Phone: +18289637400
Address: 3005 Shulls Mill Rd,NC 28607-9525, United States, Boone
City: Boone
Menu Dishes: 35
Reviews: 8489
Website: http://www.gamekeeper-nc.com
": Over the past 16 years, I've been fortunate to visit 68 countries and 36 states, exploring a diverse range of cuisines and regional flavors crafted by world renowned chefs. My passion for culinary exploration is complemented by a rigorous approach to restaurant reviews, focusing on three key criteria: Ambiance, Service, and Food. Given the online reviews and local suggestions I decided to take a group of people to this restaurant for a great evening of food, fun, and good conversation. Here is what I found. Ambiance: After navigating a narrow and steep drive up a hill, we arrived at the restaurant, which boasts a unique location but inviting to the customer. The decor inside and out was richly ornate, reflecting the restaurant's historical charm. The setting exuded a homely warmth, reminiscent of a cozy family dinner. Service: Although the wait staff demonstrated attentiveness, a significant issue arose regarding the timing of food service. A key concern for me is the synchronization of dish arrivals, and unfortunately, 4 out of 6 main courses were served while 2 diners were left waiting. We waited 3 minutes and 23 seconds for the remaining dishes to arrive. This lapse in timing was problematic and may have contributed to other noted issues. Drinks Food: We began with a round of cocktails, with selections including the House of Dragon, Fleur de l'Âge, and a classic Smoked Old Fashioned. The cocktails were intricately crafted with a sophisticated blend of flavors, justifying their premium price. However, the wine selection was disappointing; I had hoped to order a few bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, but the majority were priced at $225 each. Appetizers: We started with the Mixed Game Grill, featuring the chef's choice of game meats and sausages with dipping sauces, and Humbolt Fog, a soft ripened goat cheese accompanied by fig compote, toasted walnuts, whipped chèvre, Provençal olives, and fresh brioche. The presentation of the Mixed Game Grill was lackluster, with the meat appearing simply arranged and some items served below room temperature. Although the dish was eventually comped, the presentation was concerning. In contrast, the Humbolt Fog was exceptional, showcasing a delightful mix of flavors and textures. Entrees: Our group sampled three entrees: Emu Fan Filet, Bison Shortrib, and Elk. The meats were well seasoned and cooked to perfection, highlighting their distinct flavors. However, the accompanying vegetables and potatoes were excessively salted, which overshadowed the quality of the meat. The garlic risotto was an exception, prepared with a well balanced flavor profile. Despite the appealing presentation, the entrees were served lukewarm, which was particularly disappointing given our previous feedback about cold dishes. Conclusion: While this restaurant has the potential to offer excellent food, my recent experience was not worth the premium pricing. I would recommend visiting with the expectation that the restaurant address issues such as food temperature and seasoning. It is preferable to add salt to taste rather than contend with over seasoned dishes that cannot be adjusted. One other side note: they knew it was one of the couples anniversary at the table, you would expect as a restaurant they would have brought out a small something sweet with a candle to celebrate the milestone."
Full menu - 35 options
All prices are estimates on menu.
Dessert
Sorbet
A refreshing, dairy-free frozen dessert made from sweetened water flavored with a fruit puree or juice.
Cheesecake
Creamy, rich cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust and a smooth, sweet topping.
Cheese Cake
Creamy, rich cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust and a sweet, tangy flavor.
Bread Pudding
Warm, rich bread pudding drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Blueberry Pie
A delightful blend of fresh blueberries enveloped in a flaky, golden crust, perfect for a sweet indulgence.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Creamy and smooth vanilla ice cream with a rich, classic flavor, perfect for a sweet treat or dessert.
Entrées
Picada
A platter of mixed grilled meats, sausages, and assorted accompaniments, perfect for sharing.
Deviled Eggs
Creamy deviled eggs topped with paprika and chives for a classic appetizer.
Salads
Wedge Salad menu
Crisp iceberg lettuce topped with cherry tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese crumbles, and creamy dressing.
Blue Cheese Salad
Blue Cheese Salad: Crisp greens, tangy blue cheese crumbles, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, and creamy dressing.
Breakfast & Brunch
Appetizers
Duck Dishes
Side Dishes
Grits
Creamy Southern-style ground corn dish, often served with butter, cheese, or shrimp.
Rice
Risotto
Creamy Arborio rice cooked to perfection, with a rich blend of Parmesan and fresh seasonal vegetables.
Appetizer
Seafood Entrees
Etouffée
A rich seafood or chicken stew with vegetables, served over rice with a thick, flavorful sauce.
Brick Oven Pizza
Vegetarian
Green Beans
Freshly sautéed green beans with garlic and a hint of lemon for a vibrant, crunchy side dish.
Eats
Beef Dishes
Filet Mignon
Filet Mignon: A tender, juicy cut of beef, often grilled or pan-seared, served with your choice of sauce and sides.
Sides
Sweet Potato
Roasted sweet potato seasoned with herbs and spices, served with a tangy yogurt dip.
Soups
Pizza
Western Pizza
Classic Western pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, savory ham, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables.
Brunch
Steak And Eggs
Juicy grilled steak served with two sunny-side-up eggs, offering a hearty and classic breakfast combination.
Dinner Small Plates
American Food
Mac And Cheese
Creamy macaroni pasta baked with rich cheese sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs for extra texture and flavor.
Proteins
Peri-Peri Chicken
Sliders
Pulled Pork Sliders
Juicy pulled pork topped with tangy barbecue sauce, served on soft mini buns, perfect for a savory snack or appetizer.
Dinner
Ginger
Excellent service, incredible menu, and always lovely and intimate setting. I always try to celebrate at least one occasion here every year!
Address
Reviews
Nancy
It has really grown over the years. Food was wonderful. Staff very friendly. This is a very charming restaurant on the hill. Highly recommend.
Paul
Beautiful setting, marvelous service and outstanding food. We had the Emu and Bison. Both were perfectly prepared (medium rare). Had to order the bread pudding for dessert which was extraordinary
Jerri
Always excellent! Refreshing cocktails, crisp salads and exceptional entrees. The Bleu salad was so delicious and refreshing with apple slices, candied pecans and cranberries. With an apple vinegarette. We both had the Hanging beef tenderloin which was cooked to perfection with absolutely delicious roasted vegetables. Don't forget about dessert! The bread pudding a la mode is the best ever. View menu
Lisa
I would have never known about Gamekeeper if someone hadn 't told us. Restaurant is very remote. Try to take paved road. We took the short cut and it was harrowing! But worth the trip. Valet parking required, stairs up to front door. Cozy tables in a log cabin feel, service excellent, lots of voices for food that is unique. Take the trip, make a reservation, enjoy a unique and beautifully prepared meal. Do not drink too much cause ya gotta drive outa there!
Stephan
This is always must when visiting the High Country of NC, especially in the winter time! Always a fire burning in the fireplace when it's cold out. If you can imagine a cozy, romantic, cabin in the woods. This is exactly what you will find here, almost has a hunting lodge in the Swiss Alps feel. You will also find those hunting lodge entrees on the menu as they focus on game meats here! We have tried Emu, Elk, and Venison In the past, all prepared perfectly. The service is always great whether you sit at the bar or in the main dining room.
Michael
There isn't anything comparable in the region, maybe even the east coast. Maybe I'm just not well traveled, but nonetheless. This place is everything I could have asked for on my birthday. The Service, food, ambiance, everything... The ambiance is like you're in somebody's personal lodge, very cozy and welcoming. We had the wonderful mixed game grill appetizer which is a sample of meats they have as entrees. The bleu salad was an excellent and refreshing take on the classic wedge salad. Everyone enjoyed their entrees. It's not cheap but that should be expected for this level of dining. View menu
Debra
We reserved a plastic bubble igloo, and we loved it. There are three of them, and we totally recommend sitting for dinner in them. Four of us could talk and laugh with the warmth of a little electric fireplace. Big Band music was piped in. There were no loud noises. The zipper door was used by our fabulous waiter, Atticus, who was professional in every way, and chatted with us. Our meals were amazing. The game to choose from was bison, antelope, venison, emu and elk. From the venison Osso Bucco to the antelope Bolognese and Anteloaf...all meals were delicious. We began our evening with the Mixed Game Grill Starter. The game sausage, and pieces of meats were good enough to entice us to contin...
Ramon
We have been in the area for about 2 years now but never tried The Gamekeeper. One reason is you need a reservation and they are booked out for a month or more. So when we had some friends coming to visit I went ahead and reserved about 3 weeks before they came. They only had 2-3 days available to choose from even 3 weeks out. Let's start with getting to The Gamekeeper. It's basically a house that was converted to a restaurant and it's in the middle of nowhere. It's up the mountain through some narrow winding roads. If you are from the area it's not too bad, but if you're visiting from somewhere flat it can be a trek. I'm use to it and I would still not want to go at night. When you arrive y...
Michael
: Over the past 16 years, I've been fortunate to visit 68 countries and 36 states, exploring a diverse range of cuisines and regional flavors crafted by world renowned chefs. My passion for culinary exploration is complemented by a rigorous approach to restaurant reviews, focusing on three key criteria: Ambiance, Service, and Food. Given the online reviews and local suggestions I decided to take a group of people to this restaurant for a great evening of food, fun, and good conversation. Here is what I found. Ambiance: After navigating a narrow and steep drive up a hill, we arrived at the restaurant, which boasts a unique location but inviting to the customer. The decor inside and out was ri... View menu
Boone
Boone is a charming town in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, known for outdoor adventures and Appalachian cuisine like cornbread, fried chicken, and collard greens.
Categories
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Wine A curated selection of fine wines from around the world, offering rich reds, crisp whites, and elegant rosés to pair perfectly with your meal. Savor each bottle's unique aroma, flavor, and complexity.
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Pasta Delight in our selection of classic and contemporary pasta dishes, each crafted with fresh, quality ingredients and flavorful sauces that capture the essence of Italian cuisine in every bite. View menu
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Steak Savor prime cuts of juicy, tender steaks, expertly grilled to perfection. Each bite offers a burst of flavor, served with classic sides and delectable sauces to enhance your dining experience.
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Cheese A curated selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world, featuring diverse flavors and textures that delight the palate. Perfect for sharing or savored individually with the ideal accompaniments.
Amenities
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Wifi
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Takeout
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Delivery
- menu
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Romantic
