Perfectly positioned within the Old Edwards complex on Main Street in Highlands, North Carolina, Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar provides an ideal spot to get away from the hustle and bustle while immersing oneself in the distinctive local culture. Upon entering the restaurant, diners immediately notice the open kitchen, stone bar lit from underneath, and enormous wood-fired ovens. The energetic staff, affable bartenders, and authentic Neapolitan pizza menu create the feeling of an Italian family gathering over a shared meal and delightful company. With tables strategically situated throughout the space, guests can tuck themselves away for quiet conversation, grab a view of the TV, or position themselves in the center of the action.
From the warmly welcoming atmosphere to the impeccably designed menu to the tastefully decorated dining areas, the staff endeavors to present all who visit with a delightfully indulgent experience. Whether you stop in for a quick shopping break or stay all day to catch the game, the bistro serves up classic favorites with just enough gourmet touches to please both casual pizza lovers and epicureans in search of inspired twists on traditional fare.
A Historic Dish with Modern Inspiration
Often emblematic of a culture, food develops its personality as the forces of history gradually shape a society and its people. Everything from politics to transportation to technology influences the development of new dishes, and there is perhaps no better example of this evolution than pizza. What we consider a classic Italian staple originated in Naples and for centuries existed as merely a plain flatbread enjoyed by the common people.
During the heyday of exploration in the 1600s, European merchants began to import tomatoes from Peru. Believing the strange exotic fruit to be poisonous, many reluctant Italians initially refused to try them. However, tomatoes eventually won acceptance by the public, and bakers began experimenting and spreading tomato sauce on their flatbreads. By the 1700s, a new food sensation was born.
Back then, a Neapolitan pizza consisted simply of crust lavished with simple red sauce. When King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in the 1880s, a local baker decided to impress the royal visitors with a unique twist on the town’s signature snack. He added cheese and basil to create a red, white, and green dish symbolic of the country’s flag, and the result was a culinary sensation fit for a king — or queen! Today’s Margherita pizza still bears Her Highness’s name.
Pizza continued to develop its identity into the 1900s and beyond, particularly after large numbers of Italian immigrants began to settle in the United States. Today, modern gourmands delight in experimental flavor combinations, with fluctuating trends persistently taking the foodie world by storm. Here in Highlands, Four65's Chef John Johnson sticks with the traditional Neapolitan formula as the basis for his pizzas while continuing to adapt new recipes suitable for the sophisticated palate.
Each pizza on the Four65 menu is carefully crafted with the discerning guest in mind, with several options notably created for those who crave something new and a bit different. Standouts include the innovative Brussels and Bacon Pizza, the more classic Prosciutto Pizza with just a touch of hot pecan honey, and the unexpected combination of Fig and Artichoke Pizza which creates a careful balance of savory flavors with a slight sweetness.
Commitment to the Finest Ingredients
Thoughtfully crafted dishes require the finest ingredients. To ensure the highest quality for his pizzas, salads, soups, and sandwiches, Chef John researches and pursues each topping with deliberation. Flour from Italy — softer and slightly sweeter than its American counterparts — ensures an authentic-tasting crust that perfectly blisters when baked at high temperatures. Importing the country’s San Marzano tomatoes allows the staff to whip up fresh marinara with a touch of steamed basil, in keeping with traditional recipes. Artisanal meats are hand sliced in-house to preserve the freshest flavors. And, of course, who could forget the cheese? After much deliberation, Chef John settled on Grande Mozzarella due to its ability to maintain texture in the 1000-degree Forno wood-fired ovens.
Equal care is devoted to the menu’s salads, soups, and sandwiches. With many greens, vegetables, and herbs sourced from the nearby farm at GlenCove by Old Edwards, diners are assured of fresh, local ingredients. Menus are updated regularly to reflect seasonal availability, with options such as the burrata salad shifting from a mix of warm-season veggies in the summer to roasted squash and beets with a pumpkin seed pesto in the fall. Adjusting dishes in this way allows for consistently fresh ingredients sourced closer to Highlands and provides regular guests with a dynamic experience each time they visit.
And for a truly decadent start to a meal, treat yourself to the charcuterie. The artfully chosen meats, cheeses, and accoutrements are designed to impress, with Sweet Grass Dairy of Thomasville, Georgia, and Spotted Trotter of Atlanta providing their finest selections.
House-Crafted Cocktails and Beer
As any dedicated foodie knows, the art of food doesn’t end on the plate. Each dish deserves the accompaniment of a suitable glass of wine or beer or a cocktail. Fortunately, the bartenders at Four65 dedicate themselves to perfecting all three via an impressive wine list, craft beer selection, and house-made cocktails. Each detail of the drink menu is meticulously curated and communicated to guests, from the origins of local brews, which are rotated seasonally, to the restaurant’s own syrups and ginger beer (used in Moscow mules and other drink recipes).
Particularly comforting on a cold day, the Woodford Carmel Apple Manhattan or Pumpkin Spice White Russian hit just the right notes. Or, to complement your meal with a tangy beverage and a spicy kick, don’t forget the Four65 Bloody Mary, featuring Sister’s Sauce from Starrsville, Georgia. And for those who prefer to abstain, the bar supplies festive mocktails with the same high level of craftsmanship, such as the Blackberry Mule, which recalls fresh, Appalachian summer flavor.
A Grande Finale
Not to be outdone by exceptional main course offerings and impressive drink selections, the Dolci menu offers its own array of delectable options. With their decidedly Italian essence, the Tiramisu and Four65 Affogato tempts diners to save room for dessert. Or, in keeping with the local setting, the Mountain Apple Crisp in its own piping hot skillet begs to be shared by the table. Come to enjoy lunch or dinner, but plan to stay for dessert because nothing is an afterthought here.
Whether you’re here for a day or here to stay, Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar offers the epitome of cozy Blue Ridge Mountain ambiance paired with a menu to please any appetite. Classic favorite pizzas draw those in search of familiar favorites, while just enough inventive twists on the time-honored dish keep palates entertained. With its dedicated team providing attentive service and satisfying artisanal cuisine, the Highlands hotspot gives more than enough reason to return again and again.
Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar is located at 465 Main Street, Highlands, NC. For more information, call 828-787-2990 or visit four65.com.