Mark Prestier, owner Prestier Pub

By Jason Philabaum

There is a big difference between a bar and a pub.  Picture a bar- sticky floors, flat beer and cheap hot wings.  Now imagine a pub with a classic atmosphere, homemade food and great company.   This is exactly what you get at Prestier Pub in Canton.
Mark “Chops” Prestier, owner and operator, practically grew up in the food industry.  A life long Canton resident, Mark graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas and started working the family business.  Beginning in 1974 he helped his parents run Tomasino’s Meat and Foods.  It was there that he got the nickname “Pork Chops” from his cousin Jerry.
He continued working in the industry, opening several other establishments.  You may remember Chops last venture, MVP Lounge and Classics Pub.  It was December 19th 2007 that it all came together with the opening of Prestier Pub.
Family is still at the heart of his success.  Helping in this venture is long time girlfriend Deidre and his to two children.  Feeding of the family atmosphere and using local ingredients, Chops has earned himself a loyal following.
“I’m a big proponent of buying local and supporting small business.”   This is evident in a cross promotional venture called the Tuesday Night Round-Up.  They team up with competing restaurants to share clientele once a month.  “Deidre and I are friends with the other owners and we all have one thing in common; we want people to enjoy the best Canton has to offer.”
Chops has an energy for life and a bucket list to go along with it.  He checked off skydiving for his 50th birthday, but still has to make it to Mardi Gras and play golf at the famous Sawgrass Country Club.  When not working you can find him on the local courses emulating his hero Freddie Couples.  His other great love is anything Notre Dame.  Just like “Rudy”, the school has been an obsession since the age of 5years old.
The menu at Prestier can be described as “white table cloth food at pub pricing.”  Fine dinners of steak, pork chops, fish and pasta are served in the Italian tradition of large portions.  Cooks Rob and Andrea bring fine dining to a casual atmosphere.  A perfect place to catch a game goes hand and hand with a perfect place to have a power business lunch.  Free wireless Internet, flat screen TVs and $5 lunch specials draw a great afternoon crowd.
I suggest the “Chops Sandwich”- Pepperoni, salami and capicola ham served on grilled homemade bread with melted provolone cheese and hot banana peppers.  Accompanied with fresh cut fries this $5 lunch will have you never going to Subway again.
Nightlife at Prestier is also alive and well.  With occasional themed parties and weekly DJs and dancing, the action goes late into the night.  Summertime means parking lot parties with unique entertainment like the motorcycle stunt club the StarBoyz.  There are two outdoor patios to enjoy.  One, a European styled café perfect for sipping wine and soaking up the sun and the other a tiki-styled patio perfect for margaritas.

Do yourself a favor the next time you are looking for a bite to eat and a couple of drinks; either for lunch or dinner.  Come enjoy one of Canton’s own treasures.  Once you’ve tried Prestier Pub, you’ll be back.