offer a selection of lunch items, though I'm unsure if they stay open later in the evening. You can purchase whole bean coffee and tea here as well. The coffee drinks are expertly crafted and come with a variety of flavor options. And yes, they offer iced tea too! The staff, including the owner, are attentive and friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The interior is cozy, with additional seating in a separate area and outdoor options too. Prices are reasonable, similar to what you would find at Starbucks. I definitely recommend supporting this local gem—it's certainly worth a visit!

First impressions were a small, quiet, upscale, pub with a comfortable vibe. It was very comfortable, a hint of incense as we entered made me realise this was something different. We picked a table in the back as a duet was setting up (more later , and were greeted by a smile from the server who brought menus and took drinks orders. I picked a shandy on tap (delicious , my wife had a 4 Roses and coke, our friend had a glass of wine. Then I noticed signs for infused spirits, done in house. I had a vanilla and honey bourbon after dinner that was really nice, but want to go back try the habanero tequila. For starters we had a plate of crispy pot stickers served with a nice dipping sauce with kick. We all had the corn chowder, that gets a big recommendation from me ... delicious. I was torn on dinner because the menu has a lot of choices; small plates, sammichs , poutine-style, and large plates. I went with the New York steak and chose local mushrooms rather than veg and it was worth every penny. My wife had the short rib poutine, I stole a cheese curd with some sauce from the ribs and YUM! Dessert was a custard dishes. Mine has an espresso liqueur, while my wife 's had strawberries. Served in large champagne glasses, these looked like cocktails and were a perfect way to have a light but flavourful dessert Our server was terrific. Friendly, willing to make suggestions, and answered questions about the menu items. She was attentive without hovering and made us feel very comfortable. The bartender, (Markoh perhaps? was friendly and kept an eye on everything. Drinks were solid and reasonably priced. Oh the duet. I am not a fan of live music while I dine in general as it tends to be played too loud. BUT, the music was at a reasonable level so we could enjoy it and still have a conversation. The guys were really good, played and sang well, and were joined on some songs by a young lady with a nice voice as well. We will be back.

Great food, great service. This place has more of a cafe vibe to it than a typical white cloth affair, but it has a ton of small town charm and I personally loved it. I loved the menu too, a good mix to make anyone happy. We had garlic bread, the big shorty (short ribs over Parmesan risotto), filet mignon, and the tiramisu, all amazing.