Culinary adventures: New restaurants helping drive tourism to North Carolina town
Photo by Anne Braly / Take in the magnificent view from the rooftop of Harrah's Cherokee Valley River's new Valley Tower and enjoy a crab cake from Ramsay's Kitchen. Photo by Anne Braly / Take in the magnificent view from the rooftop of Harrah's Cherokee Valley River's new Valley Tower and enjoy a crab cake from Ramsay's Kitchen.
MURPHY, N.C. — Once a stopover for gas and perhaps a fast-food burger on the way to rafting the Nantahala River or hiking the mountains around Asheville and other destinations east, the small town of Murphy (population: 1,657) has become a dining destination and playground in its own right. Visitors are coming to celebrate Mother Nature, roll the dice at Harrah’s casino or perhaps learn a new art at the John C. Campbell Folk School in nearby Brasstown.
“Dining in Murphy has definitely changed and has also become both a tourist destination and a second-home community,” says Laura Lachance, the town’s downtown development director. “With that influx of visitors and new residents, the desire for more varieties of dining options followed.”
Downtown Murphy now has more than 15 food-and-drink establishments, including an assortment of cuisines to suit every palate. Selections range from Asian fare at the newly opened Kobe Grill, to breweries such as Buck Bald Brewing to savory slices of New York at Sal’s Brooklyn Pizza.
Photo by Anne Braly / The Caesar salad at Ramsay’s Kitchen is lightly dressed and served with crispy croutons.Photo by Anne Braly / Ramsay’s Kitchen’s sticky toffee pudding is date cake served with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of English toffee sauce.Photo by Anne Braly / The Neighborhood Burger is topped with sauteed mushrooms, onion and corncob-smoked bacon at Yogi’s Neighborhood Grill. Order it with a side of creamy cheese grits for a change from fries.Photo by Anne Braly / The tin ceiling and exposed brick are original to Legends Steakhouse.Photo by Anne Braly / The Myth, The Legend, The Burger is one of several burgers at Legends Steakhouse in downtown Murphy. It’s topped with shaved rib-eye, cheese and a giant onion ring.Photo by Anne Braly / The Black and Bleu Salad at Legends Steakhouse has tender steak tips on a Caesar salad.Photo by Anne Braly / The Crown sits atop a hill overlooking the artsy village of Brasstown just outside Murphy, N.C.Photo by Anne Braly / A variety of local mushrooms, coated in a tempura breading and fried to a crispy finish, is a delicious starter for a meal at The Crown.Photo by Anne Braly / Lamb meatballs are part of a deconstructed gyro served with soft pita triangles and tangy red pea hummus and chow-chow at The Crown.Photo by Anne Braly / Sweet-tea-brined chicken with local watermelon and snow peas is a house favorite at The Crown in Brasstown, N.C.Photo by Anne Braly / Yogi’s crispy Brussels are loaded with pecans and parmesan and drizzled with a tangy balsamic glaze.Photo by Anne Braly / Take in the magnificent view from the rooftop of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River’s new Valley Tower and enjoy a crab cake from Ramsay’s Kitchen.Photo by Anne Braly / A large bar extends the length of Ramsay’s Kitchen on the 12th floor of Valley Tower, the new addition to Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.Photo by Anne Braly / The entrance to Ramsay’s Kitchen.Photo by Anne Braly / Fat shrimp are coated in a tasty honey-garlic sauce, a house favorite at Yogi’s.Photo by Anne Braly / The fried grouper and fries combo is Yogi’s version of fish and chips.Photo by Anne Braly / Beef Wellington is served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes at Ramsay’s Kitchen.
