We were greeted upon entering the restaurant and seated at a small table in the bar that was by the…read morewindows. The bartender was busy working and singing in between taking orders as she prepared drinks for customers. Our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and offered the specials before we placed our order. We love to sample the menu when we travel and the vast menu of tapas gave us the perfect opportunity to try just about everything. They had a smaller wine selection, but there was something for just about everyone. Our waiter was very attentive and offered suggestions on what to try if we were torn between several menu options. The Spanish lamb meatballs, truffle honey pork belly and rosemary beef were the tapas that stood out as the most flavorful and making us each want just one more bite. The Spanish meatballs were glazed with sriracha which caused me to pause before ordering. However, I'm so happy that we gave them a try. They had a bold flavor, but the whipped feta and cilantro were enough to balance the heat. The truffle honey pork belly was sliced differently. We have only had this cut into cubes at other restaurants in the past. The way that they slice the pork belly is so much better. The pork belly was served with cheese grits. We don't even like cheese grits, but could not get enough of these smoked Gouda grits. The rosemary beef with asparagus and mashed potatoes was perfect. The beef was tender, the asparagus cooked to perfection and who doesn't love mashed potatoes. We visit the crystal coast about twice a year and always try a couple of new places. We look forward to coming back to Circa 81 each time that we visit!

Circa 81 is such a hidden gem. It doesn't feel overly fancy or stuffy, just really thoughtful food…read morein a relaxed, cool space. We ordered the Half Chef's Tour, which is their charcuterie, and it was honestly one of my favorite parts of the night. Great variety, really well balanced, and perfect for sharing. It set the tone for the whole meal. The scallop nightly special was perfectly cooked with that golden sear and super tender inside. The rosemary steak had so much flavor and was cooked exactly right. The Brussels were crispy and savory, and even the potstickers were a standout. Nothing felt like an afterthought. Service was perfect for the tapas setting too. Not rushed, we didn't feel over bothered, but not neglected either. Overall, it felt elevated but still comfortable. A great experience without feeling over the top. We'll definitely be back.

Very clean! We stayed and drove to Emerald Isle. The hotel was spotless, the staff is friendly and…read morethe bar is great. The free breakfast is unmatched for hotel breakfasts. It was by far the best "free" breakfast I have had. Tip: the closest beach is Radio Island, it is ridiculously crowded and there isn't enough parking. We drove to Emerald Isle Beach and loved it. Definitely would stay here again. It's one of the nicest hotels in the area.

We like the compass hotel, it is well located, about 10 mn from Beaufort's restaurants. Right in…read morefront of the Marina. The personal are really friendly and helpful. The rooms are well maintained and well cleaned. Cons - 5 o'clock restaurant have nice salades but we found that any dish with meat is not very flavorful.

This place is ok. We were a large party and there was some confusion with our reservation, so they…read morehad to figure a backup option for us, which turned out to be a private room. The majority of the staff were friendly and were great. The food was good, but everyone's food was undercooked. We didn't say anything because having to wait longer was not really an option with 6 young kids who were already super restless. Drinks were good and the waitress was really great at explaining the drinks and if she didn't know she would go ask the bartender. Overall not a place I'd take my kids, but good for an adults only night out.

Everything was perfect! Ask for Karen as your bartender or…read morewaitress! She's outstanding!

Heard about this place and been trying to get here. Finally, found some friends to join me. We sat…read moreoutside because the weather was perfect and they had a live two piece band. Waitress was very sweet and running her tush off. We got there about 6pm on a Friday night and before we left it was hopping. The food was very good. I had Southwestern Eggrolls and will not have to drive to Jville anymore when I get that craving. The only difference was it came with a chipotle ranch instead of an avocado ranch. My friend had a salad (good size) along with the the Dirty Chicken. She felt like it had a "kick" to it but I tried a bit and didn't think so. She could not eat it all. Nice size serving. She also shared the mozzarella sticks. I didn't try them but she said they were good. They looked like the frozen kind out of the box, so not for me. My other friend had the smash burger that we thought were sliders, but are not. It is a hamburger with two 3oz patties with the fixins. My friend enjoyed it and I believe it came with fries. She also tried the Zucchini fries and ate them all. I personally was not crazy about them but to each his own. A two piece band was playing and they were very good. Oh, I found out just before we left that they carry Bud Zero. Nice surprise. Sitting outdoors was perfect. They put a little fly spinner on your table and no bugs. The bathroom was very clean. Since this appears to be the first post for them I will have to post pictures later. Sept. 20, 2024

Food and environment is amazing! Service is fast and very polite! I would highly recommend going!read more

We drove down to Emerald Isle on a random Monday and decided to stay for the night! The lighthouse…read morehad good reviews and rooms large enough for a family of 3! The room was two queen beds and a small living area with small fridge and microwave!! Our daughter was able to sleep in the room while we watched tv in the living room! The only gripe I had with the room is there was no tub in the bathroom so it was a little difficult to bathe a 4 year old and they gave us a connecting room so we just put a chair in front of the door before we went to sleep! The next morning we enjoyed a free breakfast and the owner even made omeletes to order! The location is great and we will be back next time we come to Emerald Isle!!

Googled a place to stay while attending the Moorhead city seafood place and found Lighthouse…read moreSuites. The location is on Emerald Isle, which is a nice place to visit. The staff was friendly . The room was clean but needs updating. The breakfast area is very small and does not offer much in terms of food.

There was a great vibe to Hotel Alice with its retro decor. We enjoyed our overnight stay; we…read morecelebrated our anniversary there a short distance from our home in nearby Beaufort. The bar and breakfast were nice and reasonably priced. We were a little disappointed in that the hall carpet wasn't vacuumed during our stay and there were trash bags left in the hallway. Unfortunately, even with a no smoking policy and a high fines notice posted, we still detected a marijuana smell on our floor.

Such a hidden gem! Tucked back in a grove of trees is the Hotel Alice. Dog friendly with dog…read morebiscuits at front desk. We were given tickets for drinks in bar, but we dont drink. We checked out the free bikes and explored. Beach access was steps away. Lotion, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel were attached to the walls. Towels provided for pool. It is a true gem!

The visitor center across the street told me everything about this wonderful establishment …read more It's on their Historical registry . Dates back to the 1800's . There is a Parterre in the back ( garden ) for special events or intimate group settings . I can visualize the beautiful gardens in the Spring . I was here in January and the grounds were nice and green . (And they should be with allllllll the rain they've had)

I cannot speak highly enough about Amy and The Farm at West Prong Acres! The venue made for an…read moreabsolutely perfect wedding and Amy was more helpful and attentive than I could have imagined! Choosing this venue was the best decision, apart from the choosing of my now husband, that I could have made! The barn made the pictures so beautiful and the grassy area outside was perfect for a tent! I loved everything about The Farm at West Prong Acres!!