Whether you’re looking for simple Southern comfort food or a taste of something more eclectic and complex, The Verandah at The Mayton Inn has you covered.
While I happen to prefer food that looks as pretty on Instagram as it tastes, I also love food that evokes sense-memory and nostalgia. The unique, Southern-inspired cuisine in The Verandah draws on those wistful childhood memories — warm crab hushpuppies, fried brussels sprouts with Texas Pete, zesty lemon-cream cauliflower sauce, and fluffy pancakes piled high with sweet Southern peaches and pecans. There’s even a grilled pork chop brined with sweet tea, served with Carolina red peas and collard greens, with molasses apple butter gastrique. If you grew up in the South, these are childhood memories served on a plate.
Southern Casual Dining in an Elegant 1920’s Atmosphere
When Colin and Deanna Crossman opened The Verandah, nestled within the charming Mayton Inn, they hoped to create a family-friendly, casual space, where anyone could enjoy a classy, fine-dining atmosphere.
“We want to be the kind of place where you can be dressed to the nines and have a good time; or, like now, you can be dressed in jeans — or shorts in summer — and be fine. We carried this idea over from Magnolia Grill, a restaurant that used to be in Durham. Year after year its food won best in the state, but people could go inside wearing shorts and T-shirts.”
The menu reflects this dichotomy of classy and cozy, offering high end cuisine alongside laid-back bar food.
One side of the menu touts elegant classics–steak tartar with raw egg nestled on top; poulet rouge with confit legs and roasted breast on cornbread mash, or oysters on the half shell.
The other side of the menu, however, features macaroni and cheese with fontina, gouda, cheddar, and parmesan; crab hushpuppies; a classic burger on brioche; a pulled pork and pimento chip; and even NC fish tacos.
“Our most popular menu item is our grilled chicken wings,” says Crossman. “I think we’d have a riot on our hands if we ever ran out of those.”
The chicken wings are smoked with a flavorful rub, then slathered in sticky honey and lime, creating a unique and authentic flavor combination that recalls a childhood full of North Carolina pig pickins and family barbecues while retaining a unique, sweet, zesty flavor all its own.
Like any good Southern host, the meal opens with warm, sweet honey butter on soft Southern-style biscuits.
Family-Friendly Movie Nights and Community Events
As parents to two young children, the owners recognized a need many parents struggle with — the desire to enjoy a classy evening with good food and drinks, while having someone care for their children. As a result, The Verandah began offering a free Parent’s Night Out service.
“The kids get to eat pizza or chicken fingers and watch a movie, while being cared for by our staff. Their food and childcare is all free, as long as the parents are eating dinner here at The Verandah,” shares Crossman.
The Parent’s Night Out evenings have been a huge hit, and the Crossmans are happy to help other parents like them get a well-deserved date night.
“We even offer a totally free valet service to everyone who eats here,” he says.
The kid’s movie evenings are offered each Sunday and begin at 5 p.m. These events run until November 17, pause for the holidays, and resume in January. Be sure to call ahead to let them know you’ll be taking part in the kid’s movie night, so they can have an accurate head count.
The Verandah also offers regular weekly and annual events such as classy and easy holiday dinner buffets, cocktail workshops, and even Break-Even Bourbon nights, which allow guests the chance to taste a new, expensive bourbon for the low factory price. “A typical bottle of this quality bourbon may sell for $40 a shot, but during Break-Even Bourbon night, it’ll only be $8.”
By removing barriers to going out on the town — like where to park on a busy downtown night, how far you’ll have to walk if the weather is bad, or who will watch your children — The Verandah is an easy, classy and casual place to spend an evening.
Sweet Southern Hospitality in the Heart of Cary
A “verandah” itself is a very Southern feature — an outdoor, shaded area used to keep cool while entertaining guests during the hot North Carolina summers before air conditioning was invented. In this era, the height of entertainment was serving fresh, classic cuisine with local ingredients — probably right off the neighbor’s farm!
The food at The Verandah recalls the fondness and charm of growing up in North Carolina — in an elegant, but casual way.
If you didn’t grow up in the South, this will certainly give you a taste of Southern culture, flavors, and memories. And if you did grow up here — well, go taste the sweetest flavor of all: Nostalgia.
