Downtown Kinston Restaurants Get Good Press

Two of Kinston's downtown restaurants earned great press in mid January.

The Chef & the Farmer at 120 West Gordon Street received new accolades in the January 21, 2011 edition of the Raleigh News Observer when the paper's restaurant reviewer Greg Cox cited 55 Tar Heel restaurants as 2010's top eateries.

Of the 55 restaurants specifically cited in three general categories, Kinston's Chef & the Farmer was the only restaurant outside the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region to be honored; and was one of 24 designated as recipients of Cox' Silver Medal.

In earlier reviews, Cox has raved about the Kinston restaurant, helping Chef Vivian Howard and Manager Ben Knight to build a loyal and regional dining fan club.

Just a block away, the Broken Eagle Restaurant & Bar at 220 North Herritage announced expansion of its service hours to include lunch (11:00 am to 2:00 pm) beginning January 18, 2011.

A long time favored dining destination, the Broken Eagle--which had been closed for several months--re-opened Thanksgiving week 2010 under new owner Reid Taylor. Initially, the restaurant served during dinner hours and Sunday brunch. The Eagle's new hours provide more lunch date opportunities, joining with nearby eateries such as Christophers, the Folded Napkin, Lovick's Cafe and Our Picnic Basket to satisfy lunchtime cravings.

Parks & Recreation's Five Year Plan
Endorsed by Pride Committee

Following a Jan. 12, 2011 presentation by the Kinston-Lenoir County Recreation Director Bill Ellis, Pride of Kinston's Design Committee endorsed his agency's five year plan to enhance recreational opportunities for local residents.

Design chair Sarah Weeks asked that her committee's "congratulations and support" for the 20 projects envisioned in the plan be forwarded to Mr. Ellis. (The Parks and Recreation agenda was subsequently adopted by the Kinston City Council and Lenoir County Commissioners.)

The Pride message endorsed the "...outstanding plan with its early aim to complete and enhance the new Woodmen of the World Community Center which has earned strong support...We are glad to add our voice for its ultimate success."

Among the 20 items on the ambitious five year agenda were completion of the (a) Woodmen Community Center and water park, (b) reassembling the remains of the NC Railroad Freight Depot for use at Grainger Stadium, (c) construction of a soccer complex on former Harpers Auto Salvage land, (d) acquisitions to expand Neuseway Nature Center, (e) a greenway trail along the Neuse to connect the Farmers Market to the Woodmen center, (f) build a skateboard park, (g) construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the two waterfront parks, Neuseway Nature Center and Pearson Park.

The pedestrian bridge and river walk were among priorities included in the Pride Waterfront - Now plan unveiled in 2007. Both concepts were endorsed by Parks and Recreation in the mid-1990's.

Run for the River planning kicks into high gear

Pride's Outdoor Events Team, headed by little bank executive Jeremy Jones, has put planning for the 6th annual Kinston 8000: Run for the River on the front burner.

The race, set for Mar. 26, 2011, will feature a 1 Mile Fun Run in the Neuseway Nature Center and an 8k course (4.97 miles) along the river and through historic Mitchelltown. The top runners receive medals and cash awards.

Registrations for the race have begun and the search for sponsors is underway. For more information go to www.downtownkinston.com.

Attention Downtown Kinston Business

This is reminder of Pride of Kinston's first 2011 Downtown Lunch for business owners to promote the exchange of information and to give folks an opportunity to raise issues of concern.

• Time and Date: 12 noon Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011
• Where: Our Picnic Basket at 214-216 N. Herritage Street
  

Guy Smith at the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources will present a slide presentation describing the design details for the Civil War Museum to be built on Queen Street. Groundbreaking for the new museum is scheduled for 1st quarter of 2011.

This is a dutch lunch, and while reservations are not required, it would be helpful to the restaurant to we have some idea of attendance. Please call 252-522-8003.

Vision

"The vision of Pride of Kinston, Inc. is a downtown on the banks of the Neuse River that serves as the gateway to Eastern North Carolina. Our appreciation of history guides our future and promotes the magic to grow business, recreation, and the arts."