The once venerated Farmhouse restaurant in Emmaus is set to open once again next year under new ownership according to Carl Billera Jr, who will be heading up the operation now known as “The House & Barn”.
Billera, who was the originator and owner of Grille 3501 in Allentown from 2001 to 2005, also owned the Buckeye Tavern in the past and currently operates The Burgery Company with his wife. Saying the old Farmhouse spot has “huge potential” and that he “loves the history part of things,” Billera is revamping the inside of the restaurant while maintaining the well-known bar and lounge in the building’s basement.
In its heyday The Farmhouse was helmed by Chef Michael Adams (now at Hotel Bethlehem), who earned a James Beard nomination for his then-innovative farm-to-table concepts. When it closed down in 2013 co-owner Michelle Quier of Granny Schmidt’s Bakery backed out of the partnership leaving just the original owners, the Schmidt family, as owners. They vowed to reopen a few months later after renovations, but that never materialized and the restaurant has sat vacant since.
Hoping to open in the first quarter of 2016, the original farmhouse building won’t be the only thing to reopen. Billera is working on revamping the property’s barn, which briefly served as the restaurant “The Hayloft” before the entire property shuttered. The barn will have TVs and a slightly more fun and laid back feel, and has space to host events. Billera is also bringing in Chef Nate Weida, currently a chef at Savory Grille and formerly of Glasbern Inn, will be heading up the culinary program.
We’re glad to see a beautiful property back in use, especially by someone who has a background in owning and operating restaurants. We’ll keep you updated on The House & Barn as they get closer to opening.
11 comments
God I miss the Farmhouse, especially that basement bar, was a great time. Expensive for it’s day, but a great time. Their beer dinners were the best until that lady that ran the bakery took over, terrible.
I concur, “PennState”. Need the beer dinners back, sans bakery-lady.
That woman who thought she ran the place ruined the business. Rude, no class, knew nothing about running a fine dining establshment. Go back to McDonald’s
Please refrain from negative comments on a subject you know nothing about .
Find something more productive to comment on!
Congratulations Carl and Nate I am sure the new restaurant will be amazing!
We look forward to the opening!
Merry Christmas!
I find it funny how everyone across many different platforms, sites and blogs agreed how good the farmhouse was until the woman who belongs in the bakery took over. Then magically she appears and trys to quiet and shame those who speak their minds.
My wife and I went to granny Schmidts for a tasting for our wedding cake and yet again she was rude and unprofessional there too. Glad we went with a better bakery with better people.
I guess the rude know it all annoying crabby lady is Michelle! We marked Granny Schmidt’s immediately off the wedding cake list just because of her, no brainer.
Restaurant was great in it’s heyday, went downhill fast when Michael and his team left. Hopefully new owners start a fresh great new chapter.
Any updates on the progress/opening? I am very excited to pay a visit.
The former restaurant sold my aunt and uncle a $100 gift card two weeks before they closed. Sheisty
[…] House and Barn, which replaces the venerated Farmhouse, is now partially open. The barn portion, which was previously called “The Hayloft” […]
We bought 4 $50 gift certificates for Christmas for family and then they closed !!
That was terrible and I know many people who also bought them and lost them with no refund!!