WaterWheel revolves around good taste

MILFORD — Question: What do you get when you combine a restored 19th century water-powered mill, a full-service restaurant, contemporary and Vietnamese Cuisine, a fresh-daily bakery, art exhibits, live music, and a smoke-free bar with a fireplace and stone walls? Answer: the WaterWheel Café, Bakery, and Bar, and it’s all right here in Milford. Nancie Simonet has owned this intriguing space, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, since 1989 when she was 27 years old. This young dynamo has been in the food business almost all her life, since she was 14 years old. She loves to cook and is self-taught. Nancie ran a high-end wholesale bakery in Manhattan called La Boulangère. Her clients included the Waldorf, The Parker Meridian, and The Plaza. Here she had an opportunity to go around with pastries and breads to the fabulous kitchens of these places (as well as to private parties) and talk with the chefs. And it was here that she fell in love with the food industry. After two years in Paris where Nancie was exploring her French roots, visiting the area where her Grandfather once lived and studying at the Sorbonne, she came to Milford where her parents had a weekend home and the idea for the WaterWheel evolved. Nancie Simonet is well-loved, not only by her staff and friends, but by the entire Pike County community. In 2003, when she was pregnant with Sophia, and developed a disease which called for a stem cell transplant, people organized “A Night for Nancie” fundraiser to help raise funds for the transplant . There were 246 names on the fundraising list. Well again now, she is beyond grateful for such astounding support. The staff at Waterwheel is international, interesting, friendly, highly skilled and supportive. CIA trained, Zuzanna Gasiorek has been Head Chef since 2002. Mai Coss is the Baker; Bernardo Huerta, the cook; and Desiree Jahoda, the charming and beautiful hostess. Darren Fouse, a well-known Milford resident, actor, and community leader in his own right, is not only Nancie’s husband, and the father of their five- year-old, Sophia, but he is also responsible for management & the WaterWheel Bar. And, by the way, Darren will be portraying President Lincoln in a short soliloquy on Friday, Apr. 11, during the upcoming Lincoln Weekend at the Pike County Historical Society (The Columns). The intimate European style bar has a fireplace and stone walls. They feature a Blues rhythm section, where Blues musicians and vocalists are welcomed to perform on Thursday nights. There is also live music on the weekends with top name musicians. On weekends, there is a minimal music charge which goes directly to these musicians. And the best news is that they are now smoke-free. There are a number of Vietnamese dishes on the regular menu such as Spring Rolls, and Lemon-grass Shrimp with Curry, as well as contemporary American dishes like Cowboy Ribeye with a Shiraz Sauce, and Crispy Hazelnut Pork Chops. The menu is extensive and wine and beer are available. The WaterWheel has garnered raves from sources including reviewers James T. Yenckel of the Washington Post and Sandy Soule of New York Magazine.