Some new fare is coming to Swanmore Hall.
Kalvin Sherry and Sarah Butler are the co-owners of Fare, a new restaurant that will operate out of the venue on the Leacock Museum property.
Sherry is chef and owner at Krew Kitchen and Catering and Butler is its operations manager. When the two saw that the city was looking to lease the kitchen and dining area at Swanmore Hall, they saw it as an opportunity.
“It came up at the right time and we decided to jump at it,” Sherry said. “I’ve always wanted something on the water. You can pull up by canoe or kayak for brunch, lunch, dinner or a quality coffee.”
“We were kind of on the same wavelength about what’s important when it came to a restaurant,” added Butler, who has been in the restaurant industry since she was 18. “We just kind of knew. It’s a great location and it’s just down the road from (Krew).”
They have signed a five-year lease with the city and they plan to give the dining area at Swanmore Hall a major face lift.
“We want to make it a destination,” Butler said. “Orillia’s going to be really shocked with the transformation of Swanmore Hall. It’s not going to look like a banquet hall anymore.”
Fare will be a “casual, contemporary” restaurant, Sherry said, noting it will offer brunch, lunch and dinner.
“The food itself is going to be quite simple and familiar, but it’s going to be presented with a fresh look,” he said. “We want to focus on the quality of the ingredients, the atmosphere, and the service.”
Fare will also have a liquor licence.
Sherry and Butler are set to take possession of the space in mid-January and they hope to be open in March.
