New Bern
Chef Ashley Moser’s grandmother instilled in him a fondness for cooking at an early age. It’s a passion that grew during his time at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, and which is on full display at Cypress Hall, where he serves up seasonal and local dishes like sweet pea risotto and Valenciana Paella.
219 Middle Street
(252) 633-5909
cypresshallrestaurant.com
Split-rail fences don’t shout “keep out.” They lean, they shift, they invite. And in western North Carolina, they remind us that some lines are meant to hold, not harden.
Each May, spring climbs nearly 3,000 feet to the seat of Alleghany County. Here, as the rhododendrons blush, a beloved mountain town welcomes visitors with its food, art, and flourish of color and creativity.
Brief but delicious, soft-shell crab season is cherished by diners as well as the folks who work around the clock to put these native pinchers on our plates.
When it comes to poultry, the best is raised close to home.
