In the early 1930s, William Kryskill promised his wife, Clara, he would build her a castle on the crest of a cornfield.

Kryskill created the Hyeholde Restaurant and then living quarters with the finest stone on a hill in a picturesque setting surrounded by lush greenery.

It was a fairy tale come true.

Nearly nine decades later, the Old English-style architectural castle was the site for the Black Tie Farmers Market on June 13, where 120 guests wandered through the grounds, shopped local products and were served delectable bites and cocktails.

There was a seated five-course spring dinner for 60, featuring spring pea and avocado soup, brandy foie gras — liver of a duck or goose — mousse, local asparagus, smoked trout, lamb and almond cake with buttermilk ice cream, raspberry puree and toasted almond.

Shane Dunlap | TribLive Ray Spencer, chef de cuisine at the Hyeholde, prepares a chilled spring pea and avocado soup dish Thursday evening.  

Located in Moon, Hyeholde encompasses 4 acres, which allows the French-inspired restaurant room to sustainably source produce from its own land. The team grows herbs and has small orchards to provide fresh fruit. It produces 150 pounds of honey each year.

Hyeholde’s signature spring cocktails for the event included Bees Knees and a Lavender Negroni featuring on-site honey and lavender.

Executive chef and owner Chris O’Brien purchased Hyeholde in 2023 from Barbara McKenna, who bought the property from Carol and Pat Foy. The Foys constructed a new entrance and converted the space from a charming country restaurant into a more sophisticated operation. McKenna is William and Clara Kryskill’s daughter.

Shane Dunlap | TribLive Hyeholde owner and chef Chris O’Brien and employee Billy Bates prepare chilled soup for the guests Thursday evening at the restaurant in Moon.  

O’Brien said he wants to preserve the history and vision the Kryskills had when they opened in 1937. He said it’s about evoking a sense of nostalgia.

His menus include items such as cassoulets — a slow-cooked stew — house-made foie gras and a strong emphasis on game meats. Guests can reserve the chef’s table for two to eight people.

“That way, they can see what goes on in the kitchen,” O’Brien said.

Shane Dunlap | TribLive The chef’s table at the Hyeholde is prepped for dinner guests Thursday evening.  

O’Brien said he wanted to host the event as a way to reintroduce the Hyeholde.

He also wanted to highlight some local vendors and partners he collaborates with such as the Lettuce Ladies in Ambridge and GetBlok Farms in Aliquippa, both in Beaver County.

The Lettuce Ladies converted 12 classrooms at the former Old Ridge Road School into grow rooms. Vinnie and Christina Lima own GetBlok Farms where they grow fresh produce year-round from seed in 320 square feet of space.

Along with Lettuce Ladies and GetBlok Farms, there were other local farmers, a pop-up art gallery and various vendors. Entertainment was provided by live performances by piano player and Pittsburgh Opera chorus master Mark Trawka and vocalists Yazid Gray and Anna Singer. Violinist Juan Jaramillo from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra also performed.

Guests could enter to win a pair of tickets to the opera’s opening night of “Tosca” in October.

“This property means so much to me,” said O’Brien of Ross, who was married there. “It is an incredible venue. I am excited to help write its next chapter.”

Courtesy of the Hyeholde Restaurant The Hyeholde Restaurant in Moon shown in 1944.  

Current events manager Jason Bray said there is no other backdrop like this in the area. Bray describes it as a unique experience in a nontraditional setting in a fairy tale castle.

The Hyeholde hosts private events, picnics and other happenings throughout the year, many of which Randy and Judy Feild of South Fayette have attended.

The couple were seated at their favorite table in the Garden Room — where they dined on their third date in 1993. They were married at the Hyeholde on Oct. 12, 1997.

“We love the Hyeholde,” Randy Feild said. “Chris is wonderful, and we want to see the next generation of diners come here.”

“You have to experience this,” Judy Feild added.

Jim and Rosemary O’Neill of Franklin Park, who were sitting at the next table, went on their first date to the Hyeholde on Oct. 16, 1982.

The Hyeholde is a romantic atmosphere, Jim O’Neill said.

“I am sitting across from the most extraordinary woman,” he said. “I tell her every day I love her and she’s beautiful.”

This is a place to help keep the magic alive, Rosemary O’Neill said.

“The Hyeholde transports you back in time,” her husband added. “We’ve been creating memories and magical moments here for years.”

Hyeholde Restaurant is located at 1516 Coraopolis Heights Road in Moon.

Details: 412-264-3116 or hyeholde.com

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