For a quiet, calm, and serene retreat in a family-style beach community, look no further than the warm, welcome, and outstretched open arms of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Day 4
As I had mentioned, our last full day on the Outer Banks was free for us to spend however we wanted. We had picked up our rental cars to go gallivanting as we saw fit, with the rendezvous spot at R.D. Sawyer Motor Company in Manteo later in the afternoon.
We decided to go for breakfast at Stack ‘Em High, a pancake joint recommended to us. The food was the typical diner quality, but the syrup collection for sale was great, ranging from peach to butter pecan to the standard maple flavors.
Now as a semi-professional shop-a-holic, I had to do my civic duty to boost the economy of the Outer Banks, so I shopped high and low from the town of Duck where we were staying all the way to Manteo where we dropped off the cars. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it!
In Duck, check out The Wooden Feather, where I found the cutest little mouse hand-carved and curved to fit on the edge of a glass. He was so life-like and realistic, my shopping partner-in-crime and I each bought one, commenting how perfect he would look on a piece of fine crystal in a fancy china cabinet. Also visit The Farmer’s Daughter for great T-shirts, candles, collectibles, and local kitschy stuff. La Reve has women’s clothing and jewelry, but the coolest things there were hang gliding ornaments with different characteristics, such as a Dog Lover with dog bones, a dish, collar, and tag, or a Traveler with a suitcase, camera, passport, and map.
In Nags Head, I visited the Tanger Outlets and swore I heard the angels singing... "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" See, didn’t you hear it? Anyway, I popped in and out of almost every store just to be sure I didn’t miss anything.
In Manteo, (I told you I was a crazed shopper...) I visited The Christmas Store, a bazillion room place dedicated to my favorite holiday. Coincidentally the owner was at dinner the previous night, so I felt compelled to visit the store and see what all the fuss was about. For anyone who even thinks they like to shop, this store is no match for you or me! Over 20 different rooms have everything from artwork to zebra pictures without missing a thing. It’s like a giant shopping maze, and I did get lost a few times, but it was so much fun!
Thoroughly tuckered out from shopping and exploring, I returned to the R.D. Sawyer Motor Company with bags (and more bags) in tow. We headed back to the Sanderling to get ready for our final night on the Outer Banks.
As the final piece in the Heaven puzzle, we dined at The Left Bank, a premier dining establishment located on the premises of the Sanderling.
With its rich dark wood and luxurious interior, The Left Bank is truly a cut above the rest! The 60-seat restaurant features French-inspired American cuisine; offers a select reserve of wines and top-shelf liquors; and a view of the Currituck Sound.
As an introduction to the Left Bank dining experience, we were treated to such culinary delights as a poached quail egg topped with caviar; a foie gras-and-fig preserve "Peanut Butter and Jelly" sandwich; and a plum granita palate cleanser. This was a bit rich for my taste, but it was nice to try something different for a change.
For an appetizer, I had the pepper-crusted tuna with fresh crabmeat. The tuna was prepared to perfection—it was very rare, almost like the plate was passed near the fire, but never actually touched it. The main course was an Arctic Char with Sea Scallops in a lemon wine sauce with capers. Again this was wonderful and full of flavors that complemented the seafood without overpowering them.
I mentioned the full wine selection and liquors before, so I’ll just say I had the best Vanilla Martini I have ever had. It was chilled nicely and not too sweet. I also tried the Espresso Martini with espresso, Kahlua, Frangelico, and Vanilla vodka—a great twist on the after-dinner coffee choice!
Just when you though the meal couldn’t get any better, dessert menus were handed out to complete the evening. The crème brulee trio of chocolate, vanilla, and maple, served in tablespoon-sized ramekins, intrigued me. The chocolate and vanilla were scrumptious, but the maple was indeed the favorite! I couldn’t imagine a maple flavored crème brulee, but this was a buttery, sweet, and nutty concoction words cannot describe—except "yummy!"
For a curtain call to the meal, Chef Bryon Perkins came out of the kitchen to say hello and a few words about the evening’s presentations. It was an amazing night at a truly remarkable place.
Day 5
The next morning, we gathered up our bags and checked out of our own private Heaven for the past four days known as the Sanderling. Any of the inclement weather we arrived with had passed, and it was now a sunny, clear oasis from the rest of the world. Going back to the cold winter in New York was not the first thing on my mind, but our time in the Outer Banks had to come to a close. A limo took us back to the point of origin, Norfolk International Airport, and the journey home began.
Overall, the Outer Banks is a glorious piece of "Heaven on Earth" with many attractions, historic sites, shopping venues, and things to do and see. For a family fun vacation spot, or even a weekend getaway, this is the perfect blend of old-world charm and new-world innovations, so be sure and check it out for your next escape from reality.
