Happy Wednesday, everyone! I hope you’re having a great week. I was recently down and out for a few days with COVID, which definitely wasn’t the nicest experience in the world… but the good news is that this second round wasn’t nearly as bad as the first time I had it last year. Either way, I’m just happy to be back to my usual self – and glad that the coffee I’m currently sipping tastes like coffee again! (One of the strangest COVID symptoms – for me, anyways – is that even though I can still taste, everything just tastes wrong.)
I love writing this blog because it gives me the chance to share some of my favourite places with others, and the place I’m going to share with you today has an extra special place in my heart. It’s a spot I first discovered a couple of years ago. I can’t remember where I first heard about it, but I was living in Toronto at the time, and Tania and I drove for nearly three hours just to have lunch here. The drive was worth it: we were both absolutely blown away by how beautiful and peaceful it was. We returned this summer, and I’m happy to report that it was just as charming as I remembered. In fact, we’re already planning our next visit back this fall! I try to avoid hyperbolic writing as much as possible, but trust me, I’m not exaggerating when I tell you this place is magical. A real-life fairy tale, a nature lover’s paradise, a little slice of heaven on earth: these are all completely accurate ways to describe Pinecroft.
Located in the town of Aylmer in Elgin County, Pinecroft wears many hats: it’s a restaurant, pottery studio, and bed-and-breakfast. Its history dates back to the early 1920s, when Arthur Caverly planted 85,000 pine trees in a 54-acre forest. In 1948, his daughter Selma and her husband Jimmie Clennell – both talented ceramicists – started Pinecroft Pottery on the property. From their small studio, they sold their earthenware and stoneware pottery to hundreds of gift shops across Canada.
In 1972, Brenda Smith (Arthur’s granddaughter) opened the Green Frog Tearoom in the property’s original 1934 log cabin. Originally serving just tea, muffins and homemade bread, it eventually evolved into a full-fledged restaurant (and yes, they still bake the bread!) Today Brenda – along with her husband Paul and their children – proudly carry on the Pinecroft family tradition, inviting visitors to experience its stunning natural setting, rich history, delicious food and artisanal handmade pottery.
Regular blog readers know that I love restaurants with unique settings and atmospheres. The Green Frog Tearoom is definitely on my top-five list of favourite restaurants in Ontario (and I’ve been to a lot of restaurants, so that’s saying something!) Customers can choose to dine indoors or on the patio, weather permitting. Tania and I have now done both, and I highly recommend both experiences! Dining inside the original log cabin is incredible: the historic atmosphere and quaint decor exude country charm at its finest.
On the other hand, there are few experiences more magical than dining in the middle of the forest! Pinecroft’s patio is shaded by a canopy of towering pines and overlooks the lilypad-covered pond, which hosts a variety of local birds, fish and other wildlife. You may even spot a Great Blue Heron!
The tearoom serves a variety of delicious lunch options, from crepes and quiches to burgers and seafood. The ingredients that go into each dish are sourced locally at neighbouring farms, and menu specials reflect what’s in season at the time: from asparagus quiche and rhubarb crisp in the spring to pumpkin pear soup in the fall. Most entrees are served with a Pinecroft roll, which Paul bakes fresh from scratch every morning. (I’m not going to lie: when deciding between menu options, I always pick the one that includes the roll – they’re just that good!) On our first visit to Pinecroft, I enjoyed the chicken and dumplings, which I highly recommend. (It’s just like chicken pot pie but with fluffy biscuit dumplings on top – the ultimate comfort food!) On our most recent visit, I wanted to try something new, so I ordered the chicken and broccoli crepe. It’s one of Pinecroft’s signature dishes, and I can see why – it’s so good! The crepe comes served with a side Caesar salad and (of course) a Pinecroft roll. Guys, I seriously can’t rave about these rolls enough – they’re so light and fluffy, I could eat a hundred of them.
Tania ordered that day’s special: a chicken-bacon panini. It came smothered in melted cheese, bacon, lettuce and onions, and was accompanied by a heaping side of sweet potato fries, which were so good!
In addition to their signature entrees, Pinecroft also serves a menu of lighter lunch fare: soups, salads and sandwiches served a la carte. They’re all very reasonably priced – the sandwiches range in price from $6.25 to $8.50. And, don’t worry – if your meal doesn’t include a roll, you can add one for $2 extra (okay, I promise that’s the last you’ll hear about the rolls!)
The portions are large, and our meals were very filling. We’d both intended on ordering dessert (as Pinecroft is also known for their decadent cakes and pies) but sadly we didn’t have room. That’s okay, because we’re already planning a trip back this fall, and this time we’ll be smart and eat dessert first!
After lunch, we browsed through the Gallery & Gift Shop. The shop features a curated selection of locally made gifts, souvenirs and home decor, along with Pinecroft’s own handmade pottery. Pinecroft even offers pottery classes for those looking to hone their own wheel-throwing skills!
Before heading out, we took a few minutes to stroll around the forest and soak in all the natural beauty Pinecroft has to offer. From the towering pines to the tranquil pond to the trickling waterfall, it’s truly a nature lover’s paradise.
I’ll admit it… I’m a proud tree hugger!
Not that I’m alluding to anything in particular, but this would make a gorgeous wedding arch…
Did I mention that Pinecroft is also a bed-and-breakfast? I would love to stay at any one of the charming cabins on their property.
They even have an on-site spa: the adorable Massage Hut!
As beautiful as Pinecroft is in the summer, it’s especially breathtaking in the fall when the leaves start changing colours. Our first visit here was a coupler of years ago in early November, and we fell in love with it immediately. Here’s some photos of that first trip in the fall…
… and the interior of the restaurant decked out in full autumn splendor.
Pinecroft is a spot so near and dear to my heart, and I’m so happy to have had the chance to share it with you all. It truly is a little piece of heaven on earth, and neither words nor photos can truly describe how special it is, so I highly recommend visiting for yourself in order to experience its magic! Restaurant recommendations are highly recommended and can be booked by phone at 519-773-3435, or you can submit a call-back request here. You can also click here to book a pottery class, or inquire about cabin rentals here. I would love to spend the night at Pinecroft and hope to have the chance to do so someday!
Do you have a favourite local spot that holds a special place in your heart? Please share in the comments or send me an email – I’d love to hear about it. Thanks for reading and until next time, I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week!
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