Q-Tips Reviews

THE PHOENIX REST. – 14 S Gaston St., Brevard, NC 28712, (828) 877-3232
thephoenixbrevard.com

We were told before 5 o clock they only serve Bar Food. No problem, since it was 4:55 we will order a drink and by the time it arrives it will be time for the dinner menu. No problem.

1. Were told we don’t have blue cheese olives – no problem.
2. Were told we don’t have cocktail onions – ok, no problem.
3. A new person came and told us we ran out of Jack Daniels – can we get you something else?

The Q’s said, “no problem”, we are going someplace else. THE END of THE PHOENIX and the end of the story.

NATIONAL PARKS TOUR

A NOTE OF CAUTION: HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS IS REAL: Be sure you stay hydrated and be extra cautious should you have medical issues.

Altitude sickness (mountain sickness) is an illness that ranges from a mild headache and weariness to a life-threatening build-up of fluid in the lungs or brain at high altitudes.

Acute altitude sickness is the mildest and most common form. Because more people are traveling to areas of high elevation for skiing and mountain climbing, acute altitude sickness has become a greater public health concern. Roughly one fourth of Colorado ski area vacationers, two thirds of climbers on Mount Rainier, and half the people who fly to the Khumbu region of Nepal develop acute altitude sickness.

A more serious form of altitude sickness is high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). This illness occurs when fluid builds up within the lungs, a condition that can make breathing extremely difficult. Usually, this happens after the second night spent at a high altitude, but it can happen earlier or later. HAPE often comes on quickly. If left untreated, it can progress to respiratory collapse and ultimately to death. HAPE is the number one cause of death from altitude sickness.

Another severe form of altitude sickness is high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), in which fluid builds up within the brain. As the brain swells with fluid, the person’s mental state changes. Loss of coordination, coma, and, finally, death can follow unless the problem is recognized and treated promptly.

DUGAN’S PUB – French Broad Pl., Brevard, NC 28712, (828) 862-6527, duganspub.com

Q-Tips say: It is what it is called, a Pub. Ok food, service and specializes in beer.
So don’t go to Dugan’s and order a “drink” other than beer, like the Q’s did, you will be disappointed – not sure the bartenders know how to make drinks other than beer.

Yes, it is a Pub across the street from a small college in Brevard – Several large TV’s, a bar with one bar stool with a horse’s riding saddle. Many of the locals stop here. They offer many types of “Brewski’s”, burgers, sandwiches and other food you would expect in a “Pub.” It is what it is called, a Pub.

Mrs. Q says: SHLAINTE (An Irish toast similar to “CHEERS”.

FALL LANDING REST.23 E Main St., Brevard, NC 28712, (828) 884-2835, http://www.thefallslanding.com/gallery/

Q-Tips Say: Yes, go and enjoy. Our appetizer was “Steamed Clams” – they were delicious. Mr. Q had Trout, and Mrs. Q had Fried Shrimp. Both Entrees were superb along with Great Drinks, and yes, they did have everything we asked for and also had Excellent Service. We will g back again.

CEDAR MOUNTAIN CAFE – 10667 Mountain Hwy., Cedar Mountain, NC 28718-828-884-5272 www.cedarmountaincafe.com

Q-Tips Say: Should you be in the area, make sure you stop here. We went for breakfast and it has great service, food, coffee. They also serve breakfast/lunch till 2 then close and reopen for dinner from 6 to 8. It is “BYOB” and a $2.00 pp fee.

The restaurant used to be called “Grammy’s.” Mrs. Q is not sure if she retired, or just got tired of cooking, or met her maker. But it reopened and has good food – it is where the locals go. It is the kind of restaurant where you can order one egg (your way), sausage, and toast. Great service and friendly people. Have not heard “No”, we can’t do that or “No”, we don’t have that from anyone that works there.

Went back again for breakfast. Found out that “Grammy” is still with us. She shows up at least once a week and took them up on their offer to buy and “Grammy” then chose to hang up her frying pans.

North Carolina NATIONAL FORESTS & Waterfalls

JORDAN ST CAFE – 30 W Jordan St., Brevard, NC (828) 883-2558, www.thejordanstreetcafe.com

The Q’s, at once time, really liked Jordan St. Cafe. It was casual, nice ambiance, great food, drinks and service – but SOMETHING HAPPENED! The ambiance is the same but the food is NOT!

JORDAN ST. CAFE is now more like a lunch place than fine dining. They offer a complete hard copy menu of Burgers and Wraps. The waitress comes over and tells you the “Specials of the Day.” We were told they change daily so there is no hard copy, she would be happy to repeat them, if needed. We ordered the Wedge Salad to share – it was OK but we have had better. The Q’s decided to share the Steak with Oysters Rockefeller on top with mashed potatoes and spinach because we did not want Burgers or Wraps for dinner. Asked about having 2 baked potatoes instead of mashed, we don’t do baked potatoes, she said. The Steak was large enough to share but it was thin and had a lot of fat. Our drinks were ok and our waitress was uber friendly but they had no cocktail onions or stuffed olives, so Mr. Q said OK to regular Olives.

Mrs. Q says: The prices for the Burgers and Wraps run between $10 to $12 each. Daily Specials are higher. At one time, we would always recommend Jordan Street Cafe to Friends/Family but NOT ANYMORE, unless they are in the mood for Burgers or Wraps. So many other really good fine dining restaurants in Brevard like “Marco’s”. It will be interesting to see if Jordan St. Cafe continues to do well with this change of menu. Perhaps they are out to please the younger college crowd, then they have succeeded. But will they be successful long term? The Q’s will NOT return.

MARCOS’S Trattoria Italian – 204 W Main St., Brevard, NC 28712, (828) 883-4841, marcotrattoria.com

Q Tips say: GO and enjoy! Outstanding Service by Gregory, our waiter. The food, drinks, ambiance and wine were Excellent. The antipasto was a pleasant surprise. The bread come with a special mustard and olive tapenade – both outstanding. Ordered the Duck but were told it was sold out. Mrs. Q had the wrapped salmon and Mr. Q had the Pork Chop. Both were on the Chef’s Special of the day and scrumptious. Then a delicious dessert with a small tasting of sherry followed by cappuccinos. Many thanks to our friend, Annette Stewart from Mountain Vista Realty, for such an outstanding evening. Mrs. Q says: We will have to go back and try the Duck.

SQUARE ROOT REST., 33 Times Arcade Alley, Brevard, NC 28712, (828) 884-6171,s
squareroot restaurant.com

The Q’s decided on Square Root Rest. Great food, drinks, service. Shared the Mussels Provencal Mussels Sautéed with White Wine, Herbs, Tomato, Garlic, and Onion. Served with Olive Oil Crostini.

Our entree was Braised Pork Shank– Pork Shank served with a rich Bell Pepper
Au Poivre Sauce with Rosemary Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Rustic Braised Vegetables. Mrs. Q says: “This is the most tender piece of meat and also the largest portion she has ever received in a restaurant.” The Q’s could have shared one. We decided to eat half and save the other half for another meal. Everything was delicious.

ANNETTE STEWART – Realtor– (828) 883-2938, uniq@comporium.net Annette sells/list/and also does rentals.

The Q’s have known Annette over 7 years. Annette did an excellent job at finding us a lovely condo to rent in Sherwood Forest for our week in NC.

Mrs. Q says: Should you be looking for property to rent, buy or sell in NC, give Annette Stewart a call.