Food #10: Ryan's Restaurant
A gem of a restaurant in Winston Salem, NC
Ryan’s Restaurant in Winston Salem, NC was unassuming, being tucked away in a sea of fresh green that glowed bright as neon after the rain. The building’s wooden exterior continued as we entered, but the dark oak was polished and instead of lining the floor, a deep green carpet with white dots softened the walk to our table. They placed us in the sunroom that scratched my itch for sitting on a wrap around porch and admiring the bursting of spring.
Our waitress’ name was a masculine, but given to a bubbly, tiny thing of a woman who reminded me of Molly Shannon in the Santa Claus. Her widened eyes exposed her anxiety to serve our party of 13 at a table fit for 8 comfortably, but we promised to assist in any way we could and proceeded to order cocktails and wine for the table as we shuffled our chairs tightly together.
With conversations and beverages flowing, my coworker with a knack for ordering for the table puts in our appetizers. The amount of food that we revolved around our cozy family style table was enough to feed the football teams being discussed and drafted that night ten fold. One of every item on the menu touched at least one person’s fork, so if you ever find yourself in Winston Salem and craving seafood or a nice piece of meat, here’s what to order:
Appetizers:
Rockefeller oysters- no idea what was on top, but possibly spinach, butter and garlic. Best oysters I've ever had.
Scallops- bacon wrapped and honey glazed. Enough said.
Mussles- I couldn’t remember the last time I had muscles, but I won’t go this long again if I can help it.
Ceasar Salad- if you aren’t a seafood person, the salads are great too
Entres
8 oz filet- I’m sure the nicer cuts were worth their dollar, but a medium rare filet hit the spot.
Porter house- lots of meat, I heard it was great and very sharable.
Shrimp and grits- I heard great things about this dish if you like it spicy.
Sides:
Grits- apparently these were the way to go!
Truffle pomme frites- Fries are my weakness and I’m not a big sauce person, but our waitress swore by the au poivre sauce not even for the steak, but to dunk the fries, so I got it and I’m still dreaming of that sauce. It made it’s round as did the fries.
Brussels- these were very good, sprinkled with bacon and blue cheese but the gorgonzola cheese is one I’ve become recently familiar with and the flavor throws me off every time, so taste at your own risk.
Desserts: We truly shared these because we were all so stuffed, but I mean who can pass on dessert? The table’s favorite ended up being the treat they bring out to anyone celebrating a birthday. Do with this info as you will.
Creme brûlée- vanilla bean and crusted perfectly.
Vanilla ice cream in a praline caramel cone- It was nutty and creamy and one bite was enough to completely satisfy. (birthday celebration treat)
Cheesecake- I’m realizing it’s going down on my list of desserts, but if you’re a cheesecake lover this is the best some at the table had ever had.
We wobbled out of there after a 3 hour dinner that closed the restaurant down at 10 p.m. The parking lot steamed of humidity and I listened for my favorite sound of cicadas. Although they were shy, I heard a few soul calming chirps that I could hold onto until the summer nights beckon them from hiding again.
I can always count on work trips to fill me up then send me back to New York where I live off of chicken and salad packs unless it’s a special occasion. This meal and glimpse of the south will sustain me for the next month of I’m sure.
Thanks for reading! Talk soon,
Gracey
Makes my mouth water !