Outer Banks Taste Of The Beach.

The Outer Banks Taste Of The Beach has started. Mr. Hawthorne and I went for the first time last year and had a wonderful time. It's about a 5 day event on the Outer Banks and there are numerous restaurant events to attend: tapas crawls involving several restaurants, multiple restaurant crawls, different themes chowder cook offs, and the restaurants having special events for everyone. Now what I am critical about are the fashion shows, the spa thingies, the pedi's and mani's, the aromatherapy, the facials, the massages, and other bodily things. This is TASTE OF THE BEACH. Confine it to the culinary tastes! //End rant// Last year, we went to the two, what I like to think, were the two main events last year. And we've signed up for the same two for this year. #1 Last year we went to Kelly's Restaurant, for a tasting menu. On Friday night, tomorrow, they're having this menu: A Taste of Northeastern North Carolina

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Price: $35 per person

Limited Availability

Dine on traditional landlubber delicacy and seafood seasoned by the distinct flair of northeastern North Carolina. Four courses of dining selections with distinct wine pairing. Compliment the evening with Kelly's signature homemade desserts. Enjoy an Outer Banks tradition at Kelly's Restaurant & Tavern. Savor the flavor of North Carolina Rose Bay Oysters. Have oyster stew, oyster fritters, stuffed oysters (5 selective delicacies), fried oysters (perfectly fried and seasoned with corn meal), raw & steamed oysters. Next comes dinner - Delight in pork tenderloin, served with a spinach salad topped with warm oyster vinaigrette, a medley of winter vegetables, and Kelly's famous sweet potato biscuits. For dessert you have your choice of sweet potato pie or cre'me brulee. Dinner also includes 2 glasses of beer, wine or champagne.

Location: Kelly's Restaurant & Tavern, 2316 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, NC 27959

252-441-4116

I'm sooo looking forward to this. Last year, it was Mrs. & Mr. Hawthorne, Xmaskatie, Glowria, and Miss V. This year it's gonna be Mrs. & Mr. Hawthorne, Mrs. & Mr. Xmaskatie, Glowria, who may or not levitate, and Miss V. #2 Last year we went to the crowning glory of this event - the Outer Banks Expo. Here's the website. Taste of The Beach Expo

Time: 6:30pm-9:00pm

Price: $40 per person

Limited Availability

The Taste of The Beach Expo is an evening extravaganza showcasing the impressive array of culinary delights to be found on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Every spring, The Outer Banks Restaurant Association rolls out the red carpet to share with the world a sampling of the beach's finest fare. Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience the finest work of more than 20 local chefs competing for prize money, trophies, and bragging rights in this popular annual food fest. This years event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Kitty Hawk, NC. Organizers are expecting an early sellout, so get your tickets early.

Special Celebrity Judge - Joe Flanagan from WVEC-TV 13

Participants Include: Butcher Block, Mako Mikes, Weeping Radish, Red Sky Cafe, Awful Arthurs, Prime Only, Sam & Omies, Lucky 12 Tavern, Aqua S, The Black Pelican, Barefoot Bernie's, Kelly's, The Pearl, Good Life Gourmet, The Pit, The Life Saving Station, The Left Bank, Pamlico Jack's Pirate Hide-away, Mutual Distributing, Empire Distributing, Coke-a-Cola, Albemarle Distributing, Coastal Beverage, City Beverage, Moonrise Bay Vineyards, Wisdom Distributing.

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Purchase Tickets Here

Last year it was at Kelly's. And that link was my blog. This year it's at the Hilton. Gosh, I wonder if Paris and Nicole will be there? Whoot! Joe Flanagan is a judge! The excitement is palpable. The #3 event was at Lucky 12 Tavern on the Beach Road. And we're going to that on Saturday afternoon. That was the bestest, ever. I'm really looking forward to that too.