Village Squire, 1978-04, Page 31expecting the Sir Joe restaurant to be right
up there with The Church or the Red Pump
because it's not. It is however a pleasant,
enjoyable place to dine and it isn't overly
expensive either.
Sir Joe is impressively housed in the
huge old post office building in St. Marys.
Few restaurants can boast a more
impressive exterior. Inside the owners
have built a relaxed. intimate atmosphere,
dividing off the room with posts and
draperies to make it seem like smaller
rooms.
Our reviewer visited Sir Joe on a
Saturday evening and found a buffet in
progress. We started off with a wide choice
of salads at the salad bar at one end of the
buffet table. There were the makings of
fresh tossed salads, or there was a Targe
selection of potato salads. macaroni salads,
shrimp, etc.
For the main course there were four
offerings: roast beef, ham, spare ribs and
roast pork. It's the kind of meal where you
can be tempted into gorging yourself. The
lady resisted the temptation to sample
everything and chose just the roast pork.
The writer had a slice of the prime rib roast
of beef and some of the ribs. They were
accompanied by potatoes and carrots.
The lady's pork got high ratings tender
enough to be cut by a fork, while the beef
was good, but not among the best we've
had. The ribs too were good but
unexceptional. The potato was just mashed
potatoes and the carrots were good. The
lady had walnut layer cake for dessert
which wasn't on the buffet menu while the
writer had a dish of fruit cocktail.
Buffets seldom bring cut the best in food
and we can't say that Sir Joe is any
different. It isn't a startling place from a
food standpoint but then neither was the
bill at $14.08. Still the food is above
average and taken with surroundings and
friendly service, it's the kind of place any
small town should be happy to have.
Wish more towns had a place as good.
Chris Gowers, the new manager of the
Benmiller Inn (he's been there since last
fall), recently brought in a major menu
change at the famous country inn.
The new menu emphasizes the local
foods and includes River Trout Miller
Style, caught in the Inn's own trout ponds
at $10.25; ringed neck pheasant grown by a
local farmer at 514; Benmiller rabbit
hunter style, grown at a village rabbitry at
$11.25; Traditional rack of lamb, 517.50 for
two; Chateaubriand, $30 for two; Entrecote
Colbroen, $10.25 and Tournedos Maitland,
$15.25.
The Inn is also undergoing physical
alterations that will see the old solarium
lounge become a glass walled and roofed
dining area. adding more seating space as
well as a new entrance to the mnnngroom.
DINING INFORMATION
The listings provided are a service to our
readers. They are not paid advertisements.
LONDON
FRIAR'S CELLAR, 267 Bathurst St., London.
This gourmet establishment features Black
Forest Platter, Chateau-Briand, Whole Dover
Sole with gracious service and pleasant music.
Dinner for two ranges from $13.90 to $25 plus
tax. Hours: Monday to Saturday 12 to 12;
Sunday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations advisable
at 438-2129. Licenced. Accept: Chargex,
American Express, Master Charge, Carte
Blanche, Diners Club.
THE BARN STEAK HOUSE AND TAVERN,
1310 Huron St., London. This popular dining
and night spot features smorgasbord dining and
live entertainment in the English Room.
Luncheon Smorgasbord: 53.50 per person;
Dinner Smorgasbord: $6.50 per person. Hours:
Dining room, noon to 2 and 4 to 9 Tuesdays to
Fridays; 4 to 9 Saturday and Sunday. Closed
Monday. English Room: noon to 1 a.m. Monday
to Saturday. Closed Sundays. Reservations
accepted at 455-0810. Licenced. Accept
American Express, Diners Club, Chargex,
Master Charge.
AQUARIUS RESTAURANT, This spot at 1070
•
MARSHALLS
7o atmetas
150-152. Q ria Sr.
meow O«.
�1flRSHflLL'S of Si. flHRYS
"WHERE THE UNUSUAL IS USUAL"
GIFT SHOP LADIES WEAR CARD SHOP
150 QUEEN ST.
The Grand Central Hotel built in
1843, was for decades a welcom-
ing place to spend the night.
Today it is a group of three
connecting shops. What was once
the lane for horses & buggies to
reach the stable at the back is now
a charming CARD & CANDLE
SHOP. The original bar is now the
LADIES WEAR with its handcraft
section. Browse on into the GIFT
SHOP, once the dining room,
where full use has been made of
the charm of this old building.
Many of the original antiques are
used to display imports from
around the world.
"DO COME VISIT US SOON"
VILLAGE SQUIRE/APRIL 1978. PG. 29.