TUG members share their restaurant recommendations

Last update May 9, 2002

Addresses and phone numbers were gathered from off the net where ever we could find them. In many cases, conflicting data was found. Please verify locally before relying on this information.

Great Smoky Mountains

"The countryside is beautiful there, and there are dozens of beautiful waterfalls in the area. We made a point of hiking and taking pictures of at least ten of them. Some of them are easy to get to, others require some serious hiking. There are also mines in the area if you would like to try your hand at mining. There are many parks in the area, and lots of recreational opportunities, including golf, tennis, whitewater rafting, canoeing, hiking, and horseback riding. Asheville is an hour away (which has the Biltmore Estate as its big tourist attraction  -- very impressive). Gatlinburg TN is about an hour and a half away (we didn't make it there that trip, but went another time for a long weekend -- very touristy). The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an hour away, and includes Cherokee NC, which is a Cherokee Reservation.

"We didn't eat out very much while we were there, but there was a great German restaurant in the town of Highland. The grocery stores are convenient and reasonably priced. There is so much to do and see in this area of North Carolina that I would say that one week is nowhere near enough time. We would definitely like to go back someday."

"The highlight of our trip was our trip to the Grove Park Inn for their fabulous Sunday Brunch. It is by far the most elegant and scrumptious and bountiful spread of food that we had ever seen anywhere in the world! They have an 800# and they will take reservations. The price is $23.00. Don ate 2 dozen raw oysters and 2 doz boiled shrimp for the first course, so that will give you an idea of what is in store."

"THE BILTMORE ESTATE in Asheville, NC. Built by George Vanderbilt. Guests of the Vanderbilts would travel by train from New York to the cool greenness of the Carolina mountains. At Biltmore House, where they would be ushered to one of the 35 guest rooms in the great chateau and reminded by butler of the dinner hour. Like a giant ship at sea, Biltmore was a self-contained world of activity and exquisite beauty. It was an upstairs downstairs era, in which a staff of eighty steered the household. When a day might begin with an indoor swim or a ride into the mountains and end with a moonlit stroll through the azaleas. The art of Biltmore, its great sculptures and paintings, its furnishings and housewares, are here in perfect order, exactly as they were then. A skylit court of palms filled with giant tropical greenery. The banquet hall, so acoustically perfect, a whisper can carry past 26 place settings. The library, built to house an Italian master painting 70 feet in length. And the more private rooms and parlors, each its own work of art, including newly opened sections of the third floor. Downstairs, the kitchens, laundries, pantries, and servants' halls that made up the heart of the house with its precise divisions of labor. All nearby Mr. Vanderbilt's gymnasium, pool, and bowling alley. An optional "Behind The Scenes" tour is offered of nonpublic areas showing restoration work in progress. THE HOUSE: On vacation in Asheville, NC in 1887, George Vanderbilt determined that it was precisely this place, and no other, that would become the site for his country estate. He asked architect Richard Morris Hunt to model his mansion after a chateau in France's Loire Valley. Vanderbilt and Hunt assembled materials from around the world, including tons of Italian marble and train loads of Indiana limestone."

"It took an army of stonecutters and artisans five years to construct Biltmore House. When it was done it was the largest private house in the United States, it still is today. THE GARDENS: The design of Fredrick Law Olmsted, designer of New York's Central Park, is seen everywhere. Biltmore sits on 12,000 acres."

Kitty Hawk

"Plenty of great sight-seeing activities within an hours' drive (Cape Hatteras, Wright Bros. Memorial, NC Aquarium, etc.). Good restaurant right across the road; many more within 20 minute drive."

"There are a number of golf courses in the area, kayak tours, historical areas, wild horses, live outdoor dramas, aquariums, and
things I am sure I have forgotten to mention."

"Had dinner one evening at the Barrier Inn across the road from the resort. Cost was a bit high but the food was very good.

*Carolla (about 20 miles to the North) - Check out the wild horses and the light house (open to the public/can climb, or see.)

*Jockey Ridge-Highest sand dunes on the East Coast- A favorite hang-gliding place.

*Wright Brothers Memorial (Kitty Hawk.)

"You can always travel further south to Manteo-more historical-type things there

"By the way, make sure that you eat the tuna steaks at AWFUL ARTHURs - or anything else for that matter! We also recommend the best steak restaurant on the island. It's called IT'S PRIME ONLY. They serve certified Angus Beef in a manner similar to Ruth's Chris Steakhouses. They're on the beach road in Nags Head."

"Did evening boat trip of Palmetto Sound. VERY REASONABLE and excellent food choices... I think the most we spent on soup to nuts dinner for 3 of us was $60.00!! Great time, all in all!"

New Bern

Pollock Street Delicatessen and Restaurant
208 Pollock Street

It is in an old house in the historic district. They serve wonderful breakfasts, lunches and early dinners. The owners and waitstaff treat you like family! 

The information contained in this TUG Dining Guide is provided by TUG members and is solely the opinion of those members. The Timeshare Users Group is not responsible for its content. This information is for the personal use of TUG members only. Any commercial use of this material without the written permission of the Timeshare Users Group is strictly forbidden

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