After two decades working in restaurants, Emma Delphin is preparing to open one of her own. Her, Joy, is set to open in mid-December in Waitsfield’s Mad River Green shopping center, in the space formerly occupied by Collaborative Brewing.
Delphin describes Joy as “loosely Mediterranean inspired,” but says the menu will be flexible. “You could call it global fare, I suppose, because I’ll have specials outside of that Mediterranean theme from time to time,” she said. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner, with “lots of small plates,” and a focus on local and organic ingredients.
“The menu is going be as much local, organic produce as possible,” she said. “It’ll be a seasonal shift, of course, with that style of menu.” Delphin said she is already working with area farms for produce and meats, including Fifth Quarter for specials and charcuterie items. Final menus for winter are still in development.
Delphin moved to the Mad River Valley five years ago from Gloucester and Rockport, Massachusetts. She has worked in restaurants for more than 20 years, “at least part time all the way through since high school,” with experience in serving, bartending and management. She said she’s always loved “connecting with people, especially in small towns… with a big tourist component.”
Opening a restaurant, she said, was something “that over the years has always kind of been in the back of my head.” The opportunity emerged this summer when the new owners of the plaza stopped by the bar where she was working and encouraged her to consider the space. “It really just kind of fell into my lap,” she said. “I couldn’t not give it a go.”
Delphin had been bartending at Mad River Glen for several years. “Such a cool community,” she said. “It’s been such a wonderful way to get to know so many of The Valley locals and visitors.”
Inside the new restaurant, Delphin and her husband – a carpenter with kitchen experience – have been renovating. “He’s helping me bring my vision to life,” she said. They have wrapped the bar in copper, ordered American-made tables and stools, applied fresh neutral paint, and plan to feature rotating local artwork.
Behind the scenes, they are updating the kitchen and electrical systems “so that you have a nice functional flow.”
Joy is expected to hold a soft opening in the second week of December. Delphin said she is working on a website and social media pages and expects to share a sample menu soon.
She plans to confirm the restaurant’s website domain this week. The restaurant will be open for lunch Tuesday through Sunday and dinner Thursday through Saturday.
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