I was really very impressed with Heirloom. Although it is located in a nondescript shopping center off of Hwy 16 this is a special place totally worth the drive. This restaurant is truly a local restaurant from the greens to the meats to the wines and liquors. The manager commented that the only ingredients not from North Carolina are citrus and olive oil.
We started off with special cocktails including one named "Surprise Me." The server asks what cocktails you typically like then the bartender makes something up on the fly. My group of three then ordered one twelve course meal and one four course meal. We shared everything and the quantity was filing enough for us all. Our twelve course meal consisted of two appetizers, two salads, eggplant bisque, pasta, grouper, beef, a divine fried rabbit, cheeses and two desserts. The protein dishes were complemented by perfectly cooked vegetables.
The menu changes daily so what we had will likely not be what would be served to you. Chef Clark Barlowe goes to farms and markets daily to buy what's available then creates the menu that day. He also forages for edibles that he uses in his food. That must be an excitingly creative way to work and it certainly shows in what he serves.
The service was first class. The restaurant is in what seems to be a former steak house or pancake restaurant and the way the tables are arranged makes it feel a bit sparse. To remedy this I think they purposefully keep it dark with little ambient lighting and candles on the table. We found it difficult to read the menu (even the twenty-somethings with me) and we had to ask for some additional candles. Another problem the night we were there was apparently because of two large groups of guests. There was about a thirty minute delay between the fish course and the beef course. That threw off our "pace" and we found ourselves just wanting to go home. BUT I will in no way let that negatively influence my opinion of Heirloom - I'm hoping that was just a temporary glitch that night.
Make a reservation as soon as you can!