Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1149920
JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2019 UCW 29 Best of Fayetteville Best New Restaurant Drop by the River Seafood 1130 Person St. 910-920-3694 or www.facebook.com/dropbytheriverseafood Yamani Albert, proprietor of Drop by the River Seafood, got his start in the Fayetteville restaurant business with his bi-weekly, 300-pound "seafood drops." Every other week, he drove from Georgia to Fayetteville with around 300 pounds of seafood. He cooked it for his customers using the facilities of local restaurants and caterers. When the drop mushroomed to around 8,000 pounds, he opened Straight Drop Seafood on South Reilly Road. Drop by the River is his latest seafood restaurant. Inspired by seafood cooks from the Georgia coast, Albert combined this style with a bit of Florida-infused cooking to create the restaurant's menu. Drop by the River boasts that it serves the biggest platters in the city. Popular items include steam plate platters, shrimp and grits, shrimp Alfredo, and Sgt. Roy fries — a combination of fries, crabmeat and mozzarella cheese. Steamed crab legs, lobster and shrimp are also available. The restaurant's Facebook page boasts a 4.7 review average out of a possible 5, based on the responses of 472 people. Best Place For A Romantic Dinner, Best Appetizers Antonella's Italian Ristorante 300 Hay St. 910-486-0046 or www.facebook.com/Antonellas-Italian- Ristorante-1231244156989396 Antonella's Italian Ristorante, voted Best New Restaurant a year ago, continues to impress the denizens of Fayetteville. Antonella Scibilia is the owner and operator. She specializes in the Southern Italian cuisine she learned as a child working in her father's restaurant. Each recipe is handed down from one generation to the next and is always made with the freshest ingredients. The charming interior makes Antonella's one of Fayetteville's most exciting and elegant venues for lunch and dinner. Its outside dining, with views of beautiful Hay Street, makes it ideal for warm, romantic evenings with someone special. Mozzarella caprese, bruschetta and baked lasagna top the list of delicious appetizers, but the entire menu reflects the enthusiasm Antonella has for her craft. Antonella's doesn't accept reservations, and it's one of the most popular venues in Fayetteville, so try and arrive early. And be sure to check out the impressive wine list — you won't be disappointed. Best Local Caterer, Best Waitstaff/Service, Best Seafood Restaurant Peaden's Seafood & Catering 1600 McArthur Rd. 910-488-1972 or www.peadens.com Family owned and operated, Peaden's Seafood & Catering has been bringing Calabash to Fayetteville since 1972. Voted Best Caterer last year, Peaden's has so impressed its customers that it added Best Waitstaff/Service and Best Seafood Restaurant to its accolades this year. Peaden's specializes in Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue and true Southern-fried chicken, as well as some of the best seafood on the Eastern seaboard. And they're famous for their hushpuppies. The dining room offers a down-home feeling, and the waitstaff is fast-paced and friendly, always serving your dinner with a smile. The banquet room is spacious. It can accommodate as many as 200 guests for your special events, and your own personal decorations are welcome. With 47 years' experience and a huge heart for the community, Peaden's has earned a top spot as one of Fayetteville's favorite family restaurants. Best Brew House Mash House Brewing Company & Restaurant 4150 Sycamore Dairy Rd. 910-867-9223 or www.themashhouse.com Mash House Brewing Company & Restaurant, probably the oldest brewery in Cumberland County, is a repeat winner of Best Brew House in Fayetteville. Its hand- crafted beers are made on-site in the tradition of old-world breweries, using no preservatives and only the finest ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast and pure water. With 18 years' experience and a flair for mixing it up and creating new brews, this establishment also creates drinks that win at nationwide festivals and competitions. The expertise and innovation of Brewmaster Reuben Stocks, who's been with Mash House since 2012, is to be applauded. General manager Steve Groveunder, who's been at Mash House for five years, has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry — and it shows. With two private dining rooms, Mash House can accommodate private dinners for groups of 30 or more and provide an intimate dining experience with a top-notch staff. Groveunder also purchases locally every chance he can get and puts on community events like trivia events, beer dinners and parking lot parties. Mash House also boasts an amazing culinary team who specialize in delivering everything from gourmet fusion dishes to casual fare. They monitor the culinary world closely and change the menu constantly to ensure the clientele are always pleasantly surprised by innovative dishes. Since many of the ingredients are purchased from local and North Carolina growers, you can bet your meal will taste fresh.