New London Inn and Coach House Nears Completion of Major Renovation
May 24, 2023 11:41AM ● By Rose Terami
Along with the Elms, the inn lobby and gallery room have been renovated, bringing this community gathering spot to the next level.
Read on to find out more about the New London Inn and Elms Restaurant from Azie and Travis Shelhorse of Verdigreen Hotels and Danny Bortnick and Matthew Meidinger of Heartwood Hospitality.
Q: What is The New London Inn & Coach House Restaurant and the Elms Restaurant?
A: The New London Inn is a 23-room inn located at 353 Main Street in New London, New Hampshire. The original farmhouse was built in 1792 and is still a central part of the building that stands today, which had several additions added on through the late 1800s. In 1870, Herman Currier, a photographer, and his wife Sarah Durgin bought the farmhouse, added a stable and a third story with a hipped roof, and put a sign out that read “The Elms,” possibly because of four towering elm trees that decorated the front. At that time, the house became an inn that was open all year. The inn went through several name changes over the succeeding decades until settling in as the New London Inn.
The Elms Restaurant and Bar is the new restaurant slated to open at the property in mid-June.
Q: What kinds of rooms and services do you offer? What makes the NLI unique?
A: Every room is unique and includes a full private bath. The ground floor of the inn includes a lobby with seating and fireplace, a gallery room featuring a rotating collection of artwork from local artists, the Elms full-service upscale casual restaurant and bar, and a 630-square-foot event space.
Aside from the great history of the building, the New London Inn enjoys a prominent location at the center of town adjacent to the town green—home to a large outdoor skating rink in the winter. Mount Sunapee and Ragged Mountain are short 15-minute drives away and bring some of the best skiing in the northeast. Lake Sunapee is also 15 minutes away and offers a treasure trove of summer activities. A mere 1.5 miles down the road is the Inn at Pleasant Lake (same owners), which sits adjacent to Pleasant Lake and a short walk from a plethora of hiking and biking trails.
Q: Can you describe the ongoing/upcoming renovation project? What does it entail? What should guests expect?
A: From our initial Press Release:
“The Elms is a nod to the historic and storied past of this beautiful location, dating back to its first days as an inn during the 1870s. The design was inspired by the area and its natural resources and artisans, while the menu is a reflection of classic American dishes geared toward comfort and familiarity, utilizing the freshest local ingredients prepared with skill and care,” says Green Heart Hospitality Founding Partner, Danny Bortnick. “Decades of passion for the hospitality business coupled with 150 years of history and tradition in this space have led to this, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the local community and visitors alike to our table.”
The Elms is rooted in the traditions of regional American cooking, drawing inspiration from dishes we all grew up craving, executed with equal parts skill and care. Presentations are meant to be fun and approachable, aimed toward a mantra of “delicious, not precious.” The Elms believes a meal should always represent more than just sustenance; it is an opportunity to slow down, reflect, bond, and enjoy the company you’re with while you fill both your belly and your heart.
Guests can enjoy a table in the newly renovated 72-seat main dining room with views of the town green and a striking floor to ceiling New England granite fireplace, take a seat in the 22-seat bar lounge, or arrange for dinner for up to 40 people in the private dining room with adjacent patio. During summer months, the Elms offers outdoor dining on a charming wrap-around porch and intimate courtyard patio as well.
An entirely new menu will be introduced, where guests can enjoy dishes like Pan-Roasted Striped Bass with vibrant local produce, Mussels & Clams alongside a cold, crisp Sancerre, or settle into the house Tavern Steak with a big, bold California Red. There is an abundance of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options as well, ensuring everyone feels right at home. A handsomely stocked bar, perfectly balanced classic cocktails, regional beers on draft and bottle, and a well-appointed wine list round out the offerings.
"The opening of The Elms on Main Street in New London is a wonderful addition to our community," said New London resident Jerod Rockwell, "The team at Green Heart Hospitality will bring a local flare combined with years of experience and professionalism in the industry."
Great care and thought have gone into the restaurant’s renovation, which features materials ranging from locally made solid walnut tabletops to the Boston Blend and Woodbury Granite fireplace with reclaimed elm mantel piece, plus art pieces, murals, and cabinetry from local artists and carpenters. Color schemes draw inspiration both from the local forests and mountains as well as historical references from the inn itself.
The Elms Restaurant and Bar will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm to 9pm, bar opens at 4pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Additional dinner offerings, along with breakfast and weekend brunch are set to follow later this summer. For further updates and information, or to contact The Elms’ team directly, please visit https://TheElmsRestaurant.com.
Q: When are the renovations expected to begin and be complete?
A: Began March 1, 2023. Expected to be complete by mid-June.
Q: What are you most looking forward to regarding the renovation project?
A: We are tremendously excited to bring the Elms to the community as a fresh-faced and refined neighborhood dining and drinking spot that the town is longing for.
Q: What do
guests have to look forward to after the completed renovation project?
A: Aside from the new restaurant and bar, the lobby and gallery room have also been renovated, bringing an entirely refreshed ground-floor public space experience to the inn guests as well as the local community. The gallery room houses a rotating monthly art installation from local artists and the new and varied seating is ideal for locals to gather and enjoy drinks and snacks from the Elms. We view this area of the inn as a bit of a community gathering spot.
Q: What is your favorite part of running the New London Inn and the Elms Restaurant?
A: Human connections. The staff, inn guests, and local restaurant patrons are our favorite parts of operating these businesses. We love the stories, history, personas, and characters that we get the opportunity to connect with all day, every day.
Q: How can people keep up to date with you and book a room?
A: Through our websites, facebook, and instagram pages:
www.theelmsrestaurantandbar.com
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