A Tasty Weekend in March

The singular pleasures of fine whiskey and freshfrom-the-oven pie are celebrated on the Plateau with a series of Pi Day Weekend celebrations. For a full portrait of the fun, visit halfmilefarm.com.

Amanda Wilbanks has spent most of the past decade transfixed by pie.

From writing her best selling cookbook, Southern Baked: Celebrating Life with Pie, to overseeing three retail bakeries and a growing wholesale business, to forming alliances with retail powerhouses, she’s built a brand and a following.

From March 12 through 14, she’ll bring her exuberance for pie to HalfMile Farm by Old Edwards for guests’ enjoyment. Throughout the weekend, this “Princess of Pie” will preside over a multitude of activities: – On Friday, March 12, a Mini Hand Pies Demonstration takes place from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. at Half-Mile Farm.

The following day, Saturday, a book signing and tasting at Acorns Boutique from noon to 2:00 P.M. (open to the public) provides a jump-start to the Wilbanks credo that, “Pies make everyone smile, and that the art of making a flaky, melt-in-your mouth crust, isn’t as intimidating as it seems.”

Armed with a copy of Southern Baked, you’ll be able to make pies for all occasions, both savory and sweet. More than just pie recipes, Amanda shares a full menu with accompanying recipes for side dishes, appetizers and more. Her recipes range from simple yet sophisticated treats, like Chicken Dumpling Pie and Lemon Chess Pie to inventive dishes such as Pimento Cheese Pie Bites and Strawberries and Cream Pie Pops.

Yet, while guests spend the weekend in the exaltation of pie, there is still another holiday and yet another Pi to honor. In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, a “Battle of the Barrels” will be waged with a Scotch, Bourbon and Irish Whiskey tasting on Saturday, March 13, and the holiday will inspire the hors’ d’oeuvres served during Friday and Saturday’s Social Hours from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, all to the accompaniment of live music.

By a very happy happenstance, on Sunday, March 14, the national holiday Pi Day is commemorated. For those unfamiliar, the physicist Larry Shaw, the “Prince of Pi,” created Pi Day in 1989, and Congress made it a national holiday in 2009. Originally a form of mathematical merrymaking, it has increasingly become a celebration of pie, as this irrational number had led to irrational cravings for pie.

Truly Pie is having its moment – or weekend now. So whether you come for the math or the baked goods, joyful festivities await. Southern Baked cookbook, pies and more will be available throughout the weekend at HalfMile Farm.

by Marlene Osteen

thelaurelmagazine.com/cuisine

To see the most up-to-date information about dining on the plateau visit thelaurelmagazine.com/restaurants

The Restaurants of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS

Meals Wine Full Bar Children’s Menu Vegetarian Selections Reservations Recommended Dress Code Live Entertainment Outdoor Dining Take Out Ad On Page

4118 Kitchen + Bar

The Bistro at Wolfgang’s

64 Highlands Plaza (828) 526-5002 L, D, SB n n n C n 71 460 Main Street (828) 526-3807 D n n n n NC n n 5 Bridge at Mill Creek 445 North 4th Street (828) 526-5500 L, D n n n C n n 75 Don Leon’s at The High Dive 476 Carolina Way (828) 200-0388 L, D n n n n C n n 70 Fire + Water Restaurant Reservations Required (828) 526-4446 B, L n n C n 15 Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar 465 Main Street (828) 787-2990 L ,D n n n C n n 73 Fressers Courtyard Cafe Village Square, 470 Oak Street (828) 526-4188 L ,D n n n C n n 71 *The Kitchen CarryAway & Catering 350 S. Fifth Street (828) 526-2110 L, D n n 70 Lakeside Restaurant Smallwood Avenue (828) 526-9419 D n n n n n NC n n n 75 Hummingbird Lounge 455 Main Street Highlands, NC (828) 787-2525 L n n n NC n 9 Meritage Bistro 490 Carolina Way (828) 526-1019 L, D, SB n n n C n n n 4 Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge 470 Skyline Lodge Rd OPENING SOON 66 On the Verandah Highway 64 (Franklin Road) (828) 526-2338 D, SB n n n n C n n 77 Paoletti’s 440 Main Street (828) 526-4906 D n n n n NC n 75

The Ugly Dog Pub 298 South 4th Street (828) 526-8364 L, D, SB n n n C n n 74

Wolfgang’s Restaurant 460 Main Street (828) 526-3807 D n n n n NC n n 5

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS

Cashiers Valley Smokehouse The Greystone Inn Slab Town Pizza US 64 West (828) 547-3096 L, D C n n n 74

220 Greystone Lane (828) 966-4700 B, L, D, SB n n n NC n n 4 45 Slab Town Road (828) 743-0020 L, D n n C n n 74

The Ugly Dog Pub 25 Frank Allen Road (828) 743-3000 L, D, SB n n n C n n 74

B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner SB Sunday Brunch * Takeout Only Dress Code: C Casual NC Nice Casual J Jacket

HIGHLANDS AREA RESTAURANTS 4th Street Market - (828) 526-4191 Asia House - (828) 787-1680 Bella’s Junction Csafe - (828) 526-0803 The Blue Bike Cafe - (828) 526-9922 Bryson’s Deli - (828) 526-3775 The Cake Bar - (828) 421-2042 Calder’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 526-0020 Dusty’s - (828) 526-2762 El Azteca - (828) 526-2244 El Manzanillo - (828) 526-0608 Highlands Burritos - (828) 526-9313 Highlands Deli/SweeTreats - (828) 526-9632 Highlands Smokehouse (828) 526-3554 Madison’s Restaurant - (828) 787-2525 Midpoint (828) 526-2277 Mountain Fresh - (828) 526-2400 Pizza Place - (828) 526-5660 Rosewood Market - (828) 526-0383 Ruffed Grouse (828) 526-2590 Subway - (828) 526-1706 Tug’s Proper - (828) 526-3555 Wild Thyme Gourmet - (828) 526-4035

CASHIERS AREA RESTAURANTS Buck’s Coffee Cafe - (828) 743-9997 Canyon Kitchen - (828) 743-7967 Cashiers Farmers Market - (828) 743-4334 Chile Loco - (828) 743-1160 Cornucopia Restaurant - (828) 743-3750 Cork & Barrel Lounge - (828) 743-7477 El Manzanillo - (828) 743-5522 JJ’s Eatery and Canteen - (828) 743-7778 Mica’s Restaurant - (828) 743-5740 Mountain Cafe - (828) 577-0469 The Orchard - (828) 743-7614 Panthertown Cafe LLC (828) 862-366 Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - (828) 743-0220 Subway - (828) 743-1300 The Falls Cafe and Grill - 828-877-3322 The Library Kitchen and Bar - (828) 743-5512 Slopeside Tavern - (828) 743-8655 Table 64 - (828) 743-4135 Town & Country General Store Deli - (828) 547-1300 Villa Amato (828) 885-7700 Wendy’s - (828) 743-7777 Whiteside Brewing Company - (828) 743-6000 Winslow’s Hideaway - (828) 743-2226 Zookeeper - (828) 743-7711

thelaurelmagazine.com/lodging CALL TO CONFIRM BEFORE YOUR VISIT.

Accommodations on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau

HOTELS / MOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS

On Site Restaurant On Site Bar/Lounge Pool Whirlpool Rooms Exercise Facility In Room Microwave/Fridge Cable/Satellite TV Banquet Facilities Wireless Internet Pet Policy Ad On Page

Black Bear Lodge of Sapphire 19386 Rosman Hwy | Sapphire blackbearlodgeofsapphire.com | (828) 553-6535 n n n n 77

Fire Mountain 700 Happy Hill Rd | Scaly Mountain firemt.com | (800) 775-4446 n n n n n n 15

Greystone Inn 220 Greystone Ln | Lake Toxaway thegreystoneinn.com | (828) 966-4700 n n n n n n 4

Old Edwards Inn and Spa 445 Main St | Highlands oldedwardsinn.com | (866) 526-8008 n n n n n n n n n 9

The Park on Main 205 Main Street | Highlands theparkonmain.com | (888) 974-9738 n n n n 79

Skyline Lodge 470 Skyline Lodge Rd | Highlands skyline-lodge.com OPENING THIS SUMMER 66

VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES

Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals 488 Main Street | Highlands meadowsmountainrealty.com | (828) 526-1717

Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals 401 N 5th St | Highlands highlandsiscalling.com | (828) 526-3717

Landmark Vacation Rentals 17 US Hwy 64 E | Cashiers landmarkvacations.com | (877) 926-1780

Rent in Highlands - CCP 507 Main Street | Highlands rentinhighlands.com | (800) 684-2171 x 302

Silver Creek Vacation Rentals 341 Hwy 64 W, Ste 102 | Cashiers ncliving.com | (828) 743-1999 105

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CASHIERS, NC: High Hampton Resort - (800) 334-255 Hotel Cashiers - (828) 743-7706 The Lakehouse - (904) 753-0247 Landmark Vacation Rentals- (877) 926-1780 Laurelwood Inn - (828) 743-9939 Mountain Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-0258 The Orchard Guest Cottage - (828) 743-7614 Pebble Creek Village - (828) 743-0623 Reid Resort Rentals - (828) 743-5955 Silver Creek Vacation Rentals - (828) 743-1999

GLENVILLE, NC: Innisfree Bed & Breakfast - (828) 743-2946 Mountain Lake Rentals - (828) 743-6875 Prime Property Rentals - (828) 743-3482

HIGHLANDS, NC 200 Main - (855) 271-2809 Berkshire Realty Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-1717 Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals - (828) 526-3717 The Chandler Inn - (678) 982-8406 The Chateau - (561) 613-1496 Fairview House - (866) 526-8008 Half Mile Farm - (855) 271-7246 Highlander Mountain House - (828) 526-2590 Highlands House Bed and Breakfast - (828) 787-1186 Highlands Inn - (828) 526-9380 Highlands Inn Lodge - (828) 526-5899 Highlands Resort Rentals - (828) 526-5839 The Inn at Mill Creek - 828-526-9999 The Lodge at Old Edwards - (828) 787-2560 Lullwater House - (423) 488-2799 Main Street Inn - (828) 526-2590 Mitchell’s Lodge & Cottages - (828) 526-2267 Old Edwards Inn and Spa - (866) 526-8008 Park on Main - (800) 221-5078 Ray’s Roost - (678) 534-6870 Rent in Highlands - CCP - (800) 684-2171 x 302 Rockwood Lodge - (828) 526-8919 Whiteside Cove Cottages - (828) 526-2222 SAPPHIRE, NC Black Bear Lodge of Sapphire - (828) 553-6535 Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-3441 Foxhunt At Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-7667 Hampton Inn & Suites - Cashiers-Sapphire Valley - (828) 743-4545 Mt Toxaway Lodge & Motel - (828) 966-4582 Sapphire Run at Whisper Lake - (863) 412-5734 Whispering Falls - (352) 470-4085 Woods at Buc - (770) 714-9211

SCALY MOUNTAIN, NC: Fire Mountain - (800) 775-4446 The Vineyard at 3 High Holly - (828) 505-6190

LAKE TOXAWAY, NC Cabins at Seven Foxes - (828) 877-6333 Greystone Inn - (828) 966-4700 Lake Toxaway Realty Company - (828) 508-9141

DILLARD, GA: Julep Farms - (706) 960-9600