Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Temple's Sugar Camp Restaurant

A new Maple Sugar camp/restaurant, Temple's Sugar Camp Restaurant, recently opened in tiny Ferguson's Falls, not too far from here. Despite the fact that Lanark County proclaims itself the Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario, there are only two other establishments that I know of within an hour's drive of us. So, we headed out thataway last Friday. It was a delightful day in these parts as you can tell by Cuppa's rather light attire (for March in Canada).

Temple's Sugar Camp Sign

Temple's Sugar Camp Restaurant

It's a brand new building that is rather wonderful inside. We were told that the family built it themselves over a five year period. There are two balconies, and the place will supposedly seat 700 people when it is able to sustain maximum capacity. If they ever do fit 700 seats in there, that would probably be about fifteen times the normal population of Ferguson's Falls. It may come to that too because although it's not totally finished inside, lots and lots of people (like us) have been showing up regardless. The parking lot was still pretty full when we arrived shortly after one o'clock although the restaurant was fast emptying.

Temple's Sugar Camp Restaurant

Apparently, it's been fourteen years since the McEwen Pancake House closed. Despite it's rusticity and small size, it is said to have once served a thousand patrons in a single weekend. The old structure still stands. You can see it next to the new edifice, two photos above and in the photos below.

The Old Pancake House

The Old Pancake House

I'm glad they left the old place standing, but I'm even gladder that I got to enjoy the new place.

10 comments:

dmmgmfm said...

Now I'm hungry for pancakes!

methatiam said...

Sounds nice

Anonymous said...

The inside of the establishment looks amazing. I love the high ceilings. And the old structure.. how quaint.

Pam said...

Wow, what a place!

Linda said...

It looks beautiful there. And maple syrup. Mmmmmmm. Reminds me of spring.

mreddie said...

Great looking restaurant, especially liked the wookwork on the inside. The sign is even classy looking. ec

Bonita said...

Quite a palace for a lovely little pancake...

Cate said...

Mmmmm....maple syrup.....not sure how far a drive from the west end of Ottawa that is....but I'm tempted! I can smell the pancakes from here!

Cate

ChrisB said...

The old rustic pancake house looks so quaint, you can't imagine serving that many people in a building this size. Are they just going to leave it empty? The new building looks quite impressive.

lindsayloujennings said...

The new house is beautiful- congrats. The McEwens who built the original pancake house grew up there and ran the smaller pancake house with their kids, family and friends. With family inheritences the land changed hands and the person who built the house and ran it wasn't able to keep it. Would be amazing if the families collaborated and it was cleaned up/ made into a little heritage spot or shop or something