Roanoke, VA is tops at TABLE 50(8-2-20)

Our summer 2020 road trip began with Roanoke on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. We met our friends Anna & Clinton who worked at Washington Opera over 20 years ago for dinner at the quaint Table 50 just a couple of blocks from our hotel. Again, masks are required until you are seated and the tables were very well spaced, although Sunday night is pretty dead in downtown Roanoke, so we were the last one to leave at 945pm as the place technically closes at 9pm. Tiffany was an awesome server starting us with not too spicy Jalapeno Margaritas and Sangria as warm baguettes and honey butter arrived. We had not eaten since breakfast in DC, so welcomed anything to munch on after our in-car lunch of Pringles!

The building is historic and has original copper tables, tin ceiling and brick walls. The menu is extensive so Will and I decided to share and then Tiffany mentioned the special main course: A filet Mignon with either Tiger Shrimp or Fried Oysters, Adouille Sausage, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus and Cajun Sauce. Boy, were we tempted and indeed Anna & Clinton succumbed! 

I started with a superb Classic Caesar with Parmegiano-Reggiano crostini and roasted garlic, of course with added anchovies while Will & Anna chose the Herb-baked Goat Cheese over Spring Mix with Spiced Pecans, Apples, Dried Cranberries and Dijon Vinaigrette, another excellent and huge salad. Clinto had the Crab Bisque, Sam chose the Caesar(no anchovies) and his friend Madeleine had the  Maryland style hot Crab Dip!

We ordered a yummy Legaris Crianza 2013, Ribera del Duero from the extensive and indeed impressive wine list which went great with everything from those huge filets platters to the dishes Will & I shared: Blackened Ahi Tuna with Andouille Sausage over a huge Crawfish Risotto with Asparagus & Southern Fried Buttermilk Chicken with a kicky vinegary white BBQ Sauce with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Collard Greens, both of which were really excellent. Sam had the Sweet Basil Pesto with walnuts and honey over Pappardelle Pasta while Madeleine went with Beef Stroganoff over Pappardelle with Shitake Mushrooms. Everything was great and while we were way too stuffed to even think about dessert, Tiffany still proffered small glasses of limoncello for the adults!

A super start to our road trip, even if we did have a flat tire we knew we had to get fixed today(it was quite painless since I had road hazard protection at NTB).

Let's hope tonight is half as good as almost every decent spot in town is closed on Mondays!

Tomorrow off to Tennessee and Relais et Chateaux!!