It has been a long time coming that friends have been urging me to try The Pine Restaurant for years, but I couldn’t convince my husband to make the trek to Collingwood, Ontario. Several years have passed, and now the Pine has relocated to the even smaller town of Creemore, Ontario, at 7535 County Road 9. The new space is intimate and charming, with a capacity of 24 seats, double what it once was.
My husband finally relented when I chose The Pine for our anniversary dinner. Saying no to that request was much harder. The restaurant is a labour of love from Chef Jeremy Austin and his wife Cassie, who transformed a former gas station into a contemporary, minimalist haven with Scandinavian vibes. The space is adorned with blond wood, white walls, an open kitchen, a remnant of the old garage door, high industrial ceilings, and black and white art. Even the washrooms are beautifully designed. They serve with beautiful glassware and handcrafted dishware. The restaurant’s name, The Pine, pays homage to the surrounding forests, with many items used in their presentations foraged from nearby.
The prix fixe menu offers a meticulously crafted 17-18 course tasting experience, curated by Chef Jeremy Austin, and prepared by the chef and his two assistants. With his wife Cassie just recently having a baby, the restaurant now offers just one seating per night, beginning at 7pm and lasting around 3 hours. All guests dine simultaneously, so allow ample time to get there. The meal is long but perfectly paced and portioned. The menu evolves weekly, with 1-3 dishes changing, so every two months, it is a whole new experience.
Chef Austin spent years honing his craft, with stints in Italy and several years living in different cities in China. Hence, the menu leans towards Chinese cuisine, infused with French techniques and Italian influences. The finest seasonal and regional ingredients take center stage, with much of the produce coming from Cassie’s family farm, about 30 minutes away. Fresh herbs and edible flowers are grown right out the back of the restaurant.
At $195 per person, the meal is a collection of small, artful bites. We began with a stunning presentation of a tea egg soaked in black tea and Chinese spices, filled with a deviled egg mixture, and topped with caviar. While every dish was stellar, a few stood out for me. The carrot jiaozi (a carrot and brown butter dumpling with sweet soy and chive butter) was out of this world. Another highlight was the French Concession, a foie gras ganache on brown buttered toast. For dessert, the Hong Kong French toast, a rectangular piece of white bread soaked in condensed milk, a bit of grated cured egg on top, and a sprinkle of sea salt, it was a masterful balance of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy. Wine pairings are available, along with individual pours and craft cocktails. The carefully curated drink program, with a strong emphasis on Ontario wines, as well as a global selection, was expertly presented to us by the knowledgeable Jeremiah.
The meal was innovative, artistic, and ambitious, with presentations that showcased finesse and dynamic flavours. One thing is certain: my husband was so impressed that he was already willing to make the long trek back. That speaks volumes- this is truly a destination dining experience.
After visiting The Pine, I am pleased to announce that the restaurant received its first Michelin star for 2024!
Highly recommended.
Happy dining,
Shanea
09/19/2024
