Adventure the 3rd

R&R in the Outer Banks-a food and excursion review

After surviving the explosion of Jabba’s barge ship, my life was considerably altered. With all of my newfound time and freedom, I began a journey of self discovery and soul searching. I suppose you could say this monkey lizard really started to embrace the light side of the Force.

As part of of the journey, some quiet time for introspection and fun in the familiar Outer Banks of North Carolina was called for. The girl, of course, came along as her skill at driving your groundspeeders far exceeds my own. (Plus her company is highly enjoyable as well).

Though cold and rainy for a good portion of our time, there was still an abundance of sights, eats, and experiences to be had during the OBX off-season. The aquarium on Roanoke Island is open year round and is an enjoyable visit though the sting ray touch tank was closed, undergoing renovations which was rather a disappointment. Oft had Jessica described the softness of the rays’ wings and I was most curious to see if the legends were indeed true. Ah, well, next time! Thrift stores and many other shops abound but do verify hours in the winter time.

Though many restaurants were closed, we were still able to experience several that were new to us. One was Himalaya: Indian and Nepalese Cuisine

A small, casual restaurant located in a strip mall with a sparsely (but not unpleasant) decorated interior, Himalaya excels at flavor and customer service/engagement. We were warmly welcomed by the staff and care was taken to explain the menu as well as modifications for any dietary restrictions such as gluten-free options, vegan, etc. which was most appreciated. After some painful deliberation, the girl finally decided on the chicken korma while I elected to sample the samosas. The chef also kindly offered us a side of the crispy, chip-like papadum to try.

The portions were fairly generous and reasonably priced considering this was stretched into multiple meals. We were happy to find the chicken korma was well seasoned, creamy and flavorful. The rice was plain though well cooked and the samosa was tasty with a pastry exterior coated in a blend of spices and seasoning. The girl found the heat level a little higher than preferred and wisely used the creamy korma sauce as a dip to tame the heat.

After eating more than was strictly necessary, we delighted in conversations with the staff and I was even invited to pose for pictures with our server. We had a highly enjoyable experience and plan to return here the next time we are in the area and would advise you to do so as well!

The next day, an engaging conversation with a local sent us to a “secret” restaurant near Manteo on Roanoke Island. Located on the sound, Salt & Cypress is accessed by an easy-to-miss side street between a McDonald’s and another local eatery and tucked at the very end of an upscale apartment complex. While not quiet Canto Bight levels of glamor, it was certainly an elevated dining experience- quite literally as we secured a table on the 2nd floor with a charming view of the water.

In between spying for dolphins in the sound, we perused the menu and decided upon a Caesar salad with fish of the day (rockfish) as well as a side of French fries. The salad was well dressed (midnight blue chiffon) and seasoned and the fries were pleasantly crispy though a bit heavy on the salt, especially on the bottom layer. However, this came in useful as we found the rockfish to be somewhat bland and underwhelming (even though it was a bit heavy on the pepper) and used the extra salt to enhance the flavor. The side of fries was a very generous portion for the price ($5) however we felt that the salad with fish was a rather steep ($22). But, as with most waterfront eateries, the view does add value though perhaps not enough to have us rushing for a return visit in the future.

Downtown Manteo is a charming nautical town with numerous one way streets, small shops and even a tiny lighthouse. A new hotel, The Pearl, subverts the coastal theming expectations as a luxury boutique hotel with a green rooftop towering over nearby buildings. Does the modern exterior seem to clash with the small town vibe of downtown? Yes. Would we stay here again? Also yes.

While not the type of hotel we would typically have chosen and with a cost higher than we would have preferred, I convinced the girl to give it a try. After so many years of sleeping in between the creases of Jabba’s stomach folds with the odors of his putrid breath filling my nostrils and the sand (which is coarse and rough and irritating and just gets everywhere), I was ready to experience true luxury. I craved the softness of a satin pillow case and the subtle smell of flowers and the rich hues of blue and green. And so, after taking up a staff member’s offer of checking out the rooftop, we booked a room for the night.

The rooftop truly does afford the best view in the area and has several chairs and swings and strip of turf (an ideal spot for star gazing in fair weather!) and makes for a perfect event and gathering space. The interior halls are simply yet tastefully designed with a mix of modern and vintage accents which invokes a sense of tranquility and elegance. And as pleasant as the physical space is, we found the true allure of this hotel to be the people. We had wonderful conversations and connections with the staff, especially the manager, Lisa, who made us feel extremely welcome and at ease and gave us inspiration for further adventures in the area. The staff’s kindness, consideration, and personable interactions make this a hotel we are most inclined to return to and would highly recommend it to our fellow galactic travelers!

My clawed digits grow fatigued of typing so we shall conclude our ramblings here with appreciation for those who are still with us and with an invitation to those of you traveling to familiar destinations near and far: be bold, be brave, try something new, be good to yourself, and above all, have an adventure!

Written 1/25/26