A woman in a navy blue suit, black blouse, and open blazer stands smiling with her hands in her pockets against a textured dark blue wall in a room with wood flooring and brown leather seating.

KRISTIN JENKINS

Kristin Jenkins, Owner and visionary behind 1928 Beacon Hill and 1928 Rowes Wharf, offers an upscale yet inviting dining experience that seamlessly blends history, artistry, and hospitality. As a lifelong enthusiast of antiques and art preservation, Jenkins has meticulously curated spaces that tell a compelling, deeply personal story—filled with character.

At 1928 Beacon Hill, the restaurant’s design is spread across three distinct spaces: the bar and lounge area showcases her extensive collection of Black Forest wall mounts and antique paintings, creating a cozy, lodge-inspired ambiance. The Ship Room embraces a nautical theme with oars and seafaring artwork, while the Library, with its leather banquettes and intimate lighting, evokes the charm of a refined club room. Together, these elements accommodate up to 100 guests, including 14 seats at the marble-topped bar.

At 1928 Rowes Wharf, the design draws inspiration from Jenkins’s travels to Bermuda, Palm Beach, and New Orleans. Her travels often serve as a source of inspiration, and the hanging lanterns and plants were carefully curated after these trips. Additionally, a nautical theme was incorporated for the harbor-front location, featuring ship paintings and other sea-inspired decor. The bar and dining room can accommodate 72 guests, while the outdoor patio can accommodate 150 guests during the spring and summer months, extending into the fall with a stunning water view.

As the proprietor of Leonard’s New England, a renowned antiques store located in Seekonk, Jenkins has seamlessly integrated her passion for harmonizing the old and the new into the aesthetics of both restaurants. Her meticulous attention to detail extends to an original mural from the 1940s in Beacon Hill, serving as a testament to her unwavering commitment to preserving the historical significance of the space. Notably, the hostess desks at both locations are 18th-century antique servers, and the artwork hanging on the walls is from her personal collection. Jenkins considers the restaurants an extension of her home and continues to enhance them as she collects new pieces.