Holiday Inn Bordeaux: New Digs & Good Eats

The all new Holiday Inn Bordeaux on Owen Drive in Fayetteville has something to be proud of. Their 5.5 million dollar renovations, to be sure. 

The complete renovation of their all new All American Sports Bar Restaurant, is fantastic and a menu overahaul as well. Inside it echos the same flair in the decor, yet with a sports theme. Considering their 15 TV screens, you are sure to catch a game or two at any given time. 

Thanks to Restaurant General Manager Mike Sharpe, Fayetteville residents have another choice to dine - and you don't have to be a hotel guest. They have a separate entrance. You can order Mike's Good Eats anytime Monday through Sunday from 5 till close. The All Star line up on Mike's menu offers many choices. Mike has a great selection and he graciously let me sample some new menu items.

To start I tried an appetizer of All American Apple Pie Fritters. Tube shaped, stuffed with apples and apple pie spice in a light sauce, then covered in a delicate batter and deep fried golden brown. One bite says it all, hot apple pie. These fritters can be served as an appetizer with thick chunky bleu cheese dressing, or as dessert, served with a nice slice of old fashioned vanilla ice cream. 

Not in the mood for something sweet, appetizers abound and any game day calls for a big plate of spicy chicken wings. The spice is in the light batter and they can be swirled in hot sauce for the mighty at heart. Do expect some fire, these can be bold. I must say, lick smacking good jumbo wings! Mike also serves four other flavored wings. Another appetizer that's popular, Fried Green Beans with ranch sauce. I've only had these once, and hands down, these suited me because they are a real large cut - fresh green bean in a thick batter. Almost like an onion ring batter, the flavor was superb, quickly deep fried so as not to contain oil and perfectly golden crisp. Good Eats!

Next on my menu choice Mike suggested the 'Salmon' or 'NY Strip Steak'. Sampling the 'Salmon' was perfect. This was thickly cut, tender in quality and the freshness was apparent. It had a bold yet delicate flavor and it paired perfectly with my Moscoto wine. Various side items can be chosen such as rice or mashed potatoes, however I love a good 'Salmon' with a Baked Potato so as not to overpower the delicate flavor. I also chose Broccoli which was served perfectly al' dente. I would go there just for this salmon dish, to savor and enjoy.

Now onto Mike's heavy hitter, 'The New York Strip'. It was perfectly grilled at medium rare. Tender to the taste and of good quality. The quantity was more than enough for me when served with a side. This is a meal for the hearty appetite and do expect take a bit home! Fresh cut french fries suit this perfectly. Since the new decor and ambiance is off a Sports theme, I can see men loving this menu item. Mike also pointed out his 'Certified Angus Beef Burgers' are the best. With several varieties of burgers on the menu, he let me try the 'All American Philly Burger'. If I'm eating red meat, I have a passion for 'Certified Beef'. It's quality, pure beef with no added hormones or antibiotics. Certified heart healthy and the flavor has immense impact. The true taste of the grilled burger comes through. This burger only had a light amount of juice escape from the meat, which made for a better burger and they seemed to have mastered the grilling technique, it was perfectly medium rare as I had ordered it. This actually impressed me with how good it was. Smothered in mushrooms and onions with Swiss cheese it was perfectly grilled and served on a grilled pretzel bun. A huge mound of french fries suited this and surely I was in burger paradise. There are plenty of salads to choose for lighter fare, as well as several chicken dishes Mike raved over. One he said was a favorite menu request. He brought it out, 'Smokehouse Smothered Chicken'. I enjoyed this. It's not something you normally have or make everyday. Mike takes a large boneless chicken breast which is butterflied, marinated in a delicate slightly smoky sauce and char-grilled. Then he smothers it with mushrooms, onions and topped with fresh provolone and fresh cheddar cheese melted over the entire dish.

This dish served up with mashed potatoes completed that homemade comfy type of dish from Sunday dinner. Loved it, real tasty, another winner Mike! All in all, I loved the ambiance and sports theme, it lent itself to an upscale yet casual feel with great food that I would describe as Good Eats! The combo of good food with ambiance is fantastic. Holiday Inn Bordeaux with 'All American Sports Bar' Restaurant is a total All Star Winner. Pass on dessert, how about those 'All American Apple Fritters'.  

Cheers!