Lulu’s on Main, Sylva
Lulu’s on Main dishes up big-city fare along the main drag of Sylva’s quaint, picture-pretty downtown. You’ll find the kitchen manned by a classically trained chef who turns out an eclectic rotation from bouillabaisse to spicy Indian chickpea curry with roasted garlic naan. Lulu’s takes recycling and repurposing to new heights: The napkins are made from a sugar cane byproduct.
612 W. Main St., Sylva, N.C. 828-586-8989, lulusonmain.com.
The Orchard Restaurant, Cashiers Valley
It’s hard to beat the rustic charm of the century-old farmhouse that the Orchard Restaurant calls home. While the menu is crowded with fine dining offerings flavored with a Southern bent — boneless breast of mountain quail wrapped in bacon, topped with chive goat cheese — the exemplary service and wine list won’t let you down, either.
905 N.C. 107 S., Cashiers Valley, N.C. 828-743-7614, theorchardcashiers.com , @OrchardCashiers.
Gamekeeper, Boone
Don’t be surprised if you find flowers on your emu fan filet at the Gamekeeper. On the outside, you might think you’ve stumbled across just another rustic mountain restaurant, but take a peek at the menu and you’ll find “progressive Appalachian cuisine” that focuses on local game and produce. True to its name, the Gamekeeper specializes in expertly prepared game. Along with the aforementioned emu, you can choose from osso buco-style venison served over spinach risotto or the grilled elk rubbed with cocoa and accompanied by blue mac-and-cheese and shiitake mushroom jus. And, whatever you do, don’t miss out on the bourbon-and-caramel bread pudding.
3005 Shulls Mill Road, Boone, N.C. 828-963-7400, gamekeeper-nc.com , @GameKeeperNC.
Canyon Kitchen, Sapphire
Lonesome Valley’s Canyon Kitchen sits in a box canyon on a rolling meadow, surrounded by well-tended gardens, in the shadow of dramatic granite faces. Executive chef Adam Hayes calls his food traditional Southern cuisine, but with a locally sourced menu that changes weekly, you can expect to be surprised. Hayes and his team have been invited to the James Beard house in November for the second time. They’ll be featuring ingredients of Western North Carolina. The food isn’t the only starring attraction at Canyon Kitchen. Guests should be prepared to dine in the baronial splendor of the open-air barn.
150 Lonesome Valley Road, Sapphire, N.C. 823-743-7967, lonesomevalley.com , @LonesomeValley.
The Colington Cafe, Outer Banks
Planted in a dense maritime forest, just a mile or so from the beach, on one of the Outer Banks’ oldest deeded properties, the Colington Cafe, once a Victorian home, serves up elegant meals at reasonable prices. Much of the local produce comes from nearby Currituck farms, and seafood is local as well. Don’t miss the crabcakes and she-crab soup, nor should you bypass the extensive wine list. Plus, you’ve got to appreciate a restaurant with a children’s menu that includes crabcakes and a 4-ounce filet mignon.
1029 Colington Road, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 252-480-1123, thecolingtoncafe.com.
Art’s Place, Kitty Hawk
You can’t ignore Art’s Place on the beach with its jumble of primary colors on its wooden facade. This is a joint in the most loving sense of the word. Great burgers, hand-cut fries, icy brews and the biggest breakfast on the beach, according to its legions of fans. Art’s also features live music and a full bar.
4624 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, N.C. 252-261-3233, artsplaceobx.com.
Kindred, Davidson
Driven by a seasonal menu, Kindred restaurant is a must when visiting the Lake Norman area. Dressed in gleaming white brick and subway tile, family-owned Kindred shines with its dishes, too. Consider potatoes cooked in duck fat and served with aioli or crawfish doused in vodka and accompanied with a bit of crawfish roe butter. But, then, it’s pretty hard to ignore mussel tartine flavored with chorizo, green garlic and fresh parsley.
131 Main St., Davidson, N.C. 980-231-5000, kindreddavidson.com , @KindredDAV.
Best Cellar, Blowing Rock
In historic Blowing Rock, look for the Best Cellar restaurant, part of the Inn at Ragged Gardens, which is housed in a roomy Arts and Crafts home surrounded by lush gardens in a neighborhood that’s a mix of residential and commercial. Whether you dine indoors or in the garden, you’ll find a mountain casual menu that takes you from oysters Rockefeller to roast duckling without missing a beat. Dessert is a must, and the banana pie with a pecan cookie crust is nearly legendary. Note the restaurant asks that cellphones not be used in the dining room.
203 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock, N.C. 828-295-3466, ragged-gardens.com.
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