Song and Hearth Cafe inside Dream More Resort at Dollywood

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are as much about Dolly Parton as they are about bears and the Smoky Mountains, so it was much anticipation we watched as Dolly's latest venture, Dream More Resort was being built. As with everything that Dolly does the resort is impressive with 300 rooms and hotel suites conveniently located next to Dollywood. When I heard about the breakfast buffet served inside the resort in Dolly's Song and Hearth Café I couldn't wait to try it out. Just pulling up to the entrance of Dream More Resort is exciting and we chose the valet parking as it was pouring down rain, however free self parking is available for restaurant patrons. It was Christmas Eve and as we exited our car we heard Dolly singing Jingle Bells on cue. I think wherever one goes in the public areas of the hotel Dolly is singing, which is okay by me. The Song and Hearth Café is located on the ground floor , easily accessed from the front entrance by stairs or the elevator. It was fun looking at all of Miss Parton's record album covers displayed on the wall leading to the Café. The Café was beautiful with vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace, stain glass and comfortable seating. The buffet was amazing. Sixty five items served on the buffet and the different serving stations including an omelet bar and a pancake bar. Pancake offerings include flavors like banana pudding, birthday cake, cinnamon roll and double chocolate. Fresh fruit with fresh made whipped cream and sugar spiced nuts, homemade jams, biscuits and gravy, kielbasa (something one never sees on breakfast buffets in the Smokies),ham,sausage, bacon, waffles, potatoes O'Brian and more and more and more. The best thing about the food was not the quantity, although the selection was huge, it was the quality, by far the best place to have breakfast in the Smokies. Friends and family be aware , when coming for a visit we will be having breakfast at least once at the Song and Hearth Café. Adults $14.95,Kids 4-11 $7.95,Kids under 3 free,beverage included, tax and tip extra. Breakfast buffet served 7 - 11 a.m. however times are based on seasonality and subject to change. Call to check @ 800-365-5996 www.dollywoodsdreammoreresort.dollywood.com

Carver's Apple Restaurant, Cosby

Carver's Apple Orchard and Restaurant is a perfect excuse take a peaceful morning drive and get away from the hustle and bustle that is often associated with dining out in the Smokies. Carver's is located in Cosby, a quiet community tucked away in the mountains a short drive from Gatlinburg on RT # 321. Breakfast is served from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. seven days a week. Guest are treated to a glass of Carver's Homemade Apple Cider and Warm Apple Fritters with Apple Butter. Yum !!! They also offer their Apple Fritters with Apple Butter by the bag to take home. Breakfast meats are the usual Bacon, sausage, ham, Country Ham and Pork Chops, served with eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, grits, omelets and fried taters. The food was wonderful, served hot and fresh with huge portions. Service was perfect and the interior bright and cheerful. After breakfast visit the Apple Barn to choose from a large selection of apples just picked from one of Carver's 40,000 trees, a jug of fresh pressed apple cider, apple jelly and vegetables in season. Don't forget a homemade apple pie made fresh daily, available with sugar or sugar free. Carver's 34600 Cosby Highway, Cosby. 423-487-2419. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Flapjacks Pancake Cabins

Pancakes, pancakes , pancakes!!! No visit to the Smoky Mountains would be complete without a visit to one of the many restaurants specializing in pancakes. One of the oldest and most visible with six locations is Flapjacks Pancake Cabins. Flapjacks was the brain child of Brent Collier and next year will be celebrating 15 years serving over 5 million guest and untold millions of pancakes. Flapjacks was one of the first restaurants I covered in this blog and since it had been over a year I thought it was time to revisit one of the most popular pancake places in the Smokies. We arrived just before ten on a week day and the parking lot was empty. By the time we walked inside and were seated there was a line out the door. People on vacation like to sleep in. I originally thought I was going to have Flapjack's Sticky Bun Pancakes, probably their most popular and the winner of a pancake recipe contest.

Then I thought maybe I should try the Wild Cherry or Grandma's Peanut Butter and Banana ? In the end I choose The multi grain & Nut Pancakes made with Old Mill Grain and added bananas. My order came with four large fluffy pancakes with a healthy serving of pecans. I managed to finish two pancakes before my stomach called it quits.

Flapjack's also serves French Toast, waffles, Omelets, skillets, Cat head biscuits with sausage gravy, sandwiches , platters etc. Many of the dishes carry names associated with the Smoky Mountains; Townsend Skillet, Elkmont Breakfast Platters, Cades Cove Sandwiches. Flapjacks is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Check them out at http://www.FlapJacksPancakes.com

Miss Lily's Cafe, Townsend, TN

I love Townsend, TN. It is billed as the quiet side of the mountains and for anyone seeking peace and the beauty of the mountains without the crowds and commercialization of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, this is the place to go. At first glance there is a fair number of dining establishments along RT #321, through Townsend. All are locally owned and with the exception on Subway, none are part of a chain. Yeaaa!!!! But if visitors look a little closer , they will discover gems, hidden off the main drag in Townsend, like Miss Lily's Café. This little log cabin, off the beaten track is known for serving lunch and dinner. I think the Smoked Trout Cakes are some of the best I have ever eaten, and the Key Lime Pie is legendary. The restaurant doesn't serve breakfast, however, Miss Lily does serve a Sunday Brunch from 10 until 2 p.m. Diners can choose from the traditional biscuits and gravy, grits, bacon, sausage, fruit and pastries a vegetarian breakfast casserole, chicken, BBQ Ribs, and lasagna . At the omelet station patrons can choose from ham, bacon, mushrooms, onion, green pepper, spinach, artichoke, Sun dried tomatoes, Cheddar Cheese, feta or Parmesan Cheese and salsa. Sorry no pancakes but a wonderful French Toast!

Miss Lily's is located at 122 Depot St., Townsend. 865-448-1924. Price at the time of my visit was $13.99 , plus coffee, tax and tip.

Pumpkin Pancakes

My granddaughter in the Ozarks posted on her FaceBook page the first day of Fall " I'm making Pumpkin Pancakes for breakfast as part of our new family tradition". What a fun family tradition to welcome the fall season. Here in the Smokies the leaves are starting turning and Pumpkin Pancakes are popping up. October is the 2nd busiest time in the Smoky Mountains. People flock to the mountains to see the beautiful fall colors and get one more glimpse of the bears before they go into hibernation. Due to the government shut down, now in it's 4th day, many visitors are having to re adjust plans to visit the National Park. However there is much to see and do in our area and the colors and the beauty of the mountains are still available for people to enjoy, so don't let the shut Down deter a trip to the mountains and a meal featuring pumpkin pancakes. So far I know of two restaurants featuring Pumpkin Pancakes. IHop has been advertising their Pumpkin Pancakes heavily on TV and rolled them out on October 1st. Flapjack's, a favorite Pancake house located all over the Smokies, is offering Carmel Apple Pumpkin Pancakes and Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast. Yummy !!!!

Bear visits Pancake Pantry

This week Gatlinburg had a visit from a black bear that surprised visitors along the Parkway at the Convention Center. The bear walked through the crowds of tourists and even crossed the street at a crosswalk before he preferred the peace and quiet of the mountain to Gatlinburg's busy streets. WBIR's reporter Stony Sharp did this cute tongue in cheek interview with Zeno the bear ( Gatlinburg's Mascot) that has the bear visiting one of my favorite pancake places , The Pancake Pantry. Enjoy at; http://www.wbir.com/videos/entertainment/2013/09/10/2795795/

Grandmother's Kitchen Golden Cathead Biscuits

I can’t count the number of times my husband and I have passed by Grandmother’s Kitchen and remarked, “We have to stop in there sometime.” The small, unassuming cafe is located in Wear’s Valley and has an equally small unassuming sign that boasts ‘Grandmother’s Kitchen’ Golden Cathead Biscuits. For the un- initiated a Cat Head Biscuit is a biscuit as big as a cat’s head.

Grandmother’s Kitchen (not sure why it’s not called Granny‘s or Ma Maw’s Kitchen?), is the kind of place I seek out when traveling. I like to eat where the locals eat. I like food that is homemade and from the region. It also doesn’t hurt if the prices are down to earth and not inflated for the tourist. This place has it all. The menu is basic. Eggs, pancakes, breakfast meats including Country Ham, grits, gravy, nothing fancy. That said the biscuits were beautiful; light and fluffy. The sausage gravy had real pieces of sausage in it! I am so tired of ordering biscuits and gravy and getting white paste with no flavor or sausage . The eggs were large and perfectly cooked. Grandmother’s Kitchen is open from 7a.m. until 3, serving breakfast and lunch. Another visit is planned real soon to try the fried chicken and homemade desserts. Grandmother’s Kitchen doesn’t accept credit cards so bring cash. 3030 Wear’s Valley RD., Sevierville. 865-428-7237.

Hillybilly Pancakes

I am always on the lookout for new restaurants serving pancakes in and around the Smoky Mountains, so on a trip from Pigeon Forge to Townsend I was excited to come across a new eatery in the heart of Wears Valley. It is hard to stand out among the many restaurants and gift shops lined up along both sides of the road and taking ones eyes off the road could be life threating but it is hard to pass by Hillbilly's without checkout the 194? Chevy Truck perched high above the road.

The centerpiece inside Hillbilly's is another Antique Chevy Truck displaying a moonshine still that once operated in Oak Ridge , TN.

Hillbilly's is fun and compared on many restaurants in the mountains. pretty reasonably priced. I especially liked the menu include a'la carte items along with breakfast specials. Pancakes, my specialty came plain or topped with strawberries, blueberries or chocolate chips. Bacon, sausage or ham is included in the price : 2 for $5.95 0r 3 for $6.95. The Banana Foster French Toast almost turned me into a pancake trader but I thought I would try them on my next visit. Traditional biscuits and gravy come with cathead biscuits for $5.95 and the serving was big enough to share.

Hillbilly's is a great addition to the breakfast scene in the Smokies. The fun was good, service friendly and fast and the décor made me smile. Best of all it's located off the strip and any excuse to take a trip to Wear's Valley is a good thing.

Flapjack's Named as Best Place to Eat Pancakes in Tennessee

Delish.com has announced the top 50 places to enjoy pancakes across America and our own Flapjack's claimed the title for Tennessee. Flapjack's Pancake Cabins are one of the most popular restaurants to eat pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. Flapjack's is always adding new and delicious pancakes to their menu including the S'mores Pancake, Sticky Bun Pancakes and Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes. Congratulations to Flapjack's Pancake Cabin!!! Check out the Delish page to check out the remaining 49 states and the mind boggling varieties of pancakes representing each state. http://www.delish.com/food-fun/best-pancakes-restaurants#slide-1

Elvira's Cafe

Elvira's Cafe, 4143 Wear's Valley Road, Sevierville, is the perfect breakfast location for anyone trying to avoid the traffic and congestion of Pigeon Forge during the summer tourist season. Elvira's is located between Pigeon Forge and the 'quiet side of the mountain' Townsend, in Wear's Valley. While relativity new to the dining scene Elvira's has become the place to go for breakfast for both local's and visitors. While the name and look may say mountain the food is sophisticated country. Elvira's starts with local ingredients including two of my favorite food purveyors Benton's bacon and country ham and Cruze Farms Dairy. The menu is straight forward; Hot cakes, eggs, ham, sausage, bacon and chicken, biscuits and gravy, potatoes and grits, but then adds an interesting assortment of speciality crepes both sweet and savory. What says sophisticated country more than a Chicken, grits and cheddar crepe? I choose the Palachenka ( Poli-chen-ka) a buckwheat crepe filled with honey, toasted pecans, raisins, chocolate , real butter and Elvira's cafe cream. Elvira's is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 7 - 2 p.m. Prices start at $6.00 and there is a kids menu.

Mel's Dinner

I don't know of anyone that doesn't like a bargain...even on vacation. One of the best breakfast deals in the Smokies can be found at Mel's Diner, turn off the Parkway at traffic light #3 onto Wear's Valley Road. Mel's is the classic 50's diner and offers classic diner favorites. Check out Mel's breakfast special of 2 eggs, 2 pancakes with bacon or sausage for $4.99 served from 7 until 11 a.m. or go online for a coupon to save 10% off your meal. www.melsdinerpf.com

Easter Bunny and Pancakes

It is snowing here in the Smoky Mountains even though Easter is only five days away. Hopefully it will warm up by this weekend in time for the Easter Egg Hunt on March 30 at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. Call the Center at 865-429-7373 for the details. The Easter Bunny will be putting in an appearance at Brunch at the Old Mill Pottery House and Grill, off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Brunch will be served from 9:30-11:30 on March 30 and reservations are required @ 865-428-0771 . http://oldmillsquare.com/PDF/Easter_13_web.pdf Free activites for the kids including egg decorating, music and games will take place at the square from 10-2. If you are making pancakes at home or in a cabin in the mountains this weekend try these easy to make Bunny pancakes. Happy Easter!!!

St. Patrick's Day Pancakes

As a little girl growing up in Wilmington, De, and a 3rd (?) generation Irish descent I love celebrating St. Patrick's Day. To celebrate the day I am posting green pancakes from my Pintrest page http://www.pintrest.com/jvhardin/pancakes/. Happy St. Patrick's Day !!! Erin go Bragh :)

Flapjack's Pancake Cabin Pintrest Contest

I love Flapjack's Pancake Cabin or should I say cabins? With six locations around the Smoky Mountains, there is always a Flapjack Log Cabin nearby ready to serve up made from scratch breakfast. Flapjack's, now celebrating ten years of flipping pancakes in the area has announced a Pintrest Pancake Recipe Contest to celebrate. What a great idea! To enter sign up to follow Flapjack's Pancake Cabin on Pintrest. Email a link to your pintrest profile to: Andrew@Collierfoods.com. You will be added to their " Who can pin list". Pin your recipe including the ingredients, directions and a picture and wait for the winner to be announced. The deadline for entering is December 31,2013. The winner will receive a $100.00 gift certificate and the winning pancake will be featured in all six of Flapjack's Pancake Cabins in the Smokies. Check out my Pintrest pancake page at: http://.pintrest.com/jvhardin/pancakes

Old Mill Store in Pigeon Forge

After dining at the Old Mill Restaurant we had to wander over to see the mill up close and check out the flour produced at the mill. Once inside we could see the the 175 year old mill at work, with its massive flint granite stones, each weighing one ton grinding grain into the 1,000 pounds of flour and grits that is produced six days a week. Each bag produced is bagged by and hand tied with the same miller's knot that has been used through the centuries.There is something inside me that satisfies my being when I can partipate not only the history and tradition as well as supporting a local business that has been operating for 175 years. So we left with arms filled with pancake mixes, flour and grits. It didn't hurt that we had sampled the pancakes and yellow grits produced at the mill earlier at breakfast. One of the bags of pancake mix, the sweet potato pancakes went into my Foodie Pen Pal box and was shipped off to Florida. ( More on this next post). The following morning after our visit I couldn't wait to try the Spiced Pumpkin Pancake Mix. I was suprised to find all I had to add was water. (Egg and oil were optional). I served my pancakes with traditional Buttermilk Syrup (post 11/23/12) and they were delicious. The Old Mill is one of the most photographed sites in Pigeon Forge and one of the most historic places to visit. The Old Mill stone ground flours, grits and mixes may be ordered online and shipped anywhere in the country.Visit the web site at http:/www.old-mill.com

Old Mill in Pigeon Forge

One of the oldest and prettiest places to eat pancakes in Pigeon Forge is at the Old Mill Restaurant, Traffic Light #7. The grist mill dates back to the 1800's where it ground the wheat, corn and barley for the settlers living in the Smokies. The mill continues that tradition today providing the flour and grits used in the Old Mill Restaurant and the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grille.Bags of stone ground flour, pancake mixes, grits and more of available for purchase at the Old Mill Store. The dining room overlooks the Little Pigeon River where guest can watch the geese and ducks playing in the river while enjoying the complementary muffins and orange juice.I fell in love with the bear salt and pepper shakers on the table produced and sold across the street at the Mill Pottery Shop. We ordered the Old Mill Breakfast that included two eggs, pancakes, grits, potatoes, preserves, biscuits, gravy for $7.99. Breakfast meats may be added for an additional fee. Every dish was perfect. The biscuits were light and fluffy and the gravy was great and had pieces of sausage throughout. The pancakes were fresh and delicious. The eggs were perfectly cooked. The Old Mill Restarunt is open daily from 8a.m. until 9 p.m. and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. .

Pancake Day 2013

Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day or Fastnacht Day, is the same day, the name depends upon where one lives. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the official start of Lent. Shrove is the past tense for shrive, when one asks absolution for ones sins with confession and penance. Housewives use the last of the butter and sugar on this day to prepare for the fast that takes place over the Lenten season. The day is celebrated around the world with the English and Irish eating pancakes. In the German Pennsylvania Dutch Community they eat a yeast raised donut filled with jelly called a Fastnacht.The Polish celebrate with paczki and in Sweden it is semia, a sweet bun filled with whipped cream. In the United States many churches and communities celebrate with pancake suppers both for fellowship and as a fund raiser. Liberal Kansas takes Pancake Day to a whole different level with a three day celebration of the pancake culminating with an International Pancake Day Race with runners in Olney, England.The Pancake Race began in Olney, England in 1445. The people in Liberal, thought it sounded like fun and in 1950 the two towns began flipping pancakes while running through the street for the first International Pancake Day Race. Celebrate Pancake Day with family and friends. Pancakes can be simple and inexpensive or fancy and exotic. For kids make the pancakes in fancy shapes by pouring the pancake batter through a funnel or plastic keptuch type squeeze bottle onto the hot griddle.

Check out my pintrest page for Pancake Day Pancakes and ideas. www.pintrest.com/jvhardin/pancakes/ Find pancake day activities for kids at www.activityvillage.co.uk/pancake_day.htm

New York Cheesecake Pancakes

I have to confess...I often order pancakes not because I think they will taste good, but because I think they will take a pretty picture for my blog or Pintrest page. So it was this morning. After all the hype about IHOP's National Pancake Day, I woke up craving IHop pancakes. Pursing the menue I came across several pancake varieties and a few crepes that really looked good. After going back and forth way too many times, I finally decided on the New York Cheesecake Pancakes. The pancakes are studded with New York Cheesecake and topped with strawberries, strawberry syrup and whipped cream.I must admit the cakes in front of me looked as pretty as the picture on the menue. I'm not a huge fan of over the top sweet, covered with whipped cream pancakes, but these pancakes were really good. I was a little taken aback with the first bite or two when I tasted something soft and thought the pancake batter wasn't completely cooked through, but then realized it was the soft cheesecake I was tasting. While the serving of four pancakes was way to much for me to eat, I must confess the New York Cheesecake Pancakes at IHOP are a winner.

Happy Ground Hog Day

I Love February! I get to celebrate Pancake Month,Ground Hog Day, Panckes Day , Valentine's Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, and the last days of winter. Today is ground hog day. My husband has a pretty off beat sense of humor so all week he has been telling his poor Mother that he was going to bring her some ground hog to celebrate the day.His Mother would tell him, " No thank you Michael, just the thought of eating ground hog, makes me sick'. So of course on Ground Hog Day, he shows up at her door carrying a stryofoam take-out container that has Ground Hog for Hardin written in ink on the top. Here you go Mom, he announced as he handed her the box. I had to drive all the way to Sevierville to a Ground Hog Breakfast at the Fire Hall to get this. Mike's Mother had a look of fear and disgust on her face." Michael, I'm not feeling well today, I'm a little sick in my stomach. Sorry , but I can't eat this". It took a little coaxing to get her to open the box and look inside. Her frown turned to smiles as she looked in and saw a McDonald sausage and biscuit inside the box. Ground Hog on a biscuit!! Happy Ground Hog Day

Funny Pancake Day Video

The longer I write this blog the more I am amazed at the creativity pancake lovers go to share their passion with the world. In researching Pancake Day I came across this very funny You Tube video from England. I think the song is very catchy but should come with a warning; Caution, watching this video one too many times could result in the song being embedded in ones brain. Right now as I am writing this my brain keeps repeating...it's pancake day, pancake day, pan pan pan. Watch the video, you will see what I mean. http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/81361018/