Lost Restaurants Of The Outer Banks And Their Recipes
The Outer Banks: A Foodie's Paradise
The Outer Banks, a chain of islands off the coast of North Carolina, is a popular vacation spot known for its beautiful beaches, lighthouses, and historical sites. But did you know that the Outer Banks is also a foodie's paradise? From fresh seafood to classic Southern comfort food, the Outer Banks has something to offer for everyone.
The Lost Restaurants Of The Outer Banks
Over the years, the Outer Banks has seen many restaurants come and go. Some were beloved by locals and visitors alike, while others were only around for a short time. However, the legacy of these lost restaurants lives on through their recipes.
Elizabeth's Cafe And Winery
Elizabeth's Cafe and Winery was a popular restaurant in Duck that served delicious French-influenced cuisine. Their signature dish was Coq Au Vin, a classic French dish made with chicken, bacon, and red wine. To make this dish at home, you will need chicken thighs, bacon, onion, garlic, carrots, mushrooms, red wine, chicken broth, tomato paste, and thyme. Brown the chicken and bacon in a Dutch oven, then sauté the vegetables. Add the red wine, chicken broth, tomato paste, and thyme, and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
The Ketch
The Ketch was a seafood restaurant in Nags Head known for its fresh seafood and oceanfront views. One of their most popular dishes was the Shrimp and Grits, a classic Southern dish made with sautéed shrimp, bacon, and creamy grits. To make this dish at home, you will need shrimp, bacon, onion, garlic, grits, chicken broth, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. Cook the grits according to package instructions, then sauté the shrimp and bacon with onions and garlic. Add the chicken broth and heavy cream, and let it simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve the shrimp and sauce over the grits, and top with cheddar cheese.
The Black Pelican
The Black Pelican was a restaurant in Kitty Hawk that was housed in a historic lifesaving station. They served a variety of seafood and Southern comfort food dishes, including their famous Crab Cakes. To make these crab cakes at home, you will need crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayo, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning. Mix all the ingredients together and form into patties. Fry the crab cakes in a pan until they are golden brown on both sides.
The Jolly Roger
The Jolly Roger was a restaurant in Kill Devil Hills that was known for its pirate-themed decor and seafood dishes. One of their most popular dishes was the Lobster Bisque, a creamy soup made with lobster, cream, and sherry. To make this soup at home, you will need lobster tails, onion, garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth, sherry, and butter. Sauté the lobster tails with onions and garlic, then add the chicken broth and sherry. Let it simmer until the lobster is cooked through, then add heavy cream and butter. Blend the soup until it is smooth, then serve.
The Saltwater Grill
The Saltwater Grill was a restaurant in Corolla that served fresh seafood and sushi. One of their most popular appetizers was the Tuna Tataki, a dish made with seared tuna, avocado, and a soy sauce dressing. To make this dish at home, you will need sushi-grade tuna, avocado, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and ginger. Sear the tuna in a pan for a few seconds on each side, then slice it thinly. Arrange the tuna and sliced avocado on a plate, then drizzle with the soy sauce dressing.
The Rundown Cafe
The Rundown Cafe was a restaurant in Kitty Hawk that served a variety of dishes from around the world. One of their most popular dishes was the Jerk Chicken, a spicy Jamaican dish made with chicken, jerk seasoning, and rice and beans. To make this dish at home, you will need chicken thighs, jerk seasoning, onion, garlic, rice, black beans, and coconut milk. Rub the chicken with the jerk seasoning, then sauté it with onions and garlic. Cook the rice and beans according to package instructions, then mix in the coconut milk. Serve the chicken over the rice and beans.
Conclusion
The Outer Banks has a rich culinary history that can be explored through the recipes of its lost restaurants. From French cuisine to Southern comfort food, the Outer Banks has something to offer for every palate. These recipes may be lost, but they will never be forgotten.