Sweet Basil Café is a fine dining restaurant located in Downtown Belleville, Ontario. It is a small, intimate location which seats twenty-six guests at one seating. Since its inception, clientele have come to know Sweet Basil‘s focus on fresh food, fine wine and exceptional service. For the past four years, Sweet Basil has been recommended in the highly regarded guide book ‘Where to Eat in Canada’ and is currently the only restaurant in Belleville, and one of four in the Quinte region, with this honour. The restaurant is recognized by many as Belleville’s premier dining experience.

Sweet Basil Café is owned and operated by Evan and Michelle Casselman.

Evan Casselman is a Chef with thirteen years of experience in the restaurant industry. He began his training as a high school student and has not left the kitchen since. Trained in the French method, his focus is on fresh, organic products and food produced to the highest standards. All menu items under Chef Evan are made from scratch in house, to ensure the finest product.

Highlights of Evan’s career have included four years as Sous-Chef at Sweet Basil Café, during which tenure the restaurant was first awarded recognition in ‘Where to Eat in Canada.’ In addition, he has managed a large team as Chef and Kitchen Manager at the Hidden Bistro on 49 in Picton, Ontario.

Michelle Roberts Casselman began her hospitality career as a barback and bartender while at university. She then moved into a service position, working at noted restaurants such as The Urban Herb, Sweet Basil Café and Angeline’s Restaurant, Inn and Spa. Michelle attended the Loyalist College Hotel and Restaurant Management Program, graduating top of her class in 2004. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University.