Fine Dining in the Smokies
Recently, on an anniversary date with my wife, we decided to try something new: the restaurant at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek. This establishment had been recommended to us by friends and they told us that it was the best dining experience in the Smokies. I have lived here since 1996 and I thought I had heard about all of the supposed ‘best dining’ experiences an I had not heard of this one before. Little did I know that we were in for the best meal we had ever had as a couple.
I called the Lodge at Buckberry Creek because it had also been suggested that we get reservations and that we sit outside if at all possible. I spoke to a very nice lady at their front desk that made the reservation for me and when I asked if we could sit outside, said that was no problem at all and told me everything was taken care of. She also gave me directions to the lodge itself. We left our house in Sevierville and headed to Gatlinburg (it is great to live so close to the Smokies). We arrived at the lodge and parked near the lobby. The entrance for the restaurant is through the lobby area, so if you arrive and are trying to figure out where to go, just head to the check in desk. We were taken straight to our table on the deck outside and were treated to the best view you can imagine.
The deck off the back of the restaurant looks out over the park to Gatlinburg. You can just barely see Gatlinburg from the deck and there are none of the garish lights or noise drifting in from town. This was in October so it was a bit chilly and the fall colors were perfect. The waitress, a very professional and courteous young lady got a fire going in the outside fireplace and in moments we were toasty warm. The staff at the restaurant is amazing. Every single person that we dealt with was wonder, well-informed with the menu and ready to help in any way that they can. She gave us menus, explained the specials and took our orders. Throughout the meal she was the perfect waitress: always there when we needed her but unobtrusive. Back to the menu and the food
The menu changes all the time. It is based on what ingredients are fresh and what the chef feels like cooking that night. This use of fresh seasonal ingredients make for an amazing experience in the mountains. I ordered a veal porterhouse and my wife had the beef tenderloin. The sides were paired with the entrée to bring out all the flavors of the food. The chef sent out a special to all the tables (in this case a special sausage that he had crafted for the evening) and the artisan bread was out of this world. Quite literally this is the best meal that we have had in the Smoky Mountains and though we keep looking, we have not found a place to top it yet.
Lodge at Buckberry Creek
961 Campbell Lead Road
Gatlinburg, TN
1-866-30-Lodge