Fans of great food in-and-around Barrington (and many from farther away because it’s well worth the drive) have discovered over the past three years how freshtastic a genuine farm-to-table meal can taste.
Owner Meghan McGinty talked recently with a guest in the Hayloft, a cozy upstairs bar where guests can have a cocktail, a meal or just catch up with Brittany & Dave, the bartenders who greet regulars by name. Its rustic decor includes many pieces from Meghan’s family's farm. Farmhouse celebrated its third anniversary weekend in August. "The number of guests that came to support us at the anniversary was overwhelming," McGinty recalled. "The flowers, gifts and hugs we received was incredible... I cried many times. Weekends like that are exactly why I wanted to open a restaurant.”
The hands-down crowd favorite on the fall-winter menu? “That has to be the Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie," McGinty said. "People tell us it’s the ultimate comfort food, but without being too heavy. We use our own chicken stock for the gravy. It adds amazing flavor, and we don't add a bunch of cream or flour. It's more just letting the natural chicken and vegetable flavors come through with the farm fresh chicken. We can even make it gluten-free if desired, without the puff pastry.”
McGinty, General Manager Mike Vaccarello and the entire Farmhouse #Squad takes pride in accommodating any dietary or allergy-related requests. “We make everything to order from scratch, so we can always adapt to accommodate our guests’ individual needs," she said.
Farmhouse serves dinners Tuesday—Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday—Saturday 5-11 p.m., and Sunday brunch from 9 a.m.—1 p.m. Friday has a fish fry, and every Saturday includes a Fried Chicken & Ribs special. They also do catering and special events, such as the (already sold-out) Fall Painting Party co-hosted by Perfectly Pined where guests create their own wood signs while noshing delicious appetizers.
Farmhouse on North is at 117 North Ave. in Barrington. Contact them at 847.387.3408. Learn more at FarmhouseOnNorth.com or on Facebook.
Shown in photo on far page, beginning at top left:
1. Lollipop lamb chops; $18
2. Whipped feta & hummus with roasted beets; $14
3. Roasted butternut squash soup; $6
4. Blackened Duck breast topped with cilantro lime butter, served with sweet potato hash and okra; $25
5. Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie (always a family favorite); $26
6. Cherry Berry Cobbler; $8
