ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 10, 1996 TAG: 9601100085
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEWBERN
SERIES: Taste of Virginia
SOURCE: The Southwest Times
Located on Main Street in this historic Pulaski County community, the Wilderness Inn evokes an atmosphere of rugged pioneer days when the town was on the main route west.
Guests enter through a restored 1830s stage coach inn and tavern into a dining area of polished wood, leaded glass and pewter.
They can feast on a panoramic view of the Appalachian Mountains as they await a bountiful meal featuring old Southern recipes.
Rich in local history, the building has been renovated through the years to reflect more of the area's heritage. Floorboards in the dining room came from four old grain silos and are individually pegged. The leaded glass windows were salvaged from an old house.
Furnished with antiques, the restaurant has a serving bar made from the counter of a Depression-era country store. All the dining tables used to be church pews.
Candles and vases of fresh flowers decorate each dining table, while larger floral arrangements throughout the inn add to its rustic beauty.
Because of their love of history and antiques, owners Bill Ryplansky and Karen Hines have made every effort to incorporate the local heritage into the 100-seat dining area. They believe atmosphere is as much a part of a meal as the food itself.
Featuring old Southern recipes, the inn specializes in country ham, roast beef, prime rib and catfish accompanied by five side dishes. There are freshly baked bread and desserts.
Three experienced cooks are responsible for the quality of the food. They also gather old family recipes and secret ingredients for the dishes.
Meals are served family style. Meats and side dishes are brought to the tables on dishes from which the diners serve themselves.
A la carte items also are available from the menu. They include hamburgers, home fries, cole slaw, or a single serving of any one of the side dishes or meats.
After guests have feasted on heapin' helpin's of savory country dishes, they may browse in the inn's gift shop, which is stocked with antique glassware, quilts and other handcrafted items.
They also may walk down the street to the Wilderness Road Regional Museum, which features 17th- and 18th-century furniture, clothing, dishes, books and other historical items.
An old jail, a log cabin and church are open to the public and are within a short walking distance of the restaurant.
During the weekend of the annual Newbern Fall Festival, held in October, the Wilderness Inn is open for breakfast and lunch. The lunch menu features piping-hot homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts. A country breakfast includes country ham, bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes and homemade biscuits.
Recipe for:
Old Fashioned Tomato Pudding
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. 1. Wilderness Inn owners Bill Ryplansky and Karenby CNBHines restored an 1830s stagecoach inn and tavern into a restaurant
in Newbern. color. 2. The Wilderness Inn's Old-fashioned Tomato
Pudding is a colorful side dish.<