Creekside Tavern

Creekside Tavern opened in August in the former Carino’s Italian space across from DSW in the Patton Creek shopping center. The business is a dream venture for owners Blake and Margee Sly and Keith and Jill Dischler.

“We’ve always wanted to open our own restaurant,” said Blake Sly, who has worked in the restaurant business for years. “This location draws from all communities.”

The seven-day-a-week, 212-seat restaurant boasts a full bar and a varied menu including entrees of seafood, steak and chicken, sandwiches, salads, soup, pastas, appetizers, brick oven pizzas and signature desserts.

The restaurant employs about 80 with full service dining and an open kitchen where patrons can see their brick oven pizza being cooked or one of the seafood entrees being grilled.

“We already have a lot of regulars, and we’re proud of that. They tell us they feel immediately at home,” Sly said. “My wife and Jill were in charge of making that atmosphere happen, each taking different rooms in the restaurant to decorate and make ours. We think it’s worked, based on what we hear from our customers.”

Creekside Tavern got its name from Patton Creek and its homey atmosphere from the combined efforts of its female owners and local artists, including a teenager who creates evolving, paintinglike scenes on giant chalkboards.

Chalkboards play a part in the atmosphere. Every table has its own small chalkboard (and piece of chalk), and hanging in the main rooms are custom-chalk-drawn giant blackboards, created by Annabelle Decamillis, a Spain Park High School senior who has already garnered a national art award.

Creekside Tavern’s party room, a private dining area where pen-and-ink caricatures of local sports and media figures line lighted shelves, is booked for groups. A buffet of favorite dishes can be arranged. Early party room bookings included business meetings, where the large television is used for Powerpoint presentations, bridal parties and all kinds of reunions, Sly said.

A wi-fi room, located to the left of the entrance, is a cozy room and popular social hour gathering with cushioned chairs and a table for eight.

Favorite dishes include a Monte Cristo sandwich, a tripleclub battered and deep fried and served with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and a side of raspberry preserves. Other popular entrees are Tequila Lime Mahi Mahi and the Blackened Tilapia. Favorites among the custom desserts are Limoncello Cream Cake and the Ultimate Cookie Sundae.

In addition to the standard lunch and dinner menus, Creekside features an already-popular Sunday brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Order takeout or book the Party Room by calling 402-7281.