As East TN locals we are guilty of taking for granted all there is to do in our area. When we look for somewhere to go or a new experience it seems more exciting to pick somewhere outside of the norm and while it is fun to visit somewhere else we shouldn't miss out on the amazing opportunities we have in our own area.
We had the privilege of visiting the Dancing Bear Bistro in Townsend, TN this past weekend. Having received a gift certificate from one of our kids and their spouse for Christmas it gave us the perfect excuse to make a trip to the mountains for dinner.
I secured our reservation on open table which you can do right through the Dancing Bear website. I made our reservation about a month out because I wanted a Saturday evening and a 6pm reservation. If you are going during the week while visiting the Townsend area you may have an easier time securing a reservation with less lead time. They are open Tuesday-Sunday 5pm-9pm. On Sundays they offer a Brunch and Bluegrass and are open from 10:30a-1:30p and then reopen for dinner service at 5pm.
First I have to say how impressed we were as soon as we pulled up. I have a background working at upscale resorts and I think I have a good understanding of what qualifies as an elevated experience and Dancing Bear Bistro definitely checks those boxes. While there is no official dress code, I would say most people we saw were dressed 'smart' casual.
We were early (as usual) so we got to walk around a bit and also sit down by the fire. If you are in the mood for a pre/post dinner smore you have all the supplies available to you.
We were greeted by the host when we went to check in and they said we could sit at the bar or out by the fire and they would find us at 6 to seat us. He came out to get us and led us to our table in the main dining room. They also have available a large section of outdoor seating. If it's important to you I would note that when making your reservation.
We sat down and the host brought back a pitcher of water to fill out glasses. We were waited on by Michelle who was amazing and who has a pretty neat background and job at the Bistro, you can read all about her here just scroll down towards the bottom of the page.
Since I'm big on pre planning I had already glanced at their menu online so we had a good idea of what we wanted. They do note on their website that they have a seasonal menu and the one posted may differ from what they currently have available. Most everything posted online was part of their current offerings, The only difference I saw was that the King Salmon was as an option not listed online. We were quick to order and were first brought a small plate with 2 pieces of focaccia bread and homemade whipped butter. We had eaten it before I remembered to take a photo but it was delicious. The flavor of the bread and the whipped butter was a treat and the perfect way to start our meal.
We ordered the black and blue beef tips to share as an appetizer and it did not disappoint. The feta cheese was so smooth. We enjoyed the charred green beans and the peppers on top were so sweet, I could've eaten my weight in those. The presentation was not something we are used to but thoroughly enjoyed. Part of our conversation was about how we just KNEW Gordon Ramsey would love this place!
We opted to share the charred Caesar salad since we didn't want to fill up too quickly. They brought our salad out on two plates since we'd mentioned splitting it. The char on the romaine lettuce was delicious and the flavor of the dressing was delicious. The photo is not the prettiest and does not do it justice!
One of the things we noticed here was the food wasn't rushed out. You had a little time between each "course" that let you breathe a minute. We were pulling out of the parking lot at 7:30pm and we were seated for our reservation at 6pm. We never felt that we were waiting too long for anything and its something we really appreciated.
Next up were the main courses. They were both SO good. Rob mentioned this being one of the top 5 best tasting meals he's ever eaten and I'd have to agree. He got the Sweet Tea Brined Pork chop, it had this really tasty green tomato and jalapeno jam on the top. Yes it sounds weird but trust me it is delish! It came with charred carrots and green beans and just wow. The pork chop is 12oz and it was a lot bigger than I expected it to be. I like a good pork chop but this was definitely next level.
I was torn between ordering the King Salmon or the Trout and Grits but I'm glad I picked the Trout. I will order grits anytime I get an opportunity and enjoy a different spin on them depending on the type of restaurant. I am a big fan of Waffle House grits (don't judge me) but these were more creamy and savory. I wasn't able to finish the entire plate but every bite was heavenly.
Despite not being able to finish my dinner we were still going to try a dessert. They have a doughnut bread pudding which I'm told is fantastic by a friend who has been there. We are pretty simple so we choose the Strawberry/Rhubarb cobbler. It came out in a little cast iron skillet topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with I believe a caramel drizzle that had hardened. I'm glad we got one to share because the portion was more than enough for both us. Next time though I'm getting the doughnut bread pudding.
The also offer craft beers and cocktails. It appears by their menu that they get their craft beers from Peaceful Side Brewery in Maryville. It's neat to see local businesses helping each other out.
Dancing Bear Bistro shares the property with the Dancing Bear Lodge. If you are in the area and looking for a resort style vacation this is definitely the place for you. They have cabins for larger groups as well as 1 bedroom villas. You can check out all their offerings here.
If you have a special occasion or just looking to pamper yourself I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant. The average meals ranged from $29-$45, while appetizers and salads start around $14. They did seem to have a lot of repeat business, a couple behind us where their for their annual birthday dinner. They had folks coming in and hugging the servers and hosts. There was an attention to detail there that is missing in a lot of dining experiences. Each time a server walked by the tables you would see them scanning back and forth to make sure that nothing was needed, and they weren't their assigned tables. It was nice to not be rushed, to soak in the atmosphere and savor the food and the company. Get out there if you are in the area, you will not regret it!
