HICKORY, N.C. -- Rules are made to be broken. Cafe Rule & Wine Bar chef de cuisine David Robbins grew up in Cary, NC where he learned to cook from his mother; because he wasn’t following the rules.  

“To keep me out of trouble she kind of set me up on the counter top and let me help out cooking,” Robbins said, 

For more than a decade, he’s taken guests in Hickory on a culinary ride, breaking rules and expectations of southern cooking. 

“I really enjoy the creativity,” Robbins said. 

Cafe Rule & Wine Bar focuses on high end cooking with local products. Introducing new, bold, nontraditional flavors to southern dishes. 

Address: 242 11th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Hours: 

LUNCH; Tues — Fri, 11:30am — 2pm 

DINNER; Mon –Thu, 5pm – 9pm Fri – Sat: 5pm – 10pm 

BRUNCH; Sun, 11am — 2pm

Recommended dinner order:

APPETIZER - Nashville Hot Fried Oysters; Fried oysters, blue cheese, peppadew peppers ($13)

ENTRE - Sea Scallops; Succotash, carrot-ginger emulsion, preserved lemon vinaigrette ($27)

DESSERT - Pecan Pie Cheesecake; creme anglaise, caramel, candied nuts, whipped cream ($9)