Denton County Magazine • Sept

This woman-owned business is the oldest continuously operated restaurant on the Denton square.

The Chestnut Tree Teahouse & Bistro turns 30 on June 23 next year. During its three decades on the downtown Denton square, it has become a favorite for many locals.

Owner Suzanne Johnson has been part of the team since 2010, when she was hired as head chef and general manager. “Before becoming an employee, I had long been a customer and fan of the Chestnut Tree,” she said.

In 2016, she bought the business from original owners Valeree Clegg and her mother, Betty. When Johnson was a new employee, just 10 items were on the menu.

The restaurant had its beginnings as an antique store with an eight-table tearoom in the back. Over time, additional dishes were added to the menu, and guests began returning for the food, not even missing the disappearing antiques. The place evolved from a tearoom into a full-service bistro-type restaurant serving brunch, lunch and more. It now has 24 tables in addition to the eight seats at the bar.

“Years ago, men would never visit a tearoom,” Johnson said. “Now the ratio is about 60 to 40, women to men, and on weekends it’s about 50-50.”

This year the bistro underwent a complete renovation. “Pretty much everything you can see was updated,” Johnson said. “We maintained the essence of the former design with a nod to modern vintage. All the changes we’ve made over the years have been to better serve the growing needs of the Denton community, yet we’ve maintained some of the original traditions and respected the bistro’s history.”

In 2022 Johnson hired chef Rossana Cacal, originally from Naples, Italy, who, as chef de cuisine, oversees the evening menu, while Johnson takes care of brunch and lunch. Johnson’s husband, Daniel, is also part of the culinary team.

A delicious selection of items fills the brunch and lunch menus, including dishes appealing to the palates of vegetarians, vegans and gluten-sensitive diners. The menus are often updated and seasonal features are rotated. “We plan to add exciting new menu items in the fall, and we’ll have more of a business lunch option,” Johnson said.

This summer, a popular choice has been their Buddha Bowl salad, which is a healthy mixture of hearty greens, quinoa and vegetables, with a protein option for meat lovers, all topped with blueberry pomegranate dressing. Eggs Benedict is served six ways. A year-round favorite is the Dentonite, a savory and decadent breakfast sandwich dripping with hollandaise.

A new lunch item is a short-rib sandwich topped with smoked cheddar, chimichurri aioli, arugula and tomatoes, piled high on a ciabatta bun. Their scratch-made soup menu rotates, but the kitchen always offers vegan tomato basil.

The bistro has a selection of wines and local beers from Denton County Brewing Co. In 2021, Johnson added tea-based drinks and a full-service coffee bar.

Another feature of the bistro is happy hour, dubbed Chestnut Tree Uncorked. Doors are reopened at 4 p.m. to serve shareable small plates with an international flair, like polenta fries and goat cheese stuffed roasted pepper drizzled with honey, all pairing well with their quality wines.

“It’s so uplifting to see staff members who want to be here,” Johnson said. “One employee has been with the kitchen staff for 27 years, but in contrast, there are new faces who are excited about being part of the team. For me, running this restaurant isn’t just a job, it’s my lifestyle. I love this business.”

107 W. Hickory St. on the downtown Denton square 940-591-9475 ChestnutTearoom.com

Hours: closed Monday; Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday- Friday 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and happy hour 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.