7 Best Cocktail Bars near Blowing Rock

“We have dined here several times. Gourmet food at moderate prices. Beautiful restaurant, “mountain modern” style. Always great service. If I had any criticism at all, it would be that the menu offers a fairly limited selection of entrees“

“my favorite place to be!!“

“This was our first time here. It turned out to be a very enjoyable and tasty experience. Started with drinks with Noah. He's really good at his craft. His drinks were wonderful. Dinner was very nice. Molly offered spot-on suggestions and was perfectly attentive. We will be back and would rate this restraunt with the best in the area. Thanks for a very nice evening.“

“yummy a little pricey soup bowl delicious need to clean up tables had to clean ours none was clean“

“This is THE place to stop every time you’re in Boone. Husband and I had the bison burger, waygu burger, fries & fried okra. Literally everything we ate was the best food I’ve ever had at a restaurant. The bison burger had avocado, salsa verde, and red onions. It was such a beautiful balance. And the atmosphere was a 10/10. Can’t wait to go back.“

“The staff is so friendly, professional and helpful. We enjoyed our time there yesterday and look forward to returning in a few weeks.“

“𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐫 – 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐂 ---- We are visiting Boone for the next few weeks and decided to check out some of the local restaurants, which landed us at this restaurant just down the street from downtown. --- As an experienced traveler, having explored 68 countries and 36 states, I approach restaurant reviews with clear criteria: Taste, Presentation, and Service. My goal is to provide an unbiased perspective, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. --- The ambiance was a cross between country and modern flare, with exposed beams, plumbing, and eclectic art combined with beautiful rock walls and pillars and a fireplace, creating a warm, cozy, and perfect environment to meet friends and family, go on dates, or have social get-togethers. --- Wait Staff – Braeden was our waiter. You could tell he was a little green, but I was truly impressed with his attention to the table, which made sure the entire journey this evening went flawlessly. --- Let's talk food. --- Fritto Misto Appetizer – I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of calamari, artichoke, zucchini, and pickled peppers. The batter was expertly executed—crispy but not overly so and wonderfully light. The lemon caper aioli was a perfect complement. My only suggestion would be to differentiate the textures a bit more. If the pickled peppers were sliced and left unfried, they would add a vibrant color contrast and a sweet, tangy balance to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile. --- Roasted Chicken Cacciatore – I want to start with the sauce as it was terrific. The combined tomatoes, onions, olives, artichokes, and sweet peppers create a rich and hearty sauce to complement the dish. This truly held the dish, complimenting both the chicken and roasted potatoes (perfectly seasoned and prepared). This chicken was cooked well and juicy inside; however, it was SALTY. I would have preferred no salt because the sauce was so good it was a great flavor for the chicken. The dishes presentation overall was well done and very inviting. --- New Zealand Lamb Chop – The lamb chops were cooked to perfection. I had asked the waiter to let the chef choose the ideal temperature, and they absolutely nailed it. The chops were impeccably seasoned and prepared, making them a standout dish. Accompanying the chops was grilled broccoli, which had a well-seasoned flavor profile with crispy ends, adding a slightly grilled taste. Though it was a bit undercooked, the overall flavors made up for it. Unfortunately, the Italian pepper risotto was less successful. It was overcooked to the point where it could be shaped and lacked the robust flavor one would expect. The subtle hint of peppers was barely noticeable. The presentation was also disappointing; the dish seemed haphazardly arranged. A more thoughtful plating approach, with the risotto as a base, broccoli neatly arranged on top, and the lamb chops elegantly stacked, would have significantly enhanced the overall presentation. --- Clams Linguine – This was my least favorite dish, primarily due to the sauce. When it arrived at the table, I was surprised to see clams linguine served with a red sauce, which is quite unusual. Despite the menu mentioning white wine as part of the preparation (which I generally enjoy), the heavy tomato presence overshadowed it. The sauce's flavor was unappealing and lacked the balance I was expecting. I couldn't quite identify what was off, but it detracted from the overall appeal of the dish. --- Overall, I would still go back. I think from a flavor profile standpoint, most of the dishes tasted excellent overall, but there was some poor execution on a couple of the sides and too much salt on the chicken. I think a few little tweaks could help maintain an elevated position in the local community.“