Morgantown’s first gastropub has a flare for new, unique American cuisine and tailors the menu to coincide with the seasons in West Virginia and local farms.
Mark Tasker, owner and chef.
By Maggie Matsko
Mark Tasker, founding member of Table 9 and Tru Art Restaurant Group in Morgantown, has been working in the kitchen since he was 16 years old. Growing up, he had dreams of becoming an artist. By a stroke of destiny, however, his passion for food was ignited, changing his career path.
“When I was in high school, I wanted to go to college for art, but my mom told me she wouldn’t pay for me to go to school just to be a starving artist,” he says. “The next day, I got a job washing dishes at the Silver Tree in Deep Creek Lake, MD. I saw how artistic food can be, and it just made sense to me. After six short months, I was helping run the restaurant, and after that, I never looked back.”
Originally from Maryland, Tasker’s culinary journey has taken him all over the United States. From California to the Big Apple and the nation’s capital, Tasker has served as a sous chef and managed several exquisite, well-known restaurants such as Newton’s Table in Washington, D.C., and Eleven Madison Park in New York City.
In 2013, an opportunity arose that brought Tasker and his wife to the mountains of West Virginia, where he opened and now manages one of Morgantown’s most popular gastropubs. “My wife was hired at Ruby Memorial Hospital, and I saw that Morgantown was growing fast,” says Tasker. “There wasn’t a restaurant that was my style in the area. I found the location, and everything just came together.”
Even though Tasker’s first signature restaurant has been a sensation in Morgantown, it has not come without some obstacles along the way. “The biggest challenge of opening and running my own restaurant was being new to the area and preparing food no one was used to trying,” says Tasker. “It has taken some time to gain trust from everyone to start doing some different things that really set us apart from other restaurants.”
To make sure his business stands out, Tasker has created an atmosphere that is high-end by appearance but ensures guests can still be laid-back. “What sets us apart from other restaurants is that we are very upscale, but I try not to make anybody feel like they have to get dressed up to come in,” he says. “It’s very low-key and open. The restaurant can get loud and energetic when it’s full of people, and the deck is a great place to relax while overlooking the water.”
Table 9 offers three menus that are sure to please any palate, along with signature cocktails and wine by the bottle. To start off the weekend, Tasker offers a brunch menu with decadent breakfast items like the Avocado Eggs Benedict, Bacon Hash and Banana Fosters French Toast. The lunch menu lists traditional favorites while offering a contemporary twist with dishes like Fish Tacos, the Ponzu Pulled Pork and a fresh spinach salad. In the evening, patrons choose from a dinner menu that includes snacks and two courses. With choices like grilled lamb and the Corn Risotto, Table 9 is the perfect destination for an enjoyable night out.
“I want guests to have a relaxing and fun experience,” says Tasker. “I want to bring family and friends together and have them share plates among each other, try things that maybe they wouldn’t normally try and just have a good time. That’s what it’s all about—family, good food and good friends.”
Table 9 is located at 40 Donley Street in Morgantown and is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit the restaurant’s website at www.dinetable9.com.
