The Roanoker November/December 2023 - 86

awards
20
24
dining
BEST SUSHI
PLATINUM Ben Gui Sushi
GOLD Café Asia 2
SILVER Wasabi's
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
PLATINUM Szechuan Restaurant
GOLD Café Asia 2
SILVER Red Palace
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
PLATINUM Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse
GOLD Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse
SILVER Ben Gui Sushi
BEST THAI RESTAURANT
PLATINUM City Corner 2
GOLD Thai Continental Cuisine
SILVER Taste of Asia
to get it done [at the hotel], and from our
executive committee down to each teammate
on the floor, I am proud to work alongside
these professionals to deliver undeniably
exquisite culinary experiences. "
While The Hotel Roanoke offers three different
mainstay food outlets, including The
Pine Room, which also earned high praise in
this year's poll, it was the acclaimed breakfast
fare of the restaurant where Whittaker got
his start at the hotel that took top honors in
the Best Brunch category.
At The Regency Room's beloved Sunday
brunch buffet, guests can always expect
to see a mix of staples like their signature
spoon bread, peanut soup and freshly baked
pastries. However, it's the more creative
entrees that change weekly that keep even
the most frequent of diners on their toes.
Whittaker's personal favorite is the custom
eggs benedict bars, but the Coq au Vin,
made with mushrooms, tarragon, mirepoix
and roasted garlic, is always a crowd-pleaser
when it graces the menu.
The restaurant is also loved for its endearing,
historic atmosphere and the warm reception
visitors are always sure to receive. " As
part of The Hotel Roanoke, we have the
12
2024 dining guide
unique opportunity to reach out to a wide
audience, and thus strive to be the beacon
of hospitality for our region, " explains
Whittaker. " Our rigorously trained wait staff
graciously delivers the touch of our famous
southern hospitality. "
While Whittaker enjoys collaborating
with all of his teammates to keep the food
scene at the hotel thriving, the most fun part
of the job has always been getting to play
with different flavor combinations with his
chef team, who he views as his second family.
" Developing new and exciting dishes,
tinkering with new tastes and refining them
to their final form before they hit the table
is a delightful task on my to-do list, " he says.
When Whittaker isn't at the hotel, he
enjoys spending time at his home in Copper
Hill with his family, learning about oldworld
techniques that will hopefully lead
him to his ultimate goal of homesteading.
He also can't get enough of all the amenities
Roanoke has to offer. " From kayaking any of
our waterways or taking an adventurous hike
to exploring the thriving downtown scene
with its many restaurants, shops and festivals,
Roanoke always has something going on to
keep me captivated. " -SR
BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
PLATINUM Viet Sub
GOLD It's Pho Time
SILVER Pho Viet Nam (TIE)
SILVER Pho Saigon (TIE)
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
PLATINUM Taaza Indian Cuisine
GOLD Nawab
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
PLATINUM Remini's
GOLD Fortunato
SILVER Luigi's Italian Gourmet Restaurant
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
PLATINUM Tacos Rojas
GOLD El Rodeo
SILVER Alejandro's Mexican Grill
BEST GREEK / MEDITERRANEAN
RESTAURANT
PLATINUM Athens Corner Grill
GOLD Petra Mediterranean Grill
SILVER Cedars Lebanese Restaurant
TheRoanoker.com
JOHN PARK
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker November/December 2023
