News Summary
Culinary Director Travis Milton is transforming Appalachian cuisine at Hickory, a fine dining restaurant in Bristol, VA, with a new spring menu. Emphasizing local ingredients like ramps and morels, Milton aims to provide a sophisticated dining experience that celebrates the region’s rich culinary heritage. The restaurant balances nostalgia with modern tastes, encouraging customers to relive cherished memories through its carefully crafted dishes. As Hickory flourishes, the local food scene, including Georgine’s restaurant, remains committed to quality and community-focused dining.
Bristol, VA – Culinary Director Travis Milton is redefining Appalachian cuisine at Hickory, a fine dining establishment located at Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards. Milton, a Castlewood native, has a mission to showcase the vibrant flavors of spring using native Appalachian ingredients, aiming to provide a year-round taste of the season.
With a new spring menu featuring an array of dishes including duck, braised pork, and rainbow trout, he emphasizes the use of locally sourced ingredients such as ramps, morels, and fresh spring peas. This aligns with the restaurant’s goal of supporting the local economy and highlighting the region’s rich culinary heritage.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef Andrew Stafford, who also hails from Bristol, Hickory prioritizes fresh, local foods and seeks to create a dining experience that rivals those found in major cities without requiring patrons to travel far. The menu transforms traditional Appalachian staples like beets, creasy greens, and Spam into fine dining options, inviting customers to experience a blend of nostalgia and sophisticated tastes.
The culinary team at Hickory aims to trigger cherished memories connected to home cooking and rural experiences through their carefully crafted dishes. Foraging memories shared by Milton from his time along the Clinch River contribute to the foundation of this menu, mirroring the family traditions and seasonal cycles that define Appalachian cooking.
In addition to Hickory, the local food scene in Bristol includes Georgine’s restaurant, which is currently up for sale but remains open for events and bookings. Co-owner and executive chef Dave Reifsneider has expressed a desire to find a buyer who appreciates the legacy built over 47 years of operation. Valued at $3.8 million, the sale encompasses both the main restaurant building and a separate takeout facility, complete with ample parking space for future operations.
The current owners emphasize the importance of maintaining quality standards in food and service, ensuring that any new owner would continue to support existing staff and customers. Despite rumors surrounding a potential closure, operations at Georgine’s continue unaffected for the time being, with ongoing events and reservations being honored as planned.
This vibrant local culinary scene demonstrates the strong commitment of Bristol’s eateries to not only serve delicious food but also to preserve and celebrate the region’s historical culinary roots while adapting to modern dining trends. The collaboration and community-oriented focus evident among these restaurants point towards a future that values both tradition and innovation in Appalachian cuisine.
As Hickory flourishes under the creative direction of Travis Milton, and Georgine’s holds onto its reputation amidst a transitional phase, both establishments play integral roles in Bristol’s culinary identity and its continuing evolution.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WCYB
- Wikipedia: Appalachian Cuisine
- The Guardian
- Google Search: Bristol Restaurants
- Herald Courier
- Google Scholar: Fine Dining Bristol
- Fine Dining Lovers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bristol Cuisine
- Boston Globe
- Google News: Bristol VA Restaurants
