Tall John’s Neighborhood Tavern Opening In Historic Montford

ASHEVILLE, Sept. 6, 2022 — After a decade of searching for the right location to open a restaurant, local chef Trevor Payne has landed in the historic former grocery/church at 152 Montford Avenue. His neighborhood tavern, Tall John’s, will open October 2022. The spacious, airy building, which dates back to 1906, is centrally located in Montford, nestled among the neighborhood's historic residences and old-growth tree canopy. Throughout its history, this stately building has been home to a Piggly Wiggly and a Pentecostal church before being restored and converted into a restaurant space. This history adds the perfect backstory for Tall John's, which Payne is developing as a welcoming and gathering space. 

Payne, a local with deep family roots in the Asheville area, will operate Tall John’s as chef/owner on the heels of an extensive culinary career in Portland, Oregon’s top kitchens (Clyde Common, Le Pigeon, Little Bird Bistro, Olympia Provisions). Payne is carefully crafting an approachable experience for their guests, dispensing with the self-serious pretensions that tend to accompany a curated restaurant experience. 

Finding inspiration in the bygone era of neighborhood taverns in major cities like New York, Montreal, and London, Payne has been careful to ensure that Tall John's is "a place for all occasions, for everyone." He sees the restaurant as a destination for everyday meals and special occasions alike, where "the quality of the food, beverage, and service is just as important as creating an approachable atmosphere where people feel comfortable. I want people to engage with the restaurant without feeling embarrassed or intimidated about their personal preferences." 

Tall John's food menu will offer European-American classics like roasted chicken, cold oysters, radishes and cultured butter, caesar salad, and a great steak. The newly-built spacious bar will serve classics like freezer-cold martinis, an intentional selection of enduring wines from small producers, time-honored draft and packaged beers, and crafted non-alcoholic drinks. Guests will have a variety of seating options to choose from, including outdoor patio seating, a full-service bar, a counter at the open kitchen, and a lively dining room. 

At opening, Tall John's will offer dinner service Wednesday through Sunday, with additional offerings, including Sunday brunch, and expanded dinner service, soon to follow.

For Payne, Montford is the perfect home for Tall John's welcoming atmosphere. As a resident of the neighborhood, where he lives with his wife and kids, Payne is thrilled to open a restaurant in his own community. This location in particular has been on his mind for more than a decade. "I've thought about what that space needed if I ever got a hold of it. The goal was to build around what the location needed rather than force a particular concept." 

Tall John's historic setting is currently undergoing an extensive interior redesign that modernizes the space while also maintaining the building's original historic character: the original 1900s-era floors are being refurbished rather than covered over, while a newly open kitchen and spacious bar contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. Payne, the son of storied Asheville artist John Payne (of the Wedge Studios), has called upon some of his closest relationships with artists and craftspeople to bring original touches to the space. These details include custom metal work from Tina and Kayla Councell of Iron Maiden Studios and original artwork from local artist Kevin Hogan (Payne's father-in-law).

Other prep is underway in anticipation of an October launch, including staffing both kitchen and front-of-house positions. In the midst of citywide staffing challenges in hospitality, Payne is offering their team competitive pay, generous benefits and an equitable work environment, extending their warm and welcoming ethos to staff and guests alike.

Tall John’s, 152 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801, 828-782-5514, www.talljohns.com 

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