Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990 TAG: 9006020406
SECTION: SMITH MOUNTAIN TIMES PAGE: SMT-12 EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN
SOURCE: DELORES KOSTELINI
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Like dancers in a Spanish pavane, we traipsed in and out of restaurants at Smith Mountain Lake, scanning the eating scene and recognizing some of the standards for dining and noshing around.
Restaurant buffs have noticed that a few establishments have seen the necessity for trying to combine the pleasures of the cabaret with the seriousness of nourishing those who really want to dig in.
1. Stephen's Gallery Stephen's Galley is most often mentioned at "the lake's most improved restaurant." Its new bar area is entirely apart from the dining room, where there is a compact menu and some better than average food being served.
We arrived too late for Stephen's Sunday brunch ($4.99). What was left of it looked like a grand, all-you-can-eat-buffet with mostly hot items and a few makings for tossed salads and fresh-fruit desserts.
Recommended dishes from Stephen's dinner menu include: The Galley Boat ($12.95); surf and turf ($13.95); The Galley's Own, ($10.95).
Although the dining room was dark - dark ceiling, low lights - we were able to see our food and enjoy it.
Stephen's Galley is on Virginia 122, 1 mile north of Hales Ford Bridge in Moneta. (703) 297-4562.
Hours: through Saturday: buffet breakfast 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Buffet lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday: dinner 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: breakfast buffet: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday through Sunday: dinner: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Price range: $7.95 to $14.95.
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa.
Beverages: full-service bar.
Non-smoking area: None.
2. Camper's Paradise: Just about everyone goes to Camper's Paradise for breakfast and that's at any time of the day. Sometimes folks return in the evening and order the same number they had in the morning even though hearty lunch and dinner specials are listed, too. With the exception of the sweet rolls ($.99) everything Camper's Paradise serves is made right there in their kitchen.
Crisply fried tenderloin biscuits ($1.49) are an addictive alternative to any kind of sausage. Paradise number 11 omelet ($3.99), is a can't-eat-it-all eggy wonder stuffed with green pepper, mushrooms, ham and melted cheese.
The restaurant is cute, clean and friendly. Restrooms are up the stairs and outside in another building.
Camper's Paradise is on Virginia 122, 1 mile from Hales Ford Bridge, Bedford. (703) 297-6109.
Hours: Monday through Friday: 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Price range: $1.49 to $4.59.
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa. Personal checks.
Beverages: soft drinks, coffee, tea, juices.
Non-smoking area: none.
3. Schooner's: Grab your snack and eat it in on the lower deck overlooking the lake. There are burgers (from $2), and fried chicken or fish baskets ($3.25). Pizza by the slice is a tasty surprise. Vegetable pita sandwiches ($2.49) and lettuce salads ($2.35) are recommended but be kind to yourself and ask to see the veggies for age and freshness before ordering. The waffle-cut potato fries ($.95) are terrific.
Schooner's is located on Virginia 122, Bridgewater Plaza at Hales Ford Bridge. (703) 721-1752.
Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday: noon-9 p.m. Sunday: noon-5 p.m.
Price range: $1.75-$10.50.
Credit cards: none accepted.
Beverages: beer, wine, soft drinks.
Non-smoking area: none.
4. The Outrigger: If you're in the mood for a quiet, sedate meal where the entire family will be happy, look no further than The Outrigger. With its thick carpeting, nicely set tables and friendly personnel, it's the right place to go for generously portioned, traditional food that's just what you expected.
There's nothing pretentious about the almost-home-cooked tasting fried chicken with mashed potatoes, a craterful of tan gravy, mounds of corn and green beans ($4.95). The stacked high Outrigger Club ($3.75) is a good bet.
The Outrigger is located on Virginia 616 and 942, 4 miles past Hales Ford Bridge, Scruggs. (703) 721-1535.
Hours: Wednesday through Friday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Price range: breakfast: $.55-$4.25, lunch: $2.50-$4.50, dinner: $7.95-$14.95.
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express.
Beverages: wine, beer, soft drinks.
Non-smoking area: yes.
5. The Cove: This is the place where you hitch up your boat, jump onto Kokomo's Deck and enjoy the loud music, Death burgers ($3.95) and any kind of drink that comes to mind.
The Bridge Room is for those appropriately dressed "in shoes and top cover" who want to watch the outdoor goings-on through the seven windows. Steaks ($13 to $15) are always available and they do them to a turn.
The Cove is located at Hales Ford Bridge, Moneta. (703) 297-5461.
Hours: Thursday and Friday: 5 p.m.-midnight, live music; Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; always live music on Saturday, occasionally on Sunday.
Beverages: full-service bar, non-alcoholic beverages.
Price range: lunch: $2-$18.95 (the latter on a dish for two); dinner: $14-$40 (the latter on a dish for two).
Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard.
Non-smoking area: none.
6. Kings Point Pub: Owners Gloria and Frank King were beginning the cleanup to make their small, family-style pub ready for the up and coming season. Located on one of the prettiest points at the lake, they have made it the kind of place where Mom and Dad can bring the kids to romp on the King-designed sandy beach. During the week, for lunch and dinner there are sandwiches, soft drinks and 75 kinds of beer; this year, draught beer has been added. On the weekends, Gloria goes all out and makes a hearty meal to go with the live music that can be as unusual as Irish fiddlers or a trio of bagpipers.
Kings Point Pub is located at Lake Haven Marina, Virginia 626, Bedford County. (703) 297-7347.
Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Beverages: beer, soft drinks.
Price range: to be established.
Credit cards: none. Personal checks and cash only.
Non-smoking area: none.
7. The Sportsmen's Inn Restaurant. Restaurant on the Lake and the Down Under Lodge: If only the view were edible. But I had to settle for the best rye bread I've had outside of a New York City deli, and a nicely seasoned Cajun catfish ($7.95) with salad bar. Fried chicken livers ($6.95) and the grilled pork chops ($8.25) turned out to be pretty good, too.
This is the place with the "Down Under" where the atmosphere and the Friday night seafood buffet ($12.95) rate high marks from Lake dwellers. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, their Sunday breakfast buffet ($4.95) serves up some dishy delights. This is the oldest family restaurant on the lake.
The Sportsmen's Inn Restaurant is located on Virginia 626, Huddleston. (703) 297-7532.
Hours: Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Beverages: full-service bar; complete line of non-alcoholic drinks.
Price range: dinner: $7.95-$17.95.; lunch buffet: $3.49.
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa.
Non-smoking area: as requested.
by CNB