Hotel Weyanoke, the newly debuted historic boutique hotel located in downtown Farmville has announced the appointment of Frank D. Paris III to the role of executive chef. Paris will oversee the 70 guest-room property’s multiple dining outlets, which include its signature Campagna Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar, Effingham’s Coal- Fired Pizza + Tap Room, Catbird Rooftop Terrace and Sassafras Coffee Bar.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Frank lead the food & beverage programming throughout Hotel Weyanoke’s dining venues. Frank joins us with a tremendous amount of experience and has spent most of his career immersed here in Virginia and the surrounding region. Frank’s close relationship with both the community and area producers are evidenced throughout the hotel’s dining menus – which offer creative concepts, seasonal flavors and a Hotel Weyanoke flare for our guests and diners to experience,” said Cornerstone Hospitality President and CEO, Kimberly Christner.

Chef Frank D. Paris III culinary experience includes position with The Greenbrier in West Virginia, the Primland Resort in Meadows of Dan and the Washington Duke Inn, in Durham, North Carolina.

CREATIVE FRESH CUISINE

Innovation, inspiration and dedication to local sourcing extends to Hotel Weyanoke’s four food and beverage venues — two restaurants, a coffee shop and a rooftop bar. Creating concepts that serve both the hotel guests as well as the diverse community of local citizens and students has taken some time to develop. Under the direction of Paris these new venues have elevated the Farmville dining scene for visitors and locals alike.

“Though only a short distance from food-centric cities like Richmond, Charlottesville and Norfolk, there aren’t a lot of independent restaurant options in Farmville. With Farmville becoming a destination for travelers looking to experience interesting communities with great shops and outdoor activities close to home, the time is right to add some equally interesting dining options,” said Paris. “The local community and those who visit Farmville’s businesses and universities now have venues that are found in the larger cities at prices more in keeping with the community we serve.”

Campagna Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar, Hotel Weyanoke’s trendy yet comfortable Italian restaurant with an adjoining wine bar/lounge, is a modern Italian trattoria serving garden-fresh antipasto, traditional pasta and homemade red sauce along with creative specialty dishes. Foodies looking for an experience will enjoy this restaurant with its inspirational and comfortable design while noshing on both traditional and modern Italian fare. Hearty meat dishes such as the Barolo-Braised Short Ribs and Sirloin Coulette as well as more traditional fare such as Linguini in Clam Sauce and Spaghetti Bolognese are featured daily. One of the house specialties and most talked about dishes is the fresh made bread with Pop Rocks butter. The wine bar offers a more casual dining environment and a wide selection of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines as well as small plates, cocktails, craft beer and dessert. On selected evenings local musicians and artists take the stage and provide entertainment.

Personal artisan pizzas cooked in one of the only coal-fired ovens in Virginia, are topped with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and are the specialty at Effingham’s Coal-Fired Pizza + Tap Room. This modern and casual café-style restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Effingham’s Crispy Pesto Wings, Pizza Carbonara, Smashburger and the Green Power Saladare are just a few of the most popular must-try dishes. Diners can also enjoy regional craft beer on draft, bottled beer, wines by the glass or bottle with their meals, as well as specialty cocktails.

Guests and visitors alike can enjoy the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge the Catbird Rooftop Terrace, which serves creative small plates and tapas and seasonal specialties such as oysters. The full-service bar offers wine, craft beer and artisanal cocktails. This is the perfect outdoor venue to gather both day and night. Catbird offers panoramic views of the historic (and increasingly hip) downtown Farmville as well as 360 degree views of Central Virginia’s countryside. Visitors can choose to relax in the colorful Adirondack chairs, dine at one of the many seating groups or chill out in the lounge areas and enjoy live music by local artists. Many also choose to enjoy their morning coffee and afternoon lunch breaks while taking in the beauty of the region.

For a morning pick-me-up, guests can head to Sassafras Coffee Bar for artisanal lattes, pastries baked fresh on-property and on-the-go sandwiches and healthy snacks. There is also a walk-up window on the veranda of the hotel for locals and an outdoor patio in which patrons can relax on the cushioned chairs and enjoy the fresh Virginia air and view one of the most beautiful and picturesque buildings on the Longwood University campus.

“I am very excited to join the Hotel Weyanoke team and build on the exciting momentum happening in Farmville and its dining scene,” said Paris. “Connecting our guests to the local community through food and beverage is an experience I look forward to creating every day. With a variety of dining options the property offers, we hope to touch our guests through food and beverage repeatedly during their visit with us. And, unlike many hotel restaurants, these are venues that both guests and locals will want to enjoy.”