WASHINGTON — The Casey Jones restaurant in downtown La Plata, Maryland, is closing in August. The eatery is nearly four decades old, but it will be replaced by a new restaurant from D.C. restaurant group EatWell DC.
The new restaurant will be named The Charles — Farm Table & Public House and will open Oct. 1. It will be the sixth restaurant for EatWell DC, whose other restaurants include Logan Tavern, Commissary, Grillfish, The Pig and The Bird. This will be its first restaurant in Maryland.
EatWell said The Charles will be a neighborhood gathering place. The location is 417 Charles St. in La Plata. It will also be close to EatWell’s own farm, EatWell Natural Farm, a 13-acre farm in La Plata where it sources much of the produce that is served at its restaurants.
The menu at The Charles will include popular dishes from its other restaurants, including duck meatballs served at The Bird, Kung Pao Brussels sprouts serve at Commissary, Grillfish’s ginger calamari, The Pig’s pork buns, Logan Tavern’s burgers, and other dishes in the traditions of southern Maryland that include soft shell crabs, local oysters and Rockfish.
“We couldn’t pass up the opportunity of this amazing space and to become a greater part of La Plata’s community. With our farm being so close, we look forward to integrating the two concepts and serving the people of La Plata and all of Charles County,” said David Winer, principal of EatWell DC.
The restaurant will get what EatWell called a complete renovation “in the farmhouse modern style.”
The restaurant includes seating for more than 300, an enclosed porch and covered terrace, two bars and two private dining areas.
Casey Jones, which opened in 1980, has hosted book signings, wine dinners and tastings, and occasional afternoon teas on antique china. Its menu included crabcakes, fresh tuna flown in from Hawaii, homemade desserts and craft beers.
The Washington Post profiled the restaurant and its owners in a 1996 article, giving it rave reviews.