A conversation with Chef Randy Feltis about food is always delightful and informative. Our interview starts with a glass of fresh pressed beet, apple and ginger juice. I was surprisingly impressed. I eat my beets on occasion, but drinking them, albeit knowing it is very good for me, has not been part of my dining repertoire.
Approachable, Accommodating, Altruistic, the “Head Farmer” at The Farmhouse restaurant is Chef Randy Feltis, and he is “A” list. Randy and his wife Sarah Jackson, also known as, the “Farmers Wife” are serving up country comfort food, in their newest gastronomical adventure. They are offering “family- sheek farm food” and yes that is how they spell it, per sonally I think it rids them of pretense. Barrie is enjoying the menu and everyone loves the location, situated at Bradford and Lakeshore, which offers diners a stunning view of the waterfront, especially if you are seated on the patios. This is good home style food, locally sourced and portions are very generously served. Sunday brunch is offered, Sunday night is the roast strip loin, the Farmhouse slant on a traditional roast beef dinner.
The menu is designed for flexibility, each entrée comes with your choice of two sides, and there is a wide selection to choose from. Carb loading, then try the mac and cheese, roasted garlic mash or the famous Feltis fries. Perhaps it is veggie time, their zero mile, aka grown onsite salad is lovely, or brave the rapini with chilies, they were the perfect choice with my braised lamb shank. There are eleven sides to choose from!Catering is available and occasions, such as Mother’s and Father’s Day, Thanksgiving et al are suitably recognized.
The “Head Farmer and his Wife” wanted to cook up a casual, family friendly and budget affordable restaurant and they have achieved this goal.
This is a multi-level venue, with two patios in season. The rustic charm and character has been retained from the original building, roughhewn beams frame sturdy banquets, slightly incongruent to me are the TV screens, but it works to amuse little ones and sports fans. There is a stunning bar area, well stocked of course, with a pocket friendly $12 corkage fee, as they say “all day, every day”.
I have had a number of meals at The Farmhouse; Mother’s Day, a celebration with the fam jam, and a meal or two with darling daughter. The Farmhouse is a great place for family dining!
A conversation with Randy about food is always delightful and informative. Our interview starts with a glass of fresh pressed beet, apple and ginger juice. I was surprisingly impressed.
I eat my beets on occasion, but drinking them, albeit knowing it is very good for me, has not been part of my dining repertoire. I am now a convert and suggest you give the beverages a try, they are available with or without alcohol and they regularly sell out. They are made fresh and delivered directly to The Farmhouse three times a week by a local source. The sprouts used at The Farmhouse are grown at the restaurant; now thats local!
Randy spent time this summer as a celebrity chef spokesperson for Black and Decker’s BBQ tour, stating it was rather awe inspiring to have his face on the side of a bus!
He returned from this summer adventure and organized a fundraising effort to provide 1200 fully loaded back packs for children in need. This is a business that supports their local community and for that they get my full marks. Community counts; when cooking up family friendly dinners at The Farmhouse, actively support annual Gilda’s Club events, or providing the inspiration for the recent Curb Appeal event. This is a man on a mission to bring good food to the folks in his community and everything runs smoothly when Randy and Sarah are in the house.
A well-deserved shout out to his family, from mine!
268 Bradford Street, Barrie ON L4N 3B8
705-737-0522
This review was originally posted on Simcoe Dining in November 2013.
Updated and edited on July 26, 2015.
Copyright 2015 YYZtech Group Media Ltd. Used with permission.
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