Have you ever wondered where to get some of the freshest dishes in town? The newly-opened Harvester Farm to Table restaurant wants to put that question to bed. Cincinnati’s newest farm-to-table eatery is looking to serve up some of the most locally inspired meals around. They’re also hoping to leave a lasting positive impression on everyone who comes through their door.
Harvester Farm to Table opened in May in the small town of Blanchester, located just northeast of Cincinnati. The vision for the restaurant was to put locally grown and sourced food in the stomachs of hungry customers. Nearly all the food items coming out of the kitchen at Harvester are considered organic. The emphasis on fresh and locally sourced food highlights the restaurant’s mission of sustainability and community.
The vision for Harvester Farm to Table was crafted by two couples: Darci and Dwayne Davidson and Brad and Jessica Tucker. Darci and Jessica grew up and graduated from Blanchester High School, while their husbands grew up in nearby towns.
Blanchester itself is a small and rural area. The town plays host to the typical pizza places, Chinese takeout and fast food. The rural nature of Blanchester makes opening any new business venture a challenge. For co-owner Darci, however, this was more about a calling than a business plan.
“Although we have been here and love our small farm town and community and are so happy to bring this to our hometown, it's not really the best business idea. All of us just knew that this was right and said yes to the call,” Darci says. “I saw a slogan somewhere that says, ‘A place where it’s less about a transaction and more about a transformation,’ and I like that.”
Darci explained to CityBeat what farm-to-table truly means and how it’s more than just healthy choices.
“It’s an old, simple way from back when we couldn’t ship in any food that we wanted from anywhere we wanted like we can now. The farm-to-table way is not an easier way by any stretch, but it is a more sustainable way. You know the farmer and their food standards align with yours and you partner together to bring the community the highest quality food — food that hasn’t gone through a store or a distributor.”
This means that patrons of Harvester can expect only high-quality food items coming from the restaurant’s kitchen. Despite this reliance on fresh and locally sourced ingredients, the owners of Harvester have managed to construct a diverse and family-style menu that offers something for everyone. Items range from baked goods and breads to smashburgers and omelets.
“Our food is best described in three words: fresh, local and organic,” Darci says. “We bake all our bread and baked goods in-house with freshly ground grains. All our fryers are filled with 100% avocado oil. We have put together a menu everyone in the family loves. Our chef creates weekly specials using seasonal ingredients that our customers come back week after week for.”
The passion for all things fresh isn’t anything new to the owners. The Davidson and Tucker families also own The Greenhouse Bus Mercantile, a natural food store and organic coffee lounge. The store had been open for two years when the space for Harvester opened up. Darci says she knew that “the timing seemed right” to open Harvester. Now both businesses are Blanchester staples.
Harvester also leaves its mark on patrons aesthetically. The updates on the building, which formerly housed a bakery, have brought a certain modern farmhouse charm to the structure. The Davidsons and Tuckers have given the former bakery new life by incorporating a modern and homey touch. Harvester manages to balance rustic and down-to-earth with a sense of airiness quite well. The open dining area gives the space a unique, cafe-style quirk — it’s simple, inviting and easy to spend time in. All this without even mentioning the lovely outdoor seating space right next to the building where patrons can enjoy the good weather and food.
“The design came together piece by piece with no real idea in mind other than to create a space for people to feel like they have a place to belong and feel loved,” Darci says. “The first space we designed was the back wall in the dining area that reads ‘Where Everyone Has A Seat At The Table.’ That’s the heart of the restaurant.”
With such a comforting message and atmosphere it’s clear why the reception to Harvester Farm to Table has been overwhelmingly positive. Darci shared the sentiments of others and how their support has been a blessing so far.
“In the three short months we have been open, we can’t get over all of the love, support and amazing feedback we received. It’s evident that a restaurant like this was not only wanted but needed here in the community and beyond as many have made the country drive to visit from the surrounding areas.”
Patrons can now visit Harvester Farm to Table Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Visitors can also take part in the “Pay it Forward” meal program, where you can purchase a token that can be handed out to someone in need. That person can then exchange the token for a warm meal.
Harvester Farm to Table, 142 S. Broadway St., Blanchester. More info: facebook.com.
This story is featured in CityBeat's Aug. 21 print edition.
