THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605090205
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
WHEN SHARON ENOCH and her husband, Paul Charron, opened The Full Moon restaurant in the fall of 1995, they had one goal in mind:
Gourmet food at affordable prices.
``I thought Manteo really needed a place where you could find interesting food you couldn't get anywhere else,'' Enoch said. ``I try to keep informed on the latest nouveau American cuisine. There are a lot of interesting things, like portobello mushrooms and different types of pastas. It's not just white spaghetti anymore.''
The Full Moon has accomplished exactly what it set out to do. Since October, it has been open only for lunch each day, and for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. But beginning this week, the restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner.
Diners will find wonderful food, affordable prices and an atmosphere of casual elegance.
On a recent Saturday night, I ventured to The Full Moon, which overlooks Shallowbag Bay from the Waterfront Shops in the heart of downtown Manteo.
For starters, I tried the Stuffed Mushroom Caps ($6.25). The huge mushrooms were stuffed with shrimp, garlic bread crumbs, crabmeat and celery, sauteed in a white wine and butter sauce. The mushrooms, along with a garden salad, could make a meal in itself.
But don't do that. At The Full Moon, the night only gets better.
The fresh, flavorful garden salad was included with the main course, which for me was the nightly special, Scallops Mediterranean ($12.95).
Served over a rice-like pasta called orzo, the scallops were large and tender. Complementing the seafood and pasta was a cream sauce of fresh tomatoes, caramelized onion, Greek Kalamata olives, feta cheese and heavy cream.
The sauce embraced the pasta but was not overpowering. The portion was more than enough to fill up even the biggest eater.
The Full Moon also offers a full array of homemade desserts, including fresh strawberries and cream and fresh blueberry cheesecake. But on this night, I chose a Mississippi Mud Cake. It was a chocoholic's dream: Chocolate cake, layered with chocolate mousse and chunks of chocolate. All desserts are $3.95.
With iced tea to drink, the bill including tip came to $32.75. By the way, the service at The Full Moon was among the best I've had anywhere. The staff is courteous and friendly, and gives the feeling that you're visiting a friend's house for dinner.
``I'm really proud of my staff,'' Enoch said. ``We really want people to feel at home. Service is really the key.''
Atmosphere is another plus. The decor is not the conventional Outer Banks look of lighthouses, ships and other stuff of the sea, but an attractive array of flowers and small candles decorate the tables.
And the view of Shallowbag Bay is wonderful. Against a backdrop of mellow music by a range of artists from Vivaldi to Ella Fitzgerald to 10,000 Maniacs, The Full Moon shines.
The Full Moon also offers a full wine and beer list, all at reasonable prices.
``I purposely set my prices low,'' Enoch said. ``I knew that the local people would have to support us when we opened in the fall. And we've had a wonderful response from the folks here in Manteo. . . . It would be a real mistake to come into Manteo and charge New York prices.''
The Full Moon also welcomes children and has a large kids' menu.
In the midst of its first year, The Full Moon is a glowing addition to the culinary sky. MEMO: Carolina Coast dining profiles are based on a single, unannounced visit
by Virginian-Pilot writers. Restaurant managers are often contacted
later for more information. The Virginian-Pilot pays for the meal.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Sharon Enoch and her husband, Paul Charron, opened The Full Moon
restaurant in the fall of 1995 to provide affordable nouveau
American food.
Graphic
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THE FULL MOON
Where: The Waterfront Shops, downtown Manteo.
Phone: 473-MOON (473-6666).
Features: Daily lunch and dinner specials. Kids' menu.
Prices: Appetizers, $1.50 to $6.25; salads $2.50 to $4.95;
sandwiches, $3.95 to $5.95; nightly specials' prices may vary.
Drinks: Soft drinks, coffee, tea, milk. Also a full array of beer
and wine. Espresso and cappucino are also available.
Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diner's Club. American
Express will soon be included.
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily.
Reservations: Not required.
Handicap accessible: Yes.
by CNB