If you have the recession blues, but still love dining out, one local restaurant may have the incentive you need to drop in.

Grill Marks Bistro, Golf and Conference Centre, is located on Hwy. 69 North, just past Valleyview Road on the east side of the roadway.

The young couple, Tyler Merrin, 25, and Christine Allsop, 27, are part owners of Grill Marks, as well as the chefs.

They took possession of the business with their partners, Allsop’s parents Jim and Lynda Allsop, in October 2007.

The Bistro features daily specials including buy one, get one free entrées, all-you-can-eat fish and chips for $12.99, kids eat free with an adult entrée and prime rib nights.

“We find it helps to bring in people. It is our way of giving back to the community in these difficult times.”

True to its name, Grill Marks specializes in grilled foods.

“Our bruschettini has a signiture drizzo on it, which is a Balsamic reduction. We add our own secret ingredients to it,” said Merrin.

The owners said grilled food is a healthier alternative, because the fat drips off the meat.

The bistro emphasizes fresh food, made from scratch, when possible.

“All our sauces are made from scratch, from our spaghetti sauces, to the 22 sauces we have for our wings... and our pesto sauce,” said Merrin.

And no frozen vegetables are used.

“Our suppliers are Canadian-based. We insist on fresh produce when available in season.”

These days their potatoes are from Valley Growers and Don Poulin Potatoes. Herbs come from their own garden. “In winter, we keep some potted up inside so we have fresh herbs to use,” said Allsop.

Merrin and Allsop trained at chef school at Canadore College in North Bay. They apprenticed at Jasper Lake Lodge in Alberta in 2003, before moving to Ottawa in 2004 to work at Griffins and Stout Brothers restaurants.

They returned to Allsop’s home city — Sudbury — in 2005.

“Christine started a catering company called Grill Marks Culinary Creations Created For You. It is where both of us go to your house. You dress up to stay home. We cook on your barbecue. Everything is grilled. We bring in all the food, dishes and cutlery. We take it all back,” he noted.

“There is no fuss and no mess. We design the menu. It costs our clients about the same as going out the way we have organized it.”

They were the first or second business here with the idea, noted Allsop.

“People are becoming busier. They don’t want to settle for a microwave meal. It took off and overwhelmed our commercial kitchen we had set up in our house. So we needed to find a bigger kitchen. That’s when we got the idea for Grill Marks Bistro.”

The catering service continues. They also do special event buffets.

“You can reserve our facilities for Christmas parties, tournaments and other events.”

Grill Marks can handle up to 400 dinners in two large rooms.

“We also have a whiskey lounge for a more intimate experience. It has its own bar and natural gas fireplace.”
Waitress Gwen White, from Capreol, said she enjoyed working at Grill Marks.

“I like the environment here. The owners are very friendly people to work for. They are always happy. The customers are great.”

The Grill Marks Bistro shares the 152-acre property with the Clearview Golf Club — an 18-hole golf course.
For more information phone 897-8430 for the restaurant, 897-6419 for the pro-shop or visit www.grillmarks.ca.