Visiting Blue Ridge and stoped by Mercier Orchards on a perfect cold day. Let me just say this is a…read morepopular tourist attraction so it had its fair share of people so come with some patience. Outside it has some beautiful views worth stopping for a photo and stopping at the bakery inside for some fried pies and cider donuts are a must! The fried pies were okay but the Cider Donuts are a show stopper. They also have tons of other things like fruits and veggies, toys, books, figurines, wine and more!

First things first -- get ready for a drive. This place is…read morenot just "down the street." It's a journey. But let me be very clear: it is 100% worth it. From the moment you arrive, you can tell Mercier Orchards is something special. There is so much packed into this one location that it almost feels like a small village built around apples and everything that comes with them. Inside the main store, the selection is honestly overwhelming in the best way possible -- home goods, gifts, jams, jellies, preserves, baking mixes, sauces, butters, ciders... anything and everything apple-related, plus plenty of other fruit-based goodies. It's the kind of place where you say "I'm just going to browse" and then walk out with bags of stuff you didn't know you needed. Then there's the bakery. Seven lines. All long. And all moving surprisingly well. I eventually stepped out of line after about 15 minutes, but not before getting a solid look at the pastries, pies, breads, and desserts -- everything looked incredible. Even without buying anything that round, the bakery alone is worth the stop. Now let's talk about the apple picking experience -- because this is where the magic really happens. Riding out on a trailer attached to a tractor felt like something straight out of a fall movie. The views, the air, the vibe -- it's peaceful, exciting, and nostalgic all at the same time. The apples change with the season, and the ones we picked were delicious and lasted a long time. No pesticides, just straight calcium. Fresh, crisp, and perfect. And yes... get a bag or three like I did. You're going to want them. The entire place also makes for amazing photo opportunities. Whether it's the orchard, the tractor ride, the store, or the scenery -- this is one of those spots where your camera roll is guaranteed to fill up. The only negative moment of the day happened when I went to grab some cider and one of the guys behind the counter completely ignored me. I actually had to call him out -- like, "Did you not see me standing here?" Not great. But that one interaction couldn't even come close to outweighing everything else this place offers. Bottom line: If you're anywhere in the area -- or even thinking about making a day trip -- you absolutely have to go. It's a little off the beaten path, so I don't expect most people to just "stumble" upon it... but if you plan it, you won't regret it. This is an experience, not just a stop.

We came here for a friend's wedding. The venue was nice and there were a lot of great photo op…read morespots for wedding pictures. If you are planning a small to medium size wedding, this may be a good place to consider.

I came here for a friend's wedding recently. It had a nice view in the outdoor area for people to…read morechill and hangout in between ceremonies. I didn't take much pictures as most were taken with my friend's phone instead. There was a brief reception followed by drinks at the bar prior to dinner. We had quite the wait after we got seated around 7pm. However, it was between 8 and 9pm till we got served. Not sure what was going on I the kitchen.. But, the guests were starving that day! Luckily, I had a late snack before heading out to the wedding. I particularly liked the room with the baby grand piano with walls filled with Asian paintings. It was pleasant listening to someone who was decent at carrying a few tunes on the piano. It was fun watching the bride and groom getting their pictures taken in the garden outside the Art Center prior to dinner.

Joseph and Macaulay ( i hope i spelled it right) Great…read moreserver and tops on the bartender. Dry aged ribeye... I'll be back for.. seared and rare... tops! Atmosphere, very pleasant and inviting.. fresh plants on the wall... Cheers!

Overall it was a very enjoyable evening. The banchan was delightful, and the meat was well…read moreprepared. Our favorites were the wagyu top sirloin and the marinated short rib. Our server/chef Awbrey was pleasant and did a *great* job preparing the meal. The restaurant is not inexpensive, so we were surprised to find so.many.small.children, which was less than ideal, unless you enjoy the high screech of a toddler with your wine. I recommend later reservations to skip the kinder care (no, I don't hate children. I do not appreciate listening to them whine and fuss when we dine out). We will definitely go back, and we will be sure to plan to eat later.