Lake Anna Life & Times caught up recently with a very busy Chef Nick Foley, the new head of a restaurant opening soon at Hotel Lake Anna. He told us about what his plans are for a location that has been a restaurant for over 35 years at the lake, about how his unique vision will come to Lake Anna in the form of a restaurant known as Rustic Tavern.
The 75-seat venue will feature what Foley calls elevated American cuisine with the Chef Foley twist and a bar offering beer, wine and specialty cocktails. More on the menu to follow.
Foley and the owner of the property and Hotel Lake Anna, Puneet Ahluwalia have partnered up and plan to open Rustic Tavern by the end of August or sooner, if possible.
Initially the restaurant will offer only indoor seating however Foley anticipates an all-weather patio by next spring. The décor will be rustic with Foley now antique shopping.
Foley told Life & Times he started out in a food truck at a brewery as a chef working to craft elevated pub grub food. From there he worked for a fine dining catering company. Along the way he helped many breweries and wineries come up with food programs from northern Virginia to West Virginia.
Now, let’s hear from Chef Nick about elevated American cuisine.
“It’s the food we all love with my own twist, like the Lakeinator Burger that will be layered with smoked gouda cheese and caramelized onions that’s going to melt in your mouth and a BlackNBlue burger with blue cheese crumbles, fried jalapenos and a jerked BBQ sauce.”
So why did Foley choose Lake Anna for his restaurant adventure?
“I’m 24, not married and no kids so I took the chance. I liked Puneet’s plan and I am happy to be part of his team.”
We also spoke with Ahluwalia and asked him about his choice of Chef Foley to helm his new restaurant.
“Nick is a bright young man who would like to delight the LKA residents with his cooking. I believe he expresses himself through his cooking just like an artist does through his painting or music. ”
