We recently visited Orangeville for the first time, a town with roots dating back to the 1830’s. Surrounded by farms that supply its produce, Greystones Restaurant and Lounge is a standout dining spot located at 63 Broadway, right on the main strip. Housed in a historic building from 1852, which has a long history in hospitality, the restaurant was taken over during the pandemic by renowned chef Keith Froggett of Scaramouche and his son Ben Froggett. They have beautifully renovated the space, which now features four distinct areas: a lounge and patio, a stone-walled dining area, a private dining room on the lower level, and an upstairs function space.
The restaurant retains some of its original charm while embracing a contemporary design. Once the sun sets, the ambiance becomes intimate with dim lighting, soft background music, wooden floors, curved leather banquets, marble and wood tables, and walls adorned with floral motifs and artworks.
Under the leadership of Chef Shigetaka Wakai, along with sous chef Sam Bavari and Daniel Degasperis, the menu highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It offers a variety of small plates, pizzas, homemade pasta, and meat and fish mains. We sampled the corn soup, which was slightly too sour, and the lobster risotto with local corn, chanterelle mushroom conserva, samphire, and tarragon, which had overcooked lobster and was not remarkable. The halibut, served with a Parmesan herb crust, macerated heirloom tomatoes, fennel, and summer squash, was more satisfying, but the star of the meal was the venison loin, it was perfectly cooked and paired with a crispy potato pancake, golden chanterelles, pickled endives, and black currant mostarda in a red wine jus.
For dessert, we enjoyed a chocolate Basque cheesecake, though it didn’t quite capture the traditional Basque flavours. We also indulged in the famous Scaramouche coconut cream pie, which was as delightful as ever. The restaurant offers a well-curated wine and beverage selection, or you can bring your own for a $45 corkage fee.
While it may not reach the heights of top restaurants in a major city, Greystones is a top choice in the region, offering an upscale dining experience with fresh, locally sourced produce and warm, friendly hospitality.
Happy dining,
Shanea
10/12/2024