BY AMY HILL
Winston-Salem locals can attest to the exceptional menu, atmosphere, and service provided at any restaurant owned by Adam Andrews. Sunday brunch at Fourth Street’s Young Cardinal Café & Co. is one of the best spots in the Triad for eggs Benedict, avocado toast, and a Bloody Mary (or two). Seats fill up early for breakfast, so make sure you wake up early enough for your chance to spot General Manager Nick Shay in action, and to taste the fluffiest pancakes in town whipped up by Adam and Chef David Swing. Jeffrey Adams, also located on Fourth Street, has a nearly flawless menu with items such as pot roast nachos and the Jeffrey Adams martini. In fact, I frequent Jeffrey Adams on weekends when I’m in the mood for a tender sirloin and mashed potatoes perfectly prepared by Chefs John Danziger and William Hoffman. Having only lived in the Winston-Salem area for a couple of years, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that two of my favorite foodie spots in the area were owned by the same chef – and that he owned even more places that I needed to try.
My first visits to Dogwood Hops & Crops and The Trophy Room were nothing short of impressive, which is consistent with any encounter at an Andrews restaurant that I have experienced thus far. Celebrating its fourth birthday in June, Dogwood Hops & Crops is a bottle shop and bar on North Liberty Street offering over 250 selections of beer, 14 rotating taps with craft beer, and the largest craft beer selection in Winston-Salem. In addition to an extensive list of beer to choose from, Dogwood is one of the more inexpensive bottle shops in the area, selling products at a 30% discount. Plus, bartenders are able to press paninis at the bar, along with crafting Farmer’s Boards, which include cheeses, meats, vegetables, and freshly toasted baguette toasts to top with house-made pimento cheese.
Surprisingly, I discovered Dogwood and The Trophy Room to be one of the few watering holes open during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic closures. According to Adam, I was not the only one who stumbled upon this gem last year.
“At first, the pandemic really hurt us, but because we’re a bottle shop and a bar, we are licensed under a retail shop,” Adam explains. “We didn’t have to close down like a normal bar and were allowed to stay open. New customers were coming in, which helped us make some close friends and attract new regulars.”
Although Dogwood does not currently brew its own beer, Adam has goals of securing a location and brewer in the near future, alongside his co-owners and high school comrades Joe Hurdle and Austin Ridge. Because history tends to repeat itself, locals and out-of-town visitors can rest assured that any Adam Andrews-brewed beer would be a top-notch pour.
For those who prefer bourbon to beer, The Trophy Room sits right next door to Dogwood and provides customers with a prohibition-era, speakeasy feel. Whiskey connoisseurs will be impressed by its whiskey flights and bourbon selection. While I love a good whiskey and Coke, my first drink at The Trophy Room was a craft margarita suggested by a knowledgeable bartender who added her own personal flare to the cocktail. Whiskey lockers at The Trophy Room allow guests to purchase preferred whiskies, store them in personalized engraved lockers, and enjoy VIP treatment alone or with company. This unique service is available for a $50 membership fee and any liquor purchase. In addition to reserving a whiskey locker, guests can reserve their spot at one of The Trophy Room’s monthly Prime Rib Dinners, which includes a whiskey flight, prime rib with asparagus, and dessert. Call (336) 955-1463 during business hours to reserve your locker and dinner reservation today.
To view the current beer selections at Dogwood Hops & Crops, check out Dogwood’s Facebook page or follow the team on Instagram at @dogwoodhopsandcrops. You can also keep tabs on newly featured cocktails at The Trophy Room on Instagram at @thetrophyroomws. Social media manager Kathryn Ridge ensures that patrons stay up to date on the latest news for all Andrews locations.
Want to know more? Visit andrewsrestaurantsws.com to discover more information about Adam Andrews and his culinary craft. All company logos in-store and online are designed by Joe Hurdle.
