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High Country Small Plate Crawl In Progress Through Thursday in Boone, Blowing Rock and Valle Crucis

By Jesse Wood

One of the many samples to be served during the High Country Small Plate Crawl.

Sept. 4, 2012. The first annual High Country Small Plate Crawl takes place Tuesday to Thursday, Sept. 4 to 6, and is sure to please the palate.

Fifteen independent restaurants from Boone, Blowing Rock and Valle Crucis are participating in the three-day event, which is organized by Boone Independent Restaurants and Carolina Epicurean. The cost of plates ranges from $3 to $8.

For example, a $3 menu from Char features “Summer Bruschetta, a Crostini layered with blackberries, arugula, goat cheese & mint with a balsamic reduction.” A $6 plate from The Table at Crestwood Resort and Spa features “Fried Duck Legs – Tossed in Blackberry BBQ Sauce and Chopped Pecans with Mint Ranch.” And a $7.50 plate from Vidalia features “Shrimp ‘n Grits with spice rubbed shrimp, stoneground grit cake, heirloom tomato gravy, and jalapeno vinaigrette wilted baby beans. (See complete menus below.)

The premise of the event is to showcase different restaurants that folks may not have frequented before by featuring a variety of inexpensive samples on a small plate.

Laura Huff of Carolina Epicurean, a food blog based in Western North Carolina, said the “fun event” has few rules and sharing of plates is encouraged.

“If people are afraid of high-end restaurants and don’t want to go in and spend a lot of money not knowing if they will like the food, [this is the event for them],” Huff said. “There’s no guilt involved.”

Another sample to be served during the High Country Small Plate Crawl.

John Pepper, owner of Pepper’s Restaurant and board member of Boone Independent Restaurants, said: “I think a lot of the chefs involved are going above and beyond during this event to show what they are capable of.”

All the featured restaurants will participate within three blocks of time during the three-day crawl from lunch to dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 11:30 to 3 p.m.; and 5 to 9 p.m.

The specific times and menus of each restaurant are listed on a printable “passport” that can be downloaded from www.platecrawl.com.

In a press release, Huff wrote:

“Get your Passport and join in on the fun! It’s not required, but is needed to enter the prize drawing. Prizes are listed on the Crawl website. Present the Passport when purchasing Small Plates for validation. Buy a Small Plate at 5 or more restaurants to qualify for a prize drawing.

Include a Valle Crucis or Blowing Rock restaurant in the “5 or more” to double your prize winning chances (Passport entered into drawing twice)! Qualifying restaurants are indicated on the Passport. Drop the completed Passport off at any participating restaurant when you’re done crawling. Winners will be contacted by email.”

Huff has organized five other plate crawls in Hendersonville and one in Asheville and said it is always a good time.

“It’s great. You know it almost turns into a street party,” Huff said, adding that event is a “conversation starter” whenever you walk into a participating restaurant and see another fellow crawler holding their passport.

The event is rain or shine, and each restaurant will have a box to collect nonperishable food items to give to The Hunger and Health Coalition.

For more information, click to www.platecrawl.com, and for the latest news regarding the crawl, “Like” the event at https://www.facebook.com/HCSmallPlateCrawl

For more info about the organizers, click to http://www.booneindependentrestaurants.org and http://carolinaepicurean.com.

Menus from Participating Restaurants

Blowing Rock

The Table at Crestwood Resort & Spa

  • Fried Duck Legs – Tossed in Blackberry BBQ Sauce and Chopped Pecans with Mint Ranch $6
  • Turnip Green and Black Eye Pea Spring Roll – Served with Coconut Chili Dipping Sauce $5
  • Chipotle Bourbon Glazed Scottish Salmon – Served with Roasted Asperagus and Whole Grain Mustard Crème $8
  • Scallion and Mascarpone Grit Fritter – Served with our Chefs Secret Dipping Sauce $4
  • Ghiradelli Chocolate Bread Pudding – Served with Vanilla Vodka Sauce $3

       Cocktails

  • Makers Mark Manhattan: Makers Mark, French Sweet Vermouth, Bitters, Maraschino Cherries $5
  • Pomegranate Martini: Stoli Vodka, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, Cointreau, Lemon Zest $5
  • Peartini: Grey Goose La Poire, Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur, Simple Syrup $5

Gamekeeper

  • Country Pate 5 – Duck, Rabbit, Pheasant
  • Wild Mushroom Strudel 6 – tzatziki, relish
  • Tomato Bisque 4 – caviar, creme fraiche
  • Ostrich Skewers 8 – jalopeno, mirin
  • Rainbow Trout 6 – horseradish, apple
  • Flash Fried Rabbit 7 – romaine, tomato, onion, aioli
  • Brownie 4 – bourbon, ice cream

Boone

Boone Bagelry

  • Bagelicious ……………….. $4.29 Egg, bacon, ham & cheese
  • 2 Stuffed French Toast ……………….. $4.50 w/ flavored Cream cheese
  • Biscuits & Gravy ……………….. $3.99
  • Mini Lox Platter ……………….. $6.00 w/ ½ bagel
  • Spread Sampler ……………….. $5.50 3 sides of flavored cheese w/ bagel chips
  • Chicken Salad ……………….. $5.05 w/ bagel chips
  • ½ a Reuben or Rachel ……………… $5.50
  • ½ a Sandwich and Soup ……………… $6.50
  • Samplatizer ……………….. $4.50 cheese sticks, onion rings, poppers

Casa Rustica

  • Shaved Cantaloupe , with Procuitto , balsamic figs w/ red micro greens and a lemon basil gastric 4
  • ( thinly sliced ribbons of fresh cantaloupe, seared balsamic glazed figs and greens, dressed with a delicate lemon basil gastric)
  • Deconstructed Panzanella Salad 3
  • (Ciabatta croutons, Kumato tomatoes, onions and fresh basil)
  • Pan Seared Scallop over creamy polenta and sweet red onion confit 8
  • Shrimp Bruschetta 5
  • Sauteed Rock Shrimp over Beer batter Avocado and a Mango Limeoili 7
  • Beef Carpaccio w cantaloupe salsa 8
  • (Black Peppered Seared and Thinly Sliced CAB Beef, over cantaloupe salsa)
  • Marinated Grilled calamari sweet and sour glace 4
  • (Calamari rings marinated in lime, garlic and olive oil atop a sweet chili and sour galce)
  • Chocolate Mousse 3
  • (Dark Chocolate Mousse, served with orange Scented hand whipped cream)

Char

  • Summer Bruschetta $3
  • Crostini layered with blackberries, arugula, goat cheese & mint with a balsamic reduction
  • Grilled Shrimp Salad $4
  • Grilled shrimp, cherry wood bacon, baby spinach, strawberries, roasted corn & pecanstossed in a strawberry vinaigrette
  • Potato Encrusted Tilapia $5
  • Baked potato encrusted Tilapia over hand made vegetable stuffed raviolis topped with baby spinach cream sauce
  • Low Country Shrimp & Grits $6
  • Cheesy grits topped with perfectly sautéed jumbo shrimp and our signature Cajun gravy made with cherry wood bacon, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, scallions and our secret seasoning

       Cocktails

  • Absolut Pear Fizz $5
  • Fresh squeezed lime with Absolut Pears vodka & finished with sparkling wine over ice
  • Sangria $5
  • Red wine & rum mixed with fresh juices, fruit & cinnamon served over ice

Joe’s Jazzed Up

  • Cold Appetizer Plate 5.5
  • Small dish of bruschetta, tapenade, pesto and extra virgin olive oil with a small loaf of Italian bread
  • Hot Appetizer Plate 5
  • Homemade riceball potato, croquette and mozzarella loaf with side of our homemade marinara sauce
  • Petite Baked Ziti Sampler 3
  • Penne noodles with ricotta, mozzarella and pecorino, Romano cheese and marinara sauce
  • Grilled Flank Steak Sampler 5
  • Marinated flank steak grilled with a side of fresh vegetable medley
  • Meatball and Sausage Appetizer 5
  • Homemade meatballs the way Daddy made them going back to Calabria and homemade sweet sausage the way Joe learned when he was a kid
  • Tomato Pasta Primavera 5
  • Fresh vegetable medley sautéed, chopped fresh tomato with homemade marinara sauce topped with extra virgin olive oil and pecorino Romano cheese
  • Pork Piccata Crawl 5
  • Pork loin pounded thin, floured and sautéed in butter, capers, lemon juice and white wine. Served with a fresh homemade and fried potato croquette
  • Beer Flight 6
  • Try our 4 beers on tap
  • Wine Special
  • At night if you and your party choose to order off our regular dinner menu, we are offering any full bottle from our wine list at half price. Offer Expires Saturday September 8th

Joy Bistro

  • Chive & white cheddar hushpuppies served over roasted garlic & pepper creme fraiche topped with a sauteed shrimp. $6
  • Tempura fried avocado, cherry tomato & Smoked bacon served over arugula with sherry vinaigrette. $5.5
  • Bruschetta: Warm crustini topped with fresh spinach, roasted onions, local shiitake mushrooms, seared beef tenderloin and Boursin cheese finished with an aged balsamic reduction. $4.5
  • All Natural Pork Tenderloin Medallion, with a whole grain mustard cream sauce, potato puree, roasted squash & asparagus. $7
  • Porcini & white truffle ravioli, roasted cherry tomatoes finished in a white wine cream sauce with shaved Parmesan. $6
  • Flourless Espresso Kahlua Chocolate Torte served with fresh raspberries. $5

Makoto’s

  • Yellowtail Carpaccio
  • 3 Pieces of yellowtail Sashimi Drissled With House Ponzu Sauce, Black Truffle Oil Garnished With Fried Onions & Cilantro $6
  • Spicy Tuna Pineapple Fresh Spring Roll
  • Spicy Tuna With Crunch, Pineapple, Cucumber & Sushi Rice $6
  • Spicy Kani Salad
  • Kani Crab, Cucumber, Daikon $4
  • Bacon Wrapped Spicy Scallops
  • Bacon Wrapped Tempura Rice Topped With Spicy Scallops Drizzled With Our House Hawaii Ahi Tataki Sauce. 2 Pcs $5, 4 Pcs $9
  • Green Tea Sundae
  • Green Tea Ice Cream, Hot Fudge & Nuts $3

Pepper’s

  • Etoufee – A cup of our homemade New Orleans style etoufee 3.50
  • Suggested Beer Pairing: New Belgium Red Hoptober 3.95
  • Heirloom BLT Stack – Heirloom tomatos, applewood bacon,and bleu cheese with micro greens and a balsamic vinigrette drizzle 6.00
  • Suggested Beer Pairing: GreenMan India Pale Ale 3.95
  • Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos – Mahi grilled served on a soft com tortilla with shredded cabbage and cilantro crema 8.00
  • Suggested Beer Pairing: NB / Lost Abbey Brett Beer 3.95
  • 2 Kinds of Quiche – Ask your server for today’s homemade quiche selections 4.50
  • Suggested Beer Pairing: Mother Earth Brewing Weeping Willow Wit 3.95
  • Slider Sampler – Fresh beef, stickboy slider bun.l with pimento cheese and 1with applewood bacon and cheddar cheese 7.50
  • Suggested Beer Pairing: Rogue Dead Guy Ale 4.25
  • Reuben Egg Rolls – Certified Angus Corned Beef, sourkraut, and swiss cheese fried in a crispy wrapper and served with Russian dressing for dipping 5.00
  • Suggested Beer Pairing: French Broad 13 Rebels ESB 3.95
  • Cupcakes – Carrot Cake or German Chocolate? 2.50
  • Suggested Beer Pairing: The Duck Rabbit Milk Stout 3.95

Red Onion Cafe

  • Pending

Sunrise Grill

  • Chicken & Waffles – Half a Belgian Waffle topped with one piece of Savory Sunrise Fried Chicken. Price: $ 3.15
  • Cranberry Walnut French Toast – Four Wedges of our Famous artisan Cranberry Walnut bread on top of a delicious drizzling of raspberry coulee garnished with a fresh, delicious, fanned strawberry. Price: $ 2.39
  • Spinach Feta Quiche – Our Homemade Quiche loaded with Roma Tomatoes, Red Onions, Spinach, and Feta Cheese. Price: $ 3.79
  • Baby Wayne – A mini Flour Tortilla piled with fresh cut home fries, cheddar cheese, homemade salsa, sour cream, an over medium egg, and a sausage patty. Price: $ 3.99
  • 1-1-1-1 – 1 egg cooked to order, 1 Slice of Bacon, 1 Sausage Link, and 1 Buckwheat or Buttermilk Pancake Price: $ 3.99
  • Fireslider – Mini version of our classic fire burger topped with fiery salsa, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, and our famous cilantro mayo. Sure to cure what ails ya!!! Price: $ 4.99

TApp Room

  • Pending

Town Tavern

  • $3 – Tavern’s Famous Wings
  • Four – fresh, never frozen, grade-A, jumbo chicken wings cooked to a crispy perfection and tossed in any of our sauces served with a side of homemade ranch & celery
  • $4 – Down East BBQ Sandwich w/FF
  • Lexington style, vinegar based sauce, chopped pork BBQ served with crispy french fries
  • $4 – Dixie Style Fried Pickles
  • A basket of our delicious fried pickles served with a side of homemade ranch
  • $5 – 4 Ribeye Philly Sliders w/FF
  • Delicious, tender & lean, chopped ribeye steak and premium melted white American cheese on an Italian roll with or without peppers, onions and jalapenos served with a side of fries!
  • $6 – Loaded Fiesta Nachos (plenty for 2!)
  • Our fresh tortilla chips baked with a generous portion of shredded cheddar/jack then loaded with homemade salsa, sour cream, green chiles, jalapenos, green onion, lettuce & tomato

Vidalia

  • Crispy Bacon Bruschetta $5
  • crispy house cured happy valley farm bacon, crusty bread, blueberry cider bbq sauce, harissa vinaigrette dressed baby greens, parmesan cheese, fresh pear
  • Heirloom Tomato $5
  • local heirloom tomatoes, ripshin goat cheese, basil, micro greens, chives, sea salt, cracked pepper, balsamic reduction
  • Pimento Cheese Biscuits $4
  • pimento cheese chive biscuit, watauga country ham, strawberry jam
  • Shrimp n’ Grits $7.5
  • spice rubbed shrimp, stonground grit cake, heirloom tomato gravy, jalapeno vinaigrette wilted baby greens
  • Pulled Pork BBQ $5
  • house smoked pulled pork bbq, cheerwine bbq sauce, braised collard greens, stoneground grits
  • Spiced Carrot Cake $4
  • cream cheese icing, carrot pop rocks, caramel sauce, carrot coulis

Valle Crucis

Simplicity at Mast Farm Inn

  • “Cheese fries” – duck fat sautéed fingerling potatoes with pimento cheese sauce, house cured pork belly 5
  • Duck prosciutto, wilted frisee, sweet potato latke, black cherry molasses 7
  • Crispy fried Thomasville Tomme, field greens, marinated baby heirloom tomatoes, sherry dijon vinaigrette 5
  • Shrimp remoulade – shaved butter lettuce, marinated baby heirloom tomatoes, deviled egg, NC shrimp roasted in the shell 6
  • Shaved torchon de fois gras, roasted fig, muscadine gelee 8 Pan seared scallop, Pear butter, Benton’s bacon jam 7
  • A tasting of chocolate truffles 4 Profiterole with dulce de leche ice cream, warm caramel, hazelnut brittle 3
  • Simplicity’s Unique Moonshine Tastes and Cocktails