The Roanoker-November/December 2021 - 50

Nate Sloan
Best Biscuits
Platinum Scratch Biscuit Company
Gold The Roanoker Restaurant
Silver The Regency Room at The Hotel
Roanoke & Conference Center
Best Brunch
Platinum The Regency Room at The
Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
Gold Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table
Restaurant
Silver Our Daily Bread (TIE)
Silver Billy's (TIE)
Best Barbecue
Platinum Mama Jean's BBQ
Gold Three Li'l Pigs Barbeque
Silver Wildwood Smokehouse
Best Barbecue (Chain)
Platinum Mission Barbeque
Best Wings
Platinum AllSports Café
Gold Lews Restaurant
Silver Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill
Best Fried Chicken
Platinum The Roanoker Restaurant
Gold Lucky Restaurant
Silver Gina's Food with Flavor
Best Burgers
Platinum FarmBurguesa
Gold Burger in the Square
Silver Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill
Providing Hospitality
& Community
Guests will find more than food on bloom's seasonal menu -
they'll find a place of belonging (and a great appetizer).
With a cumulative 17 Dining Awards in
this year's reader poll, for owner and chef Nate
Sloan and his team, it's " an absolute honor " to
be bestowed with so many awards across a variety
of categories (read the full list of awards
below - we'll give you a minute). And while
Platinum for " Best Overall Restaurant " is certainly
the most coveted, perhaps the most humbling
one for them is Platinum for " Best Overall
Staff. "
" Our entire team puts their heart and soul
into their work at bloom, and to confirm our effort
is translating to guests, makes each moment
worth the effort, " Sloan says. " Hospitality and
community are what define our ethos at bloom,
and we would not be here without such a supportive
community. We look forward to sharing
countless meals together for years to come. "
Sloan, who was born and raised on Ojai
Farm, an organic standard practicing vegetable
farm in Ferrum, is also this year's Gold winner
for " Best Chef. " Also included in The Roanoker's
40 Under 40 Class of 2021 earlier this year,
it's clear that Sloan, and his intentions behind
bloom, are making an impact on our community.
He has played an integral part in the Wasena
neighborhood's recent growth (he also recently
launched Crème Fresh, a plant-based ice cream
shop, with partner and fellow chef Quincy Randolph),
encourages community events, works
closely with nonprofits and harvests fresh inbloom
gredients
from surrounding local farms.
" What I love most about my job is providing
a space where staff and guests
alike can participate in creating
memories together, " he says. " A
restaurant is very similar to a
live concert, in that at the
conclusion of the event, all
that remains is the memory
and emotion felt
during those preceding
moments. "
His restaurant opened
in July 2019, and was
seeing momentum before
the pandemic struck.
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COVID-19 was " quite the endeavor " from the
beginning, but Sloan's ability to pivot proved
a success. In March of 2020, they completely
transitioned to a take-out menu that each week,
" transported " them from country to country via
their menu items. This was challenging for the
chefs, and provided a sense of adventure for
their guests, who were able to enjoy flavors from
all around the world from their own homes. In
2021, the team shifted their focus toward their
outdoor dining spaces, as well as the additional
seating within the adjacent " Lantern Lounge, "
a space characterized by the jazz lounges of the
mid-century - an idea that worked well, given
the restaurant's Platinum win for Best Place for
a Private Party/Celebration and Gold for Best
Outdoor Dining.
It's clear that for Sloan and his team, the
sense of community is the most important aspect
of creating experiences for their guests,
whether at the table or in a private space, so
long as they're together. And it's even better
when they're together in the Star City.
" Roanoke to me, is an incredible gem in the
mountains of Southwestern Virginia, and Roanoke
is a community driven by family and the
pursuit of happiness in nature, " says Sloan. " The
abundance of outdoor activities within such
close proximity is truly a gift, and the limitless
potential Roanoke has is truly inspiring. "
-Liz Long
BLOOM
Platinum: Best Overall Restaurant, Best Overall
Staff, Best Date Night Spot, Best Place for a Private
Party/Celebration, Best Vegetarian Menu,
Hidden Gem, Best Appetizers & Small Plates,
Best Wine List
Gold: Best Chef - Nate Sloan, Best Farm-to-Table
Menu, Best Outdoor Dining, Restaurant with
Can't-Miss Daily Specials, Place You Could Visit
24/7/365
Silver: Best Happy Hour Deals, Best Place for
Healthy Eating, Best Allergen-Friendly Options,
Most Creative Cocktails
TheRoanoker.com
JOHN PARK
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker-November/December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker-November/December 2021
