A Culinary Masterpiece: Herons in Cary, NC
A Fine Dining Experience
There are dining experiences, and then there's the Art Tour Dining Experience at Herons, nestled within the luxurious Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC. Recently, I had the privilege of indulging in a fabulous 8 to 15 course dinner that not only showcased the culinary brilliance of Chef Steven Greene but was also beautifully presented with inspiration from the art featured throughout the hotel. Based on the pictures I looked at before dining at Herons, I knew it would be a perfect looking meal but I didn’t expect it to hit every tastebud in the most delicious way.
The Dining Room
Herons is no ordinary restaurant, it’s a fine dining culinary haven that has earned a prestigious 5-star status from Forbes Travel Guide along with recognition in multiple publications including Food & Wine. With floor to ceiling windows offering views of the grounds and a large window to the kitchen, the ambiance is sophisticated and the atmosphere is intimate. As soon as I stepped in, I couldn’t help but notice the impeccable service and attention to detail.
The attention to detail I’m referring to…
I caught this server prepping the tables by ironing the tablecloths!
The Art Tour Dining Experience
The Art Tour is a multi-course tasting menu inspired by art and nature that can be found within the property of The Umstead. It’s roughly 8-15 courses of pure happiness for the eyes and stomach, you will not leave hungry. The menu is carefully and mindfully curated by the Chefs at Herons. You can go here to read more about these talented Chefs, Executive Chef, Steven Greene and Chef de Cuisine, Steven Thomson.
The beginning…
The oysters were presented not only uniquely but informatively, our server told us where and when (down to the minute) they were harvested.
The Courses
The journey began with an amuse-bouche that was so impressive I was immediately gitty with excitement for what was yet to come. The courses began, each one perfectly presented by the servers, with a description card explaining where the inspiration for the dish came from. I was sure that no meal could be both beautiful and delicious, at least not in entirety. I was waiting for the course that I would deem “not my favorite”, however, that never happened. I enjoyed every single bite with head tilting, eye rolling, “this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten” intensity. I told my husband half way through our experience that this will not be the one and only time we dine here. This was the best meal I’ve ever had!
This wasn’t just a meal though, this was a culinary journey that left an indelible mark on my memory. Herons has set the bar high, not just for fine dining in Cary, NC but for culinary experiences worldwide.
Herons Sample Menu
At the end of the night we received a printed copy of the menu with the main courses we enjoyed.
The menu does change seasonally as Herons sources many ingredients from 14 local farms. If you’re not into the pre-selected course dining, Herons offers Breakfast, Lunch and a 4-course Dinner option. I’m hoping to experience another extraordinary fine dining meal at Herons in the near future.