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The Restaurant at The Willcox is Aiken 'gastropub'
11/6/2009 7:02 PM   18 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

Local restaurateurs Geoff and Shannon Ellis are bringing a new dining experience to Aiken.

The two recently opened The Restaurant at The Willcox, a gastropub, which is the first of its kind for the area, according to Geoff.

"Gastropubs began in the U.K. 20 years ago," he said. "The concept arose from a conscious effort to promote great food in well-loved places."

Geoff Ellis said historic pubs were revitalized by adding restaurant-quality food while offering the same types of drinks and the friendly, inviting atmosphere of traditional pubs, with a focus on customer value, affordability.

"Gastropubs are now one of the biggest trends in the restaurant industry," he said.

The Ellises also own another gastropub in New Zealand called Rain and a wood-fired pizza restaurant called Nextdoor Restaurant. Rain is a Heineken bar, one of only 25 in New Zealand. Geoff Ellis said the bar has been ranked among the top three in the country since its opening.

The couple describe The Restaurant as the community's living room.

"You do not need to dress up, and you are welcome as you are," Shannon Ellis said. "If you are coming from a day of sport or heading out to a black tie, you will not feel uncomfortable here. This is your living room, and we mean it."

Diners are offered the choice of eating in the restaurant or other areas at The Willcox, such as beside the fireplace in the lobby, by the pool area or on the rear patio. Geoff Ellis said a pub room, which includes two high-definition televisions, is the perfect place for sporting afternoons. The library area is also available for large groups or parties. The Restaurant's menu ranges from dishes such as chicken wings to pate, hamburgers, fried chicken, fresh seafood, certified Angus beef steaks and more. According to Geoff Ellis, the prices are affordable and each dish is unique.

Regan Browell will serve as the restaurant's executive chef. Browell has worked for several years as a chef for The Ritz-Carlton hotels and fine-dining restaurants in London and other European cities.

The Restaurant's kitchen is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Breakfast is available from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. It also offers Sunday brunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. A children's menu is offered, and the bar menu is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Geoff Ellis encourages residents to take part in Tuesday piano bar nights, where free hors d'oeuvres will be served. Piano bar nights were introduced at the hotel by The Willcox General Manager Tina McCarthy.

Diners can register at www.therestaurantatw.com to receive a gift certificate good during the month of their birthday and to get updates on The Restaurant. The Restaurant has established a loyalty program that encourages customers to dine often by allowing guests to accumulate points that will go toward a gift certificate.

For more information, call 648-1898.


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  18 comment(s) on this story

:  11/16/2009

We're so happy! Love this new restaurant!

:  11/10/2009

We've been waiting for this for a long time...it's about time. Exactly what Aiken needed

:  11/10/2009

I give it 6 months top.

:  11/9/2009

We've lived in Aiken for 10 years and as much as we've admired The Willcox, had never gone inside. Until last weekend...We had a drink by the fire in the lobby and dinner by the pool. Outstanding! So happy to have an excuse to go inside The Willcox.

:  11/9/2009

Went for dinner last night. The food was outstanding!

Great addition to Aiken :  11/9/2009

I've been attending the piano bar sessions on Tuesday evenings all summer and the addition of the new restaurant makes it all that much better. I've been to breakfast and lunch several times; Great food, competitive prices and we've gotten great service and plenty of bread. We watched college football in the new pub Saturday on two of the best 3-D screens I've ever seen. It was great, I hightly recommend it.

Stephen Hale

Fantastic atmosphere :  11/9/2009

Went to the Wilcox Saturday night for an after dinner drink. I was thrilled to see the place packed. We waited for a while in the bar, but were rewarded with one of the best chocolate martinis ever tasted...on the house!

:  11/9/2009

Did the service and staff address you as "GUYS"?

:  11/9/2009

Oh no whatever will we do without bread? The place is still new, and it still has to work its kinks out before it is perfect,(like every newly opened restaurant) but we had a very enjoyable evening, our service was great and so was the food. Sounds like someone went in with a bad attitude...

:  11/9/2009

It sure seems like the owner and staff are trying to do a little PR for their restaurant. And I love the comment that the competition is getting worried, with food like they are serving at the Wilcox, the only one that should be worried is the Wilcox. I hope that the comments posted by people who have came to your restaurant will be useful in making corrections to your menu, pricing, and service so that you will suceed.

:  11/8/2009

This place is awesome!

Great Addition to Aiken :  11/8/2009

We Love this new place. We've been 3 times now and love every bit of it. Great food, Great Prices and Fantastic atmosphere!!! I'm not sure what the other reviewer was looking for but, the prices are great and we love the concept. Keep up the good work!

:  11/8/2009

I love this restaurant. The food is fantastic. The bar is really cool and the prices are very affordable. We brought the kids the following night as we saw they had a great kids menu. The kids loved it. Great addition to Aiken. Highly recommend it.

:  11/8/2009

Loved It!!! Great atmosphere, Good Food & Wine, Great Prices. Loved It!!!

:  11/8/2009

Went to the Wilcox last night. Again we were told that there was no bread. We waited for half an hour to be seated and no one came to take the drinks order. It took an hour to get the meal and one plate was messesd up. If they want to succeed the service needs to improve considerably. Food was good and reasonably priced

:  11/7/2009

I've been hearing great things about this new restaurant. These comments sound like the competition might be a little nervous.

tried it and what a joke :  11/7/2009

We tried the "whateveryouwanttocallit" pub last week and what a joke, over priced, small portions, and slow service. Reminds me of the Old Aiken Market concept, cater to the so called rich that do not spend and cry when your concept fails. Get your menu and quality in order and maybe more will come.

:  11/7/2009

6 for lunch, 6 disappointed. Food and service inferior, ashtonishingly amateurish, e.g, crab cakes order served 2 cakes only and lonely on bare plate: no sides,bread request denied ("We don't have bread.") Review misleading.

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