The Pomeroy House – new kid on the block
Creating and running a new restaurant is not for the faint of heart. To succeed, you need a pinch of hard work, a dash of culinary flair and a flavourful bouquet of passion. Fortunately, the creative team behind The Pomeroy House offer those ingredients and much more.
The three business partners behind the Glebe’s new kid on the block live and breathe the food business. Chef Rich Wilson worked as a chef at a number of restaurants including Beckta; and General Manager and Wine Director Lindsay Gordon served at Fraser Café and helped manage lunch service at Beckta on Elgin Street. She is also engaged to Rich. Established restaurateur Ion Aimers provides additional oversight.
Readers will recall {Segue}, a “kitchen in transition” on Bank Street at First Avenue. True to its name, this pop-up enterprise opened for five months, then closed its doors to allow for extensive renovations. Everything from city permits, electrical and mechanical work and wall demolitions had to be addressed. In August 2015 – 10 nerve-wracking months later – The Pomeroy House threw open its doors.
Wilson and Gordon first met 10 years ago while they were both working at a restaurant in Peterborough. The two forged a love affair of each other and a passion for food. They moved to Victoria, then to Ottawa where they continued to work in restaurants. A couple who enjoys cooking for friends at home, they dreamed about opening their own restaurant, a place that would be warm and welcoming.
Every detail of The Pomeroy House has been lovingly considered, starting with the choice of name – the maiden name of Gordon’s “Nana” who taught her the importance of manners and hospitality. Because she had played such a pivotal role in their lives, Gordon and Wilson decided to pay tribute to her by naming their new restaurant after her. The interior, carefully created in association with a design architect, features reclaimed Ontario barn beams across the interior ceiling. Whiskey decanters serve as lights over the bar and parts of the original brick wall are showcased. The space comfortably accommodates 63 diners, including 17 at the bar. A tall table by the front door serves as a spot for walk-ins and communal dining. A cozy alcove for six at the back of the dining room boasts an intimate view of the kitchen through a window where all the magic happens.
And what about the food? Wilson aims to “…source the most sustainable product because it tends to be the best product.” In line with that philosophy, The Pomeroy House partners with suppliers who share similar values. Fruit and vegetables are supplied by Rideau Pines Farm and Juniper Farm; oysters come from The Whalesbone; seafood is from Organic Ocean in British Columbia; chickens, geese and ducks come from Mariposa; meats arrive from Quebec and Ontario, including whole lambs from local farmers. An in-house pastry chef oversees the desserts. While the seasonal menu offers appetizers and mains not found on the {Segue} menu, by popular demand, two items have made a return – the hot chicken and the ribs.
Lindsay Gordon and Rich Wilson are confident that their new venture will be an attractive addition to a neighbourhood that boasts a variety of culinary styles. While word of mouth is still the most tried and true way of spreading the news about The Pomeroy House, social media, including a Facebook page and Twitter feed, enhance the restaurant’s virtual presence. Diners seeking to make reservations can choose either to call the restaurant directly or book online. More and more, online bookings are proving a popular option, particularly the mobile-friendly option.
The experience of offering lunch and dinner at {Segue} and working 17-hour days with one day off in five months demonstrated to Wilson and Gordon the importance of pacing. At the time of writing this article, The Pomeroy House is open for dinner. Once the kitchen staff and servers are fully settled into their new roles, the restaurant will open for lunch. A staggered approach will afford the partners the opportunity to offer an unparalleled dining experience that focuses on quality, consistency, hospitality and comfort.
Residents from the neighbourhood and beyond welcome The Pomeroy House and wish this young couple every success for realizing their dream of opening their own restaurant.
Kate McGregor loves good food. She is a certified Integral Master Coach™. To inquire about her services: 613-884-1864; kate@kmcommunications.ca; www.kmcoaching.ca.
The Pomeroy House
749 Bank St.
www.thepomeroy.ca
613-237-1658