New Lebanon restaurant is offshoot of Tavern on Main
The owner of Tavern on Main, Shenanigan’s and Marco’s on Main in Belleville has opened a new restaurant in Lebanon.
The 1814 Eatery & Drinkery serves about two-thirds of the Tavern on Main menu, including its Sweet Italian Salad, appetizers, pizzas, burgers, entrees and pasta.
It also has a similar atmosphere in an historic storefront with tall ceilings, exposed brick and original wood floors. Plans call for an open-air bar and patio next spring.
“We went with 1814 for the name because that was when the town was established,” said manager Lindsay Stone, 30, of Belleville. “We definitely want to stay on the historical side of things.”
Lindsay is running the place for owner Mark Onstott, whose wife, Karan, is an associate professor of health at McKendree University.
The restaurant opened in November at 115 W. St. Louis St. The three-storefront space formerly housed Mama Gustos Pizzeria and briefly Duke’s Hub Pub & Grill.
Mark actually owned the golf course in Lebanon for a while, and his wife teaches at McKendree. He's always been in love with this town, so when the opportunity knocked, he took it.
Lindsay Stone on Lebanon restaurant opportunity
“Mark actually owned the golf course in Lebanon for a while, and his wife teaches at McKendree,” Lindsay said. “He’s always been in love with this town, so when the opportunity knocked, he took it.”
The restaurant serves food from 4 to 10 p.m. daily. Soon it will be open for lunch with sandwiches and a lunch buffet.
On a recent weeknight, Diane Eyre was having dinner with former Scott Air Force Base co-workers June Herman, of Shiloh, and Carole Schneider, of Belleville.
“We’ve been to Tavern on Main, and the food is outstanding,” said Diane, 77, of O’Fallon. “So we came here to see what’s happening.”
Diane ordered the Bourbon Chicken entree, which is skewered chicken breast in a bourbon marinade ($14 with salad and rice or potato). June and Carole went with Beef Marco’s tenderloin medallions topped with provel mushroom cream sauce and sauteed mushrooms ($17).
“This is a good way to end the day,” June said. “We’ve been to the movies. We saw ‘Concussion,’ and it was excellent. We do this a lot.”
Head cook at 1814 is Josh Litteken, 28, of Belleville, who started in the restaurant business at 16 with his family. Most recently, he worked at Tavern on Main.
Popular items in Lebanon so far include Spinach Flatbread, Bruschetta Flatbread, New Orleans Shrimp, Fajita Nachos, Barbecue Chicken Pizza, Italian Stallion Pizza and Beef Marco.
A lot of people really like the wings. They’re deep-fried and tossed in Brady sauce — it’s a hot-wing sauce we make — and then they’re charbroiled on the grill.
Josh Litteken on chicken wings at 1814
“A lot of people really like the wings,” Josh said. “They’re deep-fried and tossed in Brady sauce — it’s a hot-wing sauce we make — and then they’re charbroiled on the grill.”
The 1814 has a full bar, including a variety of craft beers. Customers sit at high-top or regular tables, some with benches.
Mark cut out a large, rectangular opening between two of the storefronts and installed pocket doors, opening up the space and creating the option of a private party room.
“It’s been non-stop ever since we opened,” Lindsay said. “Lebanon has been very welcoming. We’ve gotten great feedback.”
At a glance
- What: 1814 Eatery & Drinkery
- Where: 115 W. St. Louis St. in Lebanon
- Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. daily (bar open later)
- Seating: More than 100
- Handicap-accessible: Yes
- Carryouts: Yes
- Party room: Yes
- Information: Call 618-808-0660 or visit Facebook page
On the menu
- New Orleans Shrimp — Shrimp appetizer served New Orleans-style with goat cheese grits and toast points, $10
- Sweet Italian Salad — Iceberg and romaine mix with provolone and Romano cheeses, bacon and scallions, tossed in housemade sweet Italian dressing, $4 side, $8 regular or $10 large
- Italian Tuxedo Pasta — Bowtie pasta with homemade Italian sausage and spinach in a rich tomato cream sauce, served with house salad and garlic toast, $12.95
- Barbecue Chicken Pizza — Pizza with smoked gouda and mozzarella, chicken, red onion and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, $8 for 9-inch, $15 for 12-inch or $20 for 16-inch
- Italian Stallion Pizza — Pizza with meatballs, prosciutto, pancetta, capicola, pepperoni and mozzarella, $8 for 9-inch, $15 for 12-inch or $20 for 16-inch
- Prime Rib — 12-ounce prime rib with au jus, house salad and choice of rice or potato, $17
This story was originally published January 22, 2016 at 3:00 AM with the headline "New Lebanon restaurant is offshoot of Tavern on Main."