For good food I highly recommend Anthony's in Bryson City if you like Italian. Our group had a wide variety from the menu and it was all good; from the pizza to regular dinners.

 

Don't forget about the side roads going up and down from the BRP, like hiway 276 (both directions)near Brevard aand hiway 80 just north of Mt. Pisgah going towards Marion! Both are very twisty roads!
I actually prefer 276 over the Dragon!

 

+1
Staying in Maggie Valley, we were close to 276 and really thought it was a great road for both the twisties and the scenery.

 

Definitely do the Cherohala Skyway while you're that close. I actually enjoyed it even more than the dragon. As for the weather, be sure you have your rain gear (I'm sure you would have anyways). I swear it seems like if there are any "scattered" showers in the area, they will set up right on top of the skyway. Both times I have been on it we started with sunny skies on one side and came down to sunny skies, but got rained on at the top. Elevation change I guess?