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Pelican Press
November 10, 1994
Hillview Grill, a Sarasota Favorite, is
Back in Business
by Rachel Kohl
One could almost hear the cheers when the
Hillview Grill reopened its doors on October 31. A Sarasota
favorite is back after 10 months of recovering from a fire that
started in a neighboring business.
Owners Miles and Mindy Millwee and some of their staff spent
those months redoing the building.
"It's been fun," Miles said of the reopening.
"Every table is a familiar face." Part of the reason
for that is the Millwees left an answering machine on during the
time they were closed, asking people to leave their name and
address. Over 100 cards were mailed out to announce the grand
opening. Besides that, it's been a rather "soft"
opening.
Here's the good news: the menu has stayed the same; even though
the restaurant has now doubled in size, it has retained the same
atmosphere; and the expansion allowed the Millwees to obtain a
license for liquor, which is now served not only tableside but
in a cozy new bar area.
There's other good news, too. The same three chefs are in the
kitchen and there are lots of familiar faces on the floor and
prints on the wall. Many of the Caribbean prints were able to be
saved, and the Millwees have added some more colorful and
soothing prints.
There was no shortage of customers on opening night. They came
for the fresh fish and Caribbean-influenced dishes expertly
prepared by the kitchen.
In a demonstration of "why fool with a winning
formula", lunch and dinner guests see Christine's Creole
Onion soup (it's sweet, remember?); Jamaican Jerked Chicken,
Jambalaya, Szechwan Chicken—and those fabulous pork chops—to
name a few dishes that have attracted people to the restaurant.
Soup, "very lightly pasta," black bean and rice salad
or potato and the still-crispy vegetables remain as entrée
accompaniments.
The prices, too, have remained the same—around $5 for lunch
and $11 and under for dinner. More of the menu items have
qualified for the "Heart Smart" designation from the
Heart center of Sarasota.
Miles said they were able to keep many of the same wines on the
menu as well. Luckily, the more expensive bottles were kept off
property.
It looks like the Hillview Grill has maintained the qualities
that made it so special. Although much larger, the rooms were
kept small. There's also a private back room in the addition
that can accommodate about 30 people for private parties.
The Hillview Grill, 1920 Hillview Street, accepts reservations
at 952-00445. It now also complies with rules set by the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Dinner is served from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday,
until 9 p.m. on Sunday. |
