Savoir Fare is everywhere – a renovation in Round Hill

By Liz Tenney Jarvis

In these times, as an increasing number of landmark and historic buildings are razed to make way for development, Round Hill’s former Howell Brothers Furniture Emporium has taken on yet another use. After three years of renovation and preservation, the iconic 1880’s building at 6 Loudoun Street will become an event venue, C’est Bon.  C’est Bon will be a part of the highly successful catering company, Savoir Fare.

Savoir Fare’s owner and Executive Chef, Joan Wolford, has been a part of the space in the past when the building housed the Bluegrass Jam sessions where her food would be sold for takeaway. After 2019 when Wolford took possession of the building, meals from Savoir Fare were sold during Covid as the site provided a no-contact pickup location. 

Walking across the threshold of C’est Bon now, it is immediately evident that the beauty and craftsmanship of the original construction have been preserved.

The space has been adapted to host special events of every kind – celebrations, wedding parties, dinners with a theme, and any other memorable gatherings. Lighting and period pieces such as the bar have been salvaged and utilized from places that were being torn down. 

A definite highlight are the works painted inside and outside by local artist Penny Hauffe. Hauffe specializes in the trompe l’oeil style such that when a curtain is parted on the small stage (accompanied by a 100-year-old baby-grand piano), a mural realistically portrays doors that open to a gorgeous landscape beyond.  

Steps leading up to a second floor have also been painted with books and other items to appear as though the stairs are actually ascending bookshelves. On the outside of the building, the preserved stained glass windows on the upper and lower floors have been joined as one by the perfectly detailed painting by Hauffe. There is artwork by other local artists such as renowned watercolorist, Alice Power.

The star of the new venue is most certainly the food. Joan Wolford has been preparing culinary wonders for decades. Her early experience began when she was working at the beloved Heart In Hand restaurant in Clifton, Virginia. Wolford learned not only the workings of the operation but the finer points of creating an event that captured culinary excellence combined with Southern hospitality. She also found that the freshest ingredients for dishes artfully presented would enthrall her clients. 

In 1986, Wolford started her own business, the Hamilton Garden Inn, in Hamilton, Virginia. The Inn was a successful bed and breakfast as well as the site for many catered events. Wolford describes the time that famed TV weatherman, Willard Scott, had his 25th anniversary at the Inn. Such was Wolford’s impression on him that the next morning on the nationally broadcast “The Today Show” he spoke highly and at length about the food and the homemade peach ice cream.

Following a solid run with the Inn, the restaurant and the catering, Wolford in 1997 made the decision to move to catering only. Savoir Fare (a play on words from “Savoir Faire” meaning “knowing how to do”) has since catered special celebrations, dinners, luncheons, and hundreds of weddings.  Their event calendar remains full but the latest venture, C’est Bon (meaning “that’s good”), will be somewhat different.  

Located across the street from Savoir Fare’s commercial kitchen/event space, everything at C’est Bon will be catered until the kitchen there can be certified to operate as more than warming or keeping Savoir Fare’s dishes cool.

Wolford’s reputation for breathing new life into Round Hill’s historic district goes back to her creating new dining options and C’est Bon will be more of that kind of unique celebration. It will draw from the incredible musical, theatrical and artistic talent that is so prevalent in the surrounding area.

First on the schedule will be special nights on two Saturdays in October. On Oct. 14, there will be a dinner and a show featuring seasoned theatrical performers. A Murder Mystery will take place on Oct. 28 with dinner and clues provided. Starting in November, music nights will be featured. 

“I want to make the food affordable and have this be a comfortable place to enjoy a variety of music,” says Wolford. 

One of the stamps of Southern hospitality is creating a space that is relaxed and inviting – where one can find a mix of formal and informal. Joan Wolford and her team have done just that with C’est Bon and as she states, “We like to say that this is good food by people who know what they are doing.” 

Enjoying nights with fabulous meals and fun entertainment as well as celebrating landmark events, all in a historic spot, will make for fantastic memories created at C’est Bon.