There’s a new chef in town.
“It’s a new era, so to speak,” Nick Myre said Thursday evening at Era 67 during a meet-the-chef event.
Myre began his role as executive chef at the Mississaga Street West restaurant about a month ago. He had previously worked at the Queen’s Quay in Victoria Harbour, Cellarman’s Ale House in Midland and Lake Country Grill during its early days in Orillia.
“It seemed like a good place to work,” the Red Seal chef said of Era 67. “I don’t think I’ve seen people so dedicated to what they’re doing.”
The feeling is mutual, said general manager Kira Patterson, who praised Myre’s skills and attitude in the kitchen.
“What Nick has brought, beyond his creativity, is his calmness in the kitchen and his willingness to teach, which is super-important for an executive chef,” she said. “It’s very calm and organized, and our customers see that (in the food and service).”
Thursday’s event was a way for people to get to know Myre and sample some of his food.
Having a new chef has led to new menu items and the return of customer favourites, with Myre’s twist.
Short ribs, confit duck and lamb shank are back on the menu, while Myre has introduced duck wings, a new style of salmon and stuffed chicken supreme.
Bringing back the fan favourites was natural, Myre said.
“I said, ‘Listen. You know your customers. What do they like?’” he said. “I don’t have much of an ego. It’s about what the customers want.”
Era 67 also now has a partnership with WLTH, a financial firm in town. For each customer who orders a certain item off the lunch or dinner menu, the restaurant donates $2 to The Sharing Place Food Centre, and WLTH matches it.
Myre has plans to create a “game night” — that’s wild game — on a regular basis, but details have not yet been worked out. Follow Era 67 on Facebook for the latest updates.
