Main Street News

All photos courtesy of The White Hart Provisions.

The go-to destination for my book club’s monthly meetings, The White Hart Provisions in Salisbury, CT, is a comfortable third space for truly any casual occasion, from more focused and work-oriented activities to casual chats with friends and time to unwind. 

The people & purpose behind Provisions 

Provisions manager Sam DeGiacomo explains that a little over eight years ago, The White Hart’s then-executive chef Annie Wayte, with the help of Lucas Smith, launched Provisions with this exact purpose in mind: offering a more relaxed setting where folks can gather during the day. Annie spearheaded the project when, upon The White Hart’s reopening 11 years ago, she recognized the importance of the building having a cafe.

“The mission behind Provisions is to provide our close-knit community with a higher level of hospitality to enjoy with an elevated menu. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you are passing through for one night, we want you to feel at home when you’re here,” Sam emphasizes.

While Annie has since left the business as of a few years ago, having moved back to her native country of England, and Lucas is now owner of Ilse Coffee with Rebecca Grossman, the essence of Provisions has remained true. This is in large part thanks to Provisions head chef Gabby Rios, who has not only built upon the original vision of the cafe, but has also made it her own in leading Provisions’ culinary scope. 

“She’s been head chef in Provisions for four years, most of the recipes are her craft now, and the quality and quantity she puts out to meet the consumer demand is extremely, extremely impressive,” muses Sam. “We couldn’t do what we do without her.”

Getting into the delicious offerings

From the moment you step into the cafe—which is open Thursday through Monday from 7am-5pm and Tuesday and Wednesday from 7am-8pm (for special dinner services)—you feel encompassed by an intentional, inviting atmosphere. What’s more is that Provisions’ offerings are delicious, and you’ll be sure to find whatever you might have a hankering for, including drip coffee and espresso drinks (using coffee from Ilse), tea, soda, kombucha, canned beer, wine, and cocktails. 

Sam notes Provisions’ heavy emphasis on their coffee program, and their aim to keep the flavor of the coffee pure, while still offering the basic syrups you might expect, as well as a seasonal coffee special. I’m extremely partial to a yummy vanilla cappuccino (which pairs with a cozy book discussion perfectly) and Abby, my fellow book club member, adores the iced chai. 

Indeed, having something for any occasion, mood, or time of day is what the cafe is all about. Whether you’re enjoying a morning coffee or early evening beer on the porch, Sam points out, “Really, we have a drink to match whatever vibe you and your friends are meeting here for.” 

Provisions also offers all-day breakfast and a lunch menu seven days a week, along with plenty of first come, first serve pastry options; seasonal salads and proteins; and an a la carte menu. Going above and beyond this range of choices, and perfect for those nights when you want to make dinner a bit easier on yourself, the cafe also provides housemade, take-home, frozen dinners complete with reheating instructions. 

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous though, you can stop into their two-night-a-week dinner service, Taco Tuesday and Wednesday’s Pizza Night, both of which are very popular among community members and guests of the hotel! 

If you’ve got an event to host, their in-house and pickup/delivery catering consists of a version of their lunch and breakfast a la carte menu, with offerings being dictated by the season. Looking forward, Sam hopes to experiment with off-site catering, as they plan to do some off-site events this summer for close friends of The White Hart and are excited to see how it goes!

A vibrant, versatile environment

Once you have your treats in tow, the building boasts an array of gorgeously decorated and welcoming rooms where you can grab a seat, or if you choose to soak up the sun, there are plenty of outdoor tables scattered across The White Hart’s front lawn when the weather is nice. Provisions provides a uniquely versatile experience, from the food and drink choices to the atmosphere. 

“We want to offer the area a place to work, gather, and dine with friends and we want to offer young adults a good place to work,” says Sam. “This can be your favorite restaurant, your favorite place to do work or homework, or your favorite place to socialize.”

Because of this dynamic and adaptable environment, the cafe has skyrocketed in recent years, seeing immense growth in many respects, and encountering any scale of day-to-day challenges with an emphasis on problem solving, learning, adapting, and evolving. Sam reflects on how rewarding it has been to see both the business flourish and staff members grow personally and professionally over the years. 

Centering the customer & community

Whether you want to grab your coffee and go, or are in a chattier mood, Sam underscores that Provisions staff will always meet you where you’re at and strive to give each patron an authentic experience. “There is no script in Provisions,” Sam observes. “Our staff brings their personalities with them when they clock in and forms genuine connections with our guests while offering efficient service.”

Indeed, Sam’s deep gratitude for the cafe’s staff, who work as a cohesive unit, treat each other with respect, find pride in what they do together, and enjoy each other’s company, goes hand in hand with his appreciation for the community at large. 

The hope is not only that Provisions fosters a strong connection with all of its patrons, but that the surrounding community can sense this unique relationship when they walk in the shop. Sam is truly grateful to the community “for supporting us and constantly reinforcing to me that the work we do matters to them on a deeper level than filling their bellies.”

The White Hart Provisions is located at 15 Under Mountain Road in Salisbury, CT. For more information, please visit whitehartinn.com and find them on Instagram @whitehart_provisions.

Thank you to Camphill Village Coffee Shop and The White Hart Provisions for sponsoring this cafe spotlight series and this coffee article in our July issue!