Banner Elk Archives - Eat Move Make

Banner Elk Bottles, Brews and Chews

January 1, 2017 By Liz 103 Comments

The charming town of Banner Elk, NC has become quite the culinary hot spot of the high country. Whether you’re in the mood for upscale, relaxed casual, feel-good food or quick bites, you’ll find just the meal you were hoping for in Banner Elk.

I’ve written about the amazing Artisanal restaurant, but there are several other Banner Elk restaurants, a winery and some breweries worth a mention too. Whether it’s ski season or summertime, Banner Elk has plenty of tasty opportunities, so get your appetite ready!

Banner Elk Bottles, Brews and Chews

Bottles

Banner Elk Winery

High Country’s first winery has a relaxed and welcoming tasting room, and their award-winning wines will keep you coming back. The winery is quite well known for the blueberry wines, an homage to the site’s historic blueberry farm. Tastings – $10, Tues-Sun. Website

Brews

Beech Mountain Brewery

In the midst of the Alpine Village at Beech Mountain Resort, you’ll find this rustic and cozy craft brewery. I suggest ordering a beer flight which includes the signature 5506′ Pale Ale along with other favorites like Beech Blonde, Powderbowl IPA, Patroller Porter and Wee Heavy Scotch.

Enjoy your beer in the rustic brewery itself, or ride the ski lift to the top of Beech Mountain and visit 5506′ Sky Bar. Even if you don’t drink a thing, you should head up there for the majestic mountain views. Oh, and if you haven’t guessed already, 5506′ represents the elevation. (If you want to spend a little time at Beech Mountain, here are some activity ideas.) (Website)

Flat Top Brewing Co.

Named for Flat Top Mountain where they source their spring water, the brewery is located on Main Street right next to the police station, an interesting irony and a fun quirk. Flat Top Brewing is also unique to the high country in that they offer their beer on tap and in cans.

I visited the tasting room for a flight, and their Hefeweizen (spring/summer seasonal) had a banana flavor to it, and I absolutely loved it. I rarely finish a beer when having a flight, but I drained that one! (Website)

Chews

Dunn’s Deli

While Dunn’s Deli is renowned for its amazing overstuffed sandwiches made from homemade breads, I visited for breakfast, and it was fantastic! Everything is made to order, and I highly recommend the incredibly delicious C-Dubs’s Barnyard Bowl with two scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, and diced biscuits with gravy covered with grated cheddar cheese. So good! (Website)

Photo: Todd Bush

Sorrento’s Italian Bistro

If you love Southern Italian cuisine, you won’t want to miss out on the old family recipes of Sorrento’s. From the complimentary homemade rolls, to the beignets, spinach and artichoke melt and finally my Italian sub, I was enamored and look forward to returning for a pizza.

Also interesting, the artwork hung on the walls was made by local artists. I love community-driven decor! (Website)

Louisiana Purchase Food & Spirits

Dress a little nicer for this upscale restaurant which serves, you guessed it, Louisiana-style creole and cajun cuisine. Known for consistency and quality of food, the restaurant didn’t disappoint. I had a crazy good heirloom tomato and mozzarella salad, which I still talk about to this day.

Oh, and be sure to save room for dessert! (Website)

Banner Elk Cafe

This might be the most unusual of the Banner Elk restaurants in that it’s actually two indoor/outdoor restaurants with two separate kitchens and two separate menus. But you can order from either menu, no matter where you’re sitting. There’s also an ice cream parlor on site! One thing to note – if you do order from both menus, the meals may be served at different times since the kitchens work separately.

Tip: The restaurant’s patio is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend along! (Website)

Need some ideas for activities between meals? Here are suggestions for things to do outdoors in Banner Elk NC. And for more information on the area itself, visit bannerelk.com

Have you visited any of these Banner Elk restaurants? The winery or breweries? Any other area suggestions?

Things to Do in Banner Elk, NC… Outdoors!

October 3, 2016 By Liz 133 Comments

I’ve only been skiing once in my life, and that was back when skiing was pretty much the only thing people did on the slopes. Nowadays, there are tons of snow-related activities to enjoy, and Western North Carolina attracts thousands of snow enthusiasts to its quaint and charming Blue Ridge Mountain villages every winter. I visited one of these villages, Banner Elk, over the summer and fell completely in love with it.

Banner Elk, a perfectly picturesque mountain town of about 1,100 people is a hidden gem for most of the year, and perhaps that’s why it remains so unspoiled. But, it deserves to be visited all year round, and the best way to soak up its high country magic is to get outdoors. There’s something about the cool, clean crispness of mountain air that makes one feel alive (even when it’s not ski season!)

Things to Do in Banner Elk, NC Outdoors

Climb a mountain

There’s nothing like the Blue Ridge Mountains in the summertime, and the best way to see them is to go high altitude. Head up to Beech Mountain Resort where for just $12, you can purchase a lift ticket and enjoy the spectacular vista on your way up, down and from the top. Stay a while at the top and enjoy a beer or two with your view from the deck of the 5506′ Sky Bar. (Website)

Bike down a mountain

Mountain bike enthusiasts can cruise down the mountain trails to their heart’s content when they purchase a day pass. The chair lifts are equipped with racks to get the bikes to the top, but it’s up to the riders to get their bikes to the bottom. If I were a few years younger, I’d totally do it. Actually beginner biking terrains are being added, so that everyone (not just hardcore bikers) can enjoy the sport! (Website)

Visit a working alpaca farm

Take a tour (offered daily) of Apple Hill Alpaca Farm, and you’ll never think of a farm in quite the same way again. Not only will you have the chance to get up close to the alpacas, llamas, cats, chickens, dogs, goats, horses, miniature donkeys and a very special pig named Mr. Pickles. but you’ll feel really connected to the animals and the outdoors. The farm sits atop Valle Mountain in an apple orchard, and the view is absolutely exquisite. The animals aka family members (all of whom have names except the chickens) are so well loved and cared for. You’ll witness them receiving many hugs and friendly scratches. This is a must-visit for all ages. Be sure to visit the gift shop before you leave where you can purchase socks or yarn made from the wool of your favorite friends.(Website)

Mr. Pickles!

alpaca-yarn-at-apple-hill-farm-banner-elk-nc

Don’t miss the gift shop!

Go for a stroll

You’ll find locals, second-homers and visitors alike enjoying the beautiful Banner Elk Greenway walking trails. With several loops of varying lengths to choose from and more in the works, it’s a great way to spend some time outside in a beautiful, peaceful place. (Website)

Get out on the water

Visit Wildcat Lake for a bit of the beach while you’re in the mountains. The serene lake setting is a throwback to the summers of yesteryear with its old-fashioned fishing pier, swimming dock and canoes for paddling. The 13-acre lake begs visitors to take non-motorized boats out among the lily pads and explore. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer, and the lake is stocked for fishing. (Website)

Learn about wildlife rehabilitation

If you have a soft spot for animals, you won’t want to miss making a visit and/or taking a tour of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on the campus of Lees-McRae College. The center rehabilitates and cares for orphaned and injured animals in the hopes of successfully releasing them back to the wild. When I was there, they were working with a baby bobcat and a paralyzed goose in the medical facilities, and during the presentation we were able to see a barred owl and a hawk. It’s quite moving to hear the students talk about the animals they care for, and the ones they’ve been lucky enough to see completely rehabilitated. (Website)

Tickle the ivories

The Go Ahead and Play Me Piano Project is an open invitation to the community! Creatively painted pianos are scattered throughout Banner Elk, and you never know when someone will stop by and tickle those ivories. All of the pianos are installed within several blocks of each other, so it’s easy to follow the trail and see (or play) them all. (Website)

These are just some of the many things to do in Banner Elk outdoors, but I hope it intrigues you and gives you a taste of what’s there. I’ve fallen in love with this very special spot in high country, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you do too. I hope you’ll visit!

You’ll find more visitor information at bannerelk.com, and be sure to check out my post on Artisanal, a restaurant in Banner Elk you have to taste to believe.

Artisanal – A Culinary Gem in the NC Mountains

August 23, 2016 By Liz 149 Comments

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 - Artisanal restaurant Banner Elk NC

Outdoor dining with amazing view

private dining room by wine cellar - Artisanal restaurant Banner Elk NC

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!