This past April, I took an easy 45 minute drive to Siler City in Chatham County. My stay would kick off at the charming Inn at Celebrity Dairy and would continue with an itinerary filled with multiple food and drink experiences sponsored by the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council.
Question: What do goats, an arts incubator and wine have in common? Answer: You can find all three in Siler City. If you have followed my North Carolina food and travel journey, I have driven anywhere from two to four hours from Morrisville to explore cities like Hendersonville, Beaufort and Jacksonville, just to name a few. Imagine my surprise to find that 45 minutes away from my home was a rustic Bed and Breakfast, an award winning winery and a first-class seafood restaurant located in the heart of Pittsboro. As much as I am kicking myself that this was my first visit to Siler City, I am thrilled that I have new spots to share with family and friends that visit me from Texas and beyond.
Celebrity Dairy
I may be a city girl, but I love country living. If you enjoy the smell of fresh air and the vast quiet of an illuminated night sky, you are going to want to add the Inn at Celebrity Dairy to your NC bucket list. The Bed and Breakfast sits on a 300 acre farm in rural Chatham County. Celebrity Dairy’s Greek revival farmhouse is surrounded by log hay barn and granary, an 1880’s smoke house, a 1940’s tobacco barn and a farmstead goat dairy. The latter produces award-winning goat cheese, gelato, fudge and Cud-Zu Goat’s Milk Soap.
Annabelle’s Room
The Inn has seven guest rooms for overnight visitors. Each room is comfortably furnished in the personal style of a family member who might have lived there a century ago. During my weekend visit, I stayed in Annabelle’s Room, located on the first floor. The room is adorned with a queen size bed with a white wrought iron bed frame, canary yellow painted walls and French doors that open onto the wraparound porch. Annabelle’s Room also includes a private bathroom and shower. The wrap around porch overlooks the lawn where you’re bound to see chickens and maybe a couple of ducks! Take time to walk around the property to admire the beautiful display of artwork. Pottery, wood work and steel sculptures by artists Mark Hewitt, Edwin White and Clyde Jones are spread throughout the property.
Artist: Mark Hewitt
Breakfast at the Inn
As a foodie, it should not be a surprise that I most appreciate the breakfast at a Bed and Breakfast. If you are a guest at the Inn at Celebrity Dairy, this morning meal should not be missed. The first meal of the day started off with a field greens salad topped with perfectly poached free range eggs. An exquisite selection of chèvre accompanied an assortment of crackers and toast. My favorite chèvre was the Silk Hope bloomy rind variety. Most surprising chèvre was the chocolate Seredipity. Yes, chocolate and yes, it’s pretty fantastic! In addition to the morning smorgasboard, it was a joy to sit and break bread with hosts Brit and Fleming Pfann. The lovely couple are not only charming but they are also wonderful conversationalists. Do take time to get to know them, their story and the history of the their property.
Farmstead Goat Dairy
If your plans include relishing in the informal comforts of the farmhouse, there’s plenty to do. The Inn’s communal atrium has a healthy assortment of books and games. My favorite pastime during the entire trip, however, was the tour of the dairy farm and getting acquainted with the herd of 100 Alpine and Saanen goats. It’s hard not to have anything less than a smile after seeing goats of all ages frolicking in the farm. Celebrity Dairy is located on 144 Celebrity Dairy Way Siler City, NC.
The Chatham Rabbit
If you are wondering where to start your Siler City adventure after checking in at Celebrity Dairy, The Chatham Rabbit is a great way to kick off the day. Remember the Cheers theme song with the chorus, “where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came”. That’s the general feeling I got during a visit to The Chatham Rabbit. The Pittsboro small business celebrates both coffee and community making it the third home for many. The coffee shop’s menu includes teas, smoothies, espresso, coffee, specialty drinks and baked goods. In addition to their food and drink, you will also take notice of the excellent service. During my visit, I asked the barista to surprise me with the creation of her choice. Without hesitation, she made a lovely lavender latte which paired beautifully with the carrot cake bread. The Chatham Rabbit is located on 223B N Chatham Ave, Siler City, NC 27344.
NC Arts Incubator
As you sip the bevy of your choice, be sure to peruse the variety of artwork housed in the NC Arts Incubator. The Chatham Rabbit flows into the local non profit which supports area artists in beautiful downtown Siler City. The organization provides affordable studio space for new and emerging artists and innovators. The Incubator’s PAF Gallery is also host to exhibits that rotate on a monthly basis. The gallery also holds an opening and a reception with live music for these exhibits. The NC Arts Incubator is located on 223 North Chatham Avenue, Siler City, NC, NC 27344.
As you walk through Siler City’s downtown, you will notice the expansive community of artwork and craftsmanship made by local artisans. Supposing the murals may be the first piece of art that you will initially notice, the historic downtown is filled with local artisan masterpieces made of pottery, fiber, clay, metal and wood. On top of the artwork, there are an eclectic number of specialty shops that sell clothing, jewelry, home decor, antiques and more. Some of the shops that I visited include Chasing Periwinkle, Twin Birch & Teasel, Reliks, Fragments and Fragments Too.
Creative Creamery
Walking through the Piedmont area in the heat of summer deserves a refreshing sweet treat. Less than a one mile drive from downtown Siler City is Creative Creamery. The ice cream shop serves 24 flavors of ice cream, homemade waffle cones, milkshakes, and more. Albeit the ice cream shop has a generous assortment of treats, people line up for their stuffed shakes. The over-the-top milkshakes are piled high with everything from a whole slice of cheesecake to an entire chocolate chip cookie. I opted for the Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Milkshake. A 12 oz mason jar’s rim is covered with cream cheese and coated in graham cracker crumbs. Ribbons of strawberry syrup coat the inside of the mason jar before layering with a generous strawberry ice cream milkshake. If you thought that’s where the story ends, think again. The milk shake is topped off with a beautiful slice of cheesecake, whipped cream and strawberries in syrup. Hot or not, a weekend trip always calls for a sweet treat. Creative Creamery is a great option and is located on 216 E 11th St, Siler City NC 27344.
FireClay Cellars Vineyard & Winery
Did you know that North Carolina has an entire month dedicated to the celebration of NC Wineries & Vineyards? Even though May is NC Wine & Grape Month, you do not need to wait until next May to visit the approximately 200 wineries and eight wine trails across North Carolina. For more details on the wineries, grape-growing regions and wine trails across NC, click here to visit the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council.
Even if it was April, I was happy to do a little pre-gaming at FireClay Cellars Vineyard & Winery in celebration of North Carolina’s forthcoming wine month. Take note, a visit to Chatham County does require more than a 24 hour stay. Plan on spending three to four hours of your Chatham County excursion at FireClay Cellars Vineyard & Winery. The wine-making facility and vineyard is going on their tenth year and is equipped with a beautiful indoor tasting room that has been open a little under two years. FireClay also has a gorgeous wrap around porch and outdoor seating. While the winery does serve local Celebrity Dairy Goat Cheese, hummus, crackers and chocolate, guests can bring outside food. In fact, guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to picnic and enjoy their food on the farmland.
FireClay wine tastings are generously priced at ten dollars. This includes a two ounce pour each of four wines. The selection includes wines ranging in dry-white, rosé, dry-red and semi-sweet. I highly recommend tasting my favorite, the 2019 Chambourcin Rosé. FireClay is the perfect place to spend a relaxing, but lovely afternoon with family or friends. The Vineyard and Winery is located in 1276 Bowers Store Road. Siler City, NC 27344.
Postal Fish Company
For the record, you cannot visit Chatham County without dining at downtown Pittsboro’s Postal Fish Company. The restaurant is located in the old Pittsboro Post Office. In spite of the buildings preserved exterior, the interior has no remnants of a post office. The modern, yet, cozy restaurant boasts an open kitchen with bar seating. There is plenty of indoor seating and outside seating for those beautiful Carolina summer nights. The casual full service seafood restaurant serves fresh and seasonal fish and shellfish harvested by fisherman from Virginia to the Carolinas.
Chef Bill Hartley features a farm and ocean-to-table menu, focusing on underutilized fish from the Carolinas. As someone who is very decisive, my eyes usually gravitate to a couple of items on a menu. Rarely do I come across a menu where indecision sets in and I want everything. That said, don’t be surprised if you want to try everything on Chef Hartley’s menu.
In my opinion, restaurant bar seating is one of the best seats in the house. At Postal, you will not only have an exciting view of Chef Hartley and his team, but you will also have a close up of the drool worthy dishes that come out of the kitchen. As a single gal, I do not shy away from dining alone. Nothing gets between me and great food. I sat at the bar facing the open kitchen and kicked off my dinner with NC shucked raw oysters on the half shell. The briny selection of oysters included Harkers Island, Slash Creek and Core Sounders. All were accompanied by a delicate ginger beer mignonette. The Fish Collars, a menu special, followed the raw oysters. The Fish Collars were fried, yet, light, meaty and exquisite. While this delicacy is not on the permanent menu, I highly recommend this small plate if it is a special during your visit.
My main course of choice was a Pan Seared SC Triggerfish atop boiled peanuts, guanciale and a butterbean cassoulet. Every bite was luxurious. Had my childhood butterbeans been prepared like Chef Hartley’s, I would have eaten them more often. I firmly believe that an exquisite dinner should be followed by dessert. That said, I had an assortment of house made ice creams accompanied by a fish shaped short bread cookie. Among the Strawberry, Graham Cracker and Peanut Butter ice creams, the latter was my favorite. Postal Fish Company is located in the heart of Pittsboro on 75 W. Salisbury St. If you are thinking that a reservation at a small town eatery should be easy to snag, don’t make that assumption. Call ahead for your reservation.
The Plant
I mentioned previously that a visit to Chatham County warrants a full weekend visit. I could easily spend an entire afternoon at The Plant. The 17-acre eco-industrial park is located on the east side of Pittsboro. It is home to like-minded small businesses that include a farm to fork kitchen, a meadery, a cidery, a brewery, a hemp clothing store, a coffee roaster and more. In addition to food and drink, The Plant has playground equipment for the kiddos and picnic tables for its guests. Guests can also enjoy the Smelt Art Gallery, Chatham Axes axe throwing company and special events.
Fair Game Beverage Company
The Plant is home to the Chatham Beverage District which includes Fair Game Beverage Company, Chatham Cider Works and Starrlight Mead. Fair Game’s tasting room features NC Ciders on tap, spirits and wine. They also sell a selection of NC wines and NC specialty food products. To kick start your afternoon at The Plant, sample a flight of ciders on tap. My favorite and a must try is Chatham Cider Works Pink Dogwood Rosé. Fair Game is located on 220 Lorax Lane in Pittsboro, NC.
Starrlight Mead
Just a hop, skip and a jump from Fair Game is Starrlight Mead. The meadery’s honey wines span from fruit-infused like spiced apple and blackberry to herb-infused and seasonal varieties. During my visit, I sampled a flight of six spring meads, including four award winning varietals. My personal favorite was the Pear Off-Dry, a tribute to a traditional dry white wine. As you sip the refined and refreshing meads, sit back and admire the gorgeous tasting room. Starrlight has three event spaces that are available to rent separately or together for weddings, corporate parties, speaker events, holiday parties and other functions. In addition to offering tastings and event space rentals, Starrlight offers a behind-the-scenes tour and a class on how to make your own mead. Starrlight Mead is located on 130 Lorax Lane Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Chatham Cider Works
Diagonally across from Starrlight, you will find Chatham Cider Works. The woman-owned and family-run small business makes small-batch hard cider in Pittsboro from North Carolina apples. The cider is available in both kegs and in bottles. During my tour of the facility I sampled some exciting flavors like Coffee, Strawberry and Passion Fruit. Whether or not you visit Chatham Cider Works for a tour and tasting, their ciders are available in flights at Fair Game. Chatham Cider Works is located on 192 Lorax Ln, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen
If you are hungry for a bite, Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen is where to eat at The Plant. The food is made using fresh, seasonal and sustainably grown ingredients which are either grown on site or sourced from local farms. The seasonal menu includes Greens+Grain Bowls, Small Bites and Dessert. The Indian Bowl that I ordered consisted of a base of buttery Turmeric Rice, Saag Paneer, Winter Squash Tikka Masala, topped with Almonds, Cilantro and house made Raita. Please do not skip dessert. The day of my visit, I ordered a heavenly Lemon Mint Curd Pastry. The lemon curd was silky and bright, the crust was indulgent and buttery and the mint was not only sharp but is grown on site. Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen is located on 193b Lorax Ln, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Metal Brixx Cafe
If you are looking for a pick-me-up, head to Metal Brixx Cafe. The shop sells local craft coffee featuring Vortex Roasters Coffee. I ordered a top-notch latte made with oat milk and a generous chocolate drizzle. The specialty latte was a great way to close my weekend in Chatham County and gave me the jolt that I needed for my drive back home. Metal Brixx Cafe is located on 213 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312.
A visit to Siler City and Pittsboro will give you a thirst for future visits. Even if the Piedmont area is rural, it provides plenty of opportunity for relaxing, yet, deliciously fun experiences. Despite the fact that a day trip is completely feasible, I highly recommend a weekend visit.
Although no reservations are required for the drive to Chatham County, plan accordingly to ensure that you have a table reserved for places like Postal Fish Company. If you are traveling with a large group, call FireClay Vineyard & Winery in advance to accommodate your large party. Just like any urban city, there are venues in rural Chatham County that are very popular with the community. I hope that you have a chance to explore Siler City and its surroundings soon! To learn more about Chatham Country, go to VisitSilerCity.com.
