Tidbits: July 5, 2012

If you’ve taken a ride up River Road recently, you may have noticed that there is a lot going on at the Golden Pheasant Inn in Erwinna.

I had the opportunity last week to meet with the new – well, not so new – management of the Inn to find out what is happening.

Turns out the “kids” are taking over the business from their parents, Michel and Barbara Faure, after 26 years running this beautiful restaurant and inn.

Blake Faure, with her partner, Jon Ramsey, will be co-executive chefs, and sisters Brittany Booz and Briar Mewbourne will be running the front of the house. (Michel and Barbara have five daughters and one son, and all grew up working in the business.)

The Inn is situated on River Road between the canal and the river, with dining overlooking the canal on one side, and beautiful views of the Delaware on the other. The building dates back to 1857 and is the oldest continuously running restaurant in Bucks County.

“Quaint” and “picturesque” seem clichéd but they certainly apply here. But it’s going to be even better. They are in the process of taking the inside of the Inn down to the studs and restoring it room by room.

The tavern is being restored to it’s original location in the Inn, along with a new tavern menu and local beers on tap, creating a space where locals will be happy to hang out.

The kitchen is being rebuilt completely, as are the six inn rooms on the second floor (each will now have the bath en-suite). It was quite exciting walking the building and quite mind-boggling too. As they’ve peeled back the layers of the building all kinds of relics have appeared – boat oars, an advertisement for an old firehouse spaghetti dinner and the original door to the tavern.

The outside porch has been opened up, perfect for sitting and sipping a beverage on a summer evening, overlooking the Delaware and River Road.

The Golden Pheasant has always bought from local farms and purveyors, but Blake and Jon – who met at Le Cordon Bleu in California – plan to strengthen that connection and shine a light on all the good stuff in Bucks County and nearby. The aim is to open in September, so stay tuned.

There is another rebirth happening this week in Wycombe. The Wycombe Publick House is set to open on Friday, July 6. The owners, Joe Wade and Fran McLaughlin, have another successful restaurant under their belts – the Jamison Pour House.

Much renovation has been done both inside and out, including a new kitchen and game room for the kids, new façade and entrance, and beautiful landscaping.

The aim is to serve a casual, family-friendly menu and return the Wycombe to its neighborhood pub feel. Since we live nearby, we couldn’t be happier. Stop by for their extensive draft and bottled beer selection too. See you there!