Library Restaurant in Cashiers, NC

Good morning, chic readers! We hope you had an amazing weekend. We had the most fun on our trip to Cashiers, NC last week. We think it is certainly one of the most beautiful spots in the country. 

We rented a house on the property of the High Hampton Inn and Country Club, which, incidentally, was the setting for the remake of Dirty Dancing. From the youngest to the oldest, we all loved this beautiful spot, with its hiking, lake activities and charming dining hall that seems like a throwback to a simpler time. 

One of the highlights was our dinner at Library Restaurant – Cashiers, NC, a new favorite!

Owned by Chicos founders Marvin and Helene Gralnick and the utterly charming Liz Klapdohr and Chef Johannes, the restaurant is eclectic, warm and as inviting as its owners.

The stunning chandelier in the bar area is the only thing that survived Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans Chicos location. It stands proudly lighting this beautiful yet chicly rustic space, which was originally a members only club where people could drink legally during Prohibition.

The bacon-maple rosemary popcorn and vegetable house chips with romesco sauce are not to be missed.

And the garden salad, marinated vegetables, toasted pecans, and passion fruit-tupelo honey vinaigrette go way beyond basic salads. 

The east coast oysters with bloody mary- wasabi vinaigrette, memo chives and lime dust are transformative. 

But, beyond the food, which was, we all agreed, among the best we have ever had, we have seldom felt so welcomed and so at ease in a space–even with a five year old. 

Liz regaled us with a kitchen tour where my little guy got to have his Library hat signed by all of the chefs. He was thrilled!

And there was even a delectable gourmet children’s menu with meals made from all of the same local ingredients as the main menu. 

And the dessert was legendary. We had this buttermilk pie with bing cherry compote–and a brownie with ice cream–and they were the perfect sweet complement to a truly extraordinary meal. 

But perhaps the best part of this extraordinary restaurant was the incredible art, created by owner Marvin Gralnick.

It is abstract, fun and completely fabulous.

The art is the perfect juxtaposition to the interior of the restaurant.

And a good reminder to relax…

And be happy, which, once you visit the Library, you really can’t help but be both of those things. When it comes to summer vacations, this one was tops. Do you have any fun trips planned for the summer?

Heading on Vacation?  Barnes and Noble has a BUY 2 GET THE 3RD FREE SALE and Slightly South of Simple is included!  

What design bloggers are saying about Slightly South of Simple (Currently on the Buy 2, Get 1 Free Promotion at Barnes and Noble!): 

“Kristy’s books are wonderful southern fiction and all of them have a mother daughter element that makes you reflect on your own relationship with your mother.  Her writing has touched me personally, and not just because I live in Charlotte and Kristy is a North Carolina native… I am now starting her third novel that debuted in April, Slightly South of Simple, and just like the others two books, I can’t put it down!” —Sarah Sofia Productions

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