NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA

Along the pristine Neuse River in an exquisite seaside setting at historic Colonial town, New Bern, PERSIMMONS WATERFRONT RESTAURANT offers some of Carolina’s finest draught beer. Its 12-seat central bar services a luxurious indoor dining space, large outdoor deck and upstairs banquet room.

At the tiger wood-topped bar, my wife and I enjoy a few new Carolina brews during our one-hour stopover on the way to Wilmington during June ’16. I’d been dying to try the excellent Foothills Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout for years and finally got the chance on this sunny weekday afternoon. Nearly as worthy was Double Barley Thrilla In Manila Porter (both are reviewed in Beer Index).

Persimmons’ local tapped ales, fine wines, liquors and creatively upscale food will suit seasoned connoisseurs, gastropub enthusiasts, casual seafaring folks and young families alike.

www.persimmonsrestaurant.net