Focus on Business: The Silk Mill Grill

By Jeff Curtis, Director Orange Downtown Alliance | Posted: Friday, July 17, 2009

Welcome to the Silk Mill Grille, but before we start, here's a sampling from the menu: Chesapeake Chicken, Grilled Salmon Salad, Sherry-glazed Chicken, hand-cut Angus steaks, some of the best burgers around, like the Smokehouse burger or the Southwest burger, Turkey wraps, fresh seasonal seafood and pasta dishes hot off the stove. Americana dining par excellance!

Competing with the robust assortment of dining choices is the atmosphere and interior décor. As typical of reuse and reinvention of industrial-use buildings is the exploitation of the exposed duct work and suspended lighting. It makes for an eclectic, up-town, Bohemian ambiance that compliments the food perfectly. The Silk Mill is an open-air, fresh, roomy place to relax. It's amazingly clean and orderly which carries right into the kitchen. The polished hard wood floors glimmer. There's a mini-museum assortment of memorabilia from the mill operations all of which is softly lit with ceiling height glass blocks.

When I met with Jennetta Breeden who owns the restaurant with her husband Arlie we were already being joined by a Friday lunch crowd even though the lunch hour was still an hour away! Jennetta took ownership of the restaurant on May 29, 2000 and has been steadily building and retaining a loyal clientele. "We're very fortunate, we get consistent community support and their good family folks who regularly come in." she proudly said. The restaurant caters to families and it's easy to witness that as soon as the dinner crowd starts arriving. Parties up to 50 are easily accommodated as are special events like birthdays and anniversaries.

Each day features a special menu with discounted prices, on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer the chef prepares fresh catch seafood entrées.

Jennetta said, "I need to make it clear that we've been such an Orange establishment not only because of the food and atmosphere but we've got a staff that has been committed to the restaurant and customer service since we first got going". Erin Johnson, the Beverage Manager is a good example. Erin has been with the Breeden's for the past 9 years and runs an orderly, efficient bar with daily drink specials and a 4-6pm Happy Hour. Adjacent to the bar is a plant filled patio area just perfect for an evening gathering of drinks or outdoor dining.

The restaurant is leading the clean-air move and will be smoke free starting July 1.

Silk Mill Grill
101 Woodmark Street
672.4010
Open lunch through dinner Tuesday-Sundays