New Sideways Bar and Grill Brings a Taste of “On the Danforth” to Campbellford

Image above: The official ribbon cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of the Sideways Bar and Grill in Campbellford: from left, Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate; owners’ children - Natalie Allaire, Parker Mallany, Andrew Allaire; owner - Peter Mallany; wife and owner - Eva Allaire; Nancy Allanson, executive director, Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce: and Courtenay Masters of the Campbellford BIA. Photo by Chad Kamthunzi

The Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was Followed by Free Greek Culinary Creations

Article & Images (unless otherwise indicated) by Sue Dickens

Campbellford – If there isn’t a Greek community here there soon will be. That is according to Eva Allaire who with her husband Peter Mallany just opened Sideways Bar and Grill which features Greek food and bar fare.

The official ribbon cutting with local dignitaries, including Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate, took place yesterday, Saturday, Aug. 25, and the new eatery was soon filled with family, friends from Toronto and local foodies wanting to check out the new pub.

“We’re a little sideways,” Eva told Trent Hills Now with a big grin. “We do things a little sideways, hence the name…so we decided not to do a traditional grand opening and so we are offering samples all of our food…it’s all free today,” she added while bustling around the pub greeting everyone.

Her husband was kept busy in the kitchen creating the Greek culinary appetizers.

The Sideways Bar and Grill is located at 18 Bridge St. W., at the corner of Queen Street. Restaurants have come and gone at the same location but the owners are confident their food and venue will change all that and make their pub a destination of choice.

“We bought the building in February and the deal closed in April. We’ve been waiting for our liquor license for three months,” said Eva.

There are tenants renting the apartments above the eaterie.

“I am really excited,” said Peter, who had popped out of the kitchen for a moment but disappeared again to prepare the Greek appetizers for everyone to taste on the day of the grand opening.

A highlight of the event was the flare with which Peter served a flaming Greek cheese appetizer, Saganaki Opa. He did it more than once, much to the delight of the crowd that was standing room only.

“Saganaki Opan is created with a Greek cheese that we heat up in a skillet and we flambé it with a shot of Ouzo,” explained Eva, while Peter demonstrated.

“Saganaki Opa is the best appetizer you can ever have,” she added, again with her big smile. Other appetizers included Spanakopita (spinach cheese pie), Greek Baklava and more.

There were even some chicken wings in a special sauce for a taste of the bar food which will feature burgers too. From pitas to fajitas there is much to check out on the menu. Dips were part of the culinary experience too.

“We will be serving Greek and bar food,” said Eva.

The couple, who is from Toronto, explained they are planning on retiring here.

When asked what inspired them to establish the bar and grill, Eva replied, “What inspired us is we have been coming to Campbellford for the last 20 years. We have a cottage in Healey Falls. This has been our cottage retreat. We just love the community.

She added, “We love Campbellford and we said we are going to retire here so we decided we’re going to make an investment in this community. Then this building came up for sale and the restaurant happened to be vacant and we said you know what, we are going to do the whole thing.”

The new owners were welcomed by the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Campbellford BIA.

They have hired eight servers who join Eva and Peter at the pub which will be open Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

“There will be a dance party on Friday evenings with our D J Chad (Kamthunzi) who is a good friend of the family and could be seen the day of the grand opening taking plenty of photographs to capture the memories of the event.

Chad is also creating the business website which should be launched next week.

“My husband’s other company is catering in Toronto for the film industry but we’re going to phase that out because we are going to dedicate ourselves to this venture…the next stage of our lives,” said Eva. “And I am also a real estate agent. So we’ll fee you and we’ll sell you a home.” She added with another her famous smiles.

Eva, who went to school on the Danforth said, “We’re going to bring On the Danforth to Campbellford.”

Joining them at the grand opening were their three children, Andrew Allaire, age 31; Natalie Allaire, age 24; and Parker Mallany, age 16 (who has plans to work behind the bar when he is old enough.)