Watershed's Chris Kenworthy Resurfaces at Wilson Tavern

So quietly you might have missed it, a new watering hole opened up in Courthouse's old Kitty O'Shea's space this week bearing the name Wilson Tavern. And in the kitchen here is a familiar name: one Chris Kenworthy. You might remember Kenworthy as the Watershed chef de cuisine whom Todd Gray replaced back in October following some lackluster opening reviews. But, as Kenworthy says, "bygones are bygones" — and that he hopes Wilson Tavern will help him "redeem some of that non-success."

And so the focus here, according to the chef, is on "updated American classics." It's still firmly in the bar food category with things like sliders, fish and chips, wings and sandwiches on the menu, but there are also twists, like a stuffed mac 'n cheese with artichoke and pork belly. And it should come as no surprise from someone who worked under Gray that there's an emphasis here on the local and the sustainable — and that the menu will change with the market.

As for drinking, the tavern has nine beers on tap, including Fat Tire, Port City and Bell's Brown, plus a list of classic cocktails. Here's a sample food menu:

The menu:

Trios
Pride of the Plains Sliders
aged cheddar/pickle/brioche 9

Maryland Crab Cake
jumbo lump/remoulade/brioche 12

Spaghetti and Meatballs
red gravy/garlic/pecarino 6

Carolina Picked Pork
pork shoulder/slaw/brioche

Roast Shiitake Sliders
aged cheddar/pickle/brioche

Salads
Fresh Farm Greens
tavern vinaigrette/tomato/crouton 4

Classic Caesar
crouton/parmesan/anchovy
(add chicken 4/ fish or steak 6)

The “Aristocrat”
applewood bacon/bleu cheese/baby iceberg 7

Mains
Roasted Country Chicken
collards/rice/dijon cream

Bistro Tender
mashed/horseradish/red wine

Fish n Chips
haddock/slaw/tartar

Saffron PEI Mussels
fumet/tomato/crostini
14

For the Table
Yukon Gold Fries
sel de mer/chive/dips

Gentleman’s Wing

Artisanal Cheese Duo
fig/cracker/cornichon

Stuffed Mac n Cheese
artichoke/pork belly/brioche crumb 9
(vegetarian option available)

Oven Roasted Farm Veg
garlic/thyme/e.v.o.o 4

House Mashed Potatoes
butter/chive/gravy 5

Sandwiches
w/ pickle & leafy mixed greens

Pride of the Plains Burger
aged cheddar/l.t.o./brioche 12

W.T. Chicken Salad
celery/onion/artisanal white 10

B.A.B.L.T.
applewood bacon/garlic mayo/whole wheat 12

Farm Vegetable “Muffaletta”
tapenade/giardiniera/ciabatta 10

Shrimp Po’ Boy
remoulade/pickle/baguette 14

· Wilson Tavern [Official Site]
· All Previous Chris Kenworthy Coverage [-EDC-]