It's not often that you leave a restaurant and, as you step outside, somebody heading into the restaurant thanks you for visiting there.
“Do you have something to do with his restaurant?” I was quick to ask and the reply indicated that the man talking...to us is one of the owners of the Mill Creek Pub in Orangeville, Ontario.
I was quick to recruit the man, his name is Don Beattie, to take a photograph of the four of us who had just enjoyed a lunch at his restaurant. He was happy to oblige and the photograph is now a keepsake for us and for the couple with whom we had lunch.
Smart business owners will communicate with customers at random and as opportunity allows, so it is no surprise to me that while dining at the Mill Creek Pub we found excellence in service and the food.
There were a couple of things that we did not, or could not, do while visiting this restaurant and I will get to those after detailing our experiences.
The Mill Creek Pub came highly recommended by a relative of our friends, Ken and Susan, with whom we planned to have a lunch. Orangeville had been chosen because it was a halfway point between Collingwood where we live and Hamilton area where they live.
I made a reservation, a couple of weeks ahead of our lunch date, for the four of us by telephone and it was handled by a Christine. Dealing with an unknown restaurant, I worry that things could go astray, but that did not happen.
My wife Nancy and I arrived at Mill Creek Pub about five minutes early for our 1 p.m., reservation and were instantly welcomed by a friendly staff member. She turned out to be our server, Darion, and she did the full covid checkin routine with us. I also signed the guest register, along with my telephone number. Then, we were ushered to an empty booth reserved for the four of us.
We had no idea about parking close to the Mill Creek Pub, so I shall offer advice here. This restaurant is south of Orangeville's main downtown street, Broadway and it is located on Mill Street. We turned south from Broadway onto Mill Street which isn't a very long street and all parking spaces were taken. We came to a stop sign in front of Mill Creek Pub (which was on our left) and we turned right and found a large parking lot just 50 yards to the west. Just before we turned right (to the west) at that stop sign I noticed a familiar building to the east. It was the former production premises of the Orangeville Banner. I believe the building is unused and thought of parking there. But no need, the municipal parking lot west of Mill Creek Pub is an easy and short walk to the restaurant and – perhaps best of all – it's free of charge!
As we waited at our table, while our friends were finding a parking spot, we were brought water and menus. Our friends arrived and our server was prompt to tell us about Mill Creek Pub's specials for that day. She also brought us the coffees we ordered to drink while our meals were in the making.
I enjoy a hearty soup and gumbo sounded good to me when the specials were explained. I ordered a small bowl, as we ordered our lunches from Darion. My friend and I both ordered haddock and sweet-potato fries. Our spouses ordered differently. One chose the salmon with a salad. The other chose chicken tenders with sweet-potato fries.
My soup arrived ahead of the four meals and I finished it before the lunches arrived simultaneously from the hands of two servers. That delivery was followed up with checks about how things were. They were fine.
For what we enjoyed as meals, I think the prices were fair. Obviously, judging by the many other patrons, other people must feel the same way.
The restaurant was almost full when we arrived, so I was glad that we had reserved. We were on a main floor, but they also have an upstairs. There was no pressure for us to hurry up, eat and leave. We enjoyed our meals and then chatted over more coffee.
Two things I noticed while there. One, a special from Steam Whistle brewery. A drink purchase from that brewery would entitle you to a ballot in a draw for a record player. We are not entered because we did not have beer. Two, the patio that overlooks Mill Street from the front area of the restaurant looked very nice. Had it been warmer, we would have sat there. Ah, there's always next summer!More
