Wednesday, July 19, 2006
A slice of pie with a side of bluegrass
Larry Bly
Larry Bly runs an ad agency and does freelance writing in the Roanoke area.
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I'm a lucky guy -- I get invited to some of the most interesting places. And about two weekends ago I was invited up to Blue Ridge Passage Resort in Meadows of Dan to spend an evening "dining and dancing"; plus an overnight stay in one of their luxury condo-cabins.
When I first traveled to Meadows of Dan, home of my late business partner and best friend, Marty Hall, there wasn't much there -- a few rocks, a cow or two, maybe some sheep. In fact one fateful night as we were making our way back to Roanoke from Meadows of Dan we realized we were almost out of gas.
There were no stores open late, if there were any at all. But Marty knew exactly where we'd find gas, and in the most unlikely of places. As we reached the Floyd town limits, he pulled the car into the back lot of the Maberry Funeral Home. He honked the horn, (careful not to wake the dead) and greeted someone familiar at the back door. Sure enough, they filled us up at their own private pump, right there at the funeral parlor. We paid and went on our way.
Well, back to Meadows of Dan, where the widening of Route 58 between Hillsville and Stuart is starting to make an impact, not the least of which is the creation of Blue Ridge Passage Resort, though they were there well before this improvement. I was invited not because they were trying to sell me anything, though you can surely buy a fancy "modern" cabin alright, so much as they were trying to get me into Christopher's Pizza also on the premises.
Christopher's Pizza actually offers a lot more than just pizza these days, so maybe they should re-name it just Christopher's. Also the name belies what goes on there: Live bluegrass music every Friday and Saturday evening; plus "open mike" bluegrass music Sunday afternoons. And you should be warned: While the music doesn't start until 7 p.m on Friday and Saturdays, the locals start pouring in around 4:30 and secure their seats at the tables there. Nothing, not dynamite, not the swarming of the seven-year locusts, will make them budge until the music stops at 10 p.m. I know. I was there. But not to worry, there's plenty of room for everyone: upstairs, out on the creek-side deck or standing out on the front porch.
The food's pretty good, too. It's basic fare, but Christopher, the owner's son, is firmly in charge of the kitchen. The brick oven pizza is very popular, even among the bluegrass fans and features all manner of combinations -- pepperoni, sausage, ham, hamburger, olives, onions, green pepper, etc.---and come in small, mediums, or large. I found the sauce to be full of flavor, with no particular herb overpowering the meat or toppings, and the portions are ample. Many folks swear by the stromboli, which for me requires taking in a bit too much cheese at a single setting.
They offer fried cheese dough, sticks, and knots, served with sides of sauce and good advice.
Since opening, Christopher's "kitchen items" have expanded to fried or grilled chicken, country-fried steak, hot subs, cold subs, vegetable plates, burgers, sandwiches, and tons of sides, such as fries, onion rings, tater tots, chicken nuggets and so on. How they accomplish this out of a kitchen the size of this computer, I have no idea.
There are appetizers galore: hot wings, BBQ wings, and fried mushrooms, to name a few. It's not a fancy dinner place....but you'll enjoy what they offer, plus the live music.
I'm not a bluegrass fan, but you would have been hard-pressed to know that on this recent Saturday night. Old Larr was stomping, clapping, and actually singing along. I grew up on a farm, and am no stranger to the Osborne Brothers. The Country Boys put on one heck of a show, with close harmonies and great instrumentation. During their mid-evening break, local singer, Sue Nester did some gospel tunes, joined later by the Country Boys on a few favorites. Sue and her husband, Maynard, are responsible for the beautiful flower gardens that abound around the property and the individual cabins. The scheduled bluegrass groups change regularly, so a quick check of the website might be in order.
Later in the evening, with the final chords of Patsy Cline's "Faded Love", we headed over to the Ice Cream Parlor, open a bit late so I could have a few scoops on my way up to the cabin. How's that for a nightcap? The Ice Cream Parlor is in a self-standing building off to the side; and features, among other things, swinging seats. It's just like being on the front porch, but without the bugs. They serve up delicious Bryer's in a ton of flavors. Feeling absolutely decadent, I had one scoop of cherry vanilla, topped with another scoop of buttered almond.
After the pizza, some cake, and then the ice cream, I felt like a tick on a major artery.
Reservations are not accepted; just show up ready to have some fun. Flat-footing is encouraged, as there is a nice dance floor in front of the stage.
Be prepared for owner "Shu" Shumate to jump up and sing bass without warning (or encouragement); he can rattle the building with those lower notes!. In the spirit of the Grand Ole Opry, "Shu" hopes that some day they'll broadcast the Saturday night hoop-de-do "live from Meadows Of Dan". Old Marty, once a great radio/TV guy in his own right, would be mighty proud!
As the old song goes, "....turn the lights down low and listen to the master's radio..."
Christopher's Pizza
4037 Jeb Stuart Highway
Meadows of Dan, Virginia 24120
(276) 952-3457
