The time has finally come: I've finished this year's 101 Most Unique Places to Dine in WV list.
Smokey's on the Gorge, now rebranded at Smokey's Steakhouse, is a seasonal restaurant located at Adventures on the Gorge so I had to wait until the season opened to check it out.
Well, the whitewater rafting trip brought me to this area, so I finally had the opportunity to mark off that last restaurant. Smokey's is an absolutely breathtaking space. The wood panels are homey and have this indoor/outdoor vibe with large open spaces that open up to the beautiful mountains ahead. Tiny little twinkling lights are strung across the ceiling, white tablecloths, and it looks like a setting from a chic farmhouse wedding.
We sat outside, which had a beautiful view off into the gorge. It was shady, but warm and we had a gigantic table to ourselves to listen to the birds and cars off in the distance whoosh over the bridge.
The drink menu looked fabulous. If I wasn't driving for 2.5 hours directly after this meal, I would've indulged. Alas, I chose to stuff myself with food instead.
First off, they brought a small thing of bread for the table. This was decent - nothing especially noteworthy, but not bad.
Lisa got the "lump crab over spoonbread" appetizer: warm crab in herb butter and garlic cream sauce. She let me sneak a taste, and it was pretty good. The spoonbread was like a sweet grits - very tasty.
For my entree, I went with their filet mignon. Their steaks are certified angus beef, which is aged for 35 days and cut to order. They also season their steaks with J.Q. Dickinson salt and fresh cracked pepper, and finished with Maitre d'Butter. This was topped with some like balsamic onions, garlic and a small salad with these sweet Peruvian peppers. This steak was delicious - a bit over than medium, but not dry at all. The seasoning was great.
For a side, I got the pimento cheese macaroni & cheese. I was really excited because it meshed two of my favorite things together. I was expecting a bit more of a kick, but still, it's creamy and delicious, and you can't go wrong.
For dessert, I got the Bourbon Pecan Pie with Peach Ice Cream. I loved that peach ice cream, and you can definitely taste some of that bourbon. A nice finish to a delicious meal.
I'm not sure if there's a restaurant in this state with better view. They're also brand new, so go check out this new gem and fill your tummy. And, make sure to book a whitewater rafting trip. You will never forget it!
Grade: A
Smokey's on the Gorge, now rebranded at Smokey's Steakhouse, is a seasonal restaurant located at Adventures on the Gorge so I had to wait until the season opened to check it out.
Well, the whitewater rafting trip brought me to this area, so I finally had the opportunity to mark off that last restaurant. Smokey's is an absolutely breathtaking space. The wood panels are homey and have this indoor/outdoor vibe with large open spaces that open up to the beautiful mountains ahead. Tiny little twinkling lights are strung across the ceiling, white tablecloths, and it looks like a setting from a chic farmhouse wedding.
Eating at Smokey's is not an everyday dining experience. Our flagship restaurant, Smokey's is a showcase timber-frame pavilion perched right smack dab on the rim of the New River Gorge. The gourmet food combined with friendly service and casual atmosphere has to be experienced to be believed. Optional seating on our outdoor deck offers spectacular views of the New River Gorge and incredible Appalachian sunsets.
Smokey's opened in 1986 with the moniker of Dana "Smokey" Morton, bus driver extraordinaire, who came to Class-VI River Runners in 1979 when the company purchased a 1954 GMC bus from Oak Hill City Lines. Smokey passed away in 1988, but his legend lives on. Some folks still remember Smokey and his long, handlebar mustache, warm smile, mischievous eyes and shaved head.
If the setting is unique, then the cuisine is even more so. Our breakfast buffet is offers a wide variety of get-you-fueled-for-a-day-of-play options, including classics with a Smokey's flair—you'd be hard pressed to find somebody who doesn't think our bacon is the best on Earth. Enjoy a glass of wine from our diverse wine list, your favorite cocktail or a non-alcoholic beverage from our full bar.
Smokey's is open May through October (although we do host some pretty amazing themed events in the Winter, such as murder-mystery dinners).
The drink menu looked fabulous. If I wasn't driving for 2.5 hours directly after this meal, I would've indulged. Alas, I chose to stuff myself with food instead.
First off, they brought a small thing of bread for the table. This was decent - nothing especially noteworthy, but not bad.
Lisa got the "lump crab over spoonbread" appetizer: warm crab in herb butter and garlic cream sauce. She let me sneak a taste, and it was pretty good. The spoonbread was like a sweet grits - very tasty.
For my entree, I went with their filet mignon. Their steaks are certified angus beef, which is aged for 35 days and cut to order. They also season their steaks with J.Q. Dickinson salt and fresh cracked pepper, and finished with Maitre d'Butter. This was topped with some like balsamic onions, garlic and a small salad with these sweet Peruvian peppers. This steak was delicious - a bit over than medium, but not dry at all. The seasoning was great.
For a side, I got the pimento cheese macaroni & cheese. I was really excited because it meshed two of my favorite things together. I was expecting a bit more of a kick, but still, it's creamy and delicious, and you can't go wrong.
For dessert, I got the Bourbon Pecan Pie with Peach Ice Cream. I loved that peach ice cream, and you can definitely taste some of that bourbon. A nice finish to a delicious meal.
I'm not sure if there's a restaurant in this state with better view. They're also brand new, so go check out this new gem and fill your tummy. And, make sure to book a whitewater rafting trip. You will never forget it!
Grade: A
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