Sun 30 Jan 2011

Waynesville Restaurants

Posted by under Waynesville Restaurants
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Hello! Welcome to Waynesville Restaurants.

OK, I know this is a weird name for a website, but I have a good reason for coming up with those particular combination of words. See, when someone gets on their computer or phone to browse for a place to dine and also get reviews, they will more than likely type the words, Waynesville Restaurants or Restaurants Waynesville in the search box. I know this because I actually researched it myself.

No, I don’t own a restaurant or even work in one, but I do eat a lot and I love food! I wanted you to find this website so that you could get a honest opinion from a local resident of Haywood County.

Some people don’t really ever take the time to check out a place when they decide where they are going to dine, but I for one do all the time. Especially when I go on a trip with my family.

I do it for organization and budget and most importantly… I want it to be the best experience every time. Don’t you? Why am I writing this….I love writing and I also like helping people, as well as being a part of my local community. Waynesville is an awesome small town and I take complete pride in telling that to visitors all the time. Heck, have you ever went some where and thought to yourself, I wish I could tell as many people about this place…whether it was a really great experience or really bad? Well, that’s what I’m doing. YEA me, ha! :)

So I would love to tell you some key factors to look for when looking for a place to eat as well as a future reference so you won’t be wasting your cash on diners that look good on paper but bad on taste. Then I will give you a few restaurants choices in Waynesville that will make you walk away from these places wishing you had that same exact restaurant experience in your own area. Alright, think about what a “great restaurant” is to you.

If you have a family with young children, maybe a family or cafeteria-style setting would be one choice. If your single/couple who enjoys drinks and watching sports, I would suggest finding a bar and grill atmosphere. Or maybe you have a special occasion coming up or you had a long day and need more of a quiet, romantic and relaxing dining experience…. whatever it may be, think for a moment on what it is you want and then make your choice on what type of place is suitable to your likings. Believe it or not, some people have a hard time knowing what and where they want to feast and that’s ok too.

My gosh I couldn’t tell you how many times I would have a conversation with someone on where to eat and both of us would say along the lines of…”Where do you want to eat?….I don’t know, where do you want to eat?” back and forth until you get to wishing there was a restaurant named “I Don’t Know”, ha so that’s why I’m throwing out some ideas. :) Once you figure out what type of dining would be right for you start reading some personal reviews (like this one) on any restaurant ads you may find in a local print or some online reviews that might catch your eyes.

You can even check out a business with the Better Business Bureau or also called BBB. There is a section you find on the BBB site that will allow you to check local listings in area as well. Also, look for the BBB (the real story) link on the Blogroll section on this site or just click on the BBB link highlighted in this paragraph. It’s pretty interesting.

Ok, everyone likes to know what others have to say about anything and everything right? There are several factors that people would want to know on whats the “go-to” place to be, especially if your on vacation or just driving through Waynesville, and even for those of you that are locals looking for something different from the norm, like a special occasion.

So, you should be looking for reviews that tell you the quality of food, pricing, atmosphere, service, location and type of cuisine. If reading reviews isn’t quite enough to go on, check out the local Chamber of Commerce for suggestions and ideas. Restaurants that are listed with the Chamber of Commerce have more than likely established a good reputation. Are you use to the city life? Some people think, small town…nothing to eat and nothing to do. Well one of the coolest things about Waynesville is that there is plenty of different types of cuisines and dining options to choose.

This small town in the mountains of North Carolina has flavor, so have no worries city folk! Downtown Main Street alone has bar and grills, fine dining, outdoor seating, sandwich shops, a bakery coffee shop, local pizza restaurant owners, catering services, cafes and even plenty of shops and art galleries to walk to and visit. These small businesses can compete with the best of the them BIG time cities like Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas or Atlanta to name a few. Yeah, its quaint…but this little area packs a punch. Plus the scenic views of these mountains can really take your breath away. There are also other fabulous restaurants to pick from on the outskirts of downtown too.

You can find the typical chain restaurants that you would find in any city. But if your looking for a different experience and atmosphere you will also find a little bit of everything here whether it’s breakfast, lunch or a dinner menu. There is Country Home Cooking, BBQ, Seafood, Steakhouses, Bed and Breakfast, Snack Shops, Ice Cream Shops, Bars, Organic Food Restaurants, as well as culture foods like American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese and even for those of you that can’t afford dining and are homeless…a Soup Kitchen.

Don’t worry, all these restaurant establishments, diners, snack shops, food courts and anything that is in the business of serving food to the public is inspected thoroughly by N.C. Division of Public Health and are under strict regulations to make sure whatever food you consume in these places are prepared and served as well as the cleanliness is under N.C. Division of Public Health guidelines.

Note: Worried about what your eating? Check out the USDA National Nutrient Database. You can also check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which is your source for credible health information. Check out this video if your interested in knowing a little more about how to avoid food illness.

Waynesville North Carolina is a beautiful place to bring yourself. Did I mention that there are smaller towns within a 20 mile radius of Waynesville? My gosh, these towns have plenty of dining scenes too. There is Canton, Clyde, Hazelwood, Maggie Valley, Balsam, that are all a part of Haywood County(828). Did you know Downtown has festivals all year round. O gosh, if you’ve never been here before and you happen to come during a festival like the Fall, Christmas, Art Festival, or one of the BIGGEST ones that draws a large crowd and travels through different towns and cities is the Folkmoot, then your in for a real treat.

Ok, so imagine dining outside in the crisp beautiful mountain weather while a festival is happening before your eyes. Imagine eating in front of the window in one of these local restaurants while a parade comes through town. It’s a blast. You will find a variety of people of all ages enjoying the moment like you and fond memories that will follow for the rest of your life. Besides eating out diners in this area, did you know there has been movies from Hollywood filmed here too. Like, My Fellow Americans starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau was in Waynesville and also Asheville at the Biltmore Estate. And there are some famous celebrities who live in the Asheville, Buncombe County area.

Yep like Tom Cruise, Robin Williams, Andie MacDowell and Billy Graham. Ha, I kind of got off course there…but the point being this place is super delicious in every way. You gotta visit this area! How do you find this North Carolina Waynesville town? Google maps is a great place to look because it’s always updating, but if you can’t seem to find what your looking for I’m sure a 2010 map direction booklet would give you the same results.

This area is slowly but steadily growing and has gradually populated and changed within the last few years. I can’t imagine anyone not finding this town, but for whatever reason you can’t find it…we are 30 minutes west of Asheville North Carolina which is Buncomb County. I can relate on not finding Waynesville, my sister asked me how to get here because she couldn’t find it on the map so I can totally understand if you can’t…ha ha (ssshhh) of course, my sister doesn’t care if I mention her. :)

But seriously, it’s on the map. Well, there it is, all in front of you to decide. Now, the fun part. The reviews I have for some of these fabulous restaurants and their delicious entrees. Only one small problem…this site is still under construction, I’m currently working on getting the links to help you find the best restaurants on the web. Plus, I have to get their permission for legal reasons.

Note: When I get the permissions to post these site you will find some of them in the “About” page on this site. So it won’t be too long, I promise. :)

Oh, be sure to check out the other pages I have on dining while your here. I have some useful tips on proper dining etiquette and how to cook your own Rainbow Trout! I will also continually be updating with more post on this Waynesville Restaurants website with information, so don’t miss out. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy your visit and as well as the food when you get here!

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Wed 30 Mar 2011

Food and Wine Pairing

Posted by under Wine and Pairing
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Ever wonder what type of wine to have with your meal? I know I have struggled for years until I found this list that gave me every possible scenario for wining and dining. There are plenty of Waynesville restaurants that carry a wide variety of wine selections. This list can be useful for many reasons. The two reasons that stand out the most are knowing what tastes good with what kind of food you order obviously. The second I guess is a preference, but I’m sure most people would agree that know what your doing when on a dining date. It will certainly impress that special someone.

Whether your single or married, if you know what type of wine to order, that alone will certainly give you brownie points towards a perfect night out. For whatever circumstance you find yourself when confronted with wine, wine is a delicate drink that can make a perfectly great meal turn bad or fabulous. Don’t gamble with your hard earned cash or food. Read this list of wines and foods below, so you can be better educated and enjoy the taste of a fine wine with a delicious entree.

Wine Guide: Food & Wine

When it comes to matching food and wine the possibilities are, of course, endless but the good news is that there are no right or wrong answers. Sure, some combinations will be better than others, but you’ll discover what these are through experimentation with your favorite foods and wines. So, out with the rule book and in with the freedom to improvise and have fun. Remember, too, that it’s not just what you’re cooking that matters but how you’re cooking it. Here are some basic pointers that may help you on your way:

Wine should complement the food rather than dominate it, so one simple thing to keep in mind is “light food: light wine, heavier food: heavier wine”. Soups, salads and light dishes will show best when accompanied by light, usually white, wines. More robust foods with fuller flavors can handle bigger, stronger wines. Obvious, we know, but it really is that simple.

Take a look at our packs of mixed wine and other pre-selected wine packs that complement any meal.

Now let’s take a look at some common foods.

Fish

Many wines can overpower the delicate range of flavors to be found in the fish group, so aim for something light and fresh that will let the flavor of the fish shine through. Here are some safe bets:

Sauvignon Blanc: New Zealand versions are particularly good since they are light, zesty and lemony. See our selection of Sauvignon Blanc wines

Sancerre & Pouilly Fumé: Also made from Sauvignon Blanc, these French wines are lean, grassy and excellent all-round fish wines.

White Bordeaux: Usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon (which gives it extra richness), this can stand up to richer fish flavors and sauces. It’s particularly good with smoked salmon, but works with a wide variety of dishes.

Muscadet-Sur-Lie and Chablis: two French wines that are classic partners for Oysters and Mussels.

Chardonnay: Richer fish dishes call for weightier wines and many California and Australian chardonnays fit the bill nicely. It’s best to avoid overly oaky styles, as they can overpower the fish.See our selection of Chardonnay wines

Pinot Grigio: A good all-rounder, its neutral character makes it very flexible with fish and other foods.

Riesling: Particularly Australian versions which have lovely lime-juice flavors are a perfect match for fish.

Pinot Noir: Yes, it’s okay to drink red wine with fish! Pinot Noir works well with salmon, but try it with grilled fish or anytime you’re having fish and just want to drink red.

Meat

Meat’s more robust flavors call for hearty wines and there are few things as satisfying as a nice steak and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Here are a few starting points:

Beef & Steak: Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic partner for red meat. Cabernets from California, Australia, Chile, or Bordeaux all work very well. Merlot and Syrah/Shiraz, too, are excellent choices.See our selection of Cabernet Sauvignon wines

Lamb: Bordeaux and Rioja are great choices, here, but try your favorite red wine and see what you think.

Casseroles and Stews: Hearty, robust reds are usually best and there are lots to choose from. Cêtes-du-Rhône, Syrah/Shiraz and Zinfandel are all good bets.

Pork and Veal: Red and white wine can work equally well with pork. Aim for lighter reds like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais or Chianti, or softer reds like Merlot. Chardonnay is a good choice for a “porky” white.

Poultry: As the flavor strengthens from chicken to pheasant, so, too, should the wine. A wide variety of wines work with poultry, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A full-bodied Chardonnay can even handle goose. Strongly flavored poultry and game birds can easily handle red Bordeaux, Cabernets and Merlots.

Other

Pizza: Think red. Italian reds like Chianti, Valpolicella or those made from the Sangiovese grape are particularly good, but so is Zinfandel. Don’t over-think your pizza wine; just enjoy it.

Pasta: With creamy and fishy sauces, lean towards whites like Pinot Grigio and crisp Chardonnays like Macon-Villages. With red sauces, meat sauces and lasagna go with a hearty red. Any Italian will do as will Zinfandel or Syrah/Shiraz.

Vegetarian: Such a catch-all category that it really depends on the preparation and spices. If it’s an earthy, nutty dish, Pinot Noir could be great. If it’s lighter, with more green vegetables, then you might be better off with a white like Chardonnay.

Dessert

For many people, dessert wine takes the place of dessert, but if you choose to serve wine with dessert, here are a few pointers based on the type of dish.

Fruit: Either on its own or in tarts, fruit flatter sweet wines wonderfully. The acid in the fruit is a nice foil to the sweetness of the wine. Try Sauternes, Late Harvest Riesling or Muscat.

Chocolate: Hugely popular in desserts, but tough to match with wine. Many people like Merlot with chocolate and Tawny Port’s hazelnut character marries wonderfully.

Heavy Desserts: If the dessert is already sweet and heavy, try a light, refreshing glass of Moscato d’Asti or Champagne as an accompaniment.

If this list was useful for you and you would like some information on wines, please check out this website at http://www.mywinesdirect.com/my-wine-guide/food-wine.

Like I said at the top of this post, there are plenty of Waynesville restaurants that provide wines with their dining so get the know how on how to choose your drink! I hope this was helpful…CHEERS!

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Fri 25 Feb 2011

Need Help Finding Waynesville?

Posted by under Need Help Finding Waynesville?
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Waynesville North Carolina is located in Western North Carolina. This small mountain town is the largest of all the towns west of Asheville North Carolina. The drive on Interstate 40 (I-40) from Asheville to Waynesville is approximately 30 minutes at 60 mphs an hour. You will also find the surrounding towns like Maggie Valley, Canton, Clyde, Hazelwood and Balsam, in this majestic historical Haywood County as well.

As you can see, the map shows you the valleys and ridges of all the mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway is only 10 minutes from Downtown Waynesville. The Parkway gives a panoramic view of Waynesville which you can see is nestled in the valley. You will also witness some the most dangerous roads to travel as well as some areas that have suffered rock slides.

The people of this gorgeous town enjoy all the beauty of and nature on a daily base. From all directions of this wonderful place you will find a phonomenal picture you can take while site seeing.

I hope this Google map will help you find this incredible quiet little town. You certainly won’t regret coming here, there is plenty to do, see and of course most importantly…eat!

Haywood County, Waynesville NC





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Wed 2 Feb 2011

You Be The Chef

Posted by under You Be The Chef
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Here’s a great article that Waynesville Restaurants website wants to share with you if your interested in cooking your own rainbow trout. I figured if you want to take a break from dining out and your maybe renting a cabin near a creek in the area, you might go fishing and would need a guide on how to cook a trout.

Since the most common fish in Western North Carolina is a Rainbow Trout (mm mm they are DELICIOUS) why not learn how to catch and cook one!

Check out this article on Ezine Articles on…

How to catch a Rainbow Trout

Some people love to watch vs. reading instructions so here’s a video on how to cook a Rainbow Trout for those of you want to take a break from all the reading. Plus this video shows a different way of cooking a trout verses grilling it on the grill. ;)

… This video makes it look easy huh?

Now here is the next example you can use.

How to Cook a Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout have a fascinating life story. You don’t need to know it to enjoy cooking and eating this tender-fleshed fish, but I find that brushing up on my food facts makes me feel more connected with the things that I put in my body and that sustain me and give me pleasure.

Rainbow trout are actually a type of Pacific salmon. Their native home is the rivers that feed into the northern Pacific Ocean in both Asia and North America, but they have been introduced to countries throughout the world. They are one of the fish species that are widely farmed today as a relatively cheap protein source for much of the world’s population.

Some people know rainbow trout as “red-band trout.” Interestingly, the same fish has an entirely different name–steel-head–when found in the ocean, or when it returns from the sea for spawning. The steel-head form looks quite different from the rainbow or red-band form, too, most significantly in that it loses its distinctive red bed along its sides.

Like other salmon, rainbow trout are good nutrition-wise. They are rich in omega three fatty acids, which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Omega three fatty acids have more recently been shown to help combat depression in people. Rainbow trout also have low fat but high levels of protein, vitamin A, vitamin D and various minerals.

Easy Charcoal-Cooked Rainbow Trout

You can do this in a charcoal grill or on the hot coals of a campfire!

1. Rinse whole (cleaned) fish in cold water. Stuff with onion slices and lemon wedges.

2. Wrap fish in aluminum foil. Lay the foil-wrapped fish directly on hot charcoal or hot coals. Cook 7 minutes; turn the fish over and cook 6 or 7 minutes on the other side.

3. Carefully remove fish (still in foil) from the coals; you may need tongs to do this safely. Let cool for a few moments.

4. Open foil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy.

Note: You can eat around the bones, but a better approach is to remove them entirely before digging in. Using a fork, just pull the the fish’s back meat in one direction and the belly meat in the other, and you can remove the bones in one piece.

Filled Pan-Fried Rainbow Trout

Ingredients

4 cleaned and scaled whole trout

1 cup pine nuts, ground finely or almost to powder

1/4 cup raisins

1/2 cup finely chopped prunes

1/4 cup white wine

2 cups fresh bread crumbs

Salt

Coarsely ground black pepper

2 teaspoons chopped parsley or parsley flakes

1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

1. Mix pine nuts, raisins, prunes, bread crumbs and wine together.

2. Add salt and pepper to taste, and stir in parsley.

3. Press mixture into the cavity of each fish. Hold fish and mixture together with toothpicks.

4. Heat olive oil in skillet. Fry fish in hot oil for 4 minutes per side.

5. Remove trout to a plate lined with paper towel. Allow excess oil to drain off. Transfer fish to serving plates.

Sarah Sandori is the food and entertaining columnist for the Solid Gold Info Writers Consortium. Have you ever wanted to be able to exactly duplicate a favorite dish from a favorite restaurant? Check out Sarah’s article where she reveals her source for the most mouth-watering secret restaurant recipes in America: http://www.solid-gold.info/most-wanted-recipes.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Sandori

In case you do decide to cook your own meal like trout, you better make sure that it is fishing season in the state of North Carolina. Check out this link to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website. It gives you all the information you would ever need on the regulations and license info, along with anything you want to know about the State Parks in this state.

I hope this little article on Waynesville Restaurants helps you cook the best meal ever!

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