Like many people, I am a fan of historic homes. I love everything about them, from the classic architectural details to the effortless charm they exude. The long-abandoned, dilapidated farmhouses that dot what is left of Collin County’s fleeting countryside, with their tall, wooden windows and wraparound porches, seem to smile at passersby. Local homes that have been lovingly restored to their period-correct glory stand as stately reminders of simpler times, when the bustling thoroughfares on which they sit were smaller and far less congested.
A terrific example of the latter is the century-old Victorian-style abode on Main Street, in downtown Frisco, that now houses The Heritage Table. With its sage green exterior and bright white trim, this beautiful house serves as the perfect setting for this new restaurant, which opened in April. Its breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus are comprised of made-from-scratch, locally-sourced dishes that gently nod to days gone by, complete with complex flavors and ingredients modern diners can appreciate. The sign in the manicured front yard nicely sums up the eatery’s mission: Real Food. Good Times. Old Traditions.
The throwbacks start on the wide front porch, where a pair of outdoor swings hang above the brick red, painted floor, swaying invitingly in the breeze. They practically beg patrons to sit a spell before heading inside, and that is a good thing, since wait times for this popular place have reportedly been on the rise in recent months. It seems everyone wants to see for themselves what the hype is all about! During a lunchtime visit with my husband, I entered through the glass-paned front door and was met by coffee-scented air that filled the foyer, emanating from an adjacent stainless-steel bar. That is where The Heritage Table presents its “coffee program,” which features a good selection of espresso drinks, drip and French-press brews made with Counter Culture Coffee, as well as hot chocolate. Noticing the hostess stand was temporarily empty, a friendly barista greeted us and promised we would be seated shortly.
While we waited, we admired the wide, black wood trim work that lines the restaurant’s white ceilings and dark hardwood floors. Despite the tables and chairs that fill the dining areas, the space still feels like a home, probably because plenty of natural light pours in through the windows. Save for a few large decorative brass medallions and a smattering of framed farm animal sketches, the white plaster walls are mostly bare. A few patrons were gathered around an aged looking map of Collin County, pointing at various local landmarks.
The hostess appeared and asked whether we wanted to sit inside or outside on the covered side patio. Because it was a cloudy, muggy day, we opted to dine inside and followed her toward the back of the restaurant to a butcher block-topped table with two chairs on one side and a cute, bench-style booth on the other. My eyes were immediately drawn to the white cloth napkins with blue stripes on the table, as they reminded me of the old-fashioned kitchen towels my grandmother still uses. A pint-sized glass creamer bottle sat empty on the table — a nostalgic touch that lent to the farmhouse feel. (I later inquired about it and learned the bottles are usually filled with fresh-cut flowers).
Dressed in the uniform of a black and white checkered shirt and jeans, our server arrived to take our drink order. Besides its coffee menu, The Heritage Table also offers a sizeable selection of wines (several chardonnays and pinot noirs among them, $6.50-$13) and signature cocktails, including one called “La Bebita Bien,” that blends Illegal brand mescal, Yellow Chartreuse and Aperol® aperitif with lime juice ($11.50). Local honey, meanwhile, is mixed with Bulleit™ Rye Whiskey, orange and bitters in the fun-sounding Cherry Buzz cocktail ($9.50).
Maybe it was the early-ish hour or possibly the dreary skies outside, but for whatever reason, it was coffee, not cocktails, that called to me. Our server recommended a latte and suggested the addition of lavender or vanilla syrup (an additional 50 cents). As exotic as the former sounded, I played it safe with the latter and was not disappointed when the warm, 16-ounce cup arrived with a pretty leaf design etched onto its thick, foamy top layer. The vanilla added a lovely hint of sweetness that made the latte feel a bit decadent.
There are several tempting appetizer options, including the Trio of Dips featuring pimento cheese, hummus and smoked feta, served with sourdough triangles and spicy lamb meatballs accompanied by a roasted tomato sauce. Ultimately, we opted for the HT Wings ($10). Served in a deep, wide-rimmed bowl, the 10 perfectly-crisp wings were swimming in a yummy red sweet and sour (and slightly spicy) sauce flecked with chili flakes and adorned with large chunks of fresh pineapple. I am not a wing connoisseur by any means, but these were certainly some of the best I have ever tasted.
What I do know a lot about, however, are salads. They are my go-to entrée whenever I dine out, so I was pleased that The Heritage Table had several interesting salads from which to choose, including the Apple and Feta ($8.50), comprised of roasted kale, spinach, gala apples and strawberries. I settled on the Mimosa Salad ($12.50), which was a mix of romaine and spinach tossed with sliced oranges, julienned pears, bright red currants, almonds and goat cheese, topped with a champagne vinaigrette. It is a big salad and, courtesy of the abundant fruit, a bit on the sweet side. The tart currants and salty goat cheese bits provided some welcomed savory moments, as did the addition of grilled, marinated chicken chunks I requested ($3 extra). A meat-and-potatoes guy, my husband ordered the Roast Beef Sandwich ($11), which was served on toasted wheat bread. The thick beef slices were lightly coated in what was described on the menu as “a homemade giardenera and asiago sauce,” but what looked and tasted like a thin, cream gravy. It was accompanied by a pile of French fries.
Before we had finished our entrees, our server returned with a menu and asked whether or not we would like to order one of the spectacular house-made desserts. She suggested a Fried Pie ($6). A strawberry and apricot blend was available that day, but I had my heart set on a slice of the dreamy-sounding Chocolate Angel Pie ($5). Its fluffy, bittersweet cream was set in a light meringue crust and, as a result, each bite quite literally melted in my mouth. My husband, meanwhile, went with an Ice Cream Sundae ($5.50), which featured two gigantic scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream drizzled with dark chocolate syrup and sprinkled with candied pecans. The serving was so sizeable that, regrettably, he was not able to finish it.
If it is a leisurely meal of comforting foods you are looking for, you will find it at The Heritage Table, located at 7110 Main Street, in Frisco. I plan to return soon for breakfast and try one of their four varieties of Klobasneks, which are handmade sausages cooked in a fresh-baked roll. I will definitely be back to sample the dinner menu, which features Chicken Pot Pie, pecan-smoked Baby Back Ribs, buttermilk-brined Fried Chicken and marinated Grilled Pork Chops served with apple chutney. At that hour, I will also likely be more inclined to sip on one of those fabulous cocktails. View the restaurant’s full menu at www.theheritagetable.com.
