Visitors to St. Andrews want three things: Maritime hospitality, waterfront views, and restaurants with the best seafood in the world. The Chandler Room at Treadwell Inn delivers on all fronts, presented with a modern twist and charming atmosphere.
The style: contemporary sharing plates and creative seafood
The experience: a casual evening with friends by-the-sea
The Treadwell Inn is a staple of the St Andrews Water Street strip. Self described as “historic flair with contemporary luxury”, this 200+ year old inn offers stunning views of the Passamaquoddy Bay from its private balcony. The dining experience at the Chandler Room is anything but old-fashioned. The menu offers contemporary sharing plates that showcase Atlantic Canada’s best seafood alongside local fruit and veggies.
Restaurant, Bar, Shop and Inn
Our four-person party started the evening on the patio with a drink. A gas fireplace kept us warm from the sea breeze, and the couches kept our butts cozy after hours of walking the streets of St. Andrews. Craft beer junkies will love the thoughtful selection of Maritime brews, and wine lovers will appreciate the wine features that change with the Chandler Room’s seasonal menu.
The salty bite of the sea breeze might put you in the mood for a Chandler Room cocktail. St. Croix Olive oil and vinegar tasting room is in the room next door, which provides opportunities for collaborations with food and drink. Try the Cucumber Melon Balsamic vinegar in a gin smash, or 25 Star White Balsamic in the sauce with your oysters.
We moved inside like fog coming in from the bay, and sat down at a table in a corner comfy enough to sleep in. Owners Christy and AJ left their busy corporate lives and purchased the Treadwell Inn on a whim.
“I think that AJ and I chose this business for a lifestyle change. I don’t need the restaurant or Inn to get bigger or to compete with anyone else in St. Andrews,” said Christy. “I just want our guests to have a great couple of days with us at the Inn, and to fall in love with St Andrews like I did. I want them to come to the Chandler Room and have a magical evening, laughing and eating with friends, sitting by the fire, and watching the sunset with a great drink. ”
The menu is designed to share among friends who love a variety of flavours and textures. The seafood lovers in your party will have their pick of the best Atlantic shrimp, scallops and mussels (depending on the season, of course), while the vegetarians will definitely be taking notes for their own home-cooking.
Chef Will Thornton puts careful consideration into his creative dishes, but what’s most impressive is the friendly, Maritime attitude he has toward his menu and ingredients. The menu changes seasonally, and the veggies change week by week depending on which local farmer is passing through town. It’s an old fashioned way to source your produce, and it literally could not be more charming. “Whoever is walking by in a sunhat – we’ll take it”, he says with a proud smile.
Starters and Seafood
We started with some hearty veggies. The Roasted Cauliflower is to die for and SPICY! It’s wonderfully tender yet crunchy, with an exotic mix of rich flavours and crispy roasted almonds. Cool off with some of the herb yogurt (or in our lactose-intolerant case, hummus).
Also on the small plates menu is a one-two ocean punch of salmon and scallop. The Scallop Ceviche Tostadas are a Mexican-Maritime duet. These bites are satisfyingly spicy with soft and juicy Atlantic scallops and a cozy crunch. The House Cured Atlantic Salmon is served on grilled focaccia bread with creamy goat cheese, crispy beets, and balsamic vinegar from the shop next door. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser for those with a pallet for classic seafood flavours.
Meat and Mains
Our party had some picky eaters who are ashamed to admit they don’t like seafood. So out came the Seared Pork Belly on homemade naan, a beautiful dish that our most cynical friend described as “the best pork belly [he’s] ever had”. The fresh carrot and kimchi topping makes you feel like you’ve earned that bite of deliciously rich meat.
And then sometimes you just want chicken on a stick. So you order the Chicken Skewer, and out comes what turns out to be the best chicken skewer going. The garam masala spice mix is out of control delicious, and gets even better when you take it for a swim in the parsley+lemon+mint yogurt. This is an easy choice when you’re not sure where your friends sit on the Foodie Spectrum.
You Deserve Dessert
You’re on vacation so there’s always room for more. We went for the Olive Oil Cake and a french press of hot coffee for the table. The cake is drizzled with honey and olive oil from the Store, topped with fresh cream and berries. It’s the most old fashioned thing in this 200 year old building, and tastes as grand as the stained glass window above the door. We sat, we chewed, we sipped, and we licked our spoons clean. We took one last look at the sunset over the bay and wished every meal were as simply simple as our visit to the Chandler Room.
Although we’d like to tell you the Chandler Room is a diamond in the rough that you’re lucky to wander into, it’s rightfully earned its place as a popular spot for locals and visitors. Call ahead to make a reservation, right after you book your room at the Inn and before you Google driving directions. Whether you’re in the company of family, friends, picky eaters, or foodies, the Chandler Room will have your table filling plates, filling bellies, and getting your fill of breathtaking ocean views.
Recommended dishes:
- Chicken Skewer
- House Cured Atlantic Salmon
- Seared Pork Belly