The picturesque Ashland, VA is a scene familiar to many commuters who make their daily treks back and forth between the Beltway and Richmond. As the Amtrak train slowly churns through the historic town, passengers can look out their windows to admire the old chocolate box Colonial-style homes, small-town florists, barber shops and Randolph-Macon students crossing campus. The “Center of the Universe,” as Ashland is tenderly called by residents, is the definition of small-town beauty.

But besides its historic architecture, esteemed institution of higher education and compulsory stop on the Silver Star’s journey, Ashland boasts two more gems to be proud of: Iron Horse restaurant and its executive chef, Rusty Stone.

Stone grew up just south of Ashland in Glen Allen, attending Hermitage High School. Though cooking is his livelihood and passion now, this wasn’t always the case. “I really didn’t get into cooking until I was about 18, and I didn’t really develop a true passion for it until I was about 20,” says Stone. When he realized that his skills in the kitchen went above and beyond the norm, something clicked for him. “When I realized I could be good at it, that I could make people happy or make them say ‘Wow, look at this!” was when I started to really develop a passion for it.”

Stone is no stranger to the culinary field these days and recently celebrated his third anniversary with Iron Horse restaurant in January. Starting off as a grill and fryer cook, Stone moved his way up the ladder to executive chef and has enjoyed every minute of it. “My favorite part about working here is the experience I get working with other people and making people happy,” says Stone.

And happiness he delivers. Iron Horse has been a favorite landmark in Ashland for 20 years and for good reason. Offering seasonal menus with only the finest ingredients, Iron Horse serves up exquisite Southern modern American cuisine using regional seafood, hand-cut steaks, market-driven features and chef-inspired nightly specials. Stone’s signature dishes are anything with seasonal fish and seafood, which always please the crowds.

Enjoying meticulous cuisine in a historically significant location is something you don’t find every day. “I think Iron Horse has something to offer in this community that most other places don’t,” said Stone. “It’s a historical restaurant in the area, and, of course, the food is good!”

This celebrated restaurant is open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.ironhorserestaurant.com, or call (804) 752-6410 to make a reservation.