Vidalia

Vidalia – Serving Fine Dining Cuisine in a Casual Boone Eatery
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Do you want to enjoy fine dining cuisine without the stuffy atmosphere? Just head on over to Vidalia for a lowkey meal to remember. A true Boone favorite, this eatery specializes in farm-to-table fare paired with beer, wine, and cocktails galore. 

- The SmokyMountains.com Local Expert Team

Vidalia is the place to go when you want to nosh on fine dining cuisine in a truly casual environment. At this Boone eatery, their farm-to-table approach ensures you always get to enjoy the finest scratch-made foods. Plus, they have a beer, wine, and cocktail list designed to knock your socks off – all without the stuffy, upscale aesthetic.

In order to enjoy what they’re serving up, you have to plan your visit carefully. If you’re keen on having lunch here, you’ll have to come by from Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Want dinner instead? That’s Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 9 pm only. If it’s brunch you’re after, then plan to visit before 2 pm on the weekend. No matter when you’re hoping to come by, call ahead to reserve a table or get ready for quite a wait.

This restaurant stays super busy thanks to its homey aesthetic, friendly service, and truly decadent menu items. The full fine dining experience always awaits yet stays tempered by their bistro layout and décor. There’s no dress code, although it might feel like there should be. The place fills with loud chatter and laughter more often than not, too. So, you can really sink into your seat and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere from the very second a table opens up.

Adding balance to the experience is their farm-to-table fare made with rare meats, like elk medallions, alligator sausage, smoked pork belly, and the list goes on. Their artistic plating expertise adds to the magic, too, while their drink pairings take every last bite to the next level.

Their most popular items include:

Chicken and Waffles
A true classic through and through, the Chicken and Waffles always promises to start your day off right. Available on both their brunch and lunch menus, this dish starts with southern fried chicken breast set over tasty sawmill gravy. Waffles land on the plate next to the chicken before getting syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh fruit over top.

Vidalia Onion Rings
When you want to whet your appetite, the Vidalia Onion Rings serve as a great way to kick off your meal. This house specialty features humongous thick-cut Vidalia onions dipped in Old North State lager beer batter. Once they’re fried to perfection, they go on the plate six at a time along with lusty monk fry sauce.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends
For endless flavor in every bite, go with the Pork Belly Burnt Ends, for sure. The chef starts this dish early in the day by putting Cheshire pork belly in the smoker before hitting it with local honey apricot glaze. Cheddar mac n’ cheese hops in the smoker as well to prepare for your arrival. Once you order up this dish, they slice up the pork, pair it with mac n’ cheese, and then sprinkle on the crushed bee pollen, pork cracklins, and chives. Fresh veggies of the day bring it all together at the end.

If you prefer to skip the alcohol but still want the cocktail experience, just order up a mocktail. The bartenders put just as much care into creating these alcohol-free signature drinks as they do anything else. So, order up a Cherry Lemonade, Grateful Grapefruit, or Virgin Bloody Mary, and then get ready for a flavor experience, unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.

Insider Tips:
-Their brunch menu changes every week to ensure the crew can take full advantage of all the freshest local ingredients.
-Ask about their weekly specials before ordering to get all the best deals on your food, wine, and more.
-Want to support the local community? Ask about their upcoming charity events.
-You’re welcome to split your salads and entrees for an extra charge.
-When dining in a party of six or more, don’t be surprised to see a 20% gratuity added to your bill.