HUSK: Best New Restaurant in Charleston, SC (and America) | Foodie Friday

Executive Chef Sean Brock is transforming the way you think about Southern food. His philosophy is simple: “If it ain't from the South, it ain't coming through the door!” A restriction like that can put some severe limitations on a fledgling restaurant, but it's a commitment that he wholeheartedly abides by. From what I've read, they didn't even allow olive oil into HUSK until they found a purveyor in the state of Texas. What's that you say? Texas isn't in the South?! Well, technically, it is since it's below the mason-dixon line, which is where all the ingredients must come from in order to make it to one of the tables at Husk.

The fairly new restaurant is situated on a magnolia-shaded side-street in the heart of Charleston's historic district in a very inviting Queen Anne home built in 1893 that has been fully restored. I just love those types of restaurants that make you feel as if you're visiting a relative to sit down and have a meal. It isn't as intimate a setting as Simplicity at The Mast Farm Inn, but the comfortable space was bright and airy, and the floor-to-ceiling windows filled the dining room with the most gorgeous light. While I would have loved to sit inside the main dining room, we were ushered to the 2nd story porch to dine alfresco. The weather was superb. We got lucky!

CELEBRATION OF SOUTHERN INGREDIENTS

This nationally acclaimed restaurant has only been open since the Fall of 2010 yet it has won numerous awards between now and then. The most notable so far is the title of #1 Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appétit Magazine. That's a pretty prestigious accolade right there, wouldn't you agree?! I think that Chef Sean Brock is used to the attention, though. He's become quite the celebrity in Charleston from his time spent at McCrady's, another highly acclaimed fine dining establishment in town. But Husk is his baby. Or so that's the impression I've gotten.

His intention upon opening the restaurant is to place more emphasis on the ingredients used & the folks that cultivate those products and produce instead of having the spotlight placed on himself. He clearly has a deeply rooted passion for, not only the South, but Southern food, and it definitely shines through in many different ways here at Husk.

SOUTHERN FOOD, SIMPLIFIED

Something highly unique about the dining experience at Husk is that the menu changes daily. Yep, every single day! That seems like quite a challenge, indeed. Not to mention how much time and effort it requires to manage such a lofty mission. However, they are handling the task pretty well from what I experienced. So, why does the menu change everyday? Well, as I mentioned earlier, they are bound by what is currently available to them using only ingredients from the South. While it seems restricting, Husk's stance is that it's a necessity! To them, there is no other way. I really admire a place that's willing to take such a risk for the sake of preserving what seems to be a bygone era.

To those that don't know any better, this restaurant is being touted as revolutionary because of the pledges they have made. However, what people seem to forget is that there was a time when people had to eat what was on-hand. There weren't grocery stores filled with aisle upon aisle of pre-packaged food at our disposal like today. You ate what you grew, or you didn't eat! Simple as that. While the farm-to-table mentality seems like a fad that has only recently become more prominent in popular culture, it's really just a movement that is being revived by those who appreciate simplicity. People like Chef Sean Brock.

SOUTHERN INGREDIENTS TAKE CENTER STAGE

Our recent dining experience was brunch before leaving Charleston to head home. We had ventured there the day before, but they weren't open yet, so we sadly had to go elsewhere. However, I was determined to eat at this restaurant after receiving a recommendation from a friend on the WW Facebook page. It ended up being the perfect way to round out our weekend getaway! So, yeah, let me get to the best part...the FOOD!

[RELATED ARTICLE] Quick Getaway to Charleston, SC { link }

After pouring over their menu, and not being able to choose what I wanted, I decided to ask our server what she recommended. Actually, I asked her what was the best-looking dish they had today, which elicited an interesting look, rightly so. I ended up going with her suggestion, which was the Monte Cristo. It included VA Lamb BBQ, TN Buttermilk Cheddar, fried egg, Surry Sausage, and Potato Hash. The flavor of the Lamb BBQ was incredible; it was smoky with a hint of sweetness. I would have been happy with a plate piled with nothing but that!

Cody ended up going for the TX Wagyu Sirloin, with a sunny side up egg, VA Sausage and Confit Potato Hash. The presentation of this dish had me drooling, and reconsidering my own breakfast order even though I thought mine was pretty, too. Luckily, he was nice enough to offer me a bite. The Wagyu Sirloin was so tender. Basically, it melted in your mouth—makes me salivate just thinking about it! Talk about things melting in your mouth, the buttermilk benne seed dinner rolls they brought out prior to these dishes were also amazing; I didn't hesitate to slather on the savory homemade pork lard butter they supplied us with. To say the least, it was a highly satisfying meal that I enjoyed immensely. I only wished that I had room for more!

If you're interested in finding out more about HUSK, here is a link to their website.

Our experience at Husk was short and sweet, although it most certainly made a lasting impression on me that I won't soon forget. The next time we're in town, we'll definitely be eating at this restaurant in Charleston, SC! Our meals were unforgettable and the service we received from the staff was incredible. If you're looking for a modern taste of the South with a twist, this restaurant will surely not disappoint! Thank you for visiting WW for Foodie Friday; I hope you'll be back next week :D

QUESTION: What do you think about Husk's philosophy?

Would you say that it's flawed or awesome?

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4 Great Boone Restaurants | Foodie Friday

If you've been following Wayfaring Wanderer for any period of time, you know that I have a slight (ok, BIG) obsession when it comes to food. Not only that, but I'm also pretty crazy about taking pictures of the food that I consume when I'm eating out. Yeah, I can cause a scene at times, but I'm used to being “that guy” by now. It comes with the territory of being a photographer.

Due to my penchant for taking pictures of and eating food, I decided to have a weekly feature here on Wayfaring Wanderer called Foodie Friday! I've been doing it off and on for a while now, but I'm ready to make it something that I do every week without fail.

FOOD SPOTTING FANATIC

There's no shortage of food photos laying around on my hard drive, and I'm always going out to eat it seems, so I have plenty of food pictures to share with you. Many of my food photos don't make it to the Wayfaring Wanderer Facebook page or my blog, though. Instead I share them on a website called Foodspotting most of the time.

Foodspotting is a fairly new website that is quickly growing where you share food recommendations. It's centered around photos, which I really enjoy perusing when I am so inclined. It's like a social network for Foodies, basically. You can follow people, leave comments, etc. They have an app, too, which makes it easy to upload spottings on-the-go.

For Foodie Friday's I don't always plan to share my Foodspotting photos. It's possible that I may review a restaurant(s) or offer food photography tips. I'll try to keep things interesting! This week, however, I will be sharing some of my most recent spots that have been posted on my Foodspotting profile.

What I'm sharing today are local restaurants here in Boone, NC. We've got some great places to eat in this town. And, although I've been here for over 6 years now, there are still places that I have yet to try! With that being said, here are some of the places I have dined at most recently:

COYOTE KITCHEN

Mojave Boat: coconut rice, red beans, blackened chorizo sausage, grilled jalapenos, roasted corn, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and broiled jack cheese topped with jalapeno cream cheese and scallions.

This place is one of the Boone restaurants that I love, but don't eat at often enough. You see, it's not located downtown. It's off the main strip, which is why I don't always think about eating there. When I do, though, I catch myself wondering why I don't have lunch/dinner there more often! They have an extensive menu, which is awesome, but also makes it difficult to decide on what you want to eat. I typically go for the “Boats” or burgers, and I've yet to try anything that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.

MELANIE'S

Spicy Pinto Breakfast: spicy pinto beans with chorizo, tomato, feta,, homefries, topped with two scrambled eggs. {Instagram Pic}

Hands down, Melanie's is one of my most favorite restaurants in Boone! It's the place where I take all of my out-of-town friends who come to visit, it's a must! One of the problems, for me at least, is that I usually get the same thing every time I eat there, the soysage, egg, and cheese biscuit with an order of homefries. I changed that pattern this last time I was there and decided to veer from my normal breakfast. I went for the special this time! When they brought this beast of a plate to my table, everyone in the restaurant (and I mean EVERYONE) stopped to stare at the plate, mouths wide open while simultaneously gasping. Right then, I thought, “This was a good choice.” And, o, lordy, was it! I couldn't bring myself to clean the plate, but I tried my best :D

MELLOW MUSHROOM

Cheesy Bread: a loaf of french bread basted with garlic butter, sprinkled with italian seasoning and baked. Served with marinara sauce. {Instagram Pic}

The new Mellow Mushroom that recently reopened here in Boone is bigger and better than the old one. It's quickly become one of my favorite places to go in town. Yes, they are always busy, but for a very good reason. The food is phenomenal, and the service is always top-notch. We love everyone in that place. The people are so friendly! Dinner and drinks there can turn into a 2-hr affair, especially if we get seats at the beautiful bar that Cody had a hand in crafting. It's impossible to pass up an order of cheesy bread anytime we go because it's just so dang good! 

[Related Story] The New and Improved Mellow Mushroom

CRAVE

Baked Brie: pastry wrapped, apple, toasted almond, caramel with croustini. {Instagram Pic}

This restaurant has been in business for quite a while, and I've been meaning to have dinner there at some point. However, I only made it there recently. I met up with a new friend, Courtney from Yoga G33k, and we sampled a couple of items from the menu while enjoying some cocktails at the bar. It's mainly a tapas restaurant, though, and only has a small bar area. The vibe in that place is very different from a lot of the other places you will visit in Boone. It has more of a metropolitan feel in contrast to the more rustic places you will find around town. The night that we visited was pretty quiet, but we enjoyed ourselves, the cocktails and food we had, too. I'd definitely like to go back and try more of their menu!

Well, that's all I have to share for this edition of Foodie Friday! I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse of these Boone, NC restaurants. Maybe down the line I could offer more extensive reviews of the restaurants, so that you can see more. As if I need another excuse to eat out ;)

How often do you usually eat out during the week?

Thank you for visiting Wayfaring Wanderer for Foodie Friday! I hope you'll come back next week to see what I've got cooking up. Also, in case you weren't aware, I'm hosting a giveaway for the adventurous! Here's a link to get the details: {LINK} 

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My Surprise Birthday Dinner @ The Mast Farm Inn | Valle Crucis, NC

I've driven by this place a dozen times, and I've told myself repeatedly that I'd eat there one of these days. Six years later, it finally happened!

Honestly, I don't know how I let that much time pass before I actually made my way over to eat dinner in this charming little establishment. I mean, it's no secret that I enjoy going out to eat. (I'm always sharing my food with you, it seems.) However, this place can't be compared to the typical dining experiences I frequently have.

FINE DINING & SLOW FOOD COMBINED

It's different because you feel like you're having dinner in someone's house, not a restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, and has very limited seating for service. Reservations are required in order to dine, otherwise, they wouldn't make enough food. You see, they operate differently than restaurants you have become accustomed to. The meals are prepared fresh and made with organic ingredients that are oftentimes locally sourced. That is, if they didn't grow some of the items themselves.

Across the street from the inn are a large number of raised bed gardens where they can pluck ingredients to use that same day. They also put a big emphasis on local items included on the menu; It is something I definitely appreciate. The menu changes every night depending upon what they get their hands on. Surprises were plentiful that evening!

I can't even tell you how giddy I was to be there. It was undoubtedly the best part of my birthday weekend. You know, because of the FOOD! I'll just stop beating around the bush here, and tell you about the amazing meal.

FOOD, DELIGHTFUL FOOD

The dinner began with a basket of homemade white and corny corn bread. They supplied us with a dish of their very flavorful herb butter, which I slathered on top of my cornbread. There was a slightly sweet crust on top that paired so well with the buttery spread. Next up, was the petite vegetable soup which was simple yet satisfying.

For the third course, we were served a mixed green salad topped with local goat cheese, dried cranberries & blueberries, pecans, and a molasses vinaigrette. I devoured this salad even though the dressing wasn't as sweet as I would have wanted it to be. I will say, though, that it was quite interesting. Our main dish consisted of beef bourguignon smothered with a rich red burgundy wine sauce topped with mushrooms and pearl onions. The beef was tender and delicious. No knife required for cutting. The accompanying sides included creamy grits and sauteed green beans. I loved the grits. They were awesome!

A TREAT YOU SHOULDN'T PASS UP

At this point in the meal, I barely had enough room to finish the beef bourguignon ( I ended up taking a portion home) much less leave enough room for dessert. But I'd be crazy to pass up the last course, don't you think?! I ended up going with the chocolate fudge cake (it was called something like that—sorry, I don't have my notes!) that came with homemade caramel ice cream. I could only have one tiny corner of the cake and a few spoonfuls of the ice cream, but oh my word, they were both incredible. The leftover cake went home with me, too!

By the end of our dinner, we had been there for over 2 hours. Tell me, when do you get the opportunity to take your time eating a multiple-course meal like that? Not very often, I'm sure. I know that I'm used to things coming as quickly as possible when dining out, so this was a welcomed alternative because I don't like feeling rushed. 

If you'd like to find out more about The Mast Farm Inn, here is a link to their website.

Having dinner at The Mast Farm Inn's restaurant (called Simplicity) was a treat, although I don't think this should just be one of those “special occasion” places to eat. Yes, it was slightly pricier that your typical restaurant. However, for the quality of food, service, and ambiance, it was well worth the expense. Now that I've finally been there for a dinner service, I know that I'll be back a lot sooner next time! 

WHICH PART OF THE MEAL SOUNDS THE BEST TO YOU?

Please share in the comments! Or on the WW Facebook page!

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Early Girl Eatery | Local Restaurant in Downtown Asheville, NC

This diner-style restaurant tucked away on Wall Street is a perfect place to start your day in Asheville. Due to its popularity we were met with a short wait where we hung out on the sidewalk. But we didn't mind, because this place came highly recommended by people we know and friends on Facebook. It was difficult to tell how large this place was because the dining room was hidden in the back. Surprisingly, it turned out to be much more expansive than it looked from the front. After about 20 minutes or so we were escorted through the hallway lined with creative sketches drawn by customers on the butcher paper used as table cloths. I would have stuck around to take a closer look had there not been an extreme amount of heat bellowing from the kitchen. There were some really fantastic drawings showcased on those walls.

While we were waiting, Cody and I had taken some time to peruse the menu, so we would have a good idea about what to order. Our plan—which totally backfired—was to get an entree that we could share, so that we wouldn't be so full at the end of the meal. The reasoning behind that had something to do with the rather large breakfast we ate at the Tupelo Honey Cafe days earlier that stuffed us till dinner time. There were many more restaurants I wanted to try while visiting Asheville, so I wanted to make sure that we'd be hungry come lunchtime. Great plan, right? Wrong! 

Like I said, it backfired. Our plate of Shrimp and Grits ended up being a really hearty meal that left us feeling just as full. They were different than your normal run-of-the-mill shrimp and grits. Instead of just plainly piling ingredients over stone-ground grits, they concocted a sauce to top them with. It was reminiscent of a cajun-style gumbo, like you'd find in New Orleans. I enjoyed the spicy kick the peppers added to the mix. While these shrimp and grits were much different than the ones I ate in Charleston, I thought their spin on this classic southern dish was an interesting take. 

Early Girl Eatery was a great place to have a homemade meal. It's vegetarian friendly, the waitstaff was super friendly, and the atmosphere was relaxed and laid back. We would have stayed a little longer had we not been in a rush to go meet a friend for a day of tubing. The next time we're in Asheville, it'll definitely be on our list of places to return to!

   

Interested in taking a look at some of the other places to eat in Asheville?

Visit the Local Restaurant Guide to Downtown Asheville, NC I shared previously!

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The New & Improved Mellow Mushroom Restaurant in Boone, NC

It was a sad day when the beloved Mellow Mushroom here in Boone closed its doors. Since then, many people have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of this newly renovated restaurant. Not too far from their previous location, the new and improved Mellow Mushroom will reside right on King St. across from the courthouse. The days of anticipating the opening are almost over!

While they don't officially open until August 1st, Mellow Mushroom hosted a “soft opening” for family and friends last night. I was neither, however, Cody (my bf) did happen to work with a crew who did a lot of the woodwork seen throughout. The bar they completed is absolutely beautiful along with everything else they did. That's why we were invited.

It was a great deal bigger than I imagined it would be based on the outside of the building. The new dining room is definitely larger than the old Mellow Mushroom restaurant. And the décor is stunning! So many different people came together in order to make this place possible. It was wonderful being able to see the result of what I've heard some much about from Cody along the way. Really, the restaurant looks fabulous, and I love the finished product.

A perk of being invited to the “soft opening” was an opportunity to sample the food for free. We are very familiar with Mellow Mushroom food, so we already knew what to expect. However, there were a few new things that we tried. Our table ordered Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Cheesy Garlic Bread, the Stuffed Portabello Mushroom, & Doughnads for our appetizers. Everything tasted amazing! We also ordered a few pizzas, The Mega Veggie, The Magic Myster Tour, and the Mighty Meaty. I can only vouch for the Mighty Meaty, which I thought was really good, but the rest of the table had no complaints about the pies. We finished nearly everything. It was a great meal, and the service we received was stellar, too. Our server Zoe was awesome.

We'll definitely be going back, so that I can take proper pictures of the food and such. It's going to be a new favorite restaurant of ours here in Boone. I have no doubt that it will be extremely popular with other locals and tourists, too. The new and improved Mellow Mushroom will quickly become the fixture that Boone so dearly missed during this time of transition.

It's coming back bigger and better than ever! A big thank you goes out to the Mellow Mushroom team for a wonderful evening, and I offer my gratitude to all those who worked so hard to make it happen. You guys ROCK!

Are you excited about going to the new Mellow Mushroom in Boone? 

Please share in the comments or on the WW Facebook page! 

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Local Restaurant Guide to Downtown Asheville, NC

(MAYFEL'S CHALKBOARD)

It's refreshing to see a larger city like Asheville, NC so engrossed in the slow-food movement. I mean, it is what many foward-thinking food lovers are concerned with these days or so it seems. People who are consciously aware of where their food comes from want to know that ingredients have been sustainably obtained from local resources in a manner that will support the community as a whole. This farm-to-table mentality is regarded as a new trend, but what the heck do you think people did back in the day when there was no such thing as processed foods?! Really. You grew your own food and made meals based on what you had. Nothing more, nothing less. So, to see so many restaurants that have relationships with local farmers warms my heart like there's no tomorrow. That's the way it should be if you ask me.

Downtown Asheville, NC is home to a large number of independently owned and operated dining establishments that are embracing this way of doing business. The residents and visitors who insist on consuming food fresh from local farmers are helping to support this commitment in a big way. The strong grassroots support is very apparent in this radical little city. That's why I love Asheville!

(TUPELO HONEY CAFE)

The last time I took a trip down to Asheville, NC was the previous summer with Cody and my friend Christie. We were, literally, only there for a 24-hour period, so we didn't have as much time to explore the downtown area as we would have liked. Really, though, I just wanted to eat at more restaurants! Haha Cody and I talk about taking time to go down there more often, but it just doesn't happen. We let an entire year pass by before we made the short 2-hour drive to do some more exploring...I mean, eating. It's widely known that I have a slight obsession with food these days, so our main focus for this recent trip was to, quite simply, eat. Armed with a few suggestions from people who follow WW on Facebook, we set out to consume as much as we could.

Here are some of the notable restaurants with a focus on locally obtained ingredients that we ate at while in town for 3 days. All of these are in the downtown district, and were within walking distance of where we were staying.

(BISCUIT & FRIED EGG B.L.T.)

For the Best Homestyle Breakfast: Tupelo Honey Cafe — I was dying to eat at this popular eatery when we were in town the last time, but we just couldn't find the time. This time, I made sure that it was the first restaurant we ate at so as not to make the same mistake twice. I've heard that wait times can be extensive for this place, but we were seated right away. When you go mid-week for an early breakfast, I suppose that you can beat the crowds. They quickly won me over after bringing us a complimentary biscuit that I then drizzled with honey. It was fabulous! I ordered the Fried Egg B.L.T. with a side of goat cheese grits. The sandwich was hearty, and the grits were excellent. Someone on FB warned that I'd be stuffed all day long if we ate here. Boy, were they right! The meals we both had were very filling. Our next meal wasn't until dinnertime later that day.

(MAYFEL'S DIPTYCH – Dining Room & Flowers)

For the Best Brunch: Mayfel's — I was completely smitten by the eclectic décor in this restaurant. It reminded me of New Orleans with the brightly colored orange walls and sparkly chandeliers. Since this was the last restaurant that we'd be eating at before leaving Asheville, Cody and I kinda went all-out when ordering our meal. We started with a ½ order of Beignets and a helping of Fried Green Tomatoes. I know, FGT's aren't very breakfast-y, but we got some anyway! We gobbled down the plate in no time flat. They were unlike any other FGT's I'd ever had, topped with roasted red pepper aioli, goat cheese, & Mayfel's own sweet onion relish. It was an interesting and tasty twist on the classic recipe to say the least.

(MAYFEL'S FOOD DIPTYCH – FGT's & Lumberjack Burger)

We didn't stop there, though. Cody and I both got hamburgers to boot. Even though it was closer to breakfast time, I was craving something more substantial. My burger of choice was the Lumberjack, which had bacon and a fried egg on top among other things! So, it was sort of breakfast-y. I couldn't get over how delicious the bacon was. However, the entire burger was superb. I really enjoyed it. Would you believe that I finished it all?!? I told ya, this girl can eat :D.

(LAB STREET SHOT)

For the Best Pub Grub: The L.A.B. — The Lexington Avenue Brewery offers gastro pub fare and house-brewed beers. We popped in on our first evening while walking around downtown because it was suggested to us by a friend. We settled in on the large patio along the busy sidewalk, which ended up being a great place for people watching. I tried their Raspberry Wheat beer, and Cody had the American Nitro Stout, neither of us had any complaints about the brews. To munch on, we ordered the Venison Nachos because I saw someone near by with a plate that made me drool. They came covered in black beans, chimichurri-spiced venison, LAB's special nacho cheese, and chipotle sour cream. Talk about scrumptious, they were so yummy. I loved the nacho cheese and LAB's homemade hot sauce. Cody and I used almost half the bottle dousing our chips! Sadly, they didn't have any additional bottles for sale at the time.

(CURATE FRONT DOOR)

For the Best Tapas Bar: Cúrate — Practically right around the corner from where we stayed sat this hot spot that we walked by nearly everyday. On our last evening in Asheville, we finally made our way over there with a friend to test some of their authentic Spanish tapas. I loved how they had an open kitchen right in the middle of the restaurant. Next time, I want to sit at the bar where I can see all the action! Initially, we were almost scared off by the menu the day before because the titles are in Spanish while the descriptions are in English. It was slightly confusing at first, but our friendly waiter helped steer us in the right direction! It was tough making those decisions with so many options to choose from.

(TABLE SETTING & STUFFED PEPPERS)

Due to the small portions that are typical with tapas, our waiter proposed that we each get three items. However, the prices drove us to select only three to share between the two of us. We treated ourselves to the 'jamon iberico de bellota fermin', which was cured ham from the famous black-footed iberico pigs of Spain. The slivers of ham were very flavorful. I loved the hint of saltiness. Our favorites were the 'pimientos de piquillo con queso de cabra', piquillo peppers stuffed with cana de cabra cheese. The peppers were beautifully roasted and oozing cheese, a piquant combination that we both wanted more of!

Which of these restaurants sounds good to you?

In the next post about our trip to Asheville, NC, I'll share the places we popped into when in-between meals!
You're in for a special treat...hint...hint ;)

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Quickstops in Cumberland Falls State Park

1. Cumberland River Bridge (KY 90)

This two-lane arch bridge over the Cumberland River above Cumberland Falls at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park carries Kentucky State Route 90. This bridge looks extra special in the glow of the golden evening light.

2. Natural Arch



Towering above the forest, Natural Arch stands as an impressive monument to the forces of nature in action. The 50- by 90-foot arch was formed by the eroding forces of wind, water, and ice that cut away the soft sandstone leaving a hard rock cap that arches dramatically across the sky. This park did require a $3 per vehicle entrance fee. We would have gotten a lot more for our money had we taken the hike leading you to the underside of the arch, but at the time we didn't know it existed! Please note: This is not located in the park, however, it only takes a short drive to get there. It is definitely not something you'd want to miss seeing if in that area.


3. Riverview Restaurant @ the Dupont Lodge



We enjoyed dinner with a stunning view that overlooked the Cumberland River as it wound its way through the hillside. The night we were there they were offering a seafood buffet. Cody was sold as soon as he saw crab legs on the menu. Homemade desserts were also included, which for me was probably the highlight. I couldn't help but sample a few different sweet treats.



The food was as outstanding as the view! Be prepared to wait if you'd like a window side table, although we lucked out and got one despite the packed dining room.



It was a great experience watching the multicolored sunset fade and the full moon appear. The same moon that would be illuminating Cumberland Falls, and at the same time creating the most beautiful spectacle in the process. (More on that in my next post!)

More Info:
2. Natural Arch Scenic Area Website
3. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Shrinking the World -- just a little

Out of the blue, I received an email from a fellow blogger, Kate of Art Vein Vessel. Her email proposed an idea of possibly meeting up with one another since she would be in my neck of the woods. Recently, Kate was invited to participate in a show at a gallery in Charlotte, NC, which is only 2 hours from Boone. Being as though Kate and Jerzy would be traveling all the way from Quebec, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of making a real-live connection.

After working out the details regarding when and where, we decided that the best place to take them would be our favorite restaurant here in Boone, Cha Da Thai. Upon being seated, I saw this contraption sitting on a nearby table and was very curious as to what it was. After many sideways glances with no apparent clues, we thought best to just ask our server. She informed us that it was called a Hot Pot. We inspected the menu and after repeating many times that I wanted to step outside of my pad thai box, we all ended up getting the same thing……Pad Thai! I can’t help it, it’s so yummy!! After some deliberation, we also decided to get our own Hot Pot with Tom Kha soup. The restaurant was a good pick, especially since we all got to try something new and most importantly, everything was delicious. The soup was to die for, seriously, my mouth still waters when I think about it!

In retrospect, it seems silly to think that I was nervous about meeting the two of them and whether or not we would find things to keep the conversation going. We had plenty to talk about and ended up spending 2 hours in the restaurant! It was interesting being able to share blogging with someone else who also blogs; non-bloggers don’t quite understand us. Do they?! In any event, I am glad that we were afforded the opportunity to meet Kate and Jerzy in person and I hope that someday I will get to meet even more of my blogging buddies. So, who’s next?!

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

Filling the Well

We found ourselves yet again at one of our favorite breakfast haunts, Melanie's.



Read more about this yummy place in my previous post: HERE


(left to right: Fruit Cup, Soysage egg & cheese biscuit, & homefries)

The above spread is a pic of my favorite items to order.
When the waitress came to ask us if we were ready to order,
I said, "Only if you have enough ink in your pen!" In retrospect,
it may not have been as funny as I thought, but at the time I chuckled.

I can't tell you how many times I've ordered these same menu items.
Most times when I do digress from the usual, I always wish I had gotten it instead.
The soysage egg and cheddar cheese biscuit is a crumbly albeit yummy mess. You know the
type....once you pick it up, you can't put it down. And not for the reason you would think.
It's really because if you do put it down, the entire thing will fall apart before your very eyes!
Which in my opinion makes it better :)

In the 1st photo, you can see the Stuffed French Toast, which is what Cody always gets.
What can I say, we're creatures of habit....



Speaking of creatures of habit.....where are we on that crossword?!
Last weekends breakfast we couldn't find a single paper that had one,
the breakfast just wasn't the same....



Breakfast: Conquered! Didn't think I could eat all that. Did ya?!
Just giving you a tiny glimpse of how I'm "filling the well" these days.
Sustenance aside, we are preparing the house for some
highly anticipated guests. My best friend and her son
will be spending a few days with us after Christmas.
I can't wait!

p.s. thank you all for the understanding and encouragement.
it means the world to me.

Breakfast @ Melanie's

Melanie's is one of my most favorite places to eat breakfast here in Boone.
I've only ever eaten there on a weekend. It's a special Sunday thing normally.

While Cody grabbed a newspaper to read while we waited, I checked out the
visitor magazine. I wanted to see what they suggested to tourists.
Maybe I'd be interested?!

After about 30 minutes we get the choice of outside or inside. I picked inside
because the sun was so bright and I was tired of squinting.



The teeny tiny dining area is charmingly decorated with many items that are reclaimed.
It's a small, but bright space with many tables. As you make your way through you
come close to bumping elbows with everybody.
But we quickly forget about the people around us.
Maybe it's because our noses are down in the crossword puzzle.



You always find the friendliest faces at Melanie's, I think it's something in the water there.
By the time we leave, I'm feeling a little giddy myself, although that may have
something to do with the pumpkin cream cheese topping on the pancakes
that have me in a sugary-la-la-land.



It was way better than it looks if that's what you're thinking.
Normally, we get the Stuffed French Toast, which is equally
as decadent as the pumpkin pancakes - if not more so.
Check out the picture (orange link), I bet you'll be drooling


*those are walnuts and cranberries

So there you have it, Melanie's in snapshot form.
Hope you enjoyed your oatmeal breakfast......haha.....
Okay, so that's what I eat for breakfast......

FYI:
The current giveaway is now closed.

My next post will announce the 3 winners.
Oh, and happy voting to those who are going today.
I already went a couple weeks ago!

Valentines Day Dinner

"The Gamekeeper"

Nut Crusted Goats Cheese
nut crusted and fried stilton bleu and goats cheese with dried cherry compote and house baked crackers

Elk
wapiti elk loin, grilled medium rare, with potatoes anna and roasted shallot, bourbon cream sauce

Ostrich
spice rubbed ostrich fan filet from hilltop farms in forsyth county, grilled medium-rare, with sun-dried tomato jus and parmesan risotto featuring local organic greens

Key Lime Napoleon
layers of light key lime mousse, chantilly cream, and pistachio toasted phyllo pastry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Valentine's Dinner was fabulous.......I loved everything we had......For my entrée I had the Ostrich because I really wanted to try something I had never ate before so I took it all the way and went for the Ostrich....It was very good......tastes similar to lean beef.......and is a darker meat.....according to what I've heard it's also lower in calories.........but high in protein........I wouldn't hesitate to eat it again, as it was delicious! The appetizer was a mix of our favorite cheeses, so we couldn't go wrong there.....The dessert was pretty good, I didn't think I could handle a piece of cake so I went for something a little lighter.......everything was great.......the setting, the food, the night........

Friday Night ~ Date Night

The special was a 1/2 order of Flounder for just $7.50! For my side items I went with mashed potatoes, cooked apples, & hushpuppies. Last week after Thai I decided that this week we needed some down home seafood & having never eaten at this off road delight we decided to give it a go. Cody says that he's heard of Doc Watson coming to eat here during the week so I thought "If it's good enough for Doc Watson, then, it's probably good enough for me!" And I was pleasantly surprised. Everything on the menu was decently priced which definitely makes me happy.

The waitress' were so curious as to why I was taking pictures that once I went outside they asked Cody if I was with some sort of advertising company. He politely told them no that I just

like to take pictures of the food and places that we eat. And as you've seen, yes, yes I

do. It mainly started when I first began eating meat again. I was making a calendar for my Sister of me taking bites out of hamburgers, sausage, steak, you name it. After being a vegetarian for 6 some odd years last year I decided to start eating meat again. It was mainly for climbing purposes as I believed that it would help me get stronger, and well, it did. But ever since then I haven't looked back. I enjoy not being limited to a few dishes on the menu. Now, shoot I can have anything my little heart desires. Which by the way is more than my fair share of food.

Late Night Date Night

Above is PadThai SomTom from Cha Da Thai & it was absolutely delicious.

Our waitress who graciously allowed me to photograph her in the traditional Thai formal wear; doesn't she look so cute!

Tennessee Cody

This was our dessert, crazy bubble tea. The flavor we chose was Green Tea Latte and it was yummi - and came highly recommend by our waitress. Located at the bottom of the glass are these little gelatinous balls (said to be like tapioca pudding balls) and it comes with a straw that is larger in circumference than that of a normal straw. By the end we were crying brain freeze but man was it good. I'm sure that I'll get a hankering for another one some time soon.
We also went to see the movie Superbad last night which was absolutely hilarious! It was definitely not something that you should take a kid to go see because there was lots of sexually explicit language and/or behavior riddled throughout. When we sat down I had high expectations since after the week I've had I needed some comic relief and this movie definitely pushed the envelope while stepping up to the plate the whole way through. And if any of you know my laugh you can understand how boisterous I was during the film. Side-splitter indeed!