- [Bob] Main & Mill occupies a vintage corner location
in Winterville's compact downtown area.
Sit at the bar, choose a high top in the tavern area,
or settle in the dining room and enjoy some of the creations
of executive chef, Eric Pooley.
- We have a oyster Bar, we have a steam bar here.
We like to do fresh seafood,
a lot of hand-cut chops, hand-cut steaks.
Just trying to bring some fresh seafood
and fresh plates with southern flair to Winterville.
- [Bob] In perusing the appetizer list,
my eyes went straight to what they call Belly and Brussels.
Crispy cuts of pork belly and roasted Brussels sprouts,
drizzled with a tangy balsamic glaze,
and served over Parmesan grits.
Mmm.
All kinds of nice blended textures there.
Crunch, roasty little char, creamy with the grits.
Oh yeah.
That really works.
And now that I've gotten started,
I simply have to have some of this down east duck.
This has a mustard glaze there.
It's mid-rare, duck breasts over duck fat fries
and roasted cauliflower.
Do I feel privileged to be able to dig into that beauty.
- [Bob] At that point,
it was time for one of my favorite seafoods.
Oh, that looks fantastic.
That's linguine, that's scallops.
And it's a chipotle sauce to go with it.
Got a little heat too, I love it.
Let's stay with the shellfish mode.
Shrimp and grits.
But you know, shrimp and grits is one of those things.
Sure, everybody has it,
but everybody loves shrimp and grits,
and everybody has their own take on it, as I have found.
I love the bacon bits, the Parmesan grits here.
It's called kind of a Low Country gravy.
Wow.
Let me just tell you, I'll sample anyone's shrimp and grits
as often as I get the chance.
There's a nice, big, plump, firm shrimp.
That's fantastic.
In an oyster bar, of course I was going to eat some oysters.
Beginning with Oysters Rockefeller,
broiled on the half shell after being topped
with fresh spinach, butter, and plenty of cheese.
The texture is just right on that.
That's a classic that just never gets too old.
And then I went over to the bar
so they could shuck me some steamed oysters.
I'm gonna kinda keep it simple,
just a little flavorful but not too hot, sauce here.
Perfect.
Steamy.
By the way, the restaurant has created a menu
of bar appetizers for the new Naughty Dog Brewing Company
right next door.
Main & Mill is laid back and comfortable,
with great execution of it's varied menu.
Two thumbs up.