By Emma Castleberry
The Highlands Kitchen and Bar boasts an undeniably beautiful view over Lake Lure, but the restaurant’s scenic location is only one facet of its appeal. Owners Megan and John Venuto have combined their very different backgrounds—John is Italian and Megan is Korean—to create a diverse and delicious menu. “We have both grown into a love for seafood and the freshest ingredients when preparing dishes and it shows in our entrees,” says Megan. “The menu has a splash of each of our own cultures. We want to provide dishes that we know our guests will enjoy.”
A hugely popular menu item is the grilled octopus starter, served with a mountain mango sauce and a saffron velouté. “It is one of my favorite dishes to eat when I go out to a restaurant and when I found out that John could prepare it so perfectly, I knew we had to have it on the menu,” Megan says. She pairs this dish with The White Oak, a signature cocktail of her own design made with Knob Creek bourbon, black walnut bitters and Tillen Farms cherry juice, garnished with a rosemary sprig. “I am an Old Fashioned type of girl, so I had to create a unique cocktail to suit my taste buds,” she says. The menu also boasts plenty of delicious non-alcoholic beverages, such as the locally made Blueberry Basil Shanti Elixir and seasonal herbal iced teas flavored with floral syrups that are made in-house.
Another shining star on The Highlands Kitchen menu is the gnocchi, served with squash, mushrooms, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts and walnuts in a brown butter sauce with a splash of balsamic. “It is hearty and rustic,” says John, who is also the restaurant’s executive chef. “I love to prepare the dish. It is my favorite entree to make. It is also a comfort food as I am Italian and love to eat pasta.”
The restaurant’s beautiful environment is the result of intentional design: John and Megan renovated the 1920s building with a clear vision in mind. “We put in Mission Oak flooring and matched it to our tables,” says Megan. “We set a deep green for the wall paint to create a romantic, dark atmosphere. The tables are then placed with beautiful light vases filled with fresh flowers. We created a space to feel warm and cozy, like home.”
Through fall and winter, The Highlands Kitchen and Bar will be hosting themed, daily menu features. These include a Chef’s Creation on Mondays, Pasta Night on Tuesdays, Prime Rib Night on Wednesdays, Ribs and Barbecue on Thursdays, Trout Night on Fridays and another Chef’s Creation on Saturdays. On Sunday, enjoy brunch at the restaurant with a special eggs Benedict dish and a bloody mary bar.
The Highlands Kitchen and Bar is located at 454 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, call 828.436.4023, visit TheHighlandsKitchenBar.com, or find the restaurant on Facebook and on Instagram @The_Highlands_Kitchen_Bar.
