by Madison V. Fisler
Nov. 14, 2013. There is nothing quite like fall in the High Country, and the Thanksgiving Holiday is no exception. Many residents and visitors alike enjoy the beauty of the area during the time of thanks and find it a perfect setting for a holiday meal. But many people choose not to cook for the holidays, and why would they when there are so many fantastic options for eating out on Thanksgiving Day?
Many local restaurants have set to work crafting menus for the Thanksgiving Holiday to open their doors and host guests as if they were guests in their own homes. Check out all of the great restaurants and eateries offering Thanksgiving Dinner and make it a stress-free holiday to remember.
And don’t just stop at dinner! Once your tummies are full, head out to a local farm to cut your own Christmas tree, work in a hayride or two and enjoy the views that the High Country has to offer.
At the Dan’l Boone Inn in Boone, stop by for a fabulous family style meal for the whole family! Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more, and all other parties are on a first come-first served basis. The meal begins with a delicious soup, three meats including turkey of course, all the fixin’s and delicious biscuits served with preserves. Don’t forget your dessert too! Prices are $16.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids 9-11, $7.95 for kids 6-8 and $5.95 for kids aged 4-5.
The 1861 Farmhouse will hold seatings at 11:45 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required, and the cost is $29.95 for adults and children over 12, $14.95 for children 7-11 and $8.95 for children 2-6. The menu includes scrumptious options served family style by the server, including roasted tom turkey, cornbread stuffing, orange-cranberry relish, spiral sliced honey ham, farmhouse mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, carolina corn custard, green beans and fresh-baked dinner rolls. Also choose a tasty dessert from Southern pecan pie, harvest pumpkin pie, apple crumb deep dish pie and fresh blackberry pound cake. To make reservations call 828-963-6301.
The Gamekeeper is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner with seatings from 2-8 p.m. Reservations are required and the charge is $75 per person. The set five-course meal includes turkey and all the fixins. The Gamekeeper is located at 3005 Shulls Mill Road in Boone. For reservations, call 828-963-7400.
The Mast Farm Inn will host their 2013 Thanksgiving Celebration with seatings at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Reservations are required and the cost is $59.50 per person. The menu includes butternut squash and chestnut sop, organic baby green salad and certified organic free range turkey, certified organic free-range American wild turkey, certified organic free range heritage turkey and certified organic heritage applewood smoked bone-in ham. Sides include cranberry and pear chutney, corn pudding souffle, traditional stuffing, baked N.C. sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts ragout. For dessert, choose from traditional apple pie, Plymouth Rocking Pumpkin Roll, Silver Living Chocolate Cloud Cake, Mixed-Berry Cobbler, Gratitude Cake or Homemae Caramel ice cream. For reservations, call 828-963-5857.
The Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock will offer seatings for the Thanksgiving meal at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Reservations are required for this event and the price is $29 for adults and $12 for children ages 5-11. The meal includes a full buffet including soup and bread bar, shrimp and grits station, snack bar, hot cocoa bar, salad station, carving station, and of course the sweet shoppe. For reservations, call 828-295-4300.
Vistas at Redtail Mountain in Mountain City, Tenn. will offer seatings for Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are required and the cost is $21.95 per person. The buffet will include traditional items like turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, dressing, gravy, assorted breads and of course desserts.