ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. (BRPROUD) – West Feliciana Parish is getting a new place to eat at the end of October when The Ville Bar & Grill plans to open its doors to customers.

Tia Fulghum-Emery is the owner, executive chef and CEO of the new restaurant and bar at 8893 U.S. Hwy 61.

Fulghum-Emery is a former resident of St. Francisville who moved to Louisiana in 2005 “in pursuit of my culinary dreams.” She graduated from the Louisiana Culinary Institute and said she’s built her brand for the past 15 years as The Cakelady’s Kitchen. After working there for the past 15 years, she is bringing her cooking skills and expertise to The Ville Bar & Grill.

“I enjoy sharing my love of food and seeing the joy my food brings to others,” she said.

So, what will the newest addition to the restaurant scene in St. Francisville bring to customers?

The owner highlighted gourmet hamburgers “made with a brisket and short rib mix to guarantee a delicious, juicy burger.” She said they’re served on a Brioche bun.

“My two favorite burgers are the Caribbean burger and the Motor City Melt. The Caribbean burger is made with our signature beef patty, topped with roasted pineapple-mango salsa, sauteed onions and peppers and jerk mayo. The Motor City Melt is a homage to my upbringing in Detroit, eating at Coney Island. It is a double-meat burger loaded with American cheese; house-made, Detroit-style chili (no beans); mustard; and onions,” Fulghum-Emery said.

The wing sauces are homemade, along with the salsas and potato chips. Foodies can also get home-cut fries, breakfast and plate lunch specials every day, Fulghum-Emery said.

“Come by for the chef’s weekly special for a real gourmet treat, varying from seafood ravioli with a creamy crawfish sauce to Balsamic chicken and peppers with smoked gouda mashed potatoes and more,” she said.

If you have room for dessert, you can choose from homemade cakes, cheesecake and banana pudding.

The VILLE Bar & Grill All-American Burger with cheese, tomato, onion and lettuce is pictured.
The VILLE Bar & Grill All-American Burger sits on a plate. (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill LLP)
Chairs, fans, ceiling and more are shown inside The VILLE Bar & Grill
Photo shows what it looks like inside The VILLE Bar & Grill (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill LLP)
Jambalaya is pictured inside a cooking pan.
A cooking pan is pictured with jambalaya inside. (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill LLP)
Fried wings from The VILLE Bar & Grill are seen in the picture.
A bundle of friend wings are seen in the photo. (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill)
The kitchen offerings for every day of the week are pictured at The VILLE Bar & Grill.
A sign shows the daily kitchen offerings at The VILLE Bar & Grill. (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill LLP)
A "Jerk Burger" from The VILLE Bar & Grill is seen in the picture.
The VILLE Bar & Grill Jerk Burger is seen in the picture. (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill LLP)
Pictured is a beer and a "Philly Burger" from The VILLE Bar & Grill
There is a beer and The VILLE Bar & Grill “Philly Burger” in this picture. (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill LLP)
Four buttermilk biscuits from The VILLE Bar & Grill are pictured on a plate.
A plate full of buttermilk biscuits is shown in this picture. (Photo courtesy of Tia Fulghum, The VILLE Bar & Grill LLP)

When guests walk in, Fulghum-Emery said, they will see “pool tables, karaoke, comfortable seating, delicious drinks and mouthwatering, delectable food.”

The Ville Bar & Grill will offer dine-in and take-out for customers. If you eat at the restaurant, there are two dining rooms and a screened patio. The owner said “takeout and full-menu dining are available daily until 8 p.m.”

The building has two entrances; one is through the bar and the other is through the takeout entry. She said you will be able to dine in both locations.

Takeout will be available from:

  • 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The dining room will be open from:

  • 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
  • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Fulghum-Emery said that each day, the entrance to the bar will be restricted to individuals who are 25 or older starting at 5 p.m. The bar will be open from:

  • 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.
  • 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday.
  • 11 a.m. to midnight Friday.
  • 9 a.m. until midnight Saturday.
  • 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday.

So why open a restaurant in St. Francisville?

Fulghum-Emery said she has family here, her partner has roots here and “God has blessed us with a great location and opportunity to bring what we have a passion for to a great town. I absolutely love it in Louisiana! I love how food is so embodied in the culture. I can’t imagine a better place to showcase everything culinary that we have to offer.”