Stove And Tap Opening In West Chester This Weekend

WEST CHESTER, PA — After a series of unfortunate pandemic delays, Stove and Tap is ready for its grand debut in West Chester, just in time for Valentines' Day dining.

Stove and Tap , at 158 West Gay St. in West Chester will be the fifth restaurant, and the third Stove and Tap, by Stove and Co. Restaurant Group, headed by Justin Weathers and Executive Chef Joseph Monnich. The duo also owns Al Pastor in Exton and The Bercey in downtown Ardmore.

"Chef and his culinary team will bring our signature and beloved American classic favorites plus modern gastropub fare to a new area of the Philadelphia suburbs. We have been working on Stove and Tap Malvern since 2019 and faced some big set-backs during the pandemic," said Weathers.

Stove and Tap will feature a sprawling dining room, a bar, and a bar lounge in the 6,000 square feet space that was formerly the home of Landmark Americana. After a major transformation of the entire space from top to bottom, the rustic Americana inspired eatery will feature scratch-made American classics, upscale comfort food, and chef-driven dishes using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.

The bar will serve craft cocktails, great American wines, and a beer list that highlights local and nationally celebrated brews.

Stove and Tap West Chester was more than 70 percent complete last March when the pandemic hit. The opening moved from spring to summer to 2021 during the state-wide shut-down and stop orders for construction.

Weathers and team needed to get back on the books for contractors, deal with shortages of supplies, and also work to keep their other restaurants pivoting and open. He said, "We are so fortunate to be able to move forward and the time is right to officially open the doors and meet our new West Chester neighbors."

"After all the challenges and nearly a year delay we are ready to rock and roll and we can not wait to get to know our neighbors and new patrons. We pride ourselves on being a great destination for food, drink, and quality service — and we hope to become an active member of our new community," Weathers said.

Hours for grand opening weekend are Thursday, February 11th to Sunday, February 14th, with hours running 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. this Friday and Saturday. For diners in West Chester, Stove and Tap will make for a great no-fuss last-minute spot for those still needing Valentine's Day reservations.

The restaurant and bar will open with indoor dining at 50 percent capacity, or approximately 70 seats, to start out. Inside, guests will find a warm, comfortable and rustic Americana vibe featuring contrasting woods, Pennsylvania-inspired decor, a stylish 46-foot-long bar, and high and low top socially distanced seating.

Monnich and his culinary team will fire up American classics, modern gastropub fare, and scratch-made cuisine. For the first time ever, Stove and Tap will offer Monnich's take on pizzas using the on-site pizza oven.

Weathers explained, "Stove and Tap in Lansdale focuses on elevated comfort food and our big American classics, and Malvern was our first location that features our big hits on the menu plus woodfire smokehouse comfort cuisine. For West Chester, look for your Stove and Tap favorites and elevated comfort food, but a menu leaning more towards modern gastropub fare."

Weathers added, "Yes, there will of course be the large taxidermy bear like the famous bear at Landsdale. It wouldn't be Stove and Tap without him."

The bear at Lansdale — nicknamed Biff, after Stove and Tap's first chef who is now the owner and Chef at Ripplewood in Ardmore — was a surprise gift from interior designer Diana Schwartz. The tradition of having a bear in each location has carried on to Malvern and now to West Chester.

Weathers said, "West Chester was the perfect spot for our next Stove and Tap as we expand in the Philadelphia suburbs. West Chester is such a great dynamic family and college town that is filled with so many thriving and exciting dining and drink choices. There is a great sense of community among the restaurants in the West Chester food scene."

Stove and Tap West Chester will create 42 new jobs to start with, and up to 70-80 jobs when indoor dining returns to 100 percent capacity and outdoor dining begins, said Weathers.

Stove and Tap West Chester is at the corner of West Gay and Darlington streets, in the former home of Landmark Americana.

For more about Stove and Tap, call (484) 999-0922, or visit http://www.stoveandtap.com/. Reservations are now live on Open Table and delivery is available through Door Dash.

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