LIBERTY OAK

RESTAURANT AND BAR

 

 

FOOD, PRICES WARRANT RETURN TO LIBERTY OAK

Date: August 21, 2003    

Source:    JOHN BATCHELOR Special to Go Triad

 

I have given Liberty Oak credit for being the restaurant that, more than any other, initiated and sustained Greensboro's quality restaurant initiative.

From a couple of hot plates in a wine and cheese shop, this establishment

grew into the foremost restaurant offering new American cuisine at casual prices in the area Liberty Oak has remained one of my personal favorites.

I go back to Liberty Oak because I consistently enjoy the food and especially the prices. There is nothing rote or uniform about the manner or appearance of

service personnel here. They simply impress me as being among the more knowledgeable that I encounter, in a sense that they have eaten the food here

and enjoy good wines. The restaurant's origins  are reflected in the knowledge and value evident on the wine list. Twenty selections are offered by the glass,

and they are all good wines at reasonable prices. I am especially pleased when I see a list that provides quality choices in the lower ranges

- the $20s or even below - and Liberty Oak does

 

 

 

 

TRANSPLANTED LIBERTY OAK FLOURISHING

 

JOHN BATCHELOR , NEWS AND RECORD   

 

From my perspective, Liberty Oak was the Restaurant That Started It All for Greensboro. Other restaurants had attempted fine dining,

with greater or lesser success, but none of the early innovators survived in their original form. Then Liberty Oak,

originally a retail wine and cheese shop, began offering original creations prepared from fresh ingredients in an informal atmosphere at bargain prices.

The casual concept took. Not only did Liberty Oak prosper, this city also prospered in a culinary sense, as the original Liberty

Oak spawned numerous imitators when other entrepreneurs realized

that the high end was not necessarily where Triad diners wanted to

be every night  The restaurant recently reopened downtown after .

moving from Battleground Avenue, and the new property is quite striking. Most seating occupies the entry level; a balcony

overlooks the main floor. Except for the bar area, this is a nonsmoking restaurant. An open kitchen allows full view,

which I find always interesting, sometimes entertaining.

The wine list, as expected given Liberty Oak's heritage, reflects knowledge and

Food: **** - A longtime favorite.

Ambience: **** - Urban and urbane.

Service: **** - Among the most knowledgeable you will encounter.

Value: **** - They taught the Triad about flexible menus.

 

Chosen as one of Southern Living magazine’s top food finds from across the region in 2004. One of only eleven restaurants in the uptown food category.