The Mill Steakhouse and Wine Bar & The Boiler Room

Just west of downtown, near the Parks Canada - Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site is a revitalized and reimagined area called The Canal District. It is a historic part of the city, from an industrialized era dating back to the 1800s and a thriving pulp and paper mill with impressive sandstone buildings. Today, the Canal District is an important part of Sault Ste. Marie’s tourism, event/entertainment, and culinary destinations.

The Machine Shop: More Than Just a Venue

Within the Canal District is what is known as the Machine Shop. It’s the historical building, once St. Mary’s Paper Mill, and today houses the signature elements of the Canal District. Inside the building, some of the industrial artifacts of the once bustling paper mill have been preserved and cherished. It’s within these spaces, you will find The Mill Steakhouse and Wine Bar as well as the Boiler Room Pub. Also within the Machine Shop is a smaller event space available for hosting parties and dinners, complete with bar and catering. The large event space of The Machine Shop is used for large gatherings, including weddings, concerts, trade shows, etc. 

This article focuses on these two eateries, while recognizing that The Machine Shop as a venue is so much more.

Inside the Kitchen with Chef Joel Grandmont

I had the opportunity to sit down with Executive Chef Joel Grandmont, who oversees all of the restaurants and catering services at the Machine Shop. “It was Chef Glen Dahl who set up the kitchen and original menus for the Mill Steak House & Wine Bar, along with all of the catering for events at the Machine Shop. It was my privilege to take the reins over nine years ago and hit the ground running,” shared Chef Joel. 

Chef Grandmont was born and raised in the Sault and received his culinary arts training at George Brown College. “I moved back in 2009 and worked at a local hotel for a while, then was offered the Executive Chef position here at The Machine Shop. Chef Dahl had opened with a full staff, and many of those original people are still with us. I was able to take over and was encouraged to run things as I saw fit. We are a busy place without a lot of downtime. From the restaurants and pubs, to a lot of traffic with weddings, the tour train, and events like Christmas and Bon Soo. We are busy year-round.”

The Mill Steakhouse: A Fine Dining Experience

I asked about the menu of The Mill Steakhouse and Wine Bar, and Chef Joel was enthusiastic in telling me that the “signature dry-aged steaks, which are unique to the Mill, as well as the in-house bakery, are what attract our local customers and tourists alike. We are a fine dining, upscale restaurant with an extensive wine bar offering wines from around the world.”

The menu covers a unique variety of in-house made soups and salads with house-made dressings, to a mouthwatering choice of appetizers like a charcuterie feature, a Philly cheese steak, Yorkshire pudding, or how about a maple walnut baked brie. The entrée choices cover steak and prime rib, chicken, ribs and fish and pasta. For a more in-depth look at the menu selection, click here.

All of the scrumptious desserts are house-made by the pastry kitchen headed by pastry chef Paula Spadafora. She also heads up The Gelato Mill (more on that in another article). Suffice to say that The Mill Steakhouse's signature carrot cake with salted caramel, hibiscus syrup and candied walnut is a big hit with diners.

I love the atmosphere at the Mill with the original stone walls, elegant wood floors, with an industrial, but warm and comfortable vibe. It’s an experience you won’t forget. 

The Boiler Room: Casual Comfort with a Craft Twist

Down the hall and along the walls, filled with photos and memorabilia of the once-thriving St. Mary’s Paper Mill, is The Boiler Room. It’s the perfect spot to get together with family and friends for a casual dinner. It is well known for its sourdough wood-fired pizza and calzones.  You’ll also find nachos with endless choices of toppings. The menu highlights include beer-battered fish and chips, poutine burger, almond crusted salmon, prime rib, rib-eye steak frites, and chicken Florentine. There are vegetarian options, along with a children’s menu. For a more extensive description, click here.

The Boiler Room is also known for its extensive selection of beers on tap. Sixteen, to be exact, including local and craft beers. 

Extending the Experience: The Patio and Beyond

During the warmer months, the food offerings from the various Machine Shop menus extend out to The Patio. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors while taking in the sights and sounds of the magnificent heritage stone buildings and activities of the Canal District. 

Chef Joel Grandmont told me, “I feel privileged to work here, we are at the centre of so many attractions in Sault Ste. Marie and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

I think that says it all! 

The Mill Steakhouse and Wine Bar & The Boiler Room

83 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie
PH: (705) 942-3051
Web: canaldistrict.ca
Social: @themillsteakhouseandwinebar @boilerroomssm | www.facebook.com/themillsteakhouse | www.facebook.com/boilerroomssm

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