Greg V. Austin, PGA

 Restaurants

Incredible Dining Choices.

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These are special to us – locally owned places where we’ve had the best of times with family and friends and where “they know your name”.  In all, there are over 250 local area restaurants to choose from. Unless otherwise indicated, local restaurants are casual and accept all major credit cards.

Pine Crest Inn ($$$$), Pinehurst, 910-295-6121. The Pine Crest Inn Restaurant is a long-established and elegant setting, paired with great food, and has been a favorite of residents and visitors for over 95 years. Built in 1913, the ambiance of our beautiful restaurant is both romantic and elegant. At The Pine Crest Inn, we take pride in presenting a unique setting and unsurpassed quality, with a menu to suit every occasion. Lively Piano Bar ~ Thur. - Sat nights. Lunch & Dinner.  

Elliott’s on Linden ($$$$), Pinehurst, 910-215-0775.  Mark Elliot moved to Pinehurst from Great Britain via a tour as an Executive Chef to open the chicest spot in Pinehurst.  In the adjoining space, Mark has also opened Kitchen Essence, a gourmet cooking store with a cooking school to boot.  Staff Favorites – One of the best wine lists in North Carolina , Shrimp & Grits, Mark’s signature Rack of Lamb, Plank Roasted Salmon, Onion & Goat Cheese Tart and Anything You Ask Mark to cook. Lunch & Dinner.

Ironwood Café ($$$$), Pinehurst, 910-255-0000.  Vince Continenza is a butcher by trade, and he has been cutting his own steaks and chops in his own restaurants in Michigan and Pinehurst for over 25 years.  A great bar, an energetic main dining room and a serene outdoor patio, located on historic Midland Road in Pinehurst.  This isn’t really a Café – it’s more of a steak and chop house plus.  Staff favorites – the Steaks (especially the “Vince’s”); the Steak Salad, Creamed Spinach, Sweet Potato Pancakes for Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Sunday Brunch.

Ashten’s ($$$), Southern Pines, 910-246-3510.  Owner and Chef Ashley Van Camp creates inventive dishes for guests to enjoy in one of three dining areas, each with a unique atmosphere of its own.  Our favorite of the three is the pub, where you can even dine just like at home – sitting on a couch watching a game!  Staff favorites – the Reuben Egg Roll; the Gourmet Burgers; Pistachio Encrusted Seared Ahi Tuna; Ashley’s fusion creations of any quintessentially Southern dish; the Generous Pours; the staff who will probably remember you by your 2^nd or 3^rd visit.  Dinner Only.  

Player's Tavern ($), Pinehurst. 910-215-9000. Casual atmosphere, sports theme, outdoor seating, occasional live entertainment.  Lunch & Dinner.  

Dugan's Pub ($), Pinehurst. 910-295-3400. Dugan's Pub is an Irish Pub located in the "Village Shops" area of Pinehurst.  Restored by the current proprietors with a "Traditional" Irish Pub upstairs, and a second Pub located downstairs.  We're also within walking distance of all the great Village Shops, Hotels & Inns of Pinehurst, At Dugan's Pub you'll find a full service restaurant & pub.  We offer smoking & non-smoking facilities.  You will be pleased to find Dugan's as a friendly, service oriented place to be offering an excellent menu with the largest selection of Import drafts & single malt scotch's in Pinehurst, and a complete wine list. Thursday nights offer Karaoke with Mr. Bill where anyone can sing.  Fridays & Saturday nights there's live music from a variety of entertainers.
Lunch & Dinner.

Magnolia Inn ($$$), Pinehurst. 910-295-6900. At the corner of Magnolia and Chinquapin Rd., in the heart of historic Pinehurst, stands the elegant Magnolia Inn. Graceful longleaf pines and fragrant magnolias surround this stately 110 year old Inn. Step right off our front porch into the village, where you can find a variety of shops, restaurants and galleries. Or you can take a horse drawn carriage and tour the winding streets of this quaint New England-style village. For distinctive dining, join us in our Dining Room for an unforgettable meal meant to be enjoyed at one’s leisure. Menu specialties are center cut, Certified Angus Beef steaks and filets, fresh seafood, and other dishes sure to satisfy any appetite. Dining will be enhanced in the winter months by a warm, cozy fireplace, or in more seasonable weather, you can dine on the Inn’s front porch overlooking the quaint Village of Pinehurst. If casual dining is more to your liking, “The Pub” is the place to be. The Pub Menu offers a variety of salads, Panini sandwiches, fish n’ chips, and of course the Pub Burger. Regardless of where you chose to dine, we offer a complete selection of wines, alcoholic beverages, and tap and bottled beer. Dinner.

Raffaele's Italian Restaurant ($$), Southern Pines. 910-692-1952. At Raffaele's, the menu is only a suggestion. Ninety percent of our friends bring the menu in their mind. That means special request. We use only fresh ingredients, never frozen. Our food is perfumed with fresh herbs from our garden: oregano, rosemary, basil, etc. Sports Bar with 6 TV's.  NO MICROWAVE OVEN! AT RAFFAELE'S, THERE ARE NO CUSTOMERS, ONLY FRIENDS. Dinner.

The JFR Barn ($$), Southern Pines. 910-692-7700. Since 1974 the JFR Barn has been offering the Sandhills area the best steaks, chicken, seafood and chops with service second to none. Our goal is to make your dining experience the best possible with a cozy atmosphere and rustic surroundings complemented by the finest wine list in the area. We have accommodations that will offer guests private rooms from 30-120 people, with our wine room and cellar being the ultimate experience. Our wine list is based on the belief that the marriage of food and wine has over the ages been a fundamental of dining with family and friends. This list offers wines for the novice to the connoisseur. Customers looking to pair wines with their dinner options have the unique opportunity to choose from various wines by the glass, and the bottle. With that in mind we select and cellar our collection of wines to accomplish our goal of pairing the ultimate wine to complete your dinner experience. Dinner.

The Villager Deli ($), Pinehurst. 910-295-1005. Quintessential Pinehurst. Huge variety.  Great Specials.  Everything is made to order.  The Deli is really all the best of Pinehurst, right in the heart of the Village. Standing in line is really not all that bad because you either see your friends or make some new ones. The owner, Koley Keel, is there just about every day running the show. Staff Favorites – Your favorite sandwich just the way you like it, Chili, Quiche of the Day.  
Lunch, Breakfast on Saturdays.

195 Eclectic Cuisine ($$$), Southern Pines, 910-692-7110. Chef Prem moved his family from Manhattan several years ago to preside over the kitchen at 195, which shares a wide open modern building with Nature’s Own Organic Market.  Every dish he makes reminds you of a different place.  Staff favorites – Caesar Salad with Shrimp or Chicken, Chicken Curry, any of the Fish and Chocolate Pudding.  
Lunch & Dinner.

The Holly Inn, Pinehurst, 910-235-8434.  The Holly Inn was actually the first great lodging place in Pinehurst. Today, it is still a part of the Pinehurst Resort, and it serves as the quieter, and some would say more upscale lodging option in Pinehurst. The Holly as two restaurants – The Tavern ($$) and The 1895 Grille ($$$$).  Both are excellent.  Staff Favorites. – in The Tavern, the Reuben, French Onion Soup and the Homemade Chips; and in the Grille, the Filet.  The Tavern is open for Lunch and Dinner.  The 1895 Grille is open for Dinner only.

Chef Warren’s Bistro ($$$$), Southern Pines, 910-692-5240.  Warren Lewis was born in the shadow of Bethpage Black (golfers will know) and after living in Florida and Australia , he migrated halfway back to New York to settle here as the Chef at the Country Club of North Carolina.  In 1999, Warren captured the true spirit of a French Bistro with his own twist on gourmet.  Staff favorites – Blue Crab Salad, the Grilled Obscenely Large Pork Chop, Brocolini Tempura and Mussels.  Dinner.

That’s A Deli ($), Southern Pines, 910-695-3354.  An authentic deli, plus fresh baked H & H bagels.  Staff Favorites – Brisket, H & H Bagels, just about any of the deli meats and cheeses alone or in a custom made sandwich.  
Breakfast, Lunch & early Dinner if you are on the move.

Ten-Ya ($$), Pinehurst, 910-255-1085.  Awesome Sushi right in the heart of Pinehurst.  Ten-Ya opened up just in time for the 2005 U.S. Open, and has remained a popular favorite.  The sushi is all fresh.  Staff Favorites – the Tuna Roll & the Tempura Shrimp Appetizer, the Bar.  Lunch & Dinner.

Sweet Basil’s ($$), Southern Pines, 910-693-1487.  Famous for it’s long lines at Lunchtime.  If you don’t get there by about 11:30, you’ll end up waiting for a while.  No one really knows which came first, the long lines or the Southern Living Article!  Staff favorites – the Hot Ham N’ Cheese, Pizza Margherita, the thin crispy Fries, any of the Soups & the Iced Tea. Lunch.

Wolcott’s ($$$), Southern Pines, 910-695-1551. Chef Scott Wolcott brought his creative talents to Southern Pines from NYC in 2007 and opened this very elegant and intimate spot right downtown in an old building that he and his Wife restored themselves. Staff favorites – Braised Short Ribs, Lobster Salad, Cheese assortments direct from New York .  Lunch & Dinner.

Theo’s Taverna ($$$), Pinehurst, 910-295-0780.  A standard, right smack in the middle of Pinehurst with the best outdoor dining courtyard in the area.  Theo mixes Greek and Italian with more of a slant on Greek.  The Bar is one of the best in town. Staff Favorites – Mousaka, the Salmon, any Risotto dish.  Lunch & Dinner.

The Bell Tree Tavern ($$), Southern Pines, 910-692-4766. Another one of those places that got us a little closer completing the Universe!  The Bell Tree is a tavern that opened up in 2007, filling a huge need for a great downtown bar for grownups, with good burgers, generous drinks and plenty of wide screen TV’s. Staff Favorites – The Bell Tree Burger, Vidalia Onion Dip & Chips, the Wings, Chili.  Lunch & Dinner.

The Italian Table ($$$), Seven Lakes, 910-673-4723. You think you are in Little Italy!  If you don’t see your favorite Italian Dish on the Menu, they will make it for you. Staff Favorites – Veal Pavarotti , Champagne Risotto, Chicken Involtini.  Lunch & Dinner.

How Ya Doin’ Pizza & Subs ($), Southern Pines, 910-246-0608.  An old time Pizza joint downtown where you can get a whole pie or just a slice – the thin crust kind from homemade dough.  Eat at the bar or cram yourself into a window seat.  Great Salads & Subs too, all with the freshest of ingredients.  The coldest beer in town. Staff Favorites – A Slice of Cheese Pizza, Salad with the Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing.  Lunch, Dinner (and Breakfast if you like scrambled eggs on your leftover Pizza at home!).

Thai Orchid ($$), Aberdeen, 910-944-9299.  This statement is always accurate in our office – “we ordered Thai food this week for lunch in the office, and I don’t know why we don’t do it every day . .  .”  Authentic Thai food – need we say more.  Staff Favorites – Pad Thai, Chicken Panang, Spring Rolls, Fried Rice.  
Lunch & Dinner.

Poppy's ($), Pinehurst. 910-235-0383.  The quintessential village coffee shop, located in the heart of Pinehurst. Chances are, you’ll end up having a standing appointment with your gang of closest friends one day of each week. Staff Favorites – Muffins (really all of the baked goods!), coffee and tea, of course, hot dogs.  Breakfast & Lunch.  

Continued!

La Poblanita ($$), Aberdeen, 910-944-7771.  There are lots of Mexican places in the area, and the truth is that they are all good.  But La Poblanita’s owners serve the kind of food you’d get dining with a family in Mexico . It’s fresh and it’s great.  Plus, they took a chance way back when, opening in downtown Aberdeen to set an example for all of the other businesses that have revitalized the town.  Staff Favorites – the Homemade Chips and Salsa, Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (incredible and surprising), Chicken Soup, Roast Pork.  Lunch & Dinner.

Vito’s ($ - $$ Cash Only), Southern Pines, 692-4365.  Vito’s has been around as long as anyone can remember.  It is as much a family restaurant as it is an authentic Italian place.  Get there early or plan to stand in line, especially Thursday through Saturday.  Staff Favorites – the basics Spaghetti, Lasagna, Manicotti & Pizzas.  Dinner.

Pine Needles Lodge ($$- $$$). Southern Pines, 910-692-7111..  Peggy Kirk Bell, who is kind of like the Sam Snead of Women’s golf, owns the Pine Needles – Mid Pines Resort, and she’s likely to stop at your table and ask how you are doing and how you meal tastes.  For formal dining room is great for special occasions, bit the Lounge is one of the area’s best kept secrets when it comes to having a casual meal in a memorable setting.  Lunch & Dinner.

Corfu Taverna ($$), Southern Pines, 910-693-1839.  Authentic Greek cuisine downtown Southern Pines.  Great Variety and the friendliest staff in town.  Staff favorites – Spanikopeta, Greek Salad with Salmon, Seafood Special of the Day. Lunch & Dinner.

The Market Place ($), Southern Pines, 910-295-1160.  A quaint lunch place at Midland Crafters along Midland Road between Pinehurst and Southern Pines, right next to the Carolina Eye Clinic.  One of the oldest continually operating restaurants in the area, and for good reason.  The food is always the freshest in town.  Staff Favorites: Gazpacho Soup or Brunswick Stew, Chicken Salad Croissant. Lunch.

The Ice Cream Parlor ($), Southern Pines, 910-692-7273.  Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads, Hot Dogs; and you guessed it – the two most important food groups – Ice Cream AND Milkshakes.  Staff favorites – French Fries, Chicken Salad Sandwich, Hot Dog All the Way, Ice Cream, Milkshakes.  Lunch.

May Street Market ($), Southern Pines, 910-4110.  Morris Pennington tried to retire, but he just got bored.  So he bought an old convenience store at the edge of Horse Country in Southern Pines and opened up a Breakfast & Lunch place.  The gas pumps are gone, but you can still buy things like diesel fuel, maps, lottery tickets, candy, a loaf of bread, work gloves and newspapers – plus the best Breakfast in Southern Pines.  And – on Friday nights, Morris serves Dinner AND one of several local bands.  Staff favorites – Breakfast, Dinner and Music on Friday Nights.  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on Fridays (reservations required for Dinner).

Pinehurst Track Restaurant ($), Pinehurst, 910-295-2597. At Pinehurst Harness Track, along with it’s two tracks and about 15 barns (including the Fair Barn), is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tucked along the homestretch of the main track is a small cinder block building with a tiny sign.  If it wasn’t for all the beat-up pickups, Mercedes and Lexus’ parked outside on Saturday and Sunday mornings, it would be easy to miss.  Inside, you’ll find the best Breakfast in Pinehurst.  If you go in the Winter, stick around afterwards to watch the horses and their jockeys training.  Staff Favorites – Blueberry Pancakes, the Coffee, the lawyer Jokes from guy who buses the tables, himself a retired lawyer from New York .  Breakfast.

Café Iano, Southern Pines, 910-692-4365. New in 2007, Café Iano has quickly become one of our favorites for big flavor and lighter dishes served indoors or outside on the awesome terrace.  Located in a retrofitted Esso station along with a Fiskin & Fiskin, a designer jeweler, and Opulence, a luxury linen and bath wear boutique.  Staff Favorites – Anything with Lobster (the owner is from Maine ), the Salads, especially the Caprice.  Lunch & Dinner.

All The Places We Left Off This List – We started out with one page, and then moved to a second page . . .and now a third page.  We could actually keep going!  The restaurants on this list are not really in any particular order; and there are actually some great places that we’ve left off.  If you run across one that you think we should add, please let us know!!