TRiO expands to more than wine, beer and cheese

TRiO Restaurant & Market [Photo courtesy TRiO]

TRiO Wine Beer Cheese in Kitty Hawk has changed its name to TRiO Restaurant & Market.

The business originally opened nearly eight years ago as a wine, beer and cheese shop with a bar that served a limited menu. Since then, it has evolved into a full-service restaurant and gourmet market. The name change was made to better reflect the business’s current offerings, the restaurant said in a news release.

“When we originally opened, our goal was to provide the best selection of wines, beers and cheeses on the Outer Banks in both our retail shop and in our bar,” said Kenneth Hyman, a partner in the business. “While we still do that, our business has changed a lot and our name no longer fit the business we have become.”

“Our first menu was just a couple of salads and sandwiches, cheese plates and a few snacks,” said Jennifer Minnich, another partner who ran TRiO’s kitchen when they first opened. “We’ve always made as much as possible in house, but with two Panini presses and a small oven we were very limited.”

Last summer TRiO underwent a substantial kitchen expansion. Since then, current chef Emily Cohill has expanded the menu significantly. The restaurant still serves salads, panini and small plates, but now offers heartier fare and regional favorites like seafood pot pie, shrimp and grits, meatloaf and more.

They’re also launching a series of lunch and dinner specials in the restaurant over the coming weeks.

The retail side of the business has experienced a similar transformation. According to John Minnich, a third partner, “The original market was almost entirely wine, beer and cheese, with a few accessories and accompaniments in the mix.”

Not anymore. TRiO’s market has expanded to carry grocery selections, craft mixers, local products and house-made prepared foods. With the recent addition of an imported flywheel slicer, they’re also able to offer prosciutto, salamis and other cured meats cut to order. Plans are in the works for heat-and-eat meals, and grab-n-go salad and sandwich options.

Despite the name change, customers can still expect to see familiar products in the market and favorite dishes in the restaurant.

“We’ll still have all the things our customers already love, but they’ll also find we have more of what they want,” says Hyman.

TRiO is located at milepost 4 ½ on the bypass in Kitty Hawk. The business is open seven days a week, serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch all year round. Learn more at obxtrio.com.

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