Gamekeeper - Blowing Rock, NC
Fine dining in the NC mountains can be a bit of a bear - no pun intended. There are lots of options but the quality can be mediocre or the lines outrageous in season. For something fine, but mountain casual, you may want to try the Gamekeeper. Urban Spoon lists them as Boone, but they are in between Blowing Rock and Hounds Ear.
What I love about Gamekeeper is their away-from-it-all mountain location. Tucked up in the woods off Shull's Mill Road, I really feel rustic chic and relaxed. The fine libations from the bar also help. I also love the quality of ingredients and inventiveness of preparation. They feature more traditional dishes like a grilled ribeye, but also serve more exciting fare like buffalo, ostrich, and pheasant. Just what a restaurant with a name like Gamekeeper should! I found my buffalo perfectly prepared and in the past have adored the duck.
I also love their slads. They have trendy grilled escarole and a wonderful fried oyster salad where the oysters are done in straight cornmeal.
What I don't love is that with parties of more than 2, the food never comes out on time. 2 or 3 people are served, and then it's another 5 minutes before the rest of the party of 5 or 6 receives food. That means someone is left with a plate in front of them, food getting cold, while they wait to be polite.
For romance or elegant relaxation, give Gamekeeper a try. But if you're a stickler for all the plates being set at once, you may want to pass.
I have to disagree with you. The two times I have visited was with five and eight in the party and all plates were served simultaneously including the appetizers. That said, I agree with your review otherwise. Great restaurant in a great location with inventive and unique dishes. Pics are great btw.
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I am so glad you have great experiences at the Gamekeeper. I love it there, but as I said, on more than one occasion there was a lag time in the food service. Both occasions were holiday weekends, and the restaurant was very busy, so maybe that was the issue. I will keep going (the food is too good to resist!) and if I have a different experience, I will be sure to post it!
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I will chime in here and say that every meal I have had at the Gamekeeper has been nothing short of magic....if you are looking for 6 dishes to come out at once....go to Applebees and get sub par food on time. If you want hand crafted one of a kind meals.....Gamekeeper will rock your world.
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