James’s father, Bob Palmateer, is executive chef. “It’s high quality comfort food, and you’re not going to find this kind of flavor and quality anywhere else.” “The flavor and quality is what blows people away,” said James, who makes a point to try a new restaurant every week, affirming he hasn’t been anywhere that would even compare. Since opening last October, James has been dedicated to recreating the experience of being in the early Top Notch Tavern and keeping his grandmother’s spirit alive, featuring a majority of menu items that are straight from her personal recipes. Famous for her hearty prime rib, baked mac and cheese, pies and other comfort foods, Doreen put her heart and soul into her cooking. It’s very classy with plenty of nostalgia.”īut the true-to-its-roots atmosphere isn’t the only throwback at Top Notch Tavern. “It’s very vintage and cool to be in there. Renovations took about three years and a couple hundred thousand dollars, and the result is an authentic historical appeal that is truly “top notch,” making it again deserving of the name Top Notch Tavern. Top Notch Tavern Owner James also owns DP Construction, having named it in memory of his grandmother (DP for Doreen Palmateer). In recent years, however, DP Construction has peeled away the layered masks on the walls, floors, exterior and interior spaces, exposing the original wood floors and features of the tavern and revealing the historic charm that was hidden for so many years. The venue itself also underwent several cosmetic changes along the way, each layer hiding a little more of its intriguing history. Over the years, the property changed hands a few times, with no undertaking enjoying quite as much success as Doreen’s original Top Notch Tavern. With a sweet spirit and killer recipes, Doreen ran the Top Notch Tavern successfully for years before selling it to move onto other endeavors. When she had the funds, she further expanded the tavern by attaching the adjacent horse barn and later transforming it into the rustic main dining room. Needing to generate more income, Doreen transformed the portion that was their home into a beautiful Victorian dining room to complement the bar. She became the sole cook, cleaner, bartender and keeper, earning herself the nickname “Charlie” because she “worked like a man.” It became The Top Notch Tavern after Doreen purchased it with her husband David in 1968, making their home there and running a small bar and grill operation that quickly grew in popularity.ĭoreen was the star of the kitchen and went all-in on the Top Notch Tavern after her husband’s death in 1972. Civil War cavalry would often stop for a rest there! Current owner, James Palmateer, is the grandson of Doreen and David Palmateer, the original owners of the Top Notch Tavern who started it all, back in the 1960’s.Īfter being sold, redefined and now restored to its original glory, remnants of the Top Notch Tavern’s rich history are finally whispering from the walls.ĭating back to the Civil War Era, this venue was built as a stagecoach stop and hotel in the 1860’s. The Top Notch Tavern in West Galway reopened last fall at the site of what was originally (decades past) the West Galway Hotel.
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