As a high country local, there are so many fun things to do and SO many yummy places to eat. Honestly.....one of my favorite things about living in the mountains of North Carolina are the restaurants. I am a foodie and even my sweet hubby knows that I would rather him take me out to eat than buy me a new purse or fancy jewelry. There is just something so sweet about congregating with your friends, your spouse, your family, whomever ....at a local restaurant and creating laughter and precious memories that you can hold on to for years to come. As a student for five years + being a local for almost five years, I have had the opportunity to visit many of our neighborhood spots here in the high country. Ryan and I love going out to eat and taking our time (because let's be serious, when eating out with a toddler, there ain't no time to waste. You get in and get out :)), We love to order drinks and appetizers, visit for while and then come back around to order our entree. We always try to pick something unique on the menu to allow ourselves to try something new. So whether you are a local and are intrigued in trying something new, or you are visiting the high country for the first or tenth time, I am providing my top 10 list of restaurants to eat at in the Boone/Blowing Rock/Banner Elk area. # 10 Local Lion. Known for their homemade potato doughnuts and their freshly roasted local coffee, this espresso bar will surely leave you coming back for more. My top picks ~ The Maple Glazed Doughnut & Hazel Truffle Latte. #9 Sorrento's Italian Bistro. A family run business and has been serving Italian dishes since 1983 to locals and travelers to the quaint town in Banner Elk, North Carolina. My top pick ~ Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo. #8 Our Daily Bread. The perfect combination between a cafe and a sandwich shop located right in the heart of downtown Boone, NC. Park you car, grab lunch and then shop around at all your favorite boutiques. My top pick ~ Chicken Salad Melt served with fresh fruit. #7 The Tapp Room. A laid back, casual restaurant that provides a wide variety of items on their menu, a great selection of drinks and is the perfect place for a low-key night or a celebration after game-day. My top pick ~ Tuscan Chicken Sandwich. #6 Proper. Known for providing homestyle southern cooking, this restaurant is perfect if you are looking for a quaint atmosphere with delicious southern cuisine. My top pick ~ Meatloaf. #5 Foggy Rock Eatery & Pub. Located on 321 in Blowing Rock, this eatery is perfect for the whole family with a delicious menu and affordable prices. My top pick ~ Cobb Salad with Grilled Salmon. #4 Cobo Sushi Bistro & Bar. This one-of-a-kind dining experience includes the Japanese art of sushi, but also has plenty of non-traditional and contemporary menu items. They offer a fun-loving, casual, yet elegant atmosphere that welcomes all. My top pick ~ Chocolate Martini, Co-Bang Shrimp, The Appalachian Roll & Six Layer Caramel Cake by Whisk Bakery. # 3 Vidalia Restaurant & Wine Bar. The perfect place for a date night. Located in downtown Boone, Vidalia offers a delicious menu that will meet any customers pallet. My top picks ~ Pimento Cheese, Vidalia Burger & the gluten free flourless chocolate tote by Whisk Bakery. #2 Ransom Pub. Located in the heart of downtown Boone, Ransom offers a fresh take on traditional pub fare. My top pick - secret garden pizza and ransom mac and cheese (toddler approved too). #1 The Peddler Steakhouse. A restaurant that is near and dear to my heart as I worked here for five years, The Peddler offers the best steak in town. With a wide variety of meat options, each entree is cooked over a glowing Tennessee Hickory charcoal. Not to mention, they also have a salad bar that is, in my opinion, one of the best one in town with over 40 garden fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses and other toppings to choose from. My top picks - New York Strip with seven pepper seasoning, grilled salmon, stuffed baked potato & tollhouse pie. I hope you found this list helpful. If you have a favorite place to eat in the High Country, I would love to hear from you. I am always looking to try new places so comment below with your recommendations!
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As we are settling into the fall season and are experiencing cooler temperatures, what could be better than a yummy plate of warm stir fry. This recipe is part of the Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Living Program that I am currently doing; however, it was too good to keep to myself so I wanted to share with my audience. Now, if you are like me and are fairly busy and on the go, you might not have time to spend your Sunday afternoon cutting up veggies, baking and chopping your chicken and so forth. Thus, I have modified this recipe to make it as timely, user-friendly and budget-friendly as possible. This recipe is also husband and toddler approved :). I hope you enjoy and if you do end up trying this recipe out, comment or message me with your pictures and feedback! I would love to know what you thought! As a side tip- if your nearest grocery store participates in online shopping, I would HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of this. You can type in the ingredients that you want for any certain recipe on your list and pick them up at your convenience. We specifically shop at Harris Teeter Online; however, many other grocery stories also participate in this program. Step 1- Ingredients
Step 2- Directions Follow these easy step by step directions:
Voilà!! If the smell alone does not make your belly rumble, the first bite of this delicious meal will have you feeling so happy that you made it. I have made this a number of times for my husband and my toddler and they both always end up going back for seconds. I hope you love it as much as we do. Send me your recipes!!
Do you enjoy clean eating/clean cooking too? Do you have any favorite clean recipes that are a must to try? I am also looking for new ideas so please send me your recipes and I will be glad to feature one of them on my next 'CleanEats' blog post! Want to see more? Follow me on Instagram at mtnmommanc. Look forward to connecting with you! Have you ever had that moment where you are looking for the perfect outfit? Maybe you are going on a first date and you are wanting to make a good first impression. Maybe you have a wedding coming up and you cant't seem to find anything in your closet that fits or is in season. Or maybe it's game day at The Rock and you are ready to sport your black and gold to cheer on the App State Mountaineers (whoop whoop). Whatever your circumstance, we have all been in a place where we just need a little umph in our wardrobe....a little pep in our step. That is where Boone Belles steps in. About the Owners Established in May 2014, Hilary Carpenter and Leigh Anne Dwyer, joined by their parents, started this family owned business with the intention of bringing the latest trends in fashion apparel and accessories to each and every customer at an affordable price. As a frequent visitor to the high country growing up and then attending Appalachian State University for their undergraduate studies, Hilary and Leigh Ann knew there was a need for a boutique that provided patrons with a wide variety of clothing and accessories that would allow them to look and feel their best, but do so without breaking the bank. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 When the 2008 recession hit, Hilary and Leigh Ann found themselves finishing up their education degree while their father suffered from the collapse in the economy and unfortunately lost his job. Upon graduation, they moved to Winston Salem, NC where they started their teaching career, at which point their parents started their own small online business. For months, Hilary and Leigh Ann would work all day in the classroom and then help their parents on nights and weekends with their small business. It was a rough time for their family, but trusting in their faith and walking through that season together was the contributing factor that helped them get through such a hard time. One day, while Leigh Ann was in Boone for a visit, she noticed the 'For Rent' sign on the building where Boone Drug previously existed. She went back to her family and approached them with the idea of starting a boutique that carried clothing and accessories that would not only appeal to college students, but to women of all ages in the high country, to provide the latest trends and fashions at an affordable price. After much discussion and prayer, they opened their first store located on King Street. About Boone Belles When the store launched in May 2014, word of mouth quickly got around that this newfound boutique would meet anyone's needs. With a client base that consists of women of all ages, their store associates work hand-in-hand with the customers to help them find the perfect item. As a boutique that carries mainly clothing and accessories generally priced at $50 or less, Boone Belles also features popular brands such as Simply Southern, Girlie Girl Tees, Tervis Drinkware, Shiela Fajl, CC Beanies and Bridgewater Candles. Here are some of my favorite looks that have been featured on their direct Facebook & Instagram pages: Not only does Boone Belle's have their local roots planted on King Street in Boone, NC but they also recently opened a second location in Blowing Rock, NC as well as an online presence where customers can conveniently shop from the comfort of their own home. In addition to being true to their roots, Boone Belles also regularly donates to the local Boone community. With their background being in education, they love to host fundraising events that give back to local teachers and schools. In addition, they regularly partner with the Appalachian Panhellenic Council to raise money for their lovely neighbors, F.A.R.M. Cafe. It is no wonder they were voted ‘Best of the Best’ women’s boutique by the Watauga Democrat. Customer Reviews With over 17K followers on their Facebook and Instagram pages, it is no wonder that Boone Belles has become one of the go to boutiques of choice for customers that are seeking trendy and fashionable items at an affordable price. Here are just a few reviews from some very happy customers: “ I love this place! It was my first visit over the weekend. Employees are very helpful and friendly. I so like the jewelry here. It's so pretty and unique. Prices are reasonable too!” ~ Imani Bansal “Was in your store on Saturday for the first time. I will definitely be back and shopping online. Your clothes are trendy and affordable! The associates were helpful and the products were great! My mother even found a top she adored!” ~ Samantha Blevins “Favorite store in Boone I love walking through and finding new outfits for date night or a day out! Everyone that works there is so nice too!!” ~ Illyse Champaign GIVEAWAY!!! If I have not sold you on Boone Belles yet, I encourage you to visit them to check out their various apparel and accessory offerings. Even if you are not local to the high country, it is worth the trip to come meet with a sales associate and allow them to help you pick out your next outfit for that special event. As an added incentive, I am doing a giveaway for a FREE CC Beanie and one signature winter scarf ($32 value) from Boone Belles. Here is how it works to enter to win:
1. Follow me on Instagram at @mtnmommanc 2. Like this post on my Instagram page and/or my personal Facebook page 3. Tag as many friends as you want separately in the comments of my Instagram page and/or personal Facebook page to be entered into this raffle 4. Winner will be announced Friday November 16 Good Luck! |
I am a wife and momma to a sweet boy named Rhett. I live in the mountains of North Carolina and am saved by grace. I believe in all things family, all things food and all things fun. Archives
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