Artisanal Restaurant – Banner Elk NC
Artisanal, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
At the risk of using the word “experience”, which I feel is nearing overuse, the Artisanal restaurant in Banner Elk, NC really is a culinary experience. The food is explosively delicious, the service is impeccable, and the ambiance is rustic elegance at its most sensational.
Truly.
And for me to say that is a big dang deal, because I normally don’t love frou-frou. Appreciate it? Yes, but love it? Nah, I’d much rather grab a burger and fries than ever get dressed up and sit through multiple dinner courses, no matter how good the food.
But Artisanal? I’d eat there again in a heartbeat.
Firstly, the decor is ooh-aah, y’all.
It manages to be modern and upscale while retaining a cozy warmth. Perhaps that’s why I liked it so much — it’s not snooty. Plus, it has a giant driftwood horse sculpture in the entrance. Ya gotta love that!
Outdoor dining with amazing view
private dining room next to wine cellar
Another perk to the decor — this guy. Not bad, huh? I’m talking about the door handle, of course. (wink, wink)
Artisanal is the foodie child of chef Bill Greene and wife Anita. Bill grew up in Banner Elk, attended the CIA and was enjoying a robust chef career in Charlotte when family circumstances called him home to Banner Elk. He and his wife Anita opened Artisanal, and the culinary gem now shines brightly in the North Carolina mountains.
Psst, if you live anywhere near Charlotte, Chef Greene is opening another restaurant there, and I’ll race ya through the front door!
But let’s get to the food at Artisanal, shall we? The creativity and innovation taken with each of the fresh and very unique ingredients will blow your mind and your taste buds. In a good way, of course.
The colors, flavors and textures surprise and delight, and since each bite is a little different than the one before, the culinary experience is never ending.
Are you drooling yet? Seriously phenomenal food, and the sommelier expertly paired each dish with a perfect wine. Although I tend to favor whites, I loved each and every one of the white and red selections.
I hope you’ll take the opportunity to visit the Artisanal restaurant in Banner Elk, NC. Locals are very proud of their culinary gem (an OpenTable Top 100 restaurant), but it’s a secret that begs to be shared with everyone who visits high country!
Visit the Artisanal website for menu and reservation details.
For more information on the Banner Elk area, visit www.bannerelk.com
Psst, keep an eye out for upcoming posts about my visit to Banner Elk!
