Ira Miller's casual yet cool cuisine is turning heads ... and opening mouths

PILING ON - It's tough to pass up something so tasty that looks so good. (Courtesy photo)

MILTON MILLS - Ira Miller's General Store didn't take long to establish itself as a foodie destination.

Tucked into the quaint downtown of this lovely little village, this 19^th-century Milton Mills landmark was empty for decades but reopened under its original name earlier this summer, serving breakfast and lunch to a growing fan base.

Owner Amy Darling says it starts with the ingredients.

"We get all our meats from Boar's Head and our cheese from Cabot," Darling said recently. "And our sauces and toppings from Stonewall Kitchen."

Darling's daughter, Eilidh, does all the cooking.

"She's my chef, and she's a good one," her mom said. "She works well under pressure."

Eilidh Darling said she takes a lot of pride in what she produces on the grill, adding, "I work a lot on the presentation and having everything be consistent."

She said one of her customers' favorites is the ham and cheddar panini with onion garlic jam.

Another trick she's learned is to brush some butter onto her burritos or grilled sandwiches to make them extra delicious.

"I call it butter love," she said, "cause it should taste just as good on the outside as it does on the inside."

If you want a lighter lunch there's always a Caprese salad with greens, mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with a balsamic drizzle.

Breakfasts are just as tasty with a fried egg, American cheese and Boars Head bacon, ham or sausage on an Engish muffin or toast just $4. If you're feeling a French vibe, try it on a croissant for an extra buck

They've also got frappes, freezes and floats for $5.

Ira Miller's is open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. during the week, but take note, the kitchen closes down at 2. They're also open Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. an Sunday noon-4.