A short drive to Haven

Guests of Haven 55 Restaurant and Tavern are be treated to a panoramic view of the surrounding the Little Sugar Creek and historic stone mill dam.

The restaurant occupies the old grist mill beside the water-power generator that once served the surrounding community and Pineville.

A short drive from Bella Vista, Haven 55 is located at 408 Havenhurst Drive in Pineville, Mo. One side of the building is a casual dining restaurant that can seat 60 guests. Stairs along the side of the building lead to an open deck by the water.

The setting beside the river receives frequent visits by the area wildlife. The regular creatures have nicknames, including Mortimore, the blue heron who stands in as the restaurant's mascot.

"He has been here longer than we have," Pam Bone said.

The family owned-and-operated restaurant opened June 2012 and focuses on house-made, quality fare.

"The menu is American regional rustic, meaning it is pulled from different parts of America," said executive chef and co-owner Alan Bone.

Chef Alan Bone graduated with a 4.0 and the highest honor of summa cum laude at the Orlando Culinary Academy. After graduation, he utilized his skills and gained experience working in other chef's kitchens until the opportunity to open his own restaurant surfaced.

Surrounded by his family, who works in the kitchen and front of the house, Chef Bone co-owns Haven 55 and Tavern with his brother, Brian. Their parents and cousin contribute to all aspects of the business, from managing the books to serving tables to the sous chef.

The restaurant offers lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday, while closing between services from 2-5 p.m.

The lunch menu has eight main plates, including a hamburger, club sandwich, salmon BLT, pulled pork, salad and daily special. Prices of most items are $7 and are served with house-made, hand-cut pommes fritas (fries).

Just as much as possible is prepared in-house -- each dish is cooked to order, including the sauce. Although the quality is high and the dishes are distinctly chef-inspired creations, the food is not exotic.

"We keep it simple -- it doesn't have to be elaborate to taste nice," he said.

The dinner menu presents finer fare, including steaks, pork chops, seafood entrees, chicken entrees and a salmon fillet. Prices range from $15-$23 and include a choice of a starch and vegetable.

"You can't get a 16-ounce New York Strip steak for $23 that's going to be as good as his," Pam Bone said.

The beef served is 21-day aged certified Angus, including the hamburgers. The pork chops are high-quality cuts from White Marble Farms.

Weekly specials include prime rib on Wednesdays and a fresh catch on Friday nights. The fresh catch is first come, first served, but the prime rib is guaranteed if requested with a reservation made by Tuesday noon. These nights, and Saturday, are busy and reservations are encouraged.

"It's always good to make a reservation, especially on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights," Pam Bone said.

The quality of preparation extends from the menu favorites, such as the panko-breaded pork tenderloin with a blackberry and cardamom glace, to the nightly feature, such as cedar-wrapped salmon topped with a honey-mustard glaze.

When asked about the top-selling dishes, Bone remarked that all of the menu is popular.

"We can't change the menu because everything is popular," Pam Bone said.

Due to the fresh quality of the meats, the salmon and steaks sometimes sell out on busy nights.

A handful of appetizers and desserts add to the menu offerings and get as many compliments as the main dishes.

"We have people that come in here strictly for the mussels... or the crab cakes. They walk through the door and say 'go ahead and start me some crab cakes,' " Pam Bone said.

The fried green beans are also a very popular appetizer.

"There are very few people who walk through this door that don't get fried green beans," she said.

The fresh green beans are hand-battered with a light onion batter and a served with side of housemade creamy horseradish sauce.

Desserts include the creme brulee and chocolate bouchon. Both handmade, each are well received by guests who save room for a sweet finish.

The Tavern is a more casual setting with a bar, high ceilings, a pool table and a stage for live music.

The menu at the Tavern is pub-style offerings, including thin-crust, house-crafted pizza at the center stage. There are seven signature pies and a build-your-own option that starts at $12. The menu also includes wings with three house-made sauces, including Asian, Buffalo and orange-chipotle. Weekend specials have included a baked Monte Carlo.

Although the Tavern is open only on Friday and Saturday nights, wine, beer and cocktails are always available at the restaurant.

The Tavern hosts live music on Friday nights and karaoke on Saturday nights.

The Tavern and Haven 55 are available for private parties on non-business days with a minimum purchase.

No reservations for parties of more than eight people are accepted on Friday and Saturday nights.

There are separate Facebook pages for Haven 55 and The Tavern. The website for both establishments is haven55.com. More information is available by calling (417) 223-2055.