One of the region's premier fine dining destinations has received its first five-star rating from the 2012 Forbes Travel Guide.
Herons, the restaurant at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, received the top honor after earning four stars from Forbes' in each of the past four years. Herons is one of 25 restaurants worldwide and the only one in North Carolina to receive the Forbes' five-star rating for 2012.
Chef de cuisine Steven Devereaux Greene said the top rating had been a goal of the culinary staff since he joined Herons in 2009.
"By working very closely with our own farmer at The Umstead and sourcing outstanding local products, as well as our staff's dedication and gracious service," Greene said, "we have elevated the dining experience at Herons to the exquisite five-star level."
The Umstead Hotel is one of 57 worldwide and one of two in North Carolina to earn the five-star rating for 2012. The Umstead Spa is among 104 spas around the world named to the four-star list.
Check out Sunday's N&O Arts & Living section, where Umstead's executive chef Scott Crawford shares his recipe for chevre apricot scones. They're truly a five-star treat.
