Shelves in the restaurant are lined with an eclectic collection of books, including comics, Stephen King books and geophysics books from the 1980s. Alling said these books are free for patrons to read while eating or to take home to keep.
Alling said his goal is to create a conversation between diners enjoying a meal together.
“There are two things that people talk about most—what you read and what you ate last,” Alling said. “So, why not put it together?”
Alling said he plans to expand the restaurant, which opened in January 2017, to a new location in April.
The restaurant will move to a large venue Alling is opening on Border Street in April, called OTS Border Haus, which will include The Provisioner’s Tale, a bar called Haus Pour, a beer garden and an event space, Alling said.
The larger kitchen and upgraded appliances will allow him to expand the menu and add about 30 new items, some of which will be specials only available after 10 p.m. or on the weekends. Although the menu is expanding, the literature references it consists of will remain, including its popular Kate Chopin chicken pasta, named after the 19th century author.
The Provisioner’s Tale currently seats 32 people, but the new venue will include 240 seats in total.
Alling said the new venue will also allow The Provisioner’s Tale to stay open later than is currently possible.
“I listened to people, all my customers, and what do they want?” Alling said. “They want somewhere to go after [The Provisioner’s Tale] closes.”
The Provisioner’s Tale
317 Gentry St., Ste. D2, Spring
832-904-5029
www.theprovisionerstale.com
Hours: Tue. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Thu. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m., closed Mondays
