Emmaus: The Barn (January 2017)

My spouse and I dined at The Barn for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon in mid-January 2017. The Barn is open for lunch and dinner on Tuesdays through Saturdays (closed on Sundays and Mondays). The Barn accepts reservations via telephone. Complimentary parking is available in a dedicated off-street paved lot.

The Barn opened in late April 2016, and associated property The House opened in October of that year. The Barn portion of the two-building enterprise offers a casual dining option, while The House offers a more formal experience. Whereas The House occupies the space formerly used by The Farmhouse restaurant, the Barn occupies the former clubhouse and pro shop for Indian Creek Golf Course. The owners have meticulously restored the 100-year old bank barn to offer multiple levels of dining, and it is worth a trip just to see the gorgeous restoration/renovation. The basement level is dedicated to private parties; however, the adjacent patio overlooking Leibert’s Creek offers al fresco dining to all patrons in warmer months. The main level of the barn offers dining in several areas, including the bar room (with a small bar and tables and sometimes live music) and the main dining room with two-story-high vaulted ceilings. The main dining room also offers dining in a loft area that overlooks the first floor. Even the restrooms at The Barn have been attractively designed. 

The Barn offers upscale casual cuisine in its tavern atmosphere, including snacks ($5), soups ($8), salads ($10), and sandwiches ($14). We ordered two snacks: the potato chips and dip (which were similar to what we would buy in the grocery store, but still a treat because we don’t actually buy them) and the beef jerky (house-made and flavorful). As entrees, we ordered two sandwiches: the herb grilled cheese and the tarragon turkey. Disappointingly, it seems that little cooking actually occurs at The Barn itself; instead, dishes are prepared at The House and then carried over to The Barn. For this reason, menu selections favor items that can be prepared in advance. For example, the grilled cheese option should have been enclosed in quotation marks on the menu, for although the sandwich contained cheese (both cheddar and goat), none of it was grilled or warmed - not the cheese nor the brioche bread. It was still tasty, featuring a pesto spread and a roasted tomatoes. The turkey sandwich included aioli, bacon, provolone, pesto, and lettuce on rye and was a better choice. Hand-held selections come with a choice of a side (including smoked potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, or a green salad); we enjoyed both the potato salad and the cole slaw. (We had already sampled the chips as one of our snack starters.) We shared the buttermilk pie for dessert, which the chef plated atop a tart lemon sauce and garnished with whipped cream and candied nuts. The bar offers a full liquor license, including 10 draft craft beers and meads bottled beer; wine, and cocktails. Our server was pleasant, but she was not overly familiar with the menu when we questioned her about various options.

We might return to The Barn when we can dine outside and enjoy the view, but we would rather try the menu at next-door-neighbor The House.