Food Network television personality and restaurateur Paula Deen has brought her southern cooking style to Cherokee, NC at Paula Deen’s Kitchen. The restaurant, although large, provided comfortable seating along with the charm of sitting under the gazebo of a Carolinian back porch.

Since we arrived in the off season and within minutes of the dinner seating, we were escorted to our table right away. However, guests started to arrive early and reservations are recommended.

With our beverages, we sampled Paula’s cheese biscuits which were tasty. We both enjoyed Paula’s distinctive potato salad and her cole slaw from the basic salad bar. I ordered off the menu – the pot roast. The wait for the meal was longer than I anticipated. However, the serving was ample and the meat was fork tender. Served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, the roast and veggies were in a tasty gravy that was lighter than I anticipated. My dinner companion chose the buffet. He enjoyed the meat loaf and the fried chicken. For dessert, I tried the apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Again, a much longer wait for this dessert than one would have expected. My husband enjoyed one of the best brownies ever from the buffet.

There seems to be a lot of disappointment with Paula’s restaurant at many of the review sites. Let’s hope her team is keeping an eye on these. Check out Trip Adviser for additional comments. We arrived at the restaurant after a lovely hike along Bradley Fork Trail so we were hungry. After years of traveling around the area, we have learned to accept a different level of performance from the restaurants. Although most restaurants have some tasty items on their menus, it is usually hit and miss.

If you are interested in visiting Cherokee and Paula’s Kitchen, Mystic Mountain Cabin is only 15 minutes away in Maggie Valley, NC.

In Waynesville, Balsam Mountain Inn, one of the jewels of the Blue Ridge, wears its 105 years well thanks to the loving attention of the innkeepers, Kim and Sharon Shailer. Southern Living magazine highlights the inn as one of their favorites.

What a great venue for Songwriter’s in the Round! We happened upon this fantastic dinner show quite by accident. One Saturday evening a month (except January), talented artists come from around the music world to entertain guests of the inn, locals and visitors to the area. Last May Benita Hill, Becky Hobbs and Chas Sanford treated dinner guests to a wealth of original sounds in the intimate setting of the Balsam’s lovely old dining room. We dined family style. Spending the night with guests of the Inn along with local residents, we had a stimulating evening of food, conversation, and spectacular music.

Each of the songwriters introduced their songs with extensive background and history. Songwriters in the Round allowed the listeners to feel up close and personal with the artists as they shared generously about the creative process-the successes and failures. I plan to make this an annual event when I stay at Mystic Mountain Cabin.

Although cold weather dominates the days and nights in Maggie Valley and the surrounding area through January and February, you can still find plenty to do in this mountain friendly place.

In the Snow
Cataloochee Ski Area is still in high gear and should continue making snow through March. Cataloochee offers a FREE beginner lesson with all Cataloochee rentals any non-holiday Monday through Thursday, all season long!! This free lesson is for 1 1/2 hours and you should be present 30 minutes prior to your chosen lesson time to sign up! Lesson times run 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 7:15pm. No excuses. Get out there and give it a try.

Looking for a tamer way to enjoy the snow. Check out Tube World. The experts at Cataloochee Ski Area know how to keep the snow in shape for a perfect tubing experience. Because of the carpet lift that takes you back to the top of the run, you get that much more time to spend tubing. With a dedicated Wee Bowl Snowplay area even the tots can enjoy the snow. Tube World will keep you in the snow from the middle of December to the first of March.

Cold Weather Avoidance
Head on out to the historic Biltmore House in Asheville. With admission discounts through to March 31 when ordering tickets online and 7 days in advance plus kids’ 16 and under admitted free through March 31, this is an indoor activity that guarantees to entertain.

Visit us at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley and ask about winter discounts.

Although you don’t have to be an avid golfer to enjoy the great food at the Pin High Bar and Grille at Maggie Valley Country Club in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, you certainly would be a happy golfer. The front nine of Maggie Valley Club’s 6,500 yard golf course are flat. The back nine provide spectacular views with a rise of up to a 3000 foot elevation. At that elevation you overlook North Eaglenest Mountain, part of the Plott Balsams, a range of the Appalachian Mountains in Haywood County, and less than a mile north of Eaglenest Mountain.

A face lift of the course and the clubhouse was completed in 2009. The clubhouse architecture exemplifies a classic Arts and Crafts style. The pub setting includes well upholstered and comfortable chairs and booths. With lovely views onto North Eaglesnest Mountain in the background, you can’t go wrong with a meal at the Pin High.

We enjoyed a delicious and reasonably priced lunch. My partner ordered the Maggie Valley Club Sandwich for $7.95 which was piled high with the thick cuts of ham, turkey, bacon, swiss or american cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on your choice of bread. I enjoyed the Chicken & Vegetables in Puff Pastry for $7.95 with chicken, celery, carrots, cream sauce wrapped in puff pastry. Although the puff pastry was a little soggy on the bottom the cream sauce was nice and light and the chicken was moist and flavorful. With both of these meals, we enjoyed the traditionally southern sweet tea.

During our next visit to the Pin High we enjoyed a relaxing Sunday brunch. We both ordered the Western Omelette with hash browns and a choice of toast or english muffin. Both the omelette and potatoes were lightly seasoned with butter. In the comfortable atmosphere, the Pin High was a great place to relax and enjoy a leisurely Sunday.

You will be welcomed with or without your clubs at the Pin High Bar and Grille. However, you choose to arrive you will be glad that you did. From Mystic Mountain Cabin, you can take a short hike down to MVCC and the Pin High.

J. Arthur’s rustic charm outside duplicated inside with a massive stone fireplace in the main dining room reinforces the fact that you are on vacation in the Great Smokies.

The hungry souls lining up outside J. Arthur’s in Maggie Valley for the early bird specials are indicative of the great meal ahead. We certainly were not disappointed. Daily from 5pm to 6pm, the restaurant offers an early bird menu with your choice of beef, chicken and seafood entrees. The special includes soup or salad, main course, a choice of one vegetable, dessert and a beverage.

Although the salad was uninspired, the mixed lettuce was crisp, cold and fresh and was topped by a delicious locally grown tomato wedge. Since we are always partial to a honey mustard dressing, we did not try their signature Gorgonzola dressing. The London Broil priced at $12.99 arrived a delicate pink as requested with a lovely and light mushroom glace. The fresh mixed vegetables were perfectly crisp tender and delicious. The Prime Rib, the $16.99 main course, done to a light pink was melt in your mouth tender. The baked potato was fresh and tasty with the typical butter and sour cream on the side. A pineapple bread pudding topped off the traditional meal perfectly. Just sweet enough with the fresh whipped cream topping.

The main dining room was comfortable. The atmosphere was family friendly with an electric train running around the base of the vaulted ceilings trimmed in wood timbers. Our server was courteous, attentive, and efficient. J. Arthur’s Early Bird Special was a great deal and certainly will be added to our list of favorites in Haywood County.

Overview
Maggie’s Galley Oyster Bar, located on the way to Waynesville from Maggie at 49 Howell Mill Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786 between Barber Blvd and US-276/Dellwood Rd, sits off the main road and hardly appears to be a restaurant. Constructed of reclaimed lumber as much as 175 years old, this quaint building houses an unexpected delightful place for dining. With an expansive menu of seafood to choose from there is something for everyone. Our server was pleasant, informative, but unobtrusive. The food was served in a timely manner.

Our Meal
Mark sampled the grilled grouper sandwich with cole slaw and french fries which he enjoyed. Served on a grilled onion roll, the fish was mild and flavorful. I tried the crabcake sandwich served on the same delicious onion roll. The crabcake was moist and flavorful but a bit light on crab. I chose the twice baked potato as my side. Unfortunately, unlike the perfectly prepared french fries, my potato came out with a hard crust on the top instead of the soft, lightly browned mashed potato it should have been. For desert we sampled a coca cola cake, chocolate cake made with cola. It was served warm with fresh whipped cream. We were underwhelmed by it as the icing once warmed just tasted like a gritty chocolate sugar.

The Menu and Online Reviews
Maggie’s Galley Oyster BarThe menu also has a large choice of foods for the landlubber to include chicken, burgers, and steaks. Although occasionally Maggie’s Galley gets lambasted, online reviews that I read overwhelmingly give Maggie Galley’s high scores.

Summary
We would definitely return to this moderately priced and pleasant restaurant. I would just avoid the twice baked potato and check out some of the other landlubber choices. As always with restaurants in and around Haywood County check times as many restaurants are closed at least one day a week. Times vary depending on the tourist season.

Atmosphere
Mark and I have a new favorite lunchtime spot in Waynesville. It’s called Panacea Coffeehouse, Cafe, and Roastery. And it is a panacea. Furnished to accommodate wifiers, there are lots of comfortable tables, chairs, and overstuffed furniture. We found a great mix of customers – young and old, locals and visitors. When the weather is pleasant, which is most of the year, you can even wander outside and eat by the creek.

Good Food
The servers behind the counter always greet you with a smile and never seem to meet a question they can’t answer. At Panacea, the coffee couldn’t be fresher because it is roasted on the spot. We selected from a creative lunch menu and were pleased with our freshly prepared press sandwiches on delicious and exotic breads.

Fun Location
If you are looking for something a little off the beaten trail, you will find Panacea on Historic Frog Level at 66 Commerce Street. Arrive a little early or stay a little late and enjoy some of the wonderful antique shops like Leapin’ Frog Gallery right next door.

Where to get a good meal? The question that each of us faces when on vacation. Mark and I have some favorite local lunch spots that have original menus with meals from scratch.

Whitman’s on Main in Waynesville
Whitman’s on Main, a quaint bakery and deli in an historic building, is always busy at lunch. The eatery is comfortably appointed with tin tile ceilings and brick interior walls. While waiting to place your menu at the counter, you watch the cooks at work in the meticulously clean kitchen. The servers always greet you with a smile with ready answers to any questions you may have. The menu is filled with comfort foods with an original twist. You can always find a tasty special. Fresh salads and sandwiches and delicious soups dominate the menu. We always like to grab a chicken potpie on the way out the door for an easy and delicious dinner. Get reviews .

The Patio Bistro, Waynesville
The Patio Bistro in downtown Waynesville, another favorite, is best enjoyed during the warmer months. The charming European style patio accented with distinctive clay and iron sun images provide a perfect place to enjoy a healthy wrap sandwich. Another restaurant where the original menu provides a variety of soups, salads, wraps and even a quiche of the day – all from scratch. Ordering at the counter, you can choose to accompany your sandwich with one of many fresh salads on display in the deli case. You can find Patio Bistro, opened seven days a week, at 26 Church Street.

Country Vittles in Maggie Valley
The unassuming strip restaurant at 3589 Socco Road is a favorite with the locals. Hailing from Durham, NC with an aunt and grandmother who prided themselves on their fresh biscuits and fresh vegetables made with country meat, I feel particularly qualified to comment on the vegetable plate served here. It is excellent. Mark always orders the chef’s salad loaded up with everything that makes a chef’s salad special. Since we always go for those two menu items, I leave it to you to explore these items or many of the other fresh luncheon items on the menu. Country Vittles has seasonal hours and is only open for breakfast and lunch so check before going.

The Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway
If you are looking for a memorable lunch spot, the Pisgah Inn should definitely be on the list. This elegant 1950s restaurant is situated on the highest overlook of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have never ordered an item on the menu that didn’t meet with our approval. From fresh trout to delicious salads, foods are served by a well trained staff in a unique environment. The Pisgah Inn opens in late March and closes at the end of leaf season. It is sure to please everyone in your group.