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Former O'Callaghan's site to open as a family restaurant
The vacant former O’Callaghan’s Irish Pub on Main Street in Milford will soon be home to a new restaurant with a new menu and a new feel.
Andrew Floyd, owner and CEO of Court Specialists of Commerce Township, is partnering with Joe Hibbert, the former owner of Uptown Grille in Commerce, to transform O’Callaghan’s into a family restaurant that will be known as “The Rusty Palate.”
This comes after the two business partners reached an agreement with the property’s owner, Dave Borlace, who had been seeking a new occupant for the building.
“I have always talked about opening a restaurant. I’ve been going to Uptown the last few years and struck up a friendship with Joe,” Floyd said. “It’s going to be an upscale family restaurant with normal American food such as steak, burgers, fish and chicken.”
Floyd will switch from the construction of sports courts to managing a restaurant and said while the building won’t resemble the Irish pub it once was, it will still have an old English feel because of the woodwork already crafted inside.
Last June, the Milford Village Council approve a special conditional use in order for a deck to be extended at the restaurant’s site.
The expanded deck will seat 48 people and will also include a guardrail and be covered with a standing seam metal roof in order to provide patrons some protection from the elements.
“We’re currently in the process of having the deck expanded. It will measure 1,000 square feet off the back,” Floyd said.
The two business partners also recently submitted a liquor license application to the village and are awaiting approval.
Floyd said he hopes the restaurant will be open by the end of the year.
“I’m very confident this will succeed. It should bring something to Milford,” he said.
13 Responses to Former O'Callaghan's site to open as a family restaurant
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Alison
August 22, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Does anyone know who the Chef will be?
L Newberg
September 7, 2011 at 10:39 am
The image of a “rusty palate” — Not that appetizing
The concept of a palate that is lacking practice / experience — A bit insulting
So what’s really up with the name?
L Newberg
February 21, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Saw the new sign: “The Palate” — Much better — Thanks
C DuBois
July 2, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Joe made Uptown Grille an awesome restaurant and has been in the business for many years. I think he will do it again and make a great place to eat!! I know this because I’m a fan and regular at Uptown Grille.
L Newberg
July 18, 2012 at 9:49 am
Thought I’d check out the “Yelp” reviews for the Uptown Grille — I’m hoping for much better at the Palate — Has an opening date been set?
sheila
August 1, 2012 at 9:56 am
The “former” Uptown Grill food wasn’t very good at all and business slowly faded until they sold to the current owner and is now called “Lakes Grill”. The food is now great tasting and the place has a waiting list every weekend. Getting a table isn’t easy and that’s due to the current great tasting food.
Let’s hope the “former” owner of Up Town Grill does better in the new, Rusty Palate.
Jane
August 6, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Sheila – you have your restaurants a little mixed up. Commerce Grill is now “Lakes Grill”, located on Union Lake Road near Wise. Uptown Grill is Pontiac Trial and Maple. Uptown is a very popular restaruant/bar with, in my opinion, excellent food.
james
August 8, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Agree with Jane. Uptown grill has excellent food at great prices. This is potentially exactly what Milford needs. As long as they offer a similar menu, prices, events and craft beer, this place should do great.
Julie
August 9, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Does anyone know when they are opening, if they haven’t already? And also agree with Jane, though I think Uptown has faded a bit since Joe left.
Lisa
August 9, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Heard they are opening on August 20th of this month!
Karen
August 29, 2012 at 7:32 am
September 4th is their opening day.
buffed112859
September 5, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Well, opening night. No specials, what gives! Just a down scaled Uptown Grill in Commerce Twnshp. Over prices drinks with not happy hour and opening night, again, what gives. I was there at 5:00pm. Menu, sandwiches and salads. Just a bar and bar food. Not your night out with that someone special. I guess I will have to stay with Matter of Taste or Coratti’s. Palate, get with it or buy buy.
Dan L
September 11, 2012 at 12:51 pm
9/10/2012
My wife had the Beef tenderloin sandwich and I had the Monte Christo.
We waited well over 30 minutes for our food after we ordered.
My sandwich was cold, the fries were ice cold.
The fries were removed to be replaced, which never happened.
I ate the sandwich cause I was starving.
The waiter said he mentioned it to the manager who was to come by.
No one showed.
The sandwich’s should be considered appetizers’.
Mine was in 4 piece’s I could almost hide under a quarter.
The Beef tenderloin wasn’t any better, only my wife’s fries were hot.
I also believe that 8.00 for a ‘Well’ Vodka on the rocks is steep.
Won’t be back