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.

What a nice cafe with delicious and beautiful charcuterie boards. This women veteran owned business…read moreis a must go to if you are in the Crystal Coast area. You won't regret your visit! They also support many talented local vendors and artists. For a true "flavor" of the area, check them out!

Best charcuterie in all of Eastern North Carolina! Reasonably priced, fresh, great selection …read more.. great for getting me out the dog house with my wife ;)

We found The Frosty Flounder while vacationing near Emerald Isle, and it ended up being one of the…read morebest parts of our trip. After a long day at the beach, having Karen stop by with The Frosty Flounder ice cream truck was the perfect way to unwind. The ice cream was delicious, just the right size, and refreshing.  The customer service was friendly and welcoming--exactly the kind of local charm you hope to find on the Crystal Coast. What really impressed us was learning that The Frosty Flounder also offers ice cream catering for events in Emerald Isle and the surrounding Crystal Coast area. This would be an amazing option for weddings, birthday parties, family reunions, neighborhood gatherings, or even vacation rental welcome events. The truck itself is fun and eye-catching, and having it come to you makes hosting effortless. If you're visiting Emerald Isle and searching for a great ice cream experience near the beach, or if you're a local looking for ice cream catering near Emerald Isle, NC, I can't recommend The Frosty Flounder enough. It's a unique, crowd-pleasing experience that both kids and adults will love. We'll absolutely be booking them the next time we host an event at the coast!

I have used the Farmacy chef several times for not only weekly dinners but also party catering. The…read morefood is always delicious and beautifully presented. Chef Colleen is super easy to work with and very accommodating. Her service is outstanding and pricing is very reasonable.

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)

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

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!

My mom brother, grandma, and I stayed, Mom made the reservation as our usual spot had some…read morerenovations going on. Only stayed here two nights, can tell that the hotel is dropping in quality, looking at their past amenities versus their current ones. Nothing was outright disgusting but the beds were as hard as a rock, the floor didn't feel clean, and the bathroom had rust spots. Staff were fairly nice. Hotel was easy to navigate. Didn't dare to try the food, seemed like all of the breakfast that was served was going to be microwaved food. Probably won't be back! It's a shame really, considering what a beautiful area this is.

Attended a wedding here recently and the property is gorgeous! While I didn't get to see inside the…read moreentire house, the back lawn, patio, and pool area were stunning. This is a gorgeous event space and very well maintained.