Pretty pastoral: Half-Mile Farm
July 30, 2024
Weekend away: Minutes from downtown Highlands, Half-Mile Farm offers a relaxing, adults-only getaway in an idyllic setting.
by Cathy Martin
When it comes to grazing boards, I’ve always been one to nibble around the charcuterie, searching instead for a stray almond, plump berry or a bite of Brie. So when I glance down at the board in front of me layered with a dozen or so cured meats — not a grape or blueberry in sight — I’m a little anxious.
I’m spending the weekend at Half-Mile Farm in Highlands, where a small crowd trickles in for an afternoon tasting, wine glasses in hand. In walks Kevin Ouzts, the charismatic owner of The Spotted Trotter, an award-winning Atlanta butcher shop and charcuterie boutique. Dressed in a mushroom-print tee, plum-colored trousers and a nifty felt hat, the bespectacled chef stands out amid the ubiquitous Orvis and Barbour in this posh (or bougie, as some might say) resort town. Ouzts is a special guest for the weekend, here to share his knowledge and passion for making small batches of high-quality cured meats.
His enthusiasm is contagious, and my anxiety turns to excitement as I work my way through the black pepper sorghum salami, Calabrian pancetta, duck prosciutto and others. By the end of the tasting, I’m already wondering where I can buy some of this stuff when I get back home to Charlotte.
Half-Mile Farm is the sister property of Old Edwards Inn & Spa, the luxury Relais & Chateaux hotel situated prominently on Main Street in downtown Highlands. About 2 miles north, Half-Mile offers a rustic-luxe alternative to the larger downtown inn in a more rural setting.
Hosted events like the one with The Spotted Trotter occur several times a year and are a perk exclusive to overnight guests at Half-Mile Farm. Other recent guests include Haand Pottery from Burlington, N.C., and Sequatchie Cove Creamery, a Tennessee artisan cheese maker. The intimate events complement a robust calendar of chef dinners, concerts and art and jewelry pop-ups at Half-Mile’s sister properties.
The circa-1880s Main Lodge, a former boarding house, had been an inn since 2001 when Old Edwards bought it in 2015 and added a dozen guest rooms (for a total of 34), a large dining room, and the Garden Room, a quaint cottage for guests to socialize, play board games or relax by the fire.
When you arrive at the port cochere, friendly staffers direct you to the lobby for check-in and a welcome beverage. Mingle with other guests around the communal fire pit, stroll down to the dock overlooking the 6-acre Apple Lake or stretch your legs on the new walking trail along the edge of the forest.
Lodging options include the historic main lodge, the newer Woodland suites with spacious balconies and soothing forest views, and several historic cabins scattered across the 14-acre property. Rooms are designed for comfort, with in-room fireplaces, plush robes and spa-like bathrooms.
There’s a heated pool and an on-site spa suite for massages, but guests at Half-Mile Farm can also take advantage of a complimentary shuttle to Old Edwards Inn and its full-service spa for facials, reiki, body treatments and more.
Breakfast at Half-Mile Farm is a gourmet affair. The menu varies based on what’s in season, but often starts with a fruit clafoutis — raspberry-mandarin, peach or another fruit — a sweet bite to whet your appetite for something savory, like the frittata with Calabrian chiles, blistered tomato grits and rosemary ham I enjoyed on my visit.
For lunch, drinks or a simple dinner, it doesn’t get much cozier than J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern, a lively pub in the Main Lodge that’s open only to overnight guests. Pull up a barstool or sink into a leather armchair and enjoy tasty cocktails like a lavender lemon drop martini or the Snowblind — tequila, lime, crème de coconut and rice milk with a sugared rim. There’s a small food menu: cheese and charcuterie boards, burgers and sandwiches. For the ultimate comfort-food meal, get the soup and grilled cheese: warm tomato-basil soup with a muenster grilled cheese on country bread.
For dinner out, hop back on the shuttle or take the short drive to town. Highlands has no shortage of great restaurants: Madison’s, Ristorante Paoletti and OAK Steakhouse are popular choices. For something more casual with a lively atmosphere, don’t miss the mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas and salads at Four65 bistro.
If you’re looking for a little adventure, hiking trails abound in this part of the state. Gorges State Park in nearby Sapphire is a lesser-explored gem. The park’s Rainbow Falls Trail is a moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike, well worth the trek for a closeup of the powerful cascading falls. After a brisk hike on the trail, the park’s modern visitors center has a wraparound deck with rocking chairs to rest and take in the unobstructed mountain views. SP
FALL in Highlands
Oct. 11: Three Celebrity Chefs of Great Britain at The Farm at Old Edwards. Celebrity chef and cookbook author Phil Vickery, Colin Bedford and Graham Fox share a few favorite dishes, accompanied by live music. Tickets are $225 per person; lodging is not included. For tickets and more information, visit oldedwardshospitality.com.
Oct. 11-12: Fall Pottery Show at The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts. This year marks the 13th annual event showcasing handmade pottery and local artists. Free to attend. For details, visit thebascom.org.
Nov. 7-10: Highlands Food & Wine Festival features musical performances (Greensky Bluegrass headlines), a food-truck rally, a grand tasting and the Main Event — an oyster roast with small plates, wine, craft beer and cocktails. Ticket prices vary; more info is available at highlandsfoodandwine.com.
Nov. 8: Farm Harvest Dinner & Barn Dance at The Farm at Old Edwards. Local farmers team with chefs from Madison’s restaurant for this culinary affair, followed by music from Back Porch Orchestra. Tickets are $225 per person; lodging is not included. For tickets and more information, visit oldedwardshospitality.com.
Photographs courtesy Half-Mile Farm
