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Crippen’s Country Inn, Restaurant presents unique dishes, holiday atmosphere |
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Tuesday, 04 December 2007 |
Appalachian State University students are lucky, especially during the holidays.
Visitors travel from all over the state to experience what Appalachian students have at their fingertips—a real-life version of those Christmas villages people put up on their mantles, known as the town of Blowing Rock.
Nestled among sweet shops and novelty stores iced with tiny Christmas lights is Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant - the perfect place for any special holiday occasion.
Winner
of the inaugural 2006 Best Dish in North Carolina contest held by the
N.C. Department of Agriculture for their unique watermelon salad,
Crippen’s is also well known for the bittersweet chocolate-infused
espresso crusted grilled beef tenderloin.
Jimmy Crippen and his wife Carolyn have owned Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant in Blowing Rock since 1994.
 | A holiday meal can be had at Crippens Country Inn and Restaurant, located in Blowing Rock off Sunset Drive. Photo by Bryan Tarnowski
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Crippen was in the right place at the right time when he met his good friend, and now head chef, James Welch, 17 years ago.
Today, Crippen runs the front of the inn while Welch presides over the kitchen.
On Saturday night, I experienced a beautiful dinner at Crippen’s accompanied by impeccable service.
When we first arrived and checked in with the hostess, Jimmy Crippen himself greeted each of us.
As I remembered to mention our reservation, he replied he already knew who we were.
The menu at Crippen’s varies from night to night, offering an array of soups, salads, pastas, desserts and chef’s specialties.
I ordered rosemary and garlic marinated grilled tenderloin of pork with
goat cheese-chive mashed potatoes, zucchini and rosemary-zinfandel
sauce for $24.50, while my boyfriend selected marinated and grilled
breast of chicken with black beans, tomato salsa, chili-lime sour
cream and fried plantains, also for $24.50.
The presentation was neat and interesting; the plantains were much like curled banana chips, giving the dish a decorative touch.
The meal itself was delicious.
From the sheer size of the portion, I worried that I would want a to-go box. However, I didn’t need that to-go box.
Throughout our meal, Crippen walked around the restaurant, genuinely interested in his guests’ dining experience.
In tandem with a warmly lit dining room, the enthusiasm of Crippen and
the staff gives the restaurant an intimate and cozy feel ideal for
special occasions.
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