The new Century House Tavern captures the energy of the busy Woodstock downtown community, while preserving a bit of the city's past and offering what executive chef Richard Wilt calls "upscale comfort food."

The look: Situated in the historic Hubbard House, built in 1894, the atmosphere is quaint but contemporary, starting with the hilltop site where a spreading oak tree shades the entrance garden and homey front porch. Inside, a plank-topped bar offers a sturdy mooring for food and drink. Nooks around the dining room are accented with exposed brick and weathered wood.

The scene: One recent Friday evening, an exuberant crowd with glasses in hand stretched from the host station to the sidewalk. At the bar, the queue for drinks was at least two deep, though several couples braved the chaos and hunkered down for dinner.

The menu: Wilt, known for his work at Salt Factory and Inc. Street Food in Roswell, augments many dishes with international flavors. A duck confit spring roll ($9) comes with jicama, sweet chili sauce and green papaya. The ahi tuna burger ($11) is topped with wasabi mayo and marinated cucumbers. Springer Mountain chicken and dumplings ($17), served with local veggies, takes an Italian twist toward gnocchi.

The drinks: Among the classic cocktails, there's a Manhattan made with Redemption Rye ($8) and a take on the Rivington Ride ($8) mixed with Maker's Mark. A recent wine list featured more than 20 selections by the glass ($7-$12) or bottle ($28-$44), plus another 15 by the bottle only ($25-$88). Draft beers included Terrapin Rye ($5) and Stone IPA ($7.25).

The extras: Look for lunch served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, with sandwiches, burgers and entrees such as tandoori chicken thighs with green curry lentils ($12) and poblano peppers stuffed with yellow rice and chorizo sausage ($11).

Dining Out

Century House Tavern

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11

a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; noon-9 p.m. Sundays.

Starters, salads and small plates, $6-$14; burgers and sandwiches, $9-$12; entrees, $15-$23.

125 E. Main St., Woodstock, 770-693-4552, www.centuryhousetavern.com.