I had no idea where we were headed, only that it was a three day getaway planned my husband, Tom Billotto as a way to celebrate my birthday.
Our
travels took us to a beautiful little cabin in the mountanside that
surrounds Lake Lure - Sugar Bush cabin was our home away from home for the
better part of last week.
Our first lunch was at Larkin's on the Lake and we sat outside on a deck at water's edge - my burger was great and Tom's blackened fish sandwich equally satisfying - needless to say we made short work of the sweet potato fries that accompanied each sandwich.
Next lunch at Medinas Village Bistro on Main Street in Chimney Rock - a hightly recomended spot, everything here is homemade and delicious and we would most certainly go back again. I enjoyed a homemade clam chower with a pressed Cuban sandwich while Tom opted for the fish sandwich special - both very nicely done.
While the cabin was beautifully appointed and we could have cooked in - we opted for the most part to dine out exploring lots of little restaurants in the area.
Our first lunch was at Larkin's on the Lake and we sat outside on a deck at water's edge - my burger was great and Tom's blackened fish sandwich equally satisfying - needless to say we made short work of the sweet potato fries that accompanied each sandwich.
That night we ate in - a big salad of mixed greens from Tega Hill Farms we brought along in the cooler served under the stars on the cabin's lower deck.
Next lunch at Medinas Village Bistro on Main Street in Chimney Rock - a hightly recomended spot, everything here is homemade and delicious and we would most certainly go back again. I enjoyed a homemade clam chower with a pressed Cuban sandwich while Tom opted for the fish sandwich special - both very nicely done.
After some exploring and antiquing around town we walked into the Lake Lure Inn and Spa - and enjoyed a slice of history in the gorgeous old lobby. We spent about an hour just looking at the antiques and old magazine aricles framed and on the wall . Built in 1928, these old beautiful walls had a lot of stories to tell and we both thought it would be a fun place to stay next time we are in need of another get away.
This time we opted to come back for dinner and while our plans were to enjoy a drink at the bar and then go into the dining room, we wound up eating at the bar as well enjoying the company of several locals and a very friendly bartender who after hearing it was my birthday, brought a slice of cake with candle for our dessert..
The food was good but the surroundings were even better and the company made for an entertaining evening.
Dinner on Thursday night was the icing on the birthday cake. A gorgeous restaurant and Inn call Esmeralda's. Located just past the little downtown of Chimney Rock, this is another place we would both love to stay sometime.
Dinner was superb - starting with an amuse of a wonton stuffed with cheese and served with a chili sauce; then an order of fried oysters and fried green tomatoes, and a tasty bruschetta with cilantro, tomatoes and slightly spicy chopped peppers atop a two bite toast.
I enjoyed the roast quail and Tom the mountain trout as entree - both perfectly done.
You and your fellow classmates can watch or lend a hand if you'd
like and together will learn to chop, slice, simmer and saute along the way.
Wine parings with every dish, recipes packets and wine
notes for each class participant. Cost is $65 - $75 per person. Class size is
limited - your advance reservations via email gets you on the class list and
advance payment confirms your space in class