Check out the Whitney House's new menu!
Worthington’s beloved Whitney House was given a makeover this year!
Earlier this year, the Whitney House closed temporarily for a revamp of its space and menus. The updates included a refresh of its dining rooms, particularly the lighting and the back bar, and the introduction of a (mostly) new menu, from appetizers to desserts, cocktails to entrees, even its popular weekend brunch.
If you’ve never been to the Whitney House, now’s your time to go! The owners have created a warm and welcoming, modern day New England tavern – perfectly fitting given Worthington’s founding by New England residents who forged a way west in the early 1800s.
The cocktail menu was expanded to include new specialty libations, barrel-aged cocktails, non-alcoholic options, plus an expertly curated list of wines and craft beers. The New England Collins combines locally made Watershed Distillery Vodka and Guild House Gin with blueberries, lavender, and fresh lemon juice. You’ll find a number of Scottish notes, like A Kilt in the Quarter: Jonnie Walker Black Scotch, Hennessy VS Cognac, orgeat, fresh lemon juice, plus orange and Angostura bitters. And you can’t go wrong with the TWH Aged Manhattan, built on Watershed Bourbon, Carpano Antico Vermouth, and cherry bitters with a maraschino cherry.
The food menu retains some classics but introduces several new hits as well. Start your meal with the truffle and fontina cheese pierogi with braised short rib, some crispy brussel sprouts, or whipped goat cheese topped with local honey and sea salt. The loaded potato chips are dressed up with crispy prosciutto and melted Cambozola cheese.
You’ll see an expansion of the sandwiches, building on the Whitney House’s popular burger and grilled cheese with the addition of grilled fish, blackened chicken, short rib sliders, and the new Tavern Stack Burger loaded with Berkshire bacon, brie and gruyere cheeses, and tomato jam. The Whitney House’s famous wedge fries have been replaced with tavern fries, and while many miss the old iteration, the new version is crispy and wonderfully salted.
Rounding out the dinner menu is a selection of salads and soups, plus hearty entrees like chili-rubbed strip steak, Ohio City gnocchi, seafood pasta, and a Sunday Supper dish. Regulars can still find the braised short ribs, but it’s worth noting the pan-seared walleye. Whitney House gives that hearty Lake Erie fish the royal treatment with a delicate searing, a rich Cajun butter, and a colorful (and generous) side of shrimp and andouille vegetable hash.
And whatever you do, don’t skip dessert! The Whitney House has introduced some new goodies, from warm chocolate chip cookies with ice cream, a fudgy ice cream pretzel cake, seasonal fruit crisp, chocolate cake, or a not-to-be-missed olive oil cake served with an orange-blackberry caramel sauce and ice cream.
The Whitney House is open:
Tuesday-Thursday, 11 am. to 2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.
Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (brunch) and 4-10 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (brunch) and 4-8 p.m.