If you have lived in Western North Carolina for any length of time, it is likely you have heard the name Turchin in some connection or another. And now, another means by which to do that has opened for all of us to enjoy, Root & Bone/The Crossroads.
The Root & Bone restaurant, housed in The Crossroads complex located on Brevard Road/Hwy 64 at the crossing of the Ecusta Trail in Horseshoe, opened to the public on June 14. The ambiance, extraordinary quality of food and beverage selections, and engaging staff guarantees this endeavor will quickly become a superlative culinary destination.
At a pre-opening event for the press, family, friends, contractors and employees of other Turchin enterprises, the joy of the dining experience was palpable. From an enthusiastic greeting at the door by Dave and Lauren and general manager Andrew, to attentive serving at the bar by Logan and others on patio dining areas, and interesting conversations with chefs Jeff and Janine, and owners Susan and John, a true desire to engage was manifested. This “all-in” engagement style genuinely creates a wonderful sense of welcoming inclusion. The stories each person relayed about their individual paths to involvement in the restaurant provided a tribute to how success in any endeavor is driven by the relationships to others.
Two James Beard Award-nominated chefs, partners Jeffrey McInnis and Janine Booth, offer their special blend of “elevated southern comfort food.” They met owner John Turchin when Janine, who hails from Australia, was opening a restaurant in Miami Beach and came before the local architectural design review board on which he served. John helped them get through the approval process by suggesting an alternate window treatment of a full glass garage door style, thus establishing beginnings of a collaborative relationship. So, when John saw the vacant building in Horseshoe, he immediately contacted Jeff and Janine to see what they thought about opening a restaurant there together. John and Susan’s previous connection to the hospitality industry has included ownership of three nightclub properties in Florida, and they continue to split their time between the coast and the mountains.
Connections to the WNC community, and to the arts in general, abound with so many members of this extended family business. Jeff has family in Marion and his parents have been involved with Appalachian State and the creation of the Turchin Center; so he and wife Janine are looking forward to relocating with their three children to North Carolina from Florida. Susan Turchin is a visual artist, with a guitar on display at the front entrance to the restaurant being one of her creations. John and Susan’s son Jordan, who operates the family’s enterprise at nearby Horseshoe Farms, acted over seven years in several Off-Broadway New York theater productions. Daughter Ashley, while not involved with The Crossroads, sells artwork. And John’s interests are multi-generational.
As the website proclaims, The Turchin Center for the visual arts strategic location on King Street in the heart of downtown Boone is within the physical boundaries of Appalachian State University, thus placing it at the “crossroads” between campus and community, creating a multitude of opportunities for meaningful campus and community partnerships. Named for benefactors Robert and Lillan Turchin, the center opened in 2003 under the belief that access and interaction with arts programming is an important part of a great university education, and that sharing these opportunities with residents and visitors is important to the cultural, economic and healthful life of the community. In keeping with that belief, to provide increased accessibility for the App State community, the center is free of charge and open to the public.
As an extension of that artistic community connectivity, John is planning to have several works of visual art adorning the outdoor space at the Root & Bone/The Crossroads for all Ecusta Trail riders to enjoy as they pass by.
That connectivity was also expressed among the other attendees at the pre-opening event. As an example, from just one table, a toilet salesman, who is also a diehard Chicago Cubs fan (I grew up in Chicago, but connected as a White Sox fan) was sitting with his friend, the contractor who supplied all the pipes for Horseshoe Farms, and who offered information about a worldwide organization of organic farmers.
Even the name of the restaurant has its own connections. The Crossroads name stems from famed Blues guitarist Robert Johnson of the 1930s. As legend has it, Johnson sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in his quest for fame. He died at 27, much like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison – aka “Rock’s 27 Club” – but his song “Cross Road Blues” achieved fame finally in 1969 when recorded by the British band Cream. The bar at Root & Bone/The Crossroads features historic Rock photographs from the 1970s and 1980s.
And then there is the food, where there are plenty of unique offerings with which to make a connection. I personally enjoyed the Beets Tartare, the Sweet Tea Brined Chicken, the Falafel Croquettes, and the Braised Brisket Meatloaf.
Jeff started his culinary career as a dishwasher when one day a chef at the restaurant did not show up for work, so he was promoted to the fish cutting station. Janine first worked at a Sicilian restaurant and attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in New York. And now this is their fourth Root & Bone restaurant opening, after the first in New York City in 2013. It offers “soul nurturing, conscientiously sourced, farm-fresh ingredients” created by “craftsman’s ethic coupled with artistic culinary thought” in
tribute to the timeless recipes and traditions of rural America, and the warm embrace of its hospitality.
Restaurant manager Zeke confirmed that future plans include a speakeasy just a few steps down from the bar area that will house small private events, and a market café. While the café will have many equally interesting items for bicyclists and those driving by to choose from for something on the go, the primary focus of the location appears to be providing a dining experience to enjoy at leisure.
With all this connectivity, it seems completely appropriate that this enterprise be located directly adjacent to the Ecusta Trail; after all, trails are all about connections between towns and between people interacting with each other.
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts | Appalachian State University (appstate.edu)
By Cindy Ruzak
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