Just a 15-minute drive north of Café Les Saisons, which I explored in the first of my Café Chronicles, lies the picturesque town of Wakefield. Nestled beside the tranquil Gatineau River, I had the pleasure of visiting during the most vibrant season of the year, when the leaves transform into a breathtaking tapestry of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns.
Close to the waterfront, I stumbled upon Wakefield's hidden gem: Maison Earle, or as some like to call it, Earl House. I ordered my coffee at the bar and was served with a cheerful "alstublieft." The owner quickly caught on to my accent, sparking a delightful conversation that unveiled the highlights of a life lived all over the globe.
Born in Rhodesia, Peter Smulders journeyed with his family to the Netherlands, where he studied in Wageningen. From there, he embarked to Singapore, spent two decades in the vibrant city of Sydney, Australia, and another ten years in lively Hong Kong. His parents seemed to share the same wanderlust since they had moved on from the Netherlands and had settled in Canada, which brought Peter to Wakefield, where he and his Slovakian wife, Adriana, dedicated themselves to the restoration of Earl House.
After nearly 150 years of history, the old house required a meticulous revival. It was initially built by Robert Earle, a well-known entrepreneur and builder in Wakefield, during the 1880s. But Robert soon handed over the reins of the house to his brother Arthur, the town's mayor, who had a larger family. Arthur also ran the Earle carriage-making business next door. The house remained in the Earle family until 1975, when it became the Maison Earle Restaurant.
Peter and his family spent over a year carefully restoring the house, stabilizing the structure, fixing the roof, addressing any maintenance issues, and giving the interiors a modern twist while preserving the magic of the original design.
The result is a warm, inviting café and restaurant that instantly makes you feel at home. I have a soft spot for cafés that feature local artists' work on their walls, and Maison Earle did not disappoint. Although I couldn't find the artist's name, I was drawn to the recurring themes in the paintings, especially the swirling circles of smoke blown from a pipe and the delightful humor that permeated the artwork.
The café boasts several pianos, and an undersized stage hints at the local Friday night jazz concerts, which you can find announced on their website. The place exudes a cozy, traditional charm with a modern touch that's hard to resist.
After a few hours of exploring the town and local nature on foot, I returned to Maison Earle for lunch. I ordered the mouthwatering Avo-Eggs Benedict. This delightful dish combined poached eggs and mashed avocado on a classic English muffin, all topped with a generous helping of Hollandaise sauce and a dash of paprika. The organic herbed salt added the perfect finishing touch.
Wakefield's Earl House Café, with its rich history and inviting atmosphere, offers an authentic taste of local charm and international hospitality. It's a place I will remember and return to on my next visit to Wakefield.
Read also part 1 of the Coffee Chronicles: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/alexverbeek/coffee-chronicles-1-100-cafe-les-saisons-chelsea-canada
Notes:
http://outaouais.quebecheritageweb.com/article/earle-house-and-carriage-making-shop-wakefield