UPDATE: The Woodstone Tavern is closed since at least July 2017.
UPDATE: Chef David Murray is no longer with Woodstone Tavern. He is now with The Farmhouse in Cherry Hill which is opening in May 2017.
Wood. Stone. Fire. This is the overall culinary and decorative theme of the new Woodstone Tavern now open at 510 South White Horse Pike in Magnolia, NJ.
If the location sounds familiar, it was home to the much-ballyhooed, short-lived Eastern European bistro concept Royal Cracovia.
Chef David Murray, Director of Operations and Managing Partner, promises a family-friendly atmosphere with refined comfort food and affordable prices. Chef Murray previously had stints at Georges’ in Wayne, PA; The Gables in Chadds Ford, PA; as well as The Water Club at the Borgata in A.C.
Also joining the management team is Adam Rosenberg (formerly of The Cambridge and Nomad Pizza in Philadelphia) as General Manager.
The remodeled rustic interior boasts an impressive amount of stone and wood throughout with three stone fireplaces; two of which will bookend the reception area that will greet guests upon entrance and adding a warm, cozy ambiance to the dining room.
An approachable menu will offer casual, yet sophisticated American fare with an emphasis on fresh ingredients from local companies. For example, meats will be sourced by Exceptional Foods, currently of Philadelphia, but soon relocating to Pennsauken, NJ. They will be using South Philadelphia’s Samuel & Sons for seafood, and Foods Galore also of Pennsauken.
The restaurant will feature a wood-fired grill and hearth oven which will be used to make skewered & roasted meats and several gourmet flatbreads. Expect rotisserie chicken, suckling pig, and lamb to be among the proteins offered and expertly prepared on the grill.
A striking custom three-foot high tree trunk cutting board will be used to carve the roasted meats.
Fun starters such as cheesesteak pierogis, tavern nachos, and chicken “jawns” (boneless chicken strips) will hover between $10-$14. Among the signature items on the menu are “handwiches” (burgers and others assorted sandwiches) in the $11-$15 range. Custom WOODSTONE TAVERN branding irons will mark the buns for the burgers adding a nice, trademarked touch.
Entrées such as stuffed angus meatloaf ($21), BBQ baby back ribs ($22 – full rack) and “Flying” Fish & Chips ($18) with — you guessed it — Flying Fish beer-battered fish will likely be popular on the menu.
The Flying Fish brewery is nearby (literally within walking distance) and will be on draught at the bar along with five other popular beers such as Yuengling Lager, Blue Moon, Stella Artois, etc. The bar program will be pretty straight-forward; in other words, don’t expect anything fancy.
Not a beer drinker? No problem. Cocktails such as the “Hell or Hi-Nella” featuring Tito’s Vodka & Miller Lite and “Down The Shore” made with Beefeater Gin will be on the drinks menu as well as select house wines.
At the large bar in the center of the restaurant they will be offering two Happy Hours; 4-6PM and a later one 10PM-1:30AM. The main kitchen will close at 10pm, but bar snacks will be offered after 10pm. Live entertainment will be offered in the later evening hours as well.
The restaurant will also feature a “dessert bar” that will offer old-school hand-dipped ice cream, sundaes, shakes, floats, and baked goods that are all made in-house. How does Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding ($8) or Bourbon Pecan Tart ($8) grab you? Sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike! The adults will love the grown-up shakes which will be alcoholic, of course.
Operating hours will be 11AM-2AM Monday-Saturday. They will also offer a family-style, one-price (TBD) Sunday Brunch between 10AM-2PM.
A 10% hero discount will be available for military personnel, police, firefighters, EMTs, etc. Movie-goers from the Cinemark 16 across the street are also eligible for a 10% discount with a movie ticket.
Live entertainment will also be offered. Starting with South Philly’s DJ Johnny Looch providing tunes on Saturday, November 5th from 10PM-2AM.
Learn more on Woodstone’s website or their Facebook page.
UPDATE (12-14-16): Murray and Goldberg have left the restaurant.
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