News spread quickly last month that the former County Fare location sold and would soon become a new kind of bar and eatery. I spoke with owner, Tom Meyer, to get more details about plans for the soon-t0-be Honeysuckle at Lakewood.
The big red barn in Lakewood known as County Fare had a short-lived life, but was fondly remembered as a fun gathering spot for families and friends. The location and indoor/outdoor space is large and full of potential. We’re glad to hear it will once again become a place for gathering, drinking, and feasting.
Meyer, who has been a part of the local restaurant scene for many years (he is one of the original owners of Nana’s and Q Shack), says this is one of the first projects in a while that has really excited him.
If you recognize the name Honeysuckle it’s because it is a strategic partnership with the brand that already has two Triangle locations: The Honeysuckle Cafe and Bar in Carrboro and The Honeysuckle Tea House in Chapel Hill.
Honeysuckle at Lakewood will have a farm-inspired focus and the featured drink menu will center around barrel-aged mead-based cocktails. You will find plenty of fruit-based meads on tap, as well as Kombucha.
They will also have a lot of non-alcholohic options, opening with four distinct mocktails inspired and derived from the farm, as well as a signature house tea blends, which are again, farm-based.
They are working on creating a whole new view at the bar–giving it a more farmhouse chic vibe with Edison bulbs and subway tiles.
As for the menu, you can expect interesting and elevated bar food: Appetizers such as fried brussel sprouts, house-cut fries, PEI mussels and clams, house-made chips, and house-made pickles with a kick. Sandwiches will be casual, yet creative, like a half-pound burger that is a mix of their own ground bacon patty–packed with delicious bits of bacon in every bite. They will also feature at catch of the day from the coast.
There will be a dedicated fryer for vegan dishes, such as vegan curry/stew that includes a variety of vegetables over stone ground grits or quinoa. And there will be seasonal bruschetta and four different salads which can be made vegetarian. In the summer, for instance, they will have a salad with grilled peaches and burrata cheese.
Regarding the large outdoor area, which has always been a big focal point of the restaurant, it will be getting a gradual makeover starting with regrading the property. Eventually, they will have raised flower and herb beds for growing things like blueberries so that customers can pick and enjoy them while visiting. It all has to be done in phases, however, planting when nature allows. They will also have more shade awnings installed.Part of the plan is to also create rentable event space on part of the patio for occasions like rehearsal dinners and club gatherings. Food trucks will no longer be stationed there on a regular basis.
Honeysuckle at Lakewood is hopeful for a summer opening and plans to be open seven days a week 11am-10pm, Sun.-Thur., and 11am-1:00am Fri. & Sat. Stay tuned for more!
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