At the end of this year’s Readers’ Choice Dining Awards Survey we asked one final write-in question: “What restaurant serves your favorite dish, and why do you love it?” Here is a brief look at just a few of the responses we received for the three establishments receiving honors for “Best Overall Restaurant” in this year’s survey. Add your favorites in the comments below!
PLATINUM: Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine
Veal Saltimbocca: “It’s all good! Food, service, and atmosphere!” – Paul Willard of Providence Forge
Sea Bass: “The personal touch of the Carlos & Maggie, the staff. The food quality is superb and consistent.” – Ernie Stalnaker of Roanoke
Paella Valencia: “It’s consistently perfect. All of the components have different cooking times, and they all come together perfectly.” –Doug Martin of Roanoke County
Filet mignonette in a sherry wine sauce with Shitake mushrooms: “The entrée is preceded with an appetizer of either fried lobster with drawn butter on fried parsley, or blackened sea scallops in a Cajun cream sauce! You can’t go wrong either way. If there is any room left, their dessert menu is stellar!” –Carey Harrell of Roanoke County
New York Strip: “The steak never fails to make me melt in sheer bliss! Mingled with a glass of merlot and I am instantly in heaven!” –Mary Crouch of Salem
GOLD: Local Roots Restaurant
Bison short ribs with a starter of bison bone marrow: “It’s comforting to know that you can go to Local Roots and know your supporting local farmers and that your food isn’t filled with chemicals, hormones and shortcuts. Nothing exemplifies that more then the bison short ribs you can get there during the winter months when the meat is fresh and without hormones, slow roasted for 48 hours, covered in a sauce that was reduced for two days with no need for thickeners and garnished with seasonal potatoes and greens from their garden or local farmers.” –Richard Hardy of Roanoke
Mussels: “These are my absolute favorite. The mussels have a wonderful broth that you do not dare waste. Just what the bread was meant for. The bacon and chow-chow bring it all together. Be sure to sit at the bar and share with a friend, if you can.” –Jared Rigby of Roanoke
SILVER: Montano’s International Restaurant
Shrimp Saltado: “Why? Flavor and healthy.” –Fred St.Clair of Vinton
