Wednesday, March 02, 2005
What in Blue Hills?
Larry Bly
Larry Bly runs an ad agency and does freelance writing in the Roanoke area.
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An old friend of mine, Fred Palmer, recently called me to say he wanted to take me where I'd never been before for lunch. That's quite a challenge, and Fred's not one of the great culinary experts of our time. In fact, he recently learned to open a can of beans at home for dinner.
I was skeptical.
Where did he take me? The Blue Hills Golf Club, of all places. A swell lady by the name of Ruth Albert kept sending things over to my table to try. I should have been suspicious right off. I'm not sure, but I bet Fred and Ruth were in cahoots with this "innocent" lunch for Larr. No harm done ... I ate two kinds of soup, a sandwich, dessert with ice cream, and was practically carried to the car.
You don't have to join the club to eat there. This is a dining experience all may enjoy. The "19th Hole" (that's the name of the restaurant) also does catering.
Luncheon specials and soups are freshly prepared daily and listed on a big chalk board. I tried a nice corn chowder with tomato -- nice -- and a hearty mushroom -- even nicer. The soups are definitely fresh and carefully prepared, as are a host of sandwiches with clever little "golfing" names, such as "The Bunker" (chicken bread, ham and melted Swiss), "The Mulligan" (chicken lettuce and tomato with may on a Kaiser bun -- seems like they would have named a stew after the mulligan, but maybe I just don't understand golf), "The Bogey" (fish filet topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tarter sauce on a Kaiser, "The Birdie" (homemade chicken salad). You get the idea. Sandwiches are overstuffed and under-priced at $3.75- $5.25.
The dining room is bright, the service fast and friendly, and there's an adjoining dining room for, I assume, private functions and such.
The menu is just brimming with homemade items: appetizers, salads galore, at least 12 yummy sandwiches, burgers, cheese steaks, BLT, hot dogs. There's a kids' menu, too.
And breakfast. I need to get over there for breakfast. I can only imagine what they do with that and I understand it's a pretty popular affair: eggs, ham, sausage or fried bologna (one of my favorites, honest) biscuits, toast and coffee in various combinations. There's something called the "Blue Hills House Omelet," consisting of three eggs with diced ham, cheese, green peppers, onions and mushrooms. There are biscuits of all sorts and they'll fix you up some pancakes or French toast. There's not a breakfast over $5!
Desserts include homemade cookies, cakes and pies, with new features daily. About the only thing they don't make from scratch are the assorted ice creams from Blue Bunny. Blue Bunny, if you don't know, is sort of the Mercedes of the institutional ice cream lines.
For an old non-duffer like me, this was a pleasant surprise and I'll bet you'll think so as well.
BLUE HILLS 19TH HOLE
Restaurant and Catering
2002 Blue Hills Drive
Roanoke, VA 240l9
540-344-2272
