Snowshoe, WV. - Elk River Inn

Many visitors to the Snowshoe area concentrate their stay around the area of their activities such as skiing or mt. biking, but the true gems in the area sit outside of the small resort center known as the 'Village' or 'South Village.' A short hop to the bottom of the hill opens up many doors including the Tea Trails, Cass, Greenbrier River Trail, Dolly Sods, Falls at Hill Creek, multiple food options, and a plethora of other experiences. The Elk River Inn and Touring Center offer a mix of cycling, cross country skiing, but the focus today is on the restaurant.

I had been in the area for years and never eaten there until a friend said he had reservations and invited me to tag along. We headed south on 219 and turned at the sign to the right over the wooden bridge into the gravel lot. The restaurant and touring center sits at the base of a hill and some of the Tea Trails drain into its lot. Upon entry I found a rustic and inviting room and on this day a fire was warming the room which is unusual in the summer, but our cool nights up here are one of the best features of summer. It was a simple decor reminiscent of a home more than a restaurant, ample seating, and a full bar. The room was filling quickly and the air was filled with low conversations mixed with laughter; it was very inviting, brightening a mostly dreary day of work.

We ordered a bottle of Cab and shared the bread provided. It was a limited menu on this summer day and I ordered rainbow trout topped with brown butter seared scallops, crispy leeks, and creamy grits. It melted in my mouth I had seen the proprietor days earlier fishing a the creek out front and my first thought is the fish was so fresh that it may have been delivered by his own pole. I had sledded with my kids and biked out back, why had I not eaten here? The prices were less than the Disney World offerings of the resort area, I had spent more eating pizza 'up top.'

Where I would like to shine my light on is not the building or the simply the obvious delight of the offerings, but the service. Often in this area there is a struggle with service, we are mostly a seasonal resort although that is changing rapidly, but there are service 're-sets' each winter, new workers coming in needing training, it is a predictable cycle. When I entered the room I was greeted by Ramone at the bar who was very personable, made light conversation and had the drink he offered. He was funny and attentive and as a previous bartender the prompt service was appreciated. The server was Nickie (not sure of spelling) and she was wonderful, at no point was there at time where we felt neglected; coddled would describe it better. She knew the menu, the wine, and when one in our party was noted as a native Spanish speaker, she broke down the menu for him in fluent Spanish. It is the best service I have had to date in the area.

After dinner I stepped out front and checked out the stars, the traffic was light as it always is in this area, only a bus of tourists loading up. I noted everyone was sort of 'dressy' here, that meaning they had collars, it is a very casual area with most people living out of a suite case. Walking back in I was greeted by the owners Gil and Mary who were chatting at a small table. I asked to purchase a trail map as they produce these and to my knowledge it is the only real map of the Tea Creek trails. I ask if when they get new ones if I could have ones unfolded to frame at my rentals and Mary walks into the office and gets me one. It looks great on the wall. That picture is the local 'find' for most of my cycling guests that view it.

The trip home to the front entrance of Snowshoe takes about 10 minutes and the road is tame compared to the normal twisting and turning of local switchbacks. I do not make this recommendation to plug this restaurant but rather to enhance your visit to the area. As a person who rents vacation homes to others, I know that the return visitor is the happy visitor, but more importantly a happy visitor makes for a happy owner. My first priority is ensuring you enjoy your trip ad that does not end by handing you a key. Seeing a person smile after enjoying a recommendation I make is my favorite part of this experience so your success is mine as well.

Signed Out

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I am a long time homeowner that owns more than one home in the area. I bought the place to have a home where my kids and I could stay while pursuing mountain sports. This grew into loving the area regardless of the season and we spend a great deal of time here.

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