On the banks of the Little Coal River in Southern West Virginia stands a stately, white Victorian house built in 1890. A charming wrap-around porch surrounds the historic home and overlooks the scenic river.
But it’s the kitchen that makes the Magnolia House on Park Avenue stand out. Not so much the original hardwoods or detailed finishes – but the magic that is created within:
… An herb-roasted chicken quarter with fresh thyme and rosemary, mushrooms, carrots and potatoes all served with a creamy slaw and warm roll.
… A toasted bagel topped with cream cheese, slivers of red onion, wild-caught smoked Alaskan salmon and drizzled with house fig and maple glaze served with organized mixed salad greens tossed in a light vinaigrette
… Aunt Anna Mae Robinson’s Southern Barbecue Chicken, which is slow-cooked for hours
“I’m hoping to provide people with an experience where people can enjoy time with the ones they care about and love, all while enjoying some good food and a relaxing atmosphere,” said Jennifer L. Smith, owner of The Magnolia House on Park Avenue. “Our motto is ‘Hope to see you at The Magnolia House, where good food meets good people.’”
The Magnolia House opened in February 2024 in Danville with a menu chocked full of homecooked meals, like “Company Pot Roast,” a prime beef roast simmered in a rosemary and thyme beef broth with carrots and chopped leeks served with buttery mashed potatoes and green beans; and “White Northern Bean Dinner,” beans simmer slow with ham-hocks and served with sweet corn muffins.
Lighter fare includes salads like the strawberry pecan, which includes organic mixed greens topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, pecans, feta cheese and a homemade strawberry pomegranate vinaigrette.
“The Magnolia House is southern cooking with mostly made from scratch recipes that have been handed down in my family,” Smith said. “I come from a family of cooks. Both on my mother and father side. What sets us apart is our home-cooked meals, and our atmosphere.”
The ambiance Smith hopes to evoke for her patrons includes warmth, comfort and throughout the cozy dining spaces and the heated outdoor porch. She wants to share that same feeling she experienced gathering around her grandma’s table for supper with her family. She wants people to feel that love.
“I wanted to not only bring those deep, savory flavors of southern culture to my restaurant, but also wanted to share with you the joy, laughter and beautiful moments you can have just by slowing down for a good meal,” reads her bio on the website.
“The Magnolia House is for families to gather and remember the importance of what it means to sit down at a table and share a meal with people we love. Food and family go together. This is about more than our quality meals; this is about quality time. So come stay with us awhile, slow down, fill your tummy and fill your heart.”
The Magnolia House is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday. For more information, visit https://themagnoliahouseonpark.showit.site/.
