Member Profile: Chanterelle Restaurant Inn & Cottages
Photo Credit: Chanterelle Restaurant Inn & Cottages
Cape Breton is well known for the iconic Cabot Trail that brings so many visitors with postcard perfect views. Immerse yourself as a part of the picturesque scenery at the Chanterelle Restaurant Inn & Cottages! With panoramic mountains visible from every table, enjoy your expertly prepared meals on a relaxing getaway in Cape Breton.
After a two-year transition into new ownership, Bettina, Holger, and their two sons are busy running and refreshing the beautiful establishment. The journey started in 2022 when the family originally only ran the restaurant under a management contract and started getting ample five-star reviews. Now, being official owners of the restaurant and lodging as of April 2024, they were able to make a few small updates before it was time to open for the season. Currently they have refreshed the rooms and dining area by swapping outdated decor and installed a new Wifi system to enhance guests experience, with more changes to come!
Photo Credit: Chanterelle Restaurant Inn & Cottages
Sitting on 100 acres of land in amongst many nature trails, explore the eco-award-winning property that overlooks the historic North River, and take your pick of a fully furnished room or cozy cottage. The inn and cottages were designed with comfort in mind to make your stay the perfect relaxing escape, while also considering the environment. Built to be sustainable, you can enjoy your stay with peace of mind that you are at an establishment making a conscious effort to keep their environmental footprint low!
Comfortable lodging and gorgeous views are not the only spectacular aspects of Chanterelle Inn. What really makes a great vacation is good food and drink, and the unique menu at Chanterelle has raving reviews to prove it fits the criteria! Bettina says they want guests to “start the day, and end their stay on a high note.” The best way to do that is through their stomachs, right? Many guests have chosen to visit Chanterelle specifically for the exquisite dinners, so they’re obviously doing something right!
Photo Credit: Chanterelle Restaurant Inn & Cottages
The restaurant offers an impressive menu that changes monthly, and is on a three day rotation to ensure guests get to try something new each day. The tasting menu offers a seven plus course option with local seafood, meats, and vegetables, or a four plus course meal with the choice of pescetarian, vegetarian, or carnivore. The goal is be able to cater to different dietary restrictions so no one has to miss out on the divine dishes!
With a few years experience at the Chanterelle restaurant already under their belt they know what makes dining with them so special. Bettina shared they are committed to supporting local when sourcing ingredients and serve exclusively Nova Scotia wines. Bread and pasta are made in house, and they forge the woods for mushrooms, putting them on a path to being a zero waste kitchen, remaining dedicated to the Slow Food Movement!
Bettina shared that in the future they have plans for Saturday nights to include a pub night, featuring a simple menu with dishes like seafood chowder, bangers and mash, and more that will only be available on Saturdays. They also hope to introduce live musicians to the themed night as well. The idea is to “make it into a spot visitors and locals alike can enjoy for an evening out – or stay-in for our hotel guests- in Cape Breton style ambiance.” Said Bettina.
Other plans looking forward included switching many of their rooms to be king bedrooms and adding entertainment technology as well. In years to come they are looking at the potential of being a music festival venue. Although there may be some changes coming to the buildings, the unbeatable views will remain the same.
Bettina and Holger both moved from the Dominican seven years ago and have experience running much larger establishments , however, they say they “love the small scale” and that it has them going back to their “family roots in more personalized hospitality.” Since Chanterelle Inn is well loved for its breathtaking location, Bettina shared she would like to see more people take advantage of the relaxing haven and slow down. “You won’t find quiet summers like these in too many places anymore.” Said Bettina. If you get the chance to visit Chanterelle Restaurant Inn & Cottages, take the time to smell the roses, literally, they have a gorgeous garden!
For more information on the Chanterelle Restaurant Inn & Cottages and their vast selection dishes, visit their website at chanterelleinn.com or follow them on Instagram & Facebook
–