DOWNTOWN ST. CATHARINES, ON — Winter cravings meet bold creativity as Downtown D’Lish returns with its most flavour-forward edition yet. From February 11 to 22, thirteen downtown restaurants will serve exclusive prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus as part of Downtown D’Lish: Soulicious Edition, each offering their own unique take on the experience.
This year’s program is built around a collaboration with Soulicious Pepper Sauce, a local, Black-owned brand founded by St. Catharines entrepreneur Kevin Pascall. Known for its Caribbean-inspired sauces that balance heat, depth, and complexity, Soulicious has become the unifying ingredient inspiring chefs to push their menus in unexpected and exciting directions.
Rather than a one-note “spicy” theme, participating chefs have incorporated Soulicious sauces as glazes, marinades, finishing touches, and flavour accents across their prix-fixe menus. Diners can expect everything from elevated tasting-menu interpretations to playful, flavour-forward comfort dishes.
Menu highlights reflect the diversity and creativity of the downtown food scene. Diners can experience refined, chef-driven offerings such as Les Incompetents’ dinner tasting menu featuring oysters, a Jamaican-patty-inspired dish, and quince sorbet, alongside Bolete Restaurant and Catering’s thoughtfully composed dinner menu with dishes like duck croquette, poached pear salad, and pan-seared pickerel.
Other restaurants are embracing the Soulicious theme through bold, flavour-forward interpretations, including HAMBRGR’s smash patties finished with Soulicious mayo and Rise Above Restaurant’s creative plant-forward dishes like loaded jerk wedges and eggplant katsu tacos. For a more casual daytime experience, Adam’s Flora is offering a curated D’Lish menu featuring a seasonal latte, avocado smash bagel, and house-made dessert — perfect for brunch or a mid-day stop downtown.
For diners, Downtown D’Lish is an invitation to explore the downtown food scene through intentionally curated menus. It’s a chance to discover some of the city’s most talked-about newer restaurants, revisit beloved downtown staples, and experience familiar favourites in entirely new ways — all within a walkable, vibrant core.
Participating Restaurants
- Adam’s Flora
- Bolete Restaurant and Catering
- Fiddler’s Pour House
- HAMBRGR
- Khas Patti
- Kully’s Original Sports Bar
- Les Incompetents
- Origen Bistro | Bakery
- Rise Above Restaurant
- The Office Tap & Grill
- The District Tapas + Bar
- The Merchant Ale House
- Wild Wing
The Soulicious Edition intentionally takes place during Black History Month, marking both a celebration of Black culture and a milestone year — 2026 marks 30 years of Black History Month in Canada. Through food, Downtown D’Lish highlights the power of collaboration, cultural storytelling, and community connection.
Whether you’re planning a special night out or a casual meal with friends, Downtown D’Lish promises a flavourful and memorable experience. For the complete list of menus, visit DowntownDLish.ca.
Don’t forget to share your culinary adventures using #DowntownSoulicious and #DowntownStCatharines.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dharmi Gohil
905-685-8424 x 2
dharmi@mydowntown.ca