Millstone Tea Room

Melanie and Jared Srsic own and operate Millstone Tea Room. They purchased the business and property in May 2005 from a local businessman after successfully operating the restaurant since June 2001. In May of 2007, exactly two years later, they bought the original land that was once owned by the C.N. Overstreet family that established the storefront back in 1939. The couple have renovated the property, interpreting it to “look” as it once did. Before the interstates and convenience stores that now dot the suburban landscape existed, there were southern roadside “tea rooms” established to provide respite for travelers. It is the Srsic’s hope to recreate a quaint roadside restaurant far from the hustle and bustle of corporate restaurant chains and fast paced food and create an restorative dining experience in the Virginia foothills with uncommon, hospitable service.

Jared’s family name comes from the country of Croatia and Melanie’s families hail from the town of Altavista, Virginia. Both have had formal and informal training throughout their careers in and around the professional kitchen. Melanie was never short of gastronomic trips with her parents to New York City and her delicate pastry hand was readily learned at the apron strings of her grandmothers both, aptly named, Virginia. Italian & Croatian heritage on Jared’s side didn’t hurt the intuitive nature of his cooking approach, claiming he “thinks Italian” even when cooking collard greens. Both attempt to establish a conscious connection between the Old World and American southern cookery that they love so much. This is not an ethnic or “country cookin” restaurant, but a modern American interpretation of Melanie and Jared’s love of family, timeless classic cooking and Southern hospitality.