Next time you’re planning on going out for dinner, you won’t have to go far for a world class restaurant. The Pine in Creemore has made it onto the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Coming in at number 48, the establishment is amongst solid company with the majority of the dining options on the list based in large cities in the United States The restaurant is run by a husband-and-wife team who complement one another when it comes to what needs to be done. Jeremy Austin is the head chef while Cassie Austin oversees operations and is responsible for the service philosophy. So what is the philosophy of The Pine? With locally sourced ingredients and fresh produce from the couple’s farm, the restaurant is shaped by the couple’s travels, with each dish representing a memory or place. Jeremy worked at a prestigious restaurant in Italy where he learned about farm-to-table cooking after he graduated from chef school. He and Cassie moved to China and continued learning about the art of cooking. Each course is served with a card that includes a personal story. Menu examples include a tea egg soaked in star anise and black tea, stuffed with a mustardy devilled filling and crowned with caviar, and a sando – a corn-based, ice cream sandwich. The space provides seating for 24 people in an open-kitchen design that allows optimal viewing of the chef in action. The gas station turned restaurant is lined with wood and high ceilings.
