Sanderling Inn (Duck)
A MUST MISS
Rarely have I seen a place so pretentious that had so little reason to be full of itself. Our guidebook spent three paragraphs describing the history and architecture of the Inn, but only one on its food- this should have been a red flag. The service is aloof and conceited. The "signature chowder" was described by my sister as "upsetting." The other food was moderately edible, certainly not something worth driving a half hour and paying an amount described by the guidebook as $$$ for. The presentation of the food is tailored to distract the patrons from the size of the portions; for example, good use is made of the napkin origami to prevent diners from noticing that they are only getting ten tiny popcorn shrimp. The atmosphere is spartan and musty, and the faint smell of prime-aged mildew is present throughout.
Etheridge (Nags Head)
A $$ place. The owners are described as "pillars of the community" in the guidebooks, while - yet again- scrupulously avoiding spending too much time describing the food. Our group did not particularly care for the seafood. However, the filet mignon was not bad. Tolerable overall, but substantially overpriced.
Jolly Roger (Nags Head)
Not terribly pricey, but you do get what you pay for. The atmosphere is kind of dingy, and the food is edible. Not much else one can say for this place.