The Roanoker July/August 2024 - 24

road trip
came out, and I got too distracted. " This is the
most perfect soft-boiled egg I've ever eaten, " I
told the chef. " It could be a dessert. "
day two
For Kathryn Lucas, my lunch companion
the next day at Crystal Spring Grocery, the
story about the two young bartenders staying
in the area came as no surprise. Born and
raised in Roanoke herself, Kathryn moved to
the Midwest for college and decided to return
home after graduation. She now works as the
director of public relations for Visit Virginia's
Blue Ridge - the gracious host of my weekend
trip - and treasures the opportunity to
share the city's established neighborhoods and
businesses with first-timers like me, as well as
spread news of Roanoke's evolution.
" When I graduated high school, we had one
brewery downtown - now, a decade later, we
have several, " she explained to me over a delicious
plate of French fries and a tasty Caesar.
" We also didn't have Crafteria or boutique
hotels like the Liberty Trust or Fire Station
One. They've all popped up recently. "
I'd already been to Crafteria for a muchneeded
latte from Little Green Hive, and
I fully intended to go back and check out
The Vintage Vault for a vinyl record or two.
Noticing how the Crystal Spring Grocery was
filled with local groceries, greeting cards, ice
cream and more - and realizing Crafteria also
boasted the handiwork of locals - I wondered
aloud if artisanal items is one of Roanoke's
trademarks.
" We definitely appreciate local, " Kathryn
agreed.
After lunch, I found myself at Taubman
Museum of Art, a lovely space with complimentary
admission. According to PR director
Sunny Nelson, the museum's special touches
were designed by architect Randall Stout to
honor the landscape: waterfall-like stairs, zinc
paneling, native limestone from the Virginia
Tech quarry and a 77-foot stunning glass
atrium to mimic the famous Mill Mountain
star. I was enchanted by the museum's permanent
collection, which includes a combination
of classic and contemporary art, and spent
ample time perusing the galleries, taking in
Judith Leiber's sparkling handbags and marveling
at an original Norman Rockwell.
Later, at indie bookstore Book No Further,
I scouted the novel I'd been eyeballing a while:
The Bee Sting by Irish author Paul Murray.
24 july/August 2024
That's when store owner Doloris E. Vest let
me in on a secret: The shop stocks British
paperbacks early and sells them for folks who
don't prefer hardcovers. " Genius! " I exclaimed.
Naturally, I ended up buying a second book
alongside Murray's - at paperback prices, why
not?
" Do you want to keep the British flag bookmark? "
Vest asked.
Of course I did.
Following a short reprieve in my room with
new books and vinyl, I was treated to one of
the best meals of my life at bloom Restaurant
& Wine Bar in the Wasena neighborhood.
The small-plate menu encouraged me to order
a few things, and my favorites included the
" Horiatiki " salad, carrots with mint yogurt,
fried potatoes and a charcuterie plate. (Yes, I
pigged out. . . and it was worth it.)
" Are you ready for me to take this? " my
attentive server asked, gesturing at the whipped
camembert I'd not yet devoured in my attempt
to save room.
" No, please, NEVER take it, " I replied. " I
want to be BURIED with this cheese. "
Amused by my fervor, he boxed up my leftovers,
and I happily ate them the next day for
breakfast.
day
three
On the third morning, I met fellow
attendees for the Food and Cultural
Tour at historic Hotel Roanoke (where
they fed us the richest, dreamiest seafood
bisque I'd ever sipped) and prepared
to explore and eat around the
city. We stopped at a handful of unique
eateries, including Cedars Lebanese
Restaurant (close to my heart since I
have Lebanese roots); Texas Tavern
(with cheeseburgers as nostalgic as the
vibe); Billy's (where we sampled local
beer); and chocolatepaper, home of my
first chocolate potato chip.
Pleasantly full, I headed to Black
Dog Salvage to chat up general manager
Eric Moore. The place is a DIY
paradise, and even for folks like me
who aren't renovating, Black Dog
is an emporium of clothing, knickknacks,
odds, ends and various treasures.
Perhaps the coolest part is the
company's renovated home right there
on property - which functions as a short-term
rental, in case you, dear reader, have in-laws
in town.
Evening was spent in the neighboring town
of Salem, where mixologist Steve Cadora of
Brood made me the finest old-fashioned
ever, with homemade demerara syrup, just in
time for happy hour. And dinner at Frankie
Rowland's Steakhouse - beneath the brand's
chic new boutique hotel - was utterly perfect:
a dozen plump oysters, finely crusted steak,
crispy Brussels and bananas foster.
Sensing a celebratory vibe at the neighborday
four
ing table, I greeted my fellow diners heartily,
and we compared notes on exceptional meals
and service. " This is our favorite restaurant, "
they beamed.
After checking out of Liberty Trust, I headed
for one final treat: a caffeine fix at RND Coffee
Lounge, which cleverly stands for the " Roasters
Next Door. " Waiting on my beverage, I came
across one of the coolest things I'd ever seen in
a coffee shop: a gratitude journal, where patrons
could pen inspiring words about whatever they
were thankful for that day.
My entry, of course, was all about
Roanoke. I
RND Coffee in Wasena
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The Roanoker July/August 2024

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