Agricola To Open In Princeton


French Laundry alum Josh Thomsen will be the executive chef at Agricola, a new farm-to-table restaurant opening in Princeton this fall. Thomsen is a CIA grad who also worked under Michael Mina at NobHill in Vegas’ MGM Grand and as chef de cuisine at Tao, also in Vegas, which was the highest-grossing restaurant in the U.S. during his time there.

Agricola (which takes over the old Lahiere’s landmark on Witherspoon Street), is so farmy and local that it makes Talula’s Garden look like a soulless corporate chain. Owned by Jim Nawn, a New Jersey farmer who attended the Institute of Culinary Education and held a residency at NYC’s Michelin-starred Veritas to prep for his new role as restaurateur, the 200-seat Agricola (which means “farmer” in Latin … but maybe you already suspected that) will serve seasonal American fare (natch) sourced from nearby farms (double natch).

Nawn is promising a comfortable space whose rooms each display their own personality and – our personal favorite – a “lively bar capable of entertaining guests from morning brunch through last call.” Service will start with dinner seven days a week then add lunch and weekend brunch shortly thereafter.

Agricola [Official website]