Take 5 is a restaurant review invented by Wonder Guides and written by real people like yourself. Diners pick the restaurant. They go alone or with friends. Then they tell us about themselves, the experience, and give us their take on five areas - location, atmosphere, menu, taste, and price. What is published is an honest review and recommendation that you can use to make your next dining choice.

Day Date Delight

THE RESTAURANT
TAP @1918 | Empty nesting has its perks. One of them is that we can go back to long afternoons of hanging out and exploring new places and restaurants. Today we picked a day trip to Rocky Mount and the Rocky Mount Mills. Right on the Tar River and connected to the three-mile Tar River Trail, it was a good spot to park and then explore. After an out-and-back hike, we came back to the campus to check out the brewery tasting rooms. I could have sat at the bar all day trying the new craft concoctions coming out of Hopfly and Mythic Brewing, but my wife got hungry between rounds so we decided to check out Tap @ 1918.

Owned and operated by celebrity Chef Justin Gaines, champion of Food Network's Chopped, Tap @ 1918's reputation is well known in the nearby Triangle area. Foodies will travel for a new experience, and we'd heard tale that this gastropub-the only one in eastern North Carolina-came with dishes we just couldn't get anywhere else. With a resume that includes training at the Culinary Institute of America and culinary hotspots like New York and Miami, Gaines is a welcome addition in Rocky Mount and central North Carolina's food scene.

Housed in a restored historic mill house at Rocky Mount Mills, Tap@1918 has an inviting wrap-around porch that says, "Come stay a while and try something new." Once inside, propped up at their inviting bar, that's exactly what we did.

""THE CRITIC

Andrew Harger is a career educator working in Durham. His passions are history, baseball, craft beer, and exploring North Carolina.

THE REVIEW
Location: Rating (5)
You can't beat Tap @ 1918's location at Rocky Mount Mills. Off 64 between Raleigh and Greenville, it's the perfect meeting spot if you have friends and family from the Triangle and down east. There's River & Twine, the tiny house hotel if you want to make an overnight stay and plenty to do in and around Rocky Mount Mills before or after you eat. The day we were there, Mythic Brewing was hosting live music.

Atmosphere: Rating (5)
We thought the outside was charming, and the inside instantly made us feel taken care of. It has a beautiful laid-back elegance that lets you know you're in an upscale place without fussiness. We opted to sit at the gorgeous bar and take in all this gastropub has to offer. The bartenders were up and down the sliding ladder that houses the liquor. Everyone was friendly and ready to answer questions about the extensive drink and food menu.

Menu: Rating (5)
With a menu like this that combines pub fare with savory Southern ingredients, we thought the best option was to try a lot of little things. Sitting at the bar, we could take our time and order as we went, starting with the Scotch Eggs. These fried favorites are not for everyone, but they were definitely for us: crispy fried coating, sausage, cheese hugging a soft-boiled egg. If you've never tried it, you're missing out. We also split the Reuben nachos and the moules frites. I definitely want to go back because everything on the menu was surprising in some way and there is much to explore.

""

""Taste: Rating (5)

5 out of 5. Everything was savory, fresh, and unexpected in the best way.

Price: Rating (5)
It was on the pricier side, but worth it. Splitting a few shareplates helped us keep the tab down. Tap @ 1918 was a true treat and we'll be back.There are food flavors and combinations you've never had.

FINAL TAKE

Tap @ 1918 not only lived up to the hype but is a must-experience for anyone living near or passing by Rocky Mount. There are food flavors and combinations you've never had. There's a gorgeous bar with local craft beer and some pretty inventive craft cocktails to try. Dining here is living in Chef Justin Gaines' unexpected, elegant world where you'll be well taken care of and pine for the next reservation. Spend an afternoon at Rocky Mount Mills and top off your day with Tap @ 1918. It's the best date we've had in years.