EATS & DRINKS
By Case Dighero | Photos by Meredith Mashburn
1834 Tavern Lafayette
572 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fayetteville | (479) 935-3144 | www.1834tavernlafayette.com
The brilliant minds behind this transportive experience are partners (in matters both domestic and professional) Stephanie Ouyoumjian and Matt Taylor. While this is their maiden voyage into restaurant ownership, their extensive global travels through Europe and South America have gifted them a sophisticated affinity for restaurant culture. Fortuitously, Matt is a contractor and builder, and Stephanie is a designer; together, they have meticulously sculpted a space that feels historic, timeless and accessible.
The couple owns the historic property — deeded in 1834, inspiring the tavern’s moniker — and drew conceptual inspiration from Marquis de Lafayette, the revolutionary who famously championed “no kings,” and his enduring love story with his wife, Adrienne. To bring their epicurean vision to life, the duo aligned with chef David Fisher, a culinary talent with a profound, instinctual understanding of German, French and Dutch cuisines.
There is a distinct, almost romantic alchemy that occurs when world-traveling souls decide to plant their roots firmly into the Ozark soil. Enter 1834 Tavern Lafayette, Fayetteville’s newest culinary darling, which quietly opened its doors March 17. It is a space steeped deeply in European tradition, yet possessing a vibrant, humming energy that feels distinctly, beautifully Fayetteville.
To step inside is to be instantly enveloped by a bustling ambiance. The close-quartered dining room and lively patio crackle with the sound of clinking glasses and animated conversation.
Fisher’s menu is an absolute triumph, striking a masterful balance between bistro elegance and hearty, European comfort. The menu at 1834 Tavern Lafayette is robust and hearty but still boasting enough diversity to satisfy everyone. Whether eating with friends at a table or perched at the bar, I adore the Sweet Adrienne ($19), a poetic nod to Lafayette’s wife. This salad tosses crisp Belgian endive and peppery arugula with candied walnuts, creamy Montchevre goat cheese and tart green apples, all kissed by a bright cider vinaigrette. Another must-try salad is the Marquis de Lafayette ($21), a glorious, quintessential bistro salad featuring a nest of frisée, tender haricots verts and warm Yukon potatoes, crowned with crispy pork lardons and a perfectly wobbly poached egg, all coated in a robust mustard vinaigrette.
If you’re a fan of a traditionally prepared bratwurst, then find solace in the Hunky Monk ($17); perfect for sharing, this dish features two beer-poached and grilled bratwursts — Belgian and spicy cheddar varieties sourced locally from Bansley’s Berkshire Farm — alongside a pungent house-made mustard. A recent addition to the menu is the Stuffed Endive with Sweet Lambic Glaze ($31), an ingenious creation of Belgian meatloaf nestled inside endive leaves, glazed in a sweet-savory dark ale reduction and paired with rustic red smashed potatoes.
One of the highlights from the “Suppers” section of the menu is the iconic Poulet à la Flamande ($33), a Flemish classic of comfort and joy with roasted bone-in chicken, tender to the point of ethereal, accompanied by honey-orange glazed carrots, a wispy potato purée and a velvety, deeply savory brandy-Dijon sauce. And for those who require German food to function, please consider the Brewmaster’s Bratwurst ($31), a showcase of Bansley’s Berkshire cheddar brat resting on a bed of cider-braised purple cabbage, warm German potato salad and shattered shards of crispy prosciutto. It is vinegary, satisfying and utterly delicious.
Perhaps my favorite is the tavern’s Flemish Beer-Battered Cod & Frites ($31), carefully beer-battered wild-caught cod fried to perfect golden gems, set against fries that boast that elusive texture — shatteringly crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside — accompanied by a stellar house-made remoulade. And steak lovers take note, the Filet Provençal ($59) is an easy choice for the purist, a magnificent 7-ounce, 28-day aged filet finished with a decadent butter Provençal and served with cloud-like French whipped potatoes.
The magic of 1834 Tavern Lafayette extends beyond the plate. Guests can browse Sonrisa Boutique (“smile” in Spanish), the charming on-site retail shop stocked with curated import items that Stephanie and Matt have gathered from their travels.
And starting Aug. 1, the tavern will introduce a highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday brunch featuring authentic sweet and savory Belgian waffles (reservations are highly recommended). Looking into autumn, Matt and Stephanie plan to expand the patio and bar, introducing a glass greenhouse illuminated by candlelight near the trickling creek — a setting that promises to be the most coveted reservation in Northwest Arkansas.
1834 Tavern Lafayette isn’t just a restaurant; it is a love letter to European hospitality, written expressly for Fayetteville. Go for the food, stay for the camaraderie and raise a glass to history.
