After a day of wineries and vineyards, we found this gem in small town Elkin. Shocked by rave reviews (how could such a fabulous restaurant be hidden away in Elkin?) we gave it a try and it did not disappoint.
Definitely make a reservation. They will fit you into the bar if you don't which was fine but got loud.
I ordered the hanger steak with roasted potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, balsamic-onion jam and hollandaise sauce. I ordered medium rare and it was perfect. I've had steak everywhere but this was hands down the best I have ever tasted. They use a wood fire so the hint of smoke and perfect crust was the tipping point. The only negative is the minimal wines by the glass but the Pinot Noir they offered was very nice so not really a negative.
Truly a great find!
I definitely recommend having bug spray on or eating inside. Â My friends and I tried out 21 and Main the other week on our wine tour weekend. Â It was a beautiful evening so we chose to eat outside. Â Some of us got bitten out the wazoo by these teeny tiny gnat looking bugs and the lighting is not great outside - so I could see them on my plate at times and that took away from the fine dining experience. Â Also when it was time to pay - it was so dark outside, that you either had to squint to read the bill or put it up to the candle at the table.
They just changed their menu that day too - there are appetizers, salads, a few main courses with sides, and an a la carte menu that you order your protein, sauce, and sides separately.
The bread that they give to start you off is delicious - corn bread and sourdough with pimento cheese, a lovely peach sauce, and olive oil.
The bacon maccaroni and cheese is a side but it could be an entree. Â I tasted it and it definitely goes on the list of one of the best mac and cheeses I have had if not the best.
I wanted something light so I got the crispy duck salad - it all sounded delicious - crispy duck, nuts, pickled cherries, beets, orange vinagrette on arugula mix but I didn't enjoy it as much I thought I would - I think it was the orange vinagrette - it was more tart than I expected. Â Everything was separated on the plate too and I would have preferred it mixed.
I also got the fried green tomatoes appetizer - it was good but I've had better.
My friends really enjoyed what they got - salmon, steak, pork chops so I think  I would come back and try something else - inside not out.
I very rarely give a 5-Star rating on Yelp because I'm reluctant to sign my name to the "As Good As It Gets!" label but For Twenty One & Main I'm doing it.
I had spied the excellent reviews on Yelp as I was planning to run out to the Swan Creek AVA wine region on a recent Saturday. Â Since Elkin is only about 15 minutes (even on back roads) from there it was an obvious pick for a meal stop on the way back - and I'm very glad we did. Â I sensed that although it wasn't busy when we arrived, they were expecting a good crowd so I'd strongly consider reservations in the future.
PROS:
-Delicious food and one of the best steaks I've ever had
-Very professional, friendly, knowledgeable staff
-Relaxing environment with several different dining areas
CONS:
-Surprisingly, I really don't have anything to gripe about!
LOCATION:
Right at the corner of Bridge Street (US 21) and Main Street, it is literally in the heart of downtown Elkin. Â There was plenty of street parking available at our 5:30 pm arrival.
FOOD:
I will have to give a shorter review than I normally do due to atrocious note taking on my part (I'm blaming the several hours of sitting in the sun enjoying some wine as the culprit). Â However, the 3 things we did order - crab cake appetizer, chicken risotto and the rib eye - were outstanding. Â I'll start with the steak because it was excellent. Â This beast, I didn't ask the weight but it was easily 12 ounces and probably more, was one of the best prepared steaks I've had. Â Resting on a bed of garlic-style mashed potatoes, it was perfectly cooked at "the low side of medium-rare", moist and tender. Â It's rare a kitchen really nails that one. Â It was dressed with a little bit of brown gravy and brown butter. Â I actually couldn't eat it all and it ended up as the most tender steak-and-eggs breakfast the next morning =). Â If I remember correctly, it was priced right around $25.
We both agreed the crab cake appetizer was also excellent. Â It is served with something reminiscent of chutney but less sweet that marries very well with the crab. Â Again, the portion size was large and full of flavor. Â By not taking notes, I'm selling this guy short but I had to resist licking the plate.
The third item was the chicken risotto. Â Technically, I think it was a chicken and spinach risotto but I was blinded by the steak... Â I stole a few bites and thought it was both very good and true to the tradition - creamy and thick but tender. Â This full plate of risotto (easily two meals for most of us) was just $10! Â Unfortunately, it had to go toe to toe with the rib eye. Â Also, my girlfriend thought that, while the risotto was well done, it was lacking in chicken. Â Overall, I really enjoyed both the flavor and the quality of our meals -- 5 stars for Food.
SERVICE:
Our service across the board was great. Â We actually started upstairs in the wine bar before we changed our minds and wanted to sit in the upstairs dining room. Â Our bartender there was friendly and fast. Â The hostess was engaging and accommodating as we changed our plans and offered us both a great seat upstairs overlooking the old-time elevator or on the shaded patio. Â Our dinner server, Hiram, was also fantastic with a great understanding of the menu and even recommended a good Pinot Noir with the meal. Â Throughout our dinner, other staff members were present filling water, bringing bread and clearing plates. Â Dining out is always so much more enjoyable when the staff works well together as a team and this was the case here. Â I'm picky and I still think 5 stars for Service is deserved.
VALUE:
An appetizer, two entrees, wine and a well deserved tip came to about $75. Â I've spent much, much more for similar (and even worse) dinners before. Â My guess is that you are getting such a great value due to the smaller market it inhabits. Â I'm not complaining and I hope it stays this way!! Â 5 stars for Value.
ATMOSPHERE:
Twenty One & Main is in some sort of old converted storefront and it is really attractive; especially on the interior. Â As I have mentioned, there are both a lower and upper level dining rooms, a large outdoor patio and a small, casual wine bar upstairs, as well. Â The inside is basically laid out so that some kind of turn of the century looking open elevator is the center piece. Â You can tell that considerable effort was spent to rehab the space and it's both unique and comfortable. Â The kitchen is also open which is a plus for me. Â Clean sweep, 5 stars for Atmosphere, as well.
Overall, I'll be back even though it is a little bit of a hike from Greensboro. Â The experience was top-notch so it is worth it.
Food: 9/10, Service: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Atmosphere: 9/10
Top-notch food in a unique setting (former hardware store? Not sure exactly, but it works whatever it was before), with good service, all at a very fair price. We had lamp chops with risotto and some sort of marinated pistachios, which was great, along with penne pasta, shrimp, and a manchego cream sauce. Not what you might expect in tiny Elkin, but it's there, and it's great.
Review Source:Thanks to Yelp, my daughter found this restaurant tucked away in Elkin, NC. It was surprising that we stopped by on a Tuesday night and were told that if we didn't have reservations that they couldn't seat us.
Turned out to be okay, as the hostess recommended us going upstairs to the Wine Bar. We got the table by the window and proceeded to have the most wonderful time. We started with the blue cheese potato chips (holy cow!) and ended up deciding on just "burgers and steamed vegetables" and were amazed at just how good those two items could be!
On our second visit we took the whole family and this time made reservations (good thing, too, because they were booked again that night). The prime rib was to. die. for. I mean, it was cut it with your fork tender. The only negative here was that I ate the whole thing ~ no leftovers!
It is worth the drive from just about anywhere to find this gem. Thanks again, Yelp!
After a dine of winery hopping we were looking for a nice relaxing dinner to celebrate our weekend away. We called and made reservations (as suggested by the website) for 8pm. We arrived a few minutes early, but were quickly seated at a quiet table by the window. We really liked the atmosphere with the exposed brick, nice lighting, and view out the window. Everyone here was so nice!
We started with prosecco, fried green tomatoes, seared scallops with pickled watermelon, and a roasted beet salad. We loved the sampling and every dish had unique and delectable flavor! Our favorite was the scallop and watermelon combo - amazing!
For dinner we had the shrimp and grits and the mixed grill platter. Husband's shrimp and grits were perfectly prepared and super rich and creamy! My mixed grill included duck and lamb perfectly grilled with raisin, currant, and dried cherry sauce. The mashed sweet potatoes paired perfectly with the dish. The glass of Argentinian Malbec also went wonderfully with the mixed grill.
Our waiter was fast and attentive. Water glasses were always full, and dirty dishes were quickly cleared after every course. The sampling of fresh baked bread, jalapeno pimento cheese, and olive oil was the stumbling block that prevented us from getting dessert - but I still wish I had an extra scoop of that pimento cheese! Yum!
Next time we head to Yadkin Valley we'll be back to Twenty One & Main - only we'll be checking out the al fresco dining on the romantically lit patio!
I can't believe my tiny, little town has such an amazing restaurant!
I lived in Singapore for six years, and Twenty One and Main compares in quality, service and ambiance to my favorite restaurants in the big city.
I have had almost everything on the menu, and the only thing I've found that I don't like is the crab dip. In particular, I recommend the fried green tomatoes (served on the best grits I've ever had), shrimp and grits, pork loin, filet and chicken breast (my favorite - I don't normally order chicken in a nice restaurant, but theirs is the best I've ever had). To finish off the meal, be sure to get their key lime pie, and if you didn't save room for it, take it home with you for later. Trust me.
The upstairs wine bar is nice, too. If you can, sit at the table in the corner and get a great view of downtown Elkin.
I highly recommend Twenty One and Main.
This was our 2nd visit. Â In fact, based on our first experience, last fall, we made plans to stay overnight in Jonesville so it'd be an easy drive to this place.
We ate upstairs in the bar where Erika took great care of us. Â NC wines? Â Why? Â -- when they have such excellent beers available! Â We had the pleasure of our first tastes of Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale (about as good as beer gets) and OskarBlues. Â We had pizza, a couple of their salads and the absolute BEST fried green tomatoes I we have ever had. Â The latter were served on some really rustic, coarsely-ground girts -- fantastic! Â Prices are very fair.
This place is a "find!" We'll be back ...
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants ever - and I've traveled quite a bit! Great wine menu, fabulous food and the atmosphere is relaxing but sophisticated. My favorite meal included the artichoke appetizer, a filet mignon for the main course and creme brulee for dessert - plus sharing a bottle of excellent wine, recommended by our waitress. The wine bar is awesome, and often features special events such as sushi night or beer tastings. If you live locally, it's a gem in your backyard. If you're visiting wine country, it's the perfect end to your afternoon!
Review Source:Twenty One and Main is absolutely delightful! They offer a very contemporary southern menu and a decent selection of wine, as well as a full bar.
When I visited, I sampled the flatbread appetizer (with figs, Gorgonzola, basil, caramelized onions, mozzarella and a balsamic vinegar reduction), the fried artichokes (with three sauces: an aioli, tomato "fondue," and a pesto), and the arugula salad with fried manchego cheese. All were delicious and reasonably priced.
The wine bar and Restaurant are located in the Historic Downtown in a great building. The owners did a great job preserving the integrity of the place. The restaurant is downstairs, the wine bar is up and they have a great patio for outdoor dining.
My only disappointment was the lack of North Carolina wines on the menu. There were none offered by the glass and very few by the bottle. I was ready to try a couple that night and I think it would be much more interesting if they had some suggested N.C. pairings with their appetizers or entrees.
Twenty One and Main is a high-end restaurant in a small town. Â I'm not sure what the population of Elkin is, but it's definitely smaller than anyplace I have lived. Â I was surprised that they could have such a good restaurant. Â (It's not the only one, either!)
After we went to the annual Elkin wine festival, we had dinner here. Â It was really a treat! Â Their appetizers were really interesting: I had the fried artichoke hearts with three sauces, and they were all delightful. The pesto sauce was especially delicious. Â For an entree they had a salmon special that was really fabulous, with a slightly spicy rub that really brought out the flavors of the fish. Â All the sides were really excellent too, with lots of flavor and well-suited to the main dish.
They also have a pretty decent wine list, and some really good cocktails.
The service was surprisingly good too. Â Even though we were up two flights of stairs from the main dining area, we saw our server a lot, and almost always at exactly the right time. Â The restaurant as a whole worked like a well-oiled machine, even though it was a busy Saturday night.
We'll definitely be back when we're in that part of North Carolina again!
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