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It started as a tweet to the masses from Chef John Shields about sourcing black walnuts and Elliott Papineau answered. His parents owned a 20 acre property in Bourbonnias and had an abundance of the trees on what is known as "The Farm". Alan and Rebecca Papineau, both retired, bought The Farm in 2012 as a hobby to grow produce for themselves. Each year, the plots would become larger due to Alan's relentless desire for more tillable land and Rebecca's intellectual curiosity driven by her lifelong dedication to botany. Elliott saw this passion and coupled it with his love for cooking to form the idea of a chef and farm partnership.
Chefs John and Karen came to The Farm on a whim, not knowing what to expect from these strangers. What followed was a true collaboration with the Papineau's, keepers of The Farm's natural pantry. The collaboration has blossomed into a full-on partnership. John and Karen inform the operations at The Farm, and The Farm shapes the menus at Smyth + The Loyalist. With over 200 different herbs, vegetables, fruits, and native plants, The Farm is as much a source of inspiration as it is a supplier to the restaurants. Back at Smyth + The Loyalist, the Shields take the product, along with their inspiration, weaving both into the menus to create two unique experiences in two distinct spaces. Smyth, with its two stars in the 2018 Michelin guide and winner of Best New Restaurant at the 2018 Jean Banchet awards, is a showcase of technique and ingredients balanced with straight forward presentation and zero pretense. Walking in to the restaurant, the Shields welcome you to their home and the space evokes a comforting feeling. On any given night you may start with an oyster presented on apple and radish ice, followed by squab liver mouse tart with dried corn. Aged beef rib-eye with accentuating components such as a brioche doughnut highlight the multi-course affair. Moving into the sweeter section of the menu, a chocolate bar with raspberry preserves and shiitake mushroom powder remind you that this is comfort with a conscious.
Downstairs at The Loyalist, the comfort level extends as you tuck into a booth or step up to the bar. A cocktail or beer followed by a few bites, and maybe a "Dirty Burg" (The Loyalist's take on a classic cheeseburger), are what the regulars of this subterranean hideaway have recently had to share with restaurant adventurers after multiple national accolades. The creativity on the menu is not lost here, but is hidden in each dish’s depth. Beets and endive with smoked trout followed by leek mimosa or a variety of oysters could easily get you started. Other dishes will move through the seasons such as a bone-in shortrib and house-made cavatelli. A classic sundae would be a fitting end to a meal at The Loyalist, but the flavors here always let you know this is not a standard inn. With two busy restaurants and two young children, John and Karen are delighted to share an afternoon at Marcel's. Join us on March 4th for a special event presented by Le Creuset & Marcel's Culinary Experience, as John and Karen showcase their refined yet approachable way with food and hospitality in a way that makes you feel at home. Register online or call (630) 790-8500 to reserve your seat for this one of a kind cooking demonstration!