How a soon-to-open upscale restaurant in Wilmington represents senior living dining trends
As Wilmington is consistently named one of the country’s most popular areas to move to, especially for those nearing retirement, more senior living communities are popping up across Southeastern North Carolina. But what are potential residents looking for?
A Forbes magazine guide to luxury retirement said you should find everything from easy access to quality health care to amenities like golf, spa services and well-appointed fitness centers. And they also typically offer a selection of dining options from casual menus to chef-prepared meals.
It’s miles away from the common perception of cafeterias and intuitional-style dining.
Several newer local senior communities have on-site bars, cooking classes and pop-up foodie events. The latest of these efforts may be an upcoming restaurant in The Davis Community off Porters Neck Road.
Cornelia’s is billed as an upscale Southern restaurant that will be open to both residents and the public. A sample menu posted online features appetizers like lump crabmeat au gratin and fried green tomatoes and entrees such as espresso-rubbed pork tenderloin, pecan-crusted salmon and blackberry duck breast. Look for desserts like chocolate souffle and cherries jubilee.
It’s not entirely unique. Cambridge Village of Wilmington off Eastwood Road offers a full-service-style restaurant in addition to a pub, smoothie bar, and outdoor seating with firepits. Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall boasts four dining spots, including the private venue The Breakwaters.
The options differ as widely as the communities. Those focusing on assisted living and skilled nursing care must offer the necessary health and nutrition requirements. Expectations are different for those that are just commonly marketed to retirees, like St. James Plantation. For The Clubs at St. James, Troon manages a “coastal playground” that includes golf courses and five dining venues that offer upscale Southern food, pub fare and Mediterranean cuisine, and more. Only one, Beacon315 with its casual dining and Tiki bar overlooking the marina, is open to the public.
No matter the focus, more residents want restaurant-style dining that can compete with local eateries, according to a report by Navigator Group Purchasing, Inc., which focuses on senior living. The challenge is to keep residents engaged by participating in trends like farm-to-table, food trucks, and 24-hour options.
More: A new fine dining restaurant with a unique setting is opening soon in Wilmington
The Davis Community is one that offers independent living apartments for seniors, as well specialized services like assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation. Amenities include an art studio with a kiln for ceramics, a wellness center, and a fitness center that’s also open to the public.
Cornelia’s is set to open in the coming weeks and will join other dining venues on the campus, like Nibble’s Café, Salty’s Market, McDowell’s Pub and The Social Club.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her ataballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Davis Community to open Cornelia's upscale restaurant in Porters Neck
