ISO: ISO good food stops/interesting sites: Drive north from Orlando to Smoky Mountains

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marilynfl

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It looks like I-75 most of the way and then some change outside of Atlanta toward Smoky Mountains.

We'd like to stop and walk along the way so we aren't numb from sitting in the car so long. so I'm looking for parks with walking trails.

My favorite meal is breakfast, following by basically anything.

I'm torn between finding interesting vegetarian spots versus hitting fabulous barbeque joints since I don't cook meat very often.

Route up and back can be different. We might stop in Savannah or Charleston, although I'd have to ensure first that the cruise ships aren't in C-ton again. Last time it was such a zoo, we got in our car and left.

 
I can highly recommend Chelsea's Tea Room for one dining experience + shopping (nice gift

shop there)--their desserts are very good. I've had their homemade trifle before. Go here to view info about this restaurant & its menu==>

http://chelseastea.com/

And almost directly across the street from Chelsea's is The Country Kitchen which is my favorite place for breakfast. If going alone (DH is NOT a breakfast person), I will sit at the counter where I can watch the cooks in action. Inevitably, I'll strike up a conversation with one or all of them, and I'll sometimes be offered a taste of whatever is in process. Our last trip through Asheville, I went away with a new idea for a fruit salad dressing (I'm at work but can remember it had honey and fresh basil in it and something else. I'll look that info up at home this evening and post the accurate ingredients for U.) I remember I simply assumed the chef was chopping up mint for the salad dressing and mentioned such, and he said it was fresh basil. That really struck me as unique, and once he'd finished making a HUGE bowl of fruit salad, he handed me a soup cup of dressed out chopped-up fruit so I could taste it. YUM! Their coffee is also excellent at this establishment--I typically end up buying beans from them to take home with us.

Here's a picture of The Country Kitchen==>

http://www.biltmorevillage.com/cornerkitchen.html

and you can go to "www.cornerkitchen.com" to read about the restaurant itself. It doesn't look like much when you walk in, but the food's great. They used to make their own bread for dinner & roll baskets and anything leftover would be sliced thick to use in turning out French toast the next morning at breakfast. I don't know if they still do that or not, but they used to. If I'm not mistaken, this place was originally called Hawthaway's, and when that owner retired and sold his establishment, the new proprietor changed the name to The Country Kitchen.

Any of the restaurants inside the Biltmore Estate are reputed to be good. We've never eaten at any of them as most are far too gourmet for my "meat & potatoes" husband, but I've drooled over their menus before. Hope this helps you some!

 
REC 4 fruit salad dressing from The Country Kitchen in Asheville, NC==>

Marilyn, the dressing I mentioned in my post above contained freshly chopped basil leaves, honey and freshly squeezed lime juice. I remembered to look up the ingredient list B4 I left home for the office this morning. It's VERY good drizzled over any type fresh fruit slices or chunks.

 
Mar, I mapquested your route... LONG drive, unfortunately, I am not familiar with this area at all.

Safe travels! Smoky Mountains looks like lots of fun!

Best,
Barb

 
Check out Chowhounds and Yelp. They a lot of information available about good places to eat.

 
Just returned from Asheville...

Many restaurants are veggie friendly--many field to table.

The Laughing Seed Cafe is wonderful.

As is the sweet potato pancakes with whipped peach butter and pecans at the Tupelo Honey Cafe. Great biscuits with house made blackberry jam.

If you like good beer, this is the place for you. Asheville has won the title of "Beer City" four times in a row. There is over a dozen micro breweries. A visit to Wedge is a real hoot.

 
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