DRAYTON – The Drayton Chop House is once again providing a local dining option for area residents.
The popular downtown eatery, which closed over 18 months ago, was recently re-opened under new management with a new menu and vision.
Chef Gaurav Parmer, co-owner/operator of the new business along with partner Vidit Gupta, said the restaurant strives to provide a menu with something for everyone.
“It’s not just typically steaks (a focus under the previous management),” said Parmer, who also goes by “Mickey” – although there are steaks on the menu.
“It’s for everybody. You want a drink, you want light snacks,” he said, noting some come to the restaurant to try their signature butter chicken bowl, or unique burgers and wraps.
“It’s light. It’s not that heavy,” said Parmer, adding the menu will be updated with new items every three or four months to keep the dining experience fresh.
The summer menu will include more salads and dishes made with local ingredients, notes Parmer, who adds the efforts to use local products extends to keeping products from area breweries on tap.
Parmer, who graduated as a chef in 2006, has worked in restaurants, banquet halls and resorts around Brampton, Caledon and Toronto.
New owner/operators Vidit Gupta, left, and Gaurav Parmer have re-opened the Drayton Chop House. The restaurant had a “soft opening” on Nov. 27 and Gupta and Parmer are planning an official opening later this month.
Gupta got into the food service industry about six years ago.
“I usually work up front. I used to be a bartender, I’ve worked in the kitchen as well, so I’m used to being everywhere,” he said.
Both Parmer and Gupta live in Drayton. Parmer moved to the area from Mississauga about three years ago with his wife and two children, while he continued to work in the Brampton area.
The site of the closed Chop House, a historic brick building which once housed, among other things, a barber shop, a pizza parlour and the Community News, intrigued Parmer and he approached the former owner, who wanted to sell the building along with the business – a prospect Parmer wasn’t ready to take on.
However, after the building was sold, Parmer was able to make arrangements with the new owner to set up shop.
Efforts began in October, with renovations to the restaurant, and a soft opening was held on Nov. 27. Gupta noted the restaurant has been well received from startup and “the community has been very supportive.”
“The first day we opened, we (were busy),” said Parmer, who added the restaurant currently has about a dozen staff members, almost all local residents.
With the restaurant up and running, the owners are planning an official opening by the end of January.
The Drayton Chop House is currently open Monday to Thursday, from 11am to 10pm, Friday and Saturdays from 11am to 11pm and Sundays from 11am to 9pm.
The 148-seat facility is available for special events as well as regular dining and recently hosted a successful New Year’s Eve party for the Drayton Rotary Club.
Once summer arrives, the 100-seat patio, where renovations are also planned, will be open for business and Parmer and Gupta plan to bring in local bands for the outdoor venue.
For more information visit draytonchophouse.ca.
