Published: June 17, 2009 08:20 am      

Top of the Porch Restaurant at Dogwood Manor is happy to serve you

By popular demand, B.J. and Janice Starnes opened their home as a bed and breakfast inn, restaurant, and wedding chapel. "I just built this house five years ago for our home," said B.J.

The house is 8,000 square feet and was built with four full suites, each with a living room, bedroom and bath. After an area resident stopped by asking if she could work for the "hotel," the Starnes thought they might be just the place to fill a need for lodging in the area near Fall Creek Falls State Park. That's when they opened Dogwood Manor as a bed and breakfast inn, located just outside the north entrance to the park. (The physical address is 34 Rozzell Rd., Pikeville, TN.)

Besides the spacious two-story house, which offers an elevator for convenience (the inn caters to the over-50 crowd), the property features a gazebo, a wrap-around porch for "just sitting," and a 12-foot high "elephant" near the front entrance. "People stop by all the time to have their picture taken with the elephant." There's also a walking trail that starts across the street at the community center.

Just after the inn opened, the health department stopped by as a matter of procedure. When the inspector saw the beautiful ceramic tile floors throughout and how attractive and spacious everything was, she told them they "had" to put in a restaurant. B.J., a little shocked, replied an excited, "No!" But he quickly turned that idea around, realizing a good, full-service restaurant was exactly what was needed. The couple started small, with only two tables. Then, they bravely served a group of 60 and found out they could pull it off. That's when the Top of the Porch Restaurant was really born. Now it's open for diners six days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. B.J. adds a note about closing time — "It's just when everybody leaves." The full-service menu includes most anything a diner could want, such as steaks, ribs, chicken, and pulled pork with lots of sides.

"We are known for our fried pies," said B.J. The roads leading to the state park are well-known as scenic and recreational routes and attract droves of motorcycle groups. "We have groups of cyclists stop in here, and all they'll order is our fried pies to take with them." The pies come in peach, apple, cherry, coconut and chocolate. And, they're not greasy because Janice, the pie chef and co-owner, makes them in a special pan that keeps them from absorbing the oil.

The inn is also a beautiful place to get married. One of the suites has been converted into a wedding chapel for indoor ceremonies, or couples may choose to have their wedding in the great outdoors. It is necessary to reserve a space and time for a wedding, and a deposit is required. The inn can also cater a wedding, if desired.

To be a guest of the inn, it is necessary to reserve a suite in advance with a credit card. A large suite is $150/night and a small suite is $125/night. Both include breakfast in the cost. To reserve or find out additional information, call (423) 881-5898.