We frequently visit The Keg in Ajax, whether for a relaxing drink in the bar with appetizers or a more comfortable evening in the dining room having a steak dinner.
Joe used to order the prime rib, and honestly, it’s amazing. I may have converted him into loving the bacon-wrapped filet mignon. We do sometimes order the prime rib sliders, which are an appetizer of 3 small buns with thin slices of prime rib (or do what we do and order an extra slider so you can more easily share 4), if we have a craving for prime rib while we’re in the bar sipping our drinks.
The Keg in Ajax is a great restaurant, and is typically consistent in marvelous service and quality food.
We tested the limits once by going to The Keg in Ajax during a holiday weekend. In spite of it being what must be their craziest night (Valentines Day on Family Day weekend) we had a wonderful meal. Here’s what happened.
Drinks and Appetizers in the Bar
We found seats and ordered drinks in the bar (mine: Pomegranate Fizz and his: Manhattan) with some appetizers.
The calamari appeared quickly but the scallops were delayed. The calamari were crispy and the 2 dips delicious. One was mayo/lemony and one was more Asian zing.
We had a shorter wait than expected, so just as we started our appetizer we saw our widget light up and a hostess helped us transfer to our table.
Into the Dining Room
A waiter introduced himself and left to chase down our scallops.
Minutes later another server came to tell us he’d be taking over. He was good overall. However, I don’t think I’ve ever been hammered for drink orders as much as I was this night. It became a bit annoying.
Joe orders a beer to come with the steak. When the server delivers the steak, we have no beer. The server asks again if we want drinks. Joe reminds them we still don’t have the beer he ordered.
In the confusion they found the scallops which were cooked perfectly. The seafood sauce served with them is WAY too overpowering. It needs a brown sugar or teriyaki sauce.
Let’s Talk About the Steak
I love the bacon-wrapped filet mignon at The Keg in Ajax. It is always tender and cooked to perfection – as it was on this very busy night. We split the 10 oz as we’d already had those appetizers.
The steak comes with a Keg version of Hollandaise sauce in a dip container.
You can choose from rice, a baked potato or garlic mashed potatoes as your side. We opt for the garlic mashed potatoes.
The side of mushrooms we order are less flavourful than those I’ve had in the past at The Keg in Ajax (and, to be honest, they’ve been perfect every time since then).
You can also order a lobster tail as an add-on to your dinner.
And let’s not forget the mini round loaf hot-from-the-oven bread with a criss-cross of cuts to make it easy to split into four pieces, served with whipped butter.
Billy Miner Pie for Dessert
We finished by splitting a Billy Miner ice cream pie slice drizzled with chocolate and caramel, and sprinkled with toasted sliced almonds. The photo above doesn’t give enough drama to the sheer height and size of this “slice” of ice cream pie that towers on the plate.
Leftovers
If you’re careful, you can save some of your steak, sauce and bread to make yourself a sandwich the next day. It’s one of my favourite things.
Here are some other places to try in Ajax. And here are some other places in nearby Pickering.
Enjoyed over many years.
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
190 Kingston Road E., Ajax, ON L1Z 0C7
+1 (905) 428-8600
