(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
Dinner at Canyon Kitchen
Written By: A.J. Stewart | Issue: 2018/08 - August | Photograph By: Marjorie Christiansen Photography
It’s one thing to go out and have a good meal. It’s something else to experience it.
Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley in Sapphire is an experience that everyone should have. The welcoming and attentive staff seated us on the Terrace of the open air Dining Room, looking out across the Kitchen Garden. Cow Rock Mountain loomed in the distance. I ordered a Paint It Black cocktail; the tart citrus and stout vodka was complemented by fat,
sweet blackberries.
You can experience their four-course selection of the finest local ingredients, or take a journey through the seven-course tasting menu. We chose to take the journey. The first step was Lamb Carpaccio, a gift from the kitchen – the thinnest slice of lamb I’ve ever seen, topped with mushroom vinaigrette, olive oil and balsamic. The Soft-Shell Crab Relleno was next; tender, flavorful, and perfectly paired with the Sea Island Blue Grits that tasted like southern comfort. The ramps in the Ramps n’ Taters were piquant, while the Sunburst Trout Roe wasn’t overpowering – the opposite of what I expected.
Twilight was just setting in and the air began to cool as we sampled the Bread Basket. Filled with yeasted cornbread with pearled sugar, goat cheese biscuits, and pecan whole wheat, it came with their own homemade caramelized onion jam that was a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The Everything Cured Trout was served with its own skin crisped and seasoned like an everything bagel. It was followed by the Spring “Collards” course of crisp greens with surprising mint. The Rabbit Ragout was melt-in-your-mouth tender and paired with mild Geechie Boy Grits. The most extraordinary dish was the Smoked Duck Breast topped with pickled blueberries.
By the time Blueberry Lassi Chouettes came around for dessert, I was almost too full to eat it. But I couldn’t resist those crispy little puffs filled with soft blueberry lemon crème. The bright lemony flavor was perfect with the lime yogurt and
orange sherbet.
From the cocktail to the Chouettes, it was a long journey, but I am very glad I took it. When you’re ready to take yours, call (828) 743-7967 to make your reservation, or book online at lonesomevalley.com/canyonkitchen.
