Memories Served Daily: Pineville Tavern

The historic charm of Pineville Tavern is evident the moment guests stop inside the 280-year-old building. Whether enjoying an exceptional meal in the dining rooms, gathering for a drink at one of its bars, or celebrating a milestone event, visitors understand why it has remained a special gathering place for generations. Owned by Upper Makefield Township residents Andrew and Mary Lou Abruzzese, Pineville Tavern has become a popular meeting spot for centuries and continues to create memorable experiences for its patrons.

Located in both Wrightstown and Buckingham townships, the original structure was built as a private home between 1739 and 1742. Over time, it evolved into a stagecoach stop for travelers between New York City and Philadelphia. Historical research indicates the property played a role during the Revolutionary War, serving as the location where plans for the Battle of Trenton were discussed by Alexander Hamilton and Gen. William Alexander.

The building was named Pineville Hotel in 1797 and renamed Pineville Tavern around the turn of the 20th century. Through numerous additions, renovations, and ownership changes (including the Abruzzeses’ purchase in 1989), one thing has remained constant: its nostalgic appeal.

“When we took over, everyone was afraid we were going to take away its personality,” says Andrew Abruzzese, Pineville Tavern owner and president. “We had a proclamation made that we would never do anything to interfere with the integrity of the original Pineville Tavern, and it’ll never change—it’ll only get better.”

A Dream Realized

Abruzzese always dreamed of going into the restaurant business because both of his grandfathers were chefs, and his aunts and grandmother loved to cook. That love of cooking passed onto him.

Before entering the restaurant business, he built a successful career as a painting contractor and eventually owned the largest painting contracting company in Bucks County.

In the late 1980s, Abruzzese partnered with chef Roger Bonner and pursued the purchase of a restaurant in Wrightstown. When the deal fell through unexpectedly, he headed over to one of his favorite restaurants for lunch, Pineville Tavern. That afternoon, he told the owner what happened, and the owner said the business was for sale. After discussing it with his accountant, chef, and wife, Mary Lou, Abruzzese decided to seize the opportunity.

“I have always loved this place—the smell, the look, the memories,” he says. “Even before buying it, one of the things we loved about it was all the people we met because the bar is a horseshoe so it’s close enough that you can easily talk to people. The charm of his place from the past and today is that whenever you come, you see someone you know.”

Andrew and Mary Lou have been married for 50 years this August, and have two grown sons, Drew and Philip, who help run the business. “I always loved this place because it’s a great neighborhood spot,” Mary Lou says. “I’ve enjoyed being along for the ride with Andrew the whole way and have encouraged everything.”

After purchasing the tavern, Andrew immersed himself in learning the restaurant business while continuing to run the painting company. He spent weeks bartending and worked at the host station every Friday night for years. Meanwhile, Mary Lou did all the bookkeeping and accounting from the start since she is a financial accountant by trade.

The first major project was a 1990 expansion that transformed an old apartment in the most historic part of the building into a dining room. Andrew enlisted his best friend, Jim Hamilton, a well-known Broadway lighting and set design expert, to create the space using the original flooring and the fireplace to preserve the building’s character. In 2002, the Abruzzeses became the sole owners of the property and continued expanding the business with more kitchen space, dining areas, and event rooms.

Abruzzese believes every successful restaurant relies on four key ingredients: good food; fair prices; a great atmosphere; and friendly, efficient service. His son Philip, the tavern’s general manager, agrees. “Pineville Tavern is the bastion of timeless hospitality,” he says. “There is something to be said for gathering in the same place, enjoying each other’s company, libation, and good food. To me, there is no greater joy or fulfillment in my work. It’s a simple formula that we can provide to people every day.”

Delicious Dining

As the building expanded, so did the menu. The original chef remained with the tavern until he retired in 2010. Their son Drew became the head chef before relocating to Florida (he has since moved back). During that time, they hired renowned head chef Matt Levin.

“When we hired Matt, the place started to smell different, the ingredients completely changed, and he introduced us to new foods we had never used before,” Andrew says. “Everything we had on our menu went from great to phenomenal. Our customers were very happy and said the food had never been better.”

One of the first menu items added after the Abruzzeses took ownership was the Baltimore crab cake, which remains a customer favorite. The tavern is also known for its rice pudding, snapper soup, prime rib, and classic sandwiches, including roast pork, roast beef, and cheesesteaks. Its top-selling entrée is ravioli.

Over the years, Andrew developed friendships with many leaders in the restaurant industry, including famed restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow. It was Chodorow who suggested adding an Italian menu to complement the larger tavern menu. The result was “Dal Abruzzese,” a menu featuring a selection of Italian-themed appetizers, pastas, and entrees. This offering has become extremely successful and now accounts for 25% to 30% of business.

Today, Pineville Tavern continues to thrive, especially during all major holidays. It also is popular for hosting events in its four venues within the building, including a newly renovated greenhouse.

“I think what makes Pineville so special is the people who fill it every single day,” says Drew, who has worked at the restaurant since he was a child and now serves as executive sous chef and kitchen manager. “Everyone has a story at the Pineville. It doesn’t matter if you live a mile away or 60 miles away; it has been a constant gathering place in Bucks County. It’s amazing to think about how many footsteps have been taken inside the building over the past 285 years.”

Washington Crossing resident Kathleen Vorgang and her daughter Michele Pulaski are frequent customers of the local establishment. “I just love the food, the atmosphere, and that everybody knows everybody,” Vorgang says. “It’s such a special local place.”

Pulaski adds that it’s the nostalgic vibe that draws her back again and again. “This original part of the tavern is a great atmosphere, with the pine and dark lighting,” she says. “There aren’t many places like it anymore in Bucks County. For customers who want a more modern setting, they have another dining room, and the atrium is great.”

Deep Local Roots

Beyond Pineville Tavern, the Abruzzeses have deep roots in Upper Makefield Township where they have lived for 46 years. Andrew always wanted to live in a five-acre farmhouse on Jericho Mountain, and that vision became reality in 1980 when what he describes as “the most beautiful property I ever saw” went up for sale. They hired Hamilton to help design and renovate the home and surrounding structures. Andrew and Mary Lou are avid art collectors and display more than 100 pieces of art throughout their home and 50 modern artworks in the restaurant. The couple also purchased neighboring properties for each of their sons.

“The location of Upper Makefield is convenient to so many places,” Andrew says. “We loved raising a family here and would spend all our Saturdays at the athletics fields. I sometimes bring food to the township building, and where we live, we have the most amazing views.”

Having spent five decades together, Andrew and Mary Lou still work and live side by side every day. Their admiration for each other is strong on a personal and professional level. “You’ll rarely see me without Mary Lou,” Andrew says. “I love that I can bounce ideas off her anytime. Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.”

Mary Lou is equally appreciative of her husband’s character. “I think his conviction in life to make decisions and be responsible—when you say you’re going to do something, you do it—strengthens our partnership,” she says.

The Abruzzese family takes pride in preserving Pineville Tavern’s legacy while planning for its future. “We are very happy to be the caretakers of an amazing piece of history. Throughout the years, so many people have been engaged here, married here, or have come for funeral luncheons to honor those they’ve lost,” Andrew says. “As far as the future, I hope it endures and remains the great meeting place it has always been.”

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography