Butler’s Intimate Dining Experience

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: August - 2022

Skyline Lodge Executive Chef Matt Weinstein and histeam are wielding their culinary magic once more atSkyline’s newest outpost, Butler’s.Located underneath Oak Steakhouse, the long-awaited restau-rant offers an intimate dining experience ideal for either a quickmid-day respite or a lingering cocktail lunch.Pulling influences from the Oak steakhouse menu, the talentedculinary crew have put together a menu that marries steakhouseclassics with local ingredients and seasonal style.If you’re at Butler’s, chances are you’re a carnivore, and themenu of char-grilled prime Certified Angus Beef, is so stockedwith crowd pleasers that you might find it difficult to choose.Among the decadent beef choices, the Steak Frites, a carvedtenderloin with truffled fries is a hedonist’s delight. The filetmignon has exactly the correct marbled texture and butteryflavor, and the prime ribeye is cooked to succulent perfection.Then again you might feel obliged to order the Oak smashburger – a mighty and meaty concoction of beef, charred onionaioli, and American cheese on a brioche bun.There’s much to love for non-meat eaters. Bivalve aficionadoscan rejoice in the perfect rendition of oysters Rockefeller,and crustacean fans the perfectly presented shrimp cocktail.For the salad crowd, there’s a savory spinach Caesar, or anold-fashioned wedge made modern with salami lardon, confittomato, blue cheese, and pickled red onion topped with GreenGoddess. And there’s no denying the appeal of summer’s best;an heirloom tomato salad with Burrata, fig jam and BalsamicVinaigrette. Need a protein on either, then choose between NCtrout, chicken, shrimp or a bistro steak.I can think of no possible reason to abstain from dessert; theonly difficulty being deciding between the Sorghum caramelcake with caramelized apples and sorghum ice cream, thes’mores semi freddo with graham cracker crumble and choco-late or a palate cleansing orange sherbet with milk crumble.What pulls it all together is the combination of the welcomingstaff, the glamorous décor with handsome leather pub seating,the cozy bar, the thoughtful libations and the curated list ofcocktails and wine. Boasting an outdoor patio with a panoramicview of the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s thegeography as well that makes this place special.Butler’s does not accept reservations but encourages walk-ins.Drop in for a memorable daytime meal Monday – Friday fromnoon to 2:30 PM. Call (828) 482-4720 or visit skyline-lodge.comfor reservations or to learn more.

by Marlene Osteen photo by Tim Lenz