2009 Best Dish in North Carolina winners named

Four Square Restaurant in Durham was named the 2009 Best Dish in North Carolina for Fine Dining and the 2009 Casual Dining winner is The Yancey House Restaurant, located in the Historic Bartlett Yancey House in Yanceyville. The restaurants were among 19 selected to compete in the 2009 Best Dish in N.C. contest. Restaurants were judged on presentation, creativity, use of N.C. food products and marketing efforts.

Four Square Restaurant, a 10-year-old restaurant located in the Victorian-era Barlett-Mangum House, featured a four-course meal of Lamb Carpaccio, Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho Trio, Prosciutto-wrapped Trout and Buttermilk Cupcakes with Blueberry Mousse.

The Yancey House Restaurant earned the casual dining title with its signature Crab Cakes, Bloody Mary Gazpacho, Chicken Paillard in Buerre Blanc sauce and Peach Trio of Peach Upside-down Cake, Peach Ice Cream and Peaches in Wine.

The first runner up in the fine dining category was Surf City’s Indigo Marsh. The three-year Best Dish veteran offered Littleneck Clams in Savory Smoked Tomato and Clam Broth topped with Smoked Goat Cheese and Fresh Herbs. The second runner up in fine dining was The Table at Crestwood in Boone for its menu of Sweet Potato Spring Rolls, Sweet Potato Tasso Soup, Chocolate Ginger Duck Breast and Cheerwine Ice Cream Napolean.
First runner-up in the casual dining category was the Inn on Church in Hendersonville. Its entry was Turkey

roquettes, Spinach & Melon Salad, Berry and Vanilla Yogurt drizzled with Sourwood Honey, Pan-fried Flounder with Roasted Corn and Sweet Red Pepper Tamales, and Butternut Squash Ice Cream in a homemade pecan waffle cone.

Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse in Durham was the second runner-up in casual dining. The 2008 casual dining winner featured Red Potato and Tasso Croquettes, Shrimp and Butterbean Chowder, Pan-fried Softshell Crab and Blueberry Pan Dowdie with Mapleview Vanilla Ice Cream.

The Best Dish in N.C. competition is a statewide competition to determine the top N.C. restaurants that use and promote N.C. food products.

“The Best Dish in NC competition aims to recognize and reward the efforts of restaurants and chefs who use N.C. products,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Through the marketing efforts of each participating restaurant, we are able to raise awareness about the quality of local foods, restaurants and chefs.”

The 19 finalists were chosen based on their proposed menus featuring N.C. products and their marketing plans for promoting their menu to customers. Restaurants were allowed to enter a combination of dishes (for example, an appetizer with an entrée and dessert), but the menu is judged as a single entry.
Visit www.bestdishnc.com for a complete list of finalists and restaurant information.