Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Vidalia Reopens Under New Ownership Friday

Story by Anna Oakes

After a week of being closed, downtown Boone’s Vidalia Restaurant will reopen on Friday, March 14, with a new menu courtesy of its new owners, Sam Ratchford and Alyce Wray.

Ratchford and Wray purchased Vidalia from former owners Michael Vetro, Jr. and his wife, Camille, on February 5. Vetro sold the restaurant after opening Highlands Blowing Rock in the former Tijuana Fats building in Blowing Rock.

Ratchford, Wray and Michael Vetro have spent recent years together in the restaurant business.

All three used to work at the Storie Street Grille in Blowing Rock. Ratchford was the chef at Storie Street for five years, and Vetro served as sous chef there for two of those years. Wray worked with both men as the front house manager at Storie Street for a year.

Also, Ratchford and Vetro both attended the New England Culinary Institute. In all, Ratchford has 15 years of experience in the restaurant business.

The new owners of Vidalia say the restaurant is a “good fit” for them; it’s not too big, and both loved the restaurant when the Vetros were in charge. The work of local artist Wayne Trapp—all of it for sale—will hang on the walls of Vidalia.

The new menu will favor more of the restaurant’s namesake: Vidalia onions. One new entree addition is pork chops with Gorgonzola macaroni and cheese. The restaurant will feature daily specials, and the Sunday brunch menu will be different every week.

“We’re still keeping the eclectic, Southern American cuisine,” Ratchford said.

Prices will range from $6 to $12 for lunch and $17 and up for dinner. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for lunch, Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. for dinner and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for brunch.

Vidalia is located at 831 West King Street in downtown Boone. For more information, call 828-263-9176.