Tony Bickford, the executive chef at The Thistle Inn in Boothbay Harbor, will open his own restaurant in Wiscasset next month at 65 Gardiner Rd., formerly The 27 Pub and Grill. The pub sign will soon be replaced with a new sign for Little Village Bistro.
Bickford, a Wiscasset native, said, “This is something I have always wanted to do, to have the privilege of cooking for the people in my hometown.” His aim is to have an establishment for casual fine dining that will fit any occasion from lunch to a romantic evening for two, serving quality food at reasonable prices.
Bickford is a self-taught chef. He has been in the food service profession for several years. For the past five years, he has worked at the Thistle Inn, becoming the executive chef in 2013. Before working at the Thistle Inn, he was kitchen manager at Sebago Brewing Co. in Scarborough for seven years.
“It was a difficult decision to leave the inn,” Bickford said. “It was a great experience working there. I have learned a lot. Former chef Michael Whitney was an inspiration to me. The owners, Max and Jeanne Ross, have been 100 percent supportive, always allowing us to experiment with different flavors to enhance the food.”
The Thistle Inn is known for its fine food, although Bickford was quick to say the food served at the inn was not solely credited to him. “It is the staff that worked beside me,” he said. “Two brothers, Ian and Zack Roman, worked next to me for years and grew along with me.”
According to The Thistle Inn website, Bickford is a “star in the kitchen” and “frequently adds creativity to the nightly specials, fresh-baked breads, and sumptuous desserts served at the inn. Tony has crafted several gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan meals that have become standards on our menu.”
Bickford plans to use his baking and culinary skills in his new restaurant by always serving freshly baked bread and house-made desserts. The menu will have an American theme with a strong Italian influence.
In an effort to make his bistro family-friendly, a children’s menu will be available. Specials will be offered daily for lunch and dinner, along with a menu that includes appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, and entrees like chicken alfredo, tortellinis, fish and chips, seafood stew, pot roast, bistro steaks, and much more.
The children’s menu will include meatball sliders, pasta, a grilled cheese sandwich, chicken alfredo, and fish nuggets. House-made desserts on the menu are handmade cannolis, red wine poached cherries, crushed pistachio with warm chocolate sauce, and many more.
Bickford married his high school sweetheart, Cassandra Fairfield, Dec. 31, 2007. The couple have two daughters, Charlotte and Isla. Cassandra will graduate from Central Maine Community College nursing school in June and begin a career in nursing.
Bickford expects to have a staff of seven to 10 employees, two full-time and the others part-time. He plans to begin interviewing for his employees very shortly.
The Little Village Bistro hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, with lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. The projected grand opening will be April 16, 17, and 18.
Bickford encourages people to check out the Bistro’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/littlevillagebistro to view a sample menu and see progress of the interior renovations of his new restaurant.
