The Roanoker January/February 2022 - 51

Travel the World
in Half a Day
You might not realize it, but Roanoke is home to food,
drink and fun from around the globe.
Lisa Spencer, executive director of Local Colors, still
remembers her own surprise when, after moving to Roanoke
from Dallas as a newlywed in 2019, she discovered
just how much vibrant culture her new home had to offer.
" One of my favorite things to do - my pastime, if you
will - is to sample international food, " says the self-proclaimed
foodie. " I call it my 'food adventures.' "
Spencer assumed that leaving a bigger city like Dallas
would mean giving up some of those adventures ... but
she's quick to admit she was wrong.
" I was so pleasantly surprised when I moved here to
just find such an array of different cuisines, " says Spencer
... and she's been determined to share those cuisines with
her husband ever since.
Want to share them with someone special, too? Consider
an around-the-world walking tour of downtown
Roanoke, which will give you and your date a chance to
discover a small sampling of the culture Roanoke has to
offer (without even boarding a plane!).
You can get started with a late lunch at a casual spot
like Caribbica Soul - a favorite of Spencer's. The restaurant
is known for its Caribbean specialties like jerk
chicken and braised oxtail. With a full belly, you can then
stroll down Roanoke's historic city market to the corner
of Market Street and Salem Avenue, where you'll find
She's International - a chic boutique stuffed with treasures
from far-flung locales. Founded by a former international
flight attendant, the shop is filled with global
finds, from Turkish jewelry to tulip-shaped handbags
from Amsterdam.
In need of an afternoon pick-me-up? You and your
date can settle in for Turkish-style coffee, baklava and
conversation at Cello Café, a snug eatery on Campbell
Avenue. When you're ready to slow-play your way toward
dinner, stroll back down the market and turn right
on Kirk. Half a block down, you'll find yourself at Century
Plaza, a gingko allée tucked between tall buildings,
where fountains splash under twinkling lights. The courtyard
is home to a series of sculptured pillars honoring
each of Roanoke's seven sister cities - Kisumu, Kenya;
Pskov, Russia; Florianópolis, Brazil; Opole, Poland; Lijiang,
China; Wonju, South Korea and Saint-Lô, France.
You can top off your international exploits with a
pisco sour, ceviche and dinner just down the street. Inka
Grill Peruvian, located on the ground floor of the Patrick
Henry Hotel, is a favorite date night spot for Spencer
and her husband.
" They have two locations - one downtown and the one
on Brambleton - and both of them have a very intimate,
welcoming vibe that, to me, makes it perfect for a date
night, " says Spencer.
TheRoanoker.com
JAN/FEB 2022 51
Inka Grill Peruvian offers fusion
cuisine that features unique
sauces, fresh ingredients and an
emphasis on brightly-flavored
seafood dishes.
Century Plaza,
lined with
gingkos and
hung with
romantic
twinkling
lights, features
a series of
sculptural
pillars
honoring each
of Roanoke's
seven sister
cities.
4
Evan and Lisa
Spencer
If, by chance, you're not quite ready to wrap
up your date by the time you finish dinner,
you can enjoy a nightcap at Fortunato,
where you can order amaro - a traditional
after-dinner liqueur from Italy. It's the
perfect place to toast to your adventurous
trip around the world together ... without
having even left the Valley. I
COURTESY OF LISA SPENCER / ASHLEY FELLERS
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker January/February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker January/February 2022
