Who is Andrea Schmitt?
Andrea has been in the food world for almost her entire life, she has always had a passion for creating spaces to eat and drink delicious things. People have been drawn to her culinary endeavors since her first venture in 1991, and many are excited for her newest project opening this summer! Read more about Andrea’s endeavors that have brought her to the creation of Moondance Kitchen below.
Wild Thyme Gourmet
Many people don’t know the history behind one of the most popular restaurants on the plateau. Wild Thyme Gourmet had a very humble beginning on 5th Street in Highlands, NC as a catering kitchen and small food goods shop. In 1991, visitors to the area would stroll into the small storefront to find Andrea stocking the shelves with sauces, jams, and homemade bread in between preparing for catering gigs in the community. Andrea has always had a knack for customer service, having begun her restaurant journey with the Paoletti family at Ristorante Paoletti at age 14, and that was clear in how visitors responded to the little shop on 5th street. Wild Thyme Gourmet quickly outgrew its home and was relocated to the corner of Carolina Way in 1995.
Andrea eventually sold the business to her chef, who has been successfully running the business and initiated the move to its current location on Main Street in Highlands.
Meritage Bistro
Photo published on MeadowsMountainRealty.com.
So what happened to the building on the corner of Carolina Way and 5th street? In 2015, Andrea introduced a new concept: Meritage Bistro, a restaurant inspired by her deep love of wine and shaped by the wealth of knowledge she had developed throughout her career. Meritage Bistro provided a fine-dining experience grounded in a light and fresh Mediterranean European style, with a delightful blend of French, Italian, and Spanish influences. This creative menu was elevated by a meticulously crafted wine list that was recognized and awarded by Wine Spectator for several years. Guests loved the elevated, rustic decor and the coziest outdoor dining garden in Highlands. Visitors drove in from Atlanta for the fresh seafood and the best bottomless brunch around.
Justin Burns entered the picture in the early years of Meritage while he was working as a wine sales specialist in the Highlands, Cashiers, and Brevard area. Andrea soon learned that Justin was a talented chef—with a former restaurant of his own—and in 2017 he joined the team. Justin started at Meritage as a sous chef and became a permanent fixture in the kitchen, known for his thorough ingredient sourcing and creative specials. For the last couple of years at Meritage, Justin moved out front, helped with management and used his extensive wine knowledge and winning personality to provide a memorable dining experience for all patrons of the restaurant.
After many successful years, and to the disappointment of so many loyal customers, the restaurant was sold in 2021.
Moondance Kitchen
After a few years of taking a step back from day-to-day dining and focusing on catering events, Andrea has decided to take her vast experience in casual dining, fine dining, and her love of wine and infuse it into a brand new venture. She is excited to start her next chapter in the unique Lake Toxaway community, a place that is special to her as she attended summer camp for many years in the area.
Moondance Kitchen is planned to be a fabulous lunch, market and gelato shop, offering artisanal salads, mouth-watering soups, and indulgent paninis. Andrea wants to focus on making great food that speaks for itself, but if there is anything she has always been a master at: it is creating absolutely delicious flavors.
Moondance Kitchen will be open for signature evening events, look on our events page (coming soon) for more info.
Stay tuned and return here for updates regarding menu and opening date as they become available. We can’t wait to see you soon!