Exeter

Make Huron Home in Exeter

Robinson Fresh Café owner Rupert Robinson chatted with Mandy Sinclair about his decision to Make Huron Home and open Robinson Fresh Café in downtown Exeter.

What inspired your move from Toronto to the county?

My wife grew up here. She’s from Exeter and had come to Toronto, but it wasn’t her speed. We eventually moved halfway and lived in Kitchener, but then started looking in the region.

We moved to Exeter and built our house here. Then I saw the building [now home of Robinson Fresh Café] was for sale. I was doing some catering on the side and ended up doing catering for the previous owners. Then I decided to take it over and make a go of running a café and also catering.

Tell us a bit about Robinson Café.

We have the café side where we make soup daily from scratch, we roast and smoke all our meats. Our chicken, apple and brie with cranberry mayonnaise is our bestseller. We also do roasted vegetable wraps. We are getting quite the following for our scones and pastries. We do a lot of different stuff. It’s not your typical café.

On the retail side, we have a graband-go section so you can pick something up, take it home, put it in the microwave and in five minutes or less dinner is ready. We switch up the menu every week.

What’s your favourite season at Robinson Fresh Cafe? And why?

I like the summertime because it’s easier to get local produce and try different flavours. The buzz is out. People are heading out for ice cream with the kids. The days are longer, so the café stays open later.

What advantages does basing yourself in Huron County have?

The community. Everybody gets behind you and you’re just part of the community. You meet everyone. People trust you and know what to expect. You feel like you’re part of a big family. When I go to church or the grocery store, it’s a good chat. That’s the thing about small towns; everyone knows everyone and I find in this instance it’s a good thing. Being five minutes from home I can spend more time with my family and my kids. I can pick them up from daycare and do stuff with them or pop home. It gives me that flexibility that I didn’t have when I was on the road or travelling all the time.

Favourite Huron County:

Restaurant or bar: I like what James Eddington does and he is always creative and pushing the envelope [at Eddington’s of Exeter]. I like the Dark Horse Winery.

Takeaway: William’s Fish and Chips [in Exeter] because I like the halibut fish. It’s a tiny little place that if you blink you’ll miss it.

Hiking trail: We hike on the Morrison Trail quite a bit. It doesn’t matter what season you go – in fall the colours are spectacular, the summer it’s fresh. Even winter is nice.

Country road: Highway 21 from Grand Bend to Goderich on a nice sunny day, driving along the water and the sun makes the water look like water. I feel like I’m a tourist.

Exeter

Your special day at The Barn

If you are looking for a real “country chic” venue, you should check out The Barn at the Exeter Golf Club on Kirkton Road east of Exeter. The turn-of-the-century barn has been tastefully converted into a restaurant and event space with plenty of charm.

The location includes a lovely, rolling nine-hole course, driving range and putting green, and is partnered with the Golf North group that includes Ironwood Golf course. Offering leagues and pro services, there is something for every golfer's needs. After the round, you can grab a meal and a beverage at The Barn Restaurant and Pub and try some of their very popular menu items. They pride themselves on great food in a family-friendly atmosphere. Theme nights and live music may be happening as well.

If you have a wedding in your future, the club offers full wedding services for both the ceremony and reception for up to 250 guests. The in-house wedding planner can walk you through all your options for the country wedding of your dreams. There is even a bed and breakfast that sleeps up to 16 people located on the property to host your wedding party.

Have another event to celebrate? Just let the team know what you need and members will work with you to make it happen.

During the recent restrictions due to the pandemic, the owners have continued to offer the restaurant menu as take-out and they are looking forward to opening to full dining options once restrictions are lifted.

Check out the club’s website at www.golfnorth.ca/exeter for current offerings. For event-planning information, contact Emily directly at events.exeter@golfnorth.ca

Fresh Big Slices

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