By Maggie Matsko
Built in 1878, the Historic McFarland House offers guests a chance to step back in time to the Victorian era and dine on dishes that offer a wide variety of culinary flare. Located in downtown Martinsburg, this historic home aims to fulfill a special niche in the area: event-based dining. “First and foremost, we want every guest to leave with unbelievable memories,” says Executive Chef Brad Spates. “Whether it is a couple’s wedding day, a fun night at the bar, a special date night or an outstanding business conference, we want all of those memories made within our beautiful, historic venue.”
As a Harpers Ferry native, Spates’ talent drew him out of the Mountain State and into the world of culinary fame. While living in Washington, D.C., he was nominated for multiple awards and honors. He was selected as the best young chef at The Mid-Atlantic Red Fruit Festival in 2008, and he is an honorary member of the Washington Humane Society’s Sugar and Champagne Affair class of champions.
Spates has also been featured on local and national televison shows and many televised cooking challenges. He and his team won the national Iron Chef competition of 2009, and he currently holds the title of Iron Chef Champion in Washington, D.C.
In 2012, Spates realized how much he missed the serenity of the hills, and he traded in his busy city life to come home to West Virginia. “The hustle and bustle of big city life is great, but it’s not the same without your family,” he says. “I really started to miss everybody, and I wanted to start a family of my own close to everyone I love.”
Since Spates joined the staff at the Historic McFarland House, he has transformed the restaurant’s approach to the culinary experience. Seventy-five percent of the ingredients are now sourced from within 50 miles of the restaurant, which means the menu is constantly revised in order to use produce that’s in season. This is a challenge that keeps Spates’ passion for cooking alive. “The farm-to-table movement is not as popular in this region as it has become in surrounding areas,” he says. “In order to change that, we try to highlight this component with our customers so they can truly appreciate what they are paying for, which is why we don’t have a set menu.”
Since this fine dining establishment customizes its menus for each event, there are many possibilities for the types of dishes offered. “We can do it all, but we definitely lean more toward the comfort foods,” says Spates. “Because we are event based, we have the capability to be creative and work with every customer on a unique menu or event. We have crafted menus focused on Asian, Italian and Caribbean cuisine. Our multi-course dinners run the gamut of fun plays with food.”
Another unique aspect about the Historic McFarland House is its Date Night event. Upwards of 150 people come to the Historic McFarland House to dine on six to eight courses once a month, and each event has a different theme. Date Night has become extremely popular in the area, and the events usually sell out.
“Date Night is a concept that is new to this area, and so far, people love it,” says Spates. “I like the idea of having an evening set aside once a month to have the menu left to the chef. It lets me and the other chefs get whimsical with the menu. Even if you’re a picky eater, I promise you’ll find something in our courses that you’ll love.”
The Historic McFarland House is located at 409 South Queen Street in Martinsburg. The restaurant is purely event based, and patrons are encouraged to visit the Web site at www.historicmcfarlandhouse.com to stay up to date on the events held each month.
