Town House restaurant in Chilhowie closing
Feb 10, 2012 Restaurant news/reviews
John Shields and Karen Urie Shields in the Town House kitchen. Roanoke Times file photo.
Town House, the upscale Chilhowie restaurant that has gained national acclaim since chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields took over the kitchen four years ago, is closing.
The impetus for the closure is the departure of the chef and pastry chef, who are a married couple. According to news releases from the restaurant, John and Karen decided to leave in order to open their own restaurant. No word yet on where this new restaurant will be or what it’ll be like, but they are reportedly considering staying in the mid-Atlantic region.
Along with owners Tom and Kyra Bishop, the chefs put Town House – and Chilhowie – on the map. They are exceptionally talented chefs who are geniuses at incorporating local ingredients, including a lot of unusual things they forage themselves. They’ve said that access to lots of wild greens, edible berries and other items was one of their favorite things about living and working in Southwest Virginia.
The restaurant is currently on winter break and will officially close after winter break. If you are saying, “Oh no! I never got a chance to make it out there!” then I’d guess you’re not alone. But maybe they’ll set up shop somewhere else within driving distance. They are definitely still rising stars.
Sorry to see them go, but frankly surprised that they lasted as long as they did.
Comment by Jeff — February 10, 2012 @ 11:53 am
Like Jeff, I can’t say that I’m surprised. John and Karen were very big fish for this little pond – as was sommelier Charlie Berg who left a few weeks ahead of John and Karen’s announcement.
And honestly, the four great years that they put into Town House is actually quite long by the standards of the industry. I wish them all the best of luck in the future endeavors.
I think it’s also important to remember that the vision of Town House was that of owners Tom and Kyra Bishop who did a wonderful thing for SW Virginia by bringing Town House to fruition. I will be anxious to see what they next bring to the hospitality party.
Comment by Mike — February 10, 2012 @ 4:59 pm
I always wondered how they could attract a lot of clientele for their menu, based on how it differed from anything else in that area. I could ‘almost’ see it working in Abingdon, since that’s a viable tourist destination. But Chilhowie doesn’t have anything to draw people, other than being close to other places. Thus, why not stay in the other places?
My bet is that the couple end up as chefs for a premium grade inn or resort. The Greenbrier, The Inn at Little Washington, etc. Not those places per se (maybe), but one of those type places.
Comment by crooked road — February 10, 2012 @ 5:27 pm
I believe that Paco’s Tacos is also closed.
Comment by Glenn — February 11, 2012 @ 3:29 pm
A trip to the Barter Theater meant dinner at the Town House.I will miss the innovative dishes that these chefs prepared. I hope the owners will find a new creative young chef and reopen the restaurant. Please let us know where the Shields are going to open their restaurant.
Comment by barbara — February 12, 2012 @ 4:31 pm
Sorry to hear that. It was well worth the drive.
Comment by RP — February 12, 2012 @ 6:08 pm
Yes Glenn, Paco’s has closed. I really thought they were going to last longer than that.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — February 13, 2012 @ 10:18 am
@ Mike, well said.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — February 13, 2012 @ 10:19 am
Lindsey, what did you think about Town House when you dined there? Were you able to visit often? How far into SW Va have you traveled to sample food?
Comment by crooked road — February 13, 2012 @ 10:26 am
I dined at Town House twice – once when I first went out there to meet the chefs and do the article I linked to in this blog entry, and once for a “head to tail” pork dinner that featured head cheese. I thought the cuisine was innovative and the chefs very talented. I was surprised when they came to Chilhowie, but glad they did.
I have sampled food all over our coverage area. A lot of times I try to stop places when I’m already in that area for another assignment or something. The hardest is getting to fine dining restaurants, because they often are not open for lunch and they are more expensive.
I have by no means eaten at every restaurant I’d like to try.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — February 13, 2012 @ 11:01 am