Bites Nearby: Station Bistro Offers Fresh Food and a Slice of History

With a long history and an appetizing menu, Kimberton's Station Bistro has a lot to offer.

Station Bistro is located in the historic town of Kimberton, adjoined to Kimber Hall at 1300 Hares Hill Rd. Originally built in 1787, Kimber Hall was a known stop on the underground railroad in the 1840s.

Then owner Emmer Kimber was a Pennsylvania Quaker sympathetic to the uprising in the South. He offered a safe haven in what is now the bistro's sub basement. The rear structure was nearly destroyed by fire in the late 1930s and the bistro addition was built using the original Pennsylvania field stone.

In the Spring of 2007, Station Bistro owners Nancy and Craig Miller embarked on what was to be a far more involved restoration project than they had anticipated. Over budget and overworked, the couple struggled to nurture their investment while holding down outside jobs.

“They had to re-build nearly half the walls," said Nancy, who remembers her husband hand staining every board of the beautiful tongue and groove ceiling individually from up on the scaffolding.

Now four years later, hard work and dedication have paid off. The bistro boasts an open kitchen and dining room floor plan, complete with armchair seating by the fireplace.

The beautiful 18th-century field stone walls are adorned by large colorful paintings done by local artists, with all works available for purchase. There is a very welcoming American art deco feel to the atmosphere.

“We wanted to create a place where one always feels welcome and comfortable whether stopping for coffee and cake, or staying to relax with friends and family,” Nancy said.

As the menu is not overly fancy, you will be able to pronounce everything on it.

“I like good, clean food,” Nancy said. “We use the freshest, most naturally produced ingredients we can find, and every plate is cooked to order.”

Come for breakfast Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and you can expect to find staples like two eggs any style with toast for $3.50. Add homemade red skin potato homefries and choice of breakfast meat for $3 more.

Pancakes are available traditional, pecan, blueberry or chocolate chip, as a full or short stack. Brioche French toast, eggs benedict, huevos rancheros and a long list of omelets round out the menu. There is also a full coffee menu, featuring espresso, cappuccino, latte or frappe and even a decadent Mayan mocha.

Bistro dining begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is BYOB. House-smoked baby back ribs are certainly the highlight, available as a full ($25.99) or half ($19.99) rack. The menu offers a generous selection of other dishes to suit any taste.

“We take pride in trying to accommodate every dining need,” Nancy said. “Many dishes are available in half-portion sizes and there are vegetarian, vegan and even gluten-free options available.”

There are fresh salads, soups, sandwiches and pasta dishes, as well as a fresh fish on the menu. Jerked pork medallions ($19.99), bistro chicken ($16.99) and a 16-oz. rib eye ($23.99) are among other entrée options.

Nancy and husband/head chef Craig share between them more than 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and it shows. Food is cooked well and comes out of the kitchen hot and fast. Nancy's attention to detail is evident in the décor and atmosphere of the bistro, as well as her management of the waitstaff.

There are always special events being offered at the bistro.The annual Crawfish Boil will be coming up May 23, and a special menu was featured for Fat Tuesday.