Belties opened on June 13 after over a year of anticipation fed by newspaper and TV reports about the one-of-a-kind high-style breakfast, lunch, and coffee restaurant planned for Nelson County, “where guests can experience miniature beltie cows.” The restaurant in Nellysford on Route 151 is open seven days a week from 7 am to 2 pm.
Are they real biscuits? Yes, crispy light-brown on the top, a hard, flat brown bottom with a soft interior, the biscuits are made each day on the premises. Pictured is the Hen House sandwich with cheddar cheese and sausage. Meals are served on glass plates with stainless flatware.
The food items under “Kiddos” on the menu are appealing to adults as well.
Coffee beans are roasted at the restaurant and bags of Belties coffee is offered for sale.
A big part of Beltie’s appeal is the large, comfortable dining area in the bespoke farmhouse-style building with large windows offering views of the mountains. The acoustics are comfortable, and there are no TVs.
Belties large front porch facing Route 151 is set up table for dining and rocking chairs for lounging.
Patrons order at the counter and are provided a electric pager to let them know when their food and drinks are ready for pick up.
There are three biscuit sandwiches with fried chicken–The Nelson, Whoa Nelly, a plain chicken biscuit. The Farm House Salad at $9.50 can be served with a crispy chicken breast for $5.50 more.
Belties hats, Belties t-shirts, Belties cuts, Belties aprons, and other Belties merchandise rival the food and drink sales.
The restaurant crew uniforms are black and white, in line with the namesake black and white belted cows.
Hot drinks are served in 8-ounce glass cups and heavy 16-ounce black glass mugs (above).
Belties is a nickname for the Belted Galloway breed. The restaurant features a small barn that houses a few cows in front of the parking area, located behind the building. Customers heading to the take-out window drive through the barn.
-Charles Batchelor
