Playful Bites, Delightful Menu

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: March 2024 | Photograph By: Susan Renfro

Though it may seem like a coincidence, I must believe that there’s something more involved – Tricia and I sampled the new menu at The Hideaway at The High Dive on Groundhog Day.

Like Punxsutawney Phil, we were pulled out of our winter’s slumber, and rejoiced at the prospect that a particularly grey wet winter was soon going to evaporate.

Though that pampered rodent was going to feast on a trio of fat carrots, we were going to awaken our winter-constricted taste buds with a full complement of this clever food truck’s playful menu.

Comparing our fortune to that of a sleepy groundhog, it’s clear we got the better deal.

Stepping into The High Dive is always a subtle charge of energy. There are the murmurs of hushed conversations at the bar itself, punctuated by bursts of laughter.

There’s usually a game of billiards with its own soundtrack of slightly louder conversations, punctuated by the marvelous clicking of balls in collision and the whisper of felt.

But the fun begins in earnest when you approach the bar and pick up a menu for The Hideaway. It’s a compact thing – loaded with snacks like Spiced Edamame, Hot Pretzels, Chicken Tenders, and Chicken Wings (braised in Old Bay, Buffalo, or Garlic Parmesan).

Now Tricia would have you believe that the Pretzels with Cheese Dipping Sauce is the Aristotelian Ideal of Snack-y Goodness, but I propose that this logic-driven Ancient Greek would snap his stylus in frustration if he could have had a single taste of my Pork Belly Bites. Drenched in Korean Sticky Sauce and garnished with Green Onions, these savories could have altered the course of Western Civilization had they been introduced in the Lyceum in Athens.

Of course, if you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, affix your gaze upon the second portion of the tri-fold menu – the Handhelds.

This gives the kitchen the chance to demonstrate its Pub Grub Prowess – the glorious Smashburger; Ultimate Tuna Melt; Springer Mountain Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and Philly Cheese Steak.

If you’ve read these reviews over the years, you know that Tricia considers a Grilled Cheese the ultimate in comfort food, throughout the seasons, throughout the years.

This kitchen gets this simple truth, and they zhuzh this humble sandwich in ways that her mother never knew. (I had to look up how to spell “zhuzh,” which Tricia tells me is the word of choice now for an improvement, adjustment, or addition that completes the overall look of something, particularly in cooking or fashion.)

For this creation – the glow up was American Cheese, Thick Bacon, Tomato, and Sourdough Bread.

And then there’s my choice – the classic Philly Cheese Steak. This creation was a true jewel – House Shaved Steak sliced paper thin; a generous layer of Grilled Bell Peppers and Onions, drenched in a Cheese Sauce; and, for unimpeachable authenticity, served between a split Amorosa Roll. Someone in that busy kitchen has done their homework!

Of course, there’s a lighter side to all this on the third fold of the menu – a Spinach Salad composed of Spinach(!), Cranberries, Goat Cheese, Walnuts, slices of Hard Boiled Egg and a remarkable Warm Bacon Dressing.

Our friend opted for the Asian Salad (and was kind enough to share) – Mixed Greens, Mandarin Oranges, Bell Peppers, Cucumber, Walnuts, all drizzled with a house-made toasted sesame dressing. Once it became obvious how much Tricia and I had been seduced by our samples, our friend immediately stopped offering to share. This is bad form.

Chef Jesse Coffeen changes his menu seasonally, so be prepared to be astonished if you’re a regular.

Chef Jesse Coffeen

The High Dive maintains its impressive selection of brews and we opted for Highland Cold Mountain and Bell’s Oberon Eclipse Wheat. I went with a tall glass of Coca Cola, since I had to be the responsible one, and in honor of the legendary Robert Woodruff, who escaped to Highlands whenever possible.

Oh, let me note here that The High Dive still offers Trivia Night every Thursday. I’m part of an extremely trivial team – We’re the Worst – and we challenge you to assemble a bunch of people steeped in useless knowledge and meet us in battle. (I’d remind you that we boast local historian and Laurel contributor Stuart Ferguson and the lovely and talented Deena Bouknight, who’s also a contributor to these pages!)

The Hideaway at The High Dive is located at 476 Carolina Way in Highlands. Reservations? C’mon – it’s a cozy neighborhood restaurant/bar!