Under an all-encompassing sun and a sky more than blue, the green of Lonnie Poole Golf Course shines faithfully, with a few dark spots moving, surely a sign of good weather from the clouds hovering above. Visible in the distance, past the hills and trees are the windows of the top floors of Wolf Ridge mirroring the sun with Hunt Library just peeking around the corner.
In the spring afternoons, the earthy scent lingering in the environment merges with a smoky smell from a kitchen that can just faintly be detected in the air. The smell surely comes from the dishes of the menu of the Terrace Dining Room, a full-service restaurant situated within the Carol Johnson Poole Clubhouse at Lonnie Poole Golf Course on Centennial Campus.
For students in want of a three-course dinner, the Terrace offers what is described on its website as “NC State’s premier dining destination.” Though it is a scenic 10-minute walk from Hunt Library, the journey is well-rewarded.
“It’s something that doesn’t feel like you are on campus anymore,” said Jennifer Gilmore, director of marketing and communications at Campus Enterprises, the entity that manages the restaurant. “It’s got a fireplace, it has an outdoor covered patio and it has a fire pit on the uncovered part of the patio. You literally feel like you are at a private golf club, but it’s not private, it’s public, it’s open to everyone.”
The restaurant offers three menus at different times: the lunch menu, the after three menu, and the weekend menu. The Sunday brunch menu features the famed Tuffy waffle and other brunch hits, and on Mondays, the fried chicken will be served, which boasts a different recipe than other places on campus.
Gilmore described the coveted views offered from the inside such as that of the Raleigh skyline, the StateView hotel and the dome of the new Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.
“You’re just going to feel like you stepped into a whole other world when you go over there,” Gilmore said.
The charm of Terrace Dining Room begins with the entrance of the clubhouse. It is adorned with drawn portraits of the golf stars of yesteryear, the sound of shoes on routinely cleaned hardwood floors and that of commentary of a golf match on a nearby television.
The soft lights and sunlight reflect off of the lush molding on the walls and the glass cases showcasing golf trophies and awards from the ACC right next to the in-house golf store, reinforcing what Gilmore said is the feel of a private golf club.
John Lazarovich, the Terrace Dining Room manager, said he wants to spread more awareness of the restaurant to students to see them there more often along with the adult golfers who frequent it.
“We do want to start reaching out to students to come here and use their Dining Dollars here,” Lazarovich said. “We’re thinking about doing a music and college night — maybe do an open mic night. We sell Wolfpack draft beer here, so we’ll probably put that on special and maybe a $5 burger special. It is something we’re trying to reach out to and get more students here.”
Provided students have reached the undergraduate milestone of 21 years of age, they may use their Dining Dollars to enjoy one of the many beers on tap. Visitors can even try Wolfpack draft beer crafted by our own students.
On nights inclined toward cooler winds, a fire pit may be seen from the many windows inside, illuminating the patio and the area where golfers drive during the day.
“When we have events or parties we’ll crank it [the fire pit] up to have a little ambiance,” Lazarovich said. “On 4th of July, we’re planning our big party we do every year. It’s about 400 or 500 people. It’s a cookout and a barbecue and we have live band. Everyone can sit outside and watch the fireworks from downtown, because it’s an awesome view.”
The Terrace Dining Room experience may assure students that they will be able to go from Fountain to fab and from Clark to classy in NC State Dining.
“It would be a nice little place to come after school or something and grab a drink, get a burger, get some wings, and you’re not too far from campus, either,” Lazarovich said. “And you can use your Dining Dollars. Don’t tell your mom and dad that!”
Terrace Dining Room, located on the grounds of NC State's Lonnie Poole Golf Course, offers steamed dumplings as one of their starters during lunch time. The Centennial Campus dining room allows students to pay for their food using Dining Dollars or AllCampus funds.
