You haven't fully experienced the Blowing Rock, NC region until you've dined at The Gamekeeper. It's a true gourmet restaurant, with an engaging blend of upscale elegance and mountain charm. Famous for an evolving menu that blends the traditional with the exotic, The Gamekeeper features a selection of perfectly prepared game, plus a range of continental and American entrees. Acclaimed chef Ken Gordon and wife Wendy are owners who bring tremendous warmth and skill to the table, treating you more as friends than guests. You'll experience a meal to remember that includes fine wines, decadent desserts and a generous serving of personal attention. You'll leave happy and impressed' with a desire to return soon!
"At $40 for some entrees, the food and ambiance were good, but not what we would expected given the reputation of this establishement. We were there on Appalachian graduation night, so tables were large and there was a less than intimate atmosphere. Perhaps on a less crowded evening the food might have had better presentation. The service was still very good and what you would expect for a well regarded restaurant."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"This restaurant has an excellent local reputation. I was disappointed with my last experience there for a few reasons. First, we could not get a reservation at our preferred time even though they appeared to be not more than 30% full the evening we were there. Also, there are few options for those that aren't necessarily vegetarian, but aren't into eating "game." This makes it a less favorable choice for dinner for groups that have anyone with a conservative palate (although, to their credit, they were very flexible with special requests). Finally, the general consensus at the table was that sides and salads were all on the heavy side, Yes, it is still a great restaurant and I will go back. I'm just giving some honest feedback."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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"We took our family to Gamekeeper to celebrate our son's twenty-first birthday. We are from Raleigh and he attends ASU. He chose the restaurant. We were impressed the moment we drove into the parking lot. We loved the outdoor setting and then went inside to be treated to a beautiful, warm (fireplace going) atmosphere. The staff was wonderful! They took care of all of our needs, made great suggestions for our dinner choices, and answered all of our questions. We had a wonderful time and our son had a very memorable birthday."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Absolutely our favorite restaurant in the High Country! The service and food are cosistantly excellent. The servers are knowledgable, professional and unpretentious. The mixed grill is always a good way to start your meal. The dishes are unique but a diner can always find surprising choices for the picky eater as well as the more adventurous ones. However, this is not a restaurant for small children."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Our food was OUTSTANDING!! I just hate paying over $100.00 (2 people) for a meal and leaving hungry. Portions were extreamly small for the money!!! Tables were extreamly close it felt as though our neighbor dinners were sitting in our lap. I thought decor would be much more rustic for a resturant serving wild game. Is as though they were trying to "Make a silk purse out of a sows ear"!! I was really looking forward to an ELK steak, but apperantly its a seasonal thing. I would suggest calling ahead to varify menue!!!! I had the Mallard duck and my wife had the Osterage, both were very delicious!!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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"This restaurant is the best! Great service and Unique menu items that are all amazing choices make this a restaurant to come back to time and time again!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"On my previous visit the selection had seemed much better. I recall several seafood selections on prior visit. This time the only seafood entry was trout. We had a group of 6 men on a bicycling trip. Several ordered the trout and all were dissapointed in the dryness and lack of flavor. Portion size was very small. Most of us ate another meal after we got home. The group member who ordered rabbit was the only one that was satisfied with his portion and food taste. The two that got bison loved the taste but the portion was smaller than a hamburger."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: special occasion
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"The menu offered a variety of "outside the norm" items such as rabbit, ostrich and mallard duck. My wife and I ordered the Rabbit and Mallard Duck as entrees. Both were cooked spot-on and the accompaniments complimented the dishes well. We enjoyed the sunset views through the large windows during our meal. Our server, Gabriel was personable, attentive and respectful. A well-rounded wine list and terrific cocktails put the cherry on the top of our experience. Overall, we enjoyed my wife's birthday dinner, and look forward for another "excuse" to visit the Gamekeeper again soon."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"As a foodie, Saturday night at the Gamekeeper was one of our nicest dining experiences ever. They have perfected the art of ambiance, food and service to make it a top restaurant in our book. A very special place."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"The entire appetizer portion of the menu followed by one of the specialty salads was all we each needed as a party of four to enjoy a wonderful evening at the Gamekeeper. Wish the chef would consider some of the main courses as a tapas menu as it would give us a chance to try something new without committing to a large and filling meal."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The overall experience was great. The only thing I wish was different was the heat. I was a bit chilly the entire dinner. The found was beyond outstanding and I am so glad I choose The Gamekeeper for my boyfriend's birthday."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Honestly, I love the GameKeeper but the last two times I was there it wasn't the experience I have loved in the past. This past time the ambiance, noise and service were great, but the food did not meet my expectations. I had the mushroom salad and it was good but not great. My husband did enjoy his salad. I then had the oyster appetizer for an entree and I was very disappointed. It had an indian spice and I felt it ruined the oysters. I didn't finish the 6 on my plate, yet the server said nothing about it, which I come to expect. My husband had the buffulo steak and it was chewy and didn't have a lot of flavor. The bread pudding desert was fantastic."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
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"Our night started at the bar with a few drinks before dinner. The bar tender (Scotty I believe) had no trouble carrying a conversation with us while tending to the other customers and the wait staff. Continuing to the dinner table the service and food were great! The menu is far from the standard beef, fish, pasta with unique items to the area and those off the beaten path. I marked the noise as moderate as there was a loud table next to us (just having a good time) however I won't fault the restaurant there as they were handing it appropriately. I expect the dining room is normally fairly quiet though."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"The Gamekeeper was wonderful from start to finish.. we love the food the staff was great the location and the view was to die for...we where 7 people drove fron Florida to ski at sugar mountain.. the Gameskeeper was only open for 2/21 thursday night we are glad we pick them for dinner was some thing on the menu for everyone....but if you really want a nice drink please try the back yard or maybe it was call back door martini my my my what a drink....i would name the Gamekeeper the numberplace to eat...keep in mind we tried other restaurants while we was there for 5 days..."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"We were disturbed on our annual trip to Blowing Rock to find that our favorite restaurant had closed. It had always lived up to its five star rating and so it was with a some trepidation that we decided to try The Gamekeeper. Six of us road down some winding roads in a valley and were suprised to find such wonderful atmosphere in a restaurant seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The food was an ecletic blend of dishes that left all of us wondering what to choose. Our waiter so was well versed in the dishes and the appropriate wines for each that we made quick work of deciding all aspects of our meals. In a group of six "talkers" no one said a word during the meal except in praise of their descision. We have found a new annual retreat."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2012
Special Features: late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Overall sub-par performance from such an establishment. Pork sausage in mixed grill was mealy and one of the oddest textures that I can recall from a "sausage". Oxtail was bland, trout dish was fishy. Overall very forgettable."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2011
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"We were the only couple in the restuarant. Our reservation was at 530, we arrived at 515. We had to wait at the bar for 30 minutes to be seated. Really?!?!?! We were the only couple in there. The waiter was good, told us about the different foods and tastes. Although the portions were incredibly small. If im going to pay $40 for a meal, I expect to be filled and satisfied whenever i leave. Was for a romantic getaway for Valentines Day, next time will pay to go to Melting Pot. At least you get enough food there. Make sure you bring a lot of cash...used a gift certificate and they included the tip at end of night. Definitely wasnt worth 18 tip!!!!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"This was by far the best meal that I have had in a very LONG time. I enjoy fine dining and eat out a lot, so for me to say this is the best meal EVER is a fair statement. The service was excellent, bar fantastic, food immaculate, and wine intoxicating (in a good way). I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the Boone area and beyond who has a real appreciation for great food. This neighborhood gem is well worth a trip to the beautiful NC mountains."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"We went here for a Valentine's and 30th birthday dinner. The food was amazing, we had duck, ostrich, bison, and venison. The bread pudding is the best I've ever had! They had the fire going and our table was beside the window so we got to watch it snow. Overall it was a wonderful eating experience."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"Disappointed! We have been coming for more than 6 years. The chef has left..the portions like the sampler have dwindled, the venison was hardly 2 bite fulls. While the wine and list remains nice, we would think twice about returning. Used to be a favorite...high priced at $40 for a mediocre entee......sad."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2007
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"Best meal I've had in a long time. Everything was spot on. Was a little out of my price range, but wanted my wife to have a special birthday. Highly recommended."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We had a great time in the bar one evening sampling the variety of meats and other unusual menu items. Bar was cozy, service was friendly and attentive. Dinner the next night was great. Food and ambience are very good."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view
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