Restaurant Pearl Morissette, a European-style restaurant in the Town of Lincoln, received the Rural Heart Award during the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Annual Conference earlier this month.
This was the inaugural year for the Rural Heart Award. It was presented to Milton Mednick, Chief Executive Officer of Restaurant Pearl Morrissette, as one of the Rural Inspiration Awards handed out at the ROMA Conference.
“This recognition reflects the strength of our local farming community and our shared pride in Jordan, the Town of Lincoln and the greater Niagara area as a world-class destination,” said Mednick upon accepting the award.
This new award celebrates “outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations that are helping to build vibrant communities in rural Ontario and ensuring prosperity across the province.”
Restaurant Pearl Morissette is Ontario’s only two Michelin Star Restaurant. Last year, the restaurant was ranked as the third best restaurant in North America in the first edition of North America’s Fifty Best Restaurants list. Restaurant Pear Morisette is also one of three restaurants in Ontario to be awarded a Green Star, which recognizes outstanding sustainability and a commitment to local seasonal ingredients.
Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff, who represents the riding in which the restaurant is located, issued a statement congratulating Restaurant Pear Morissette on its achievement.
“I congratulate Restaurant Pearl Morissette – including local chefs, Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson – on being recognized with this high distinction,” said Oosterhoff. “As Ontario’s only two Michelin Star restaurant, Restaurant Pearl Morissette continues to lead Niagara’s culinary renaissance, providing visitors to our region with a world-class dining experience, supporting the province’s Destination Niagara Strategy.”
Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson also issued a statement.
“Restaurant Pear Morissette was voted the top restaurant in Canada last year by Maclean’s magazine,” said Thompson. “Pearl Morissette displays leadership in sustainability and their forward-thinking approach to creating a one-of-a-kind restaurant experience that captures the essence of rural communities and exemplifies the resilience of rural Ontario.”
Finally, Sandra Easton, Mayor of the Town of Lincoln, also spoke out after Restaurant Pearl Morissette received the Rural Heart Award.
“On behalf of council, I want to congratulate Restaurant Pearl Morissette on receiving a Rural Heart Award,” said Easton. “This recognition speaks directly to the excellence and growing world-class reputation of our culinary and wine sector in the Niagara Benchlands.”
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
