We are often asked what time of year is best to visit Sun Valley. Ski season is always lively, Summertime is beautiful as is the Spring and Fall, so our answer is always anytime! This fall we spent a lovely weekend in Ketchum and Sun Valley for the Trailing of the Sheep Festival http://www.trailingofthesheep.org/ which included food tastings, fairs with sheep shearing demonstrations and of course the Parade where 1500 sheep were herded thru Main Street in Ketchum from the mountains to the low lands for the winter.
Friends had told us how lovely the Knob Hill Inn was so we opted to stay there and have dinner at The Grill at Knob Hill. Our accommodations were lovely, as we stayed in one of their nicely appointed luxurious Suites. The Suite with modern décor had a King Bed, lovely bedding and marble bathroom, wet bar, wood burning fireplace and two large flat screen TVs. There were great views of the mountains from the living room and bedroom, as well as the large outdoor balcony.
We find that it is quite pleasant to stay where you can just walk from your room for drinks and dinner. We stopped in at their lively bar before dinner and enjoyed Specialty Craft Cocktails. We particularly enjoyed their take on the Classic True Grit which was made with Hornitos Tequila, Canton Ginger, fresh lime, grapefruit and salt n’ pepper rim. The Knob Hill Inn Bar and this cocktail are favorites with both locals as well as guests.
The Dining room was packed when we arrived for our 8 PM reservation. We were quickly escorted to our table where we were comfortably seated with room to spare and not too close to other diners. Spacing in restaurants can be an issue but here it was done well. The noise level was quite low so we could talk easily.
Our friendly professional server soon told us about the Specials and we started out with a bottle of San Pellegrino Sparkling Water and a glass of wine. The focused Wine List features both Domestic and International Wines including reasonable and luxury offerings. While sipping the 2016 Morgan Winery Monterey Cote du Crow’s Red Blend we perused the focused menu. The cuisine is Rocky Mountain Northwest American with European influences. You can have local Idaho Trout, Steaks, Lamb, Wienerschnitzel, Seafood and Wild Game. We met Chef Sarah Janego who told us how pleased she was to have the flexibility to create seasonal menus.
We immediately knew that the Escargot with garlic Herb Butter and Bacon Pernod was a must. We were correct as the Escargot were delicious! The Bacon Pernod sauce was particularly tasty and unique. We were then pleasantly surprised as their warm signature Warm Springs Scones Popovers arrived and tasted quite yummy! Next, we enjoyed the Lamb Lollipops served with mint pesto and crispy onions. They were prepared rare as ordered and had a lovely aroma. The Pan Seared Maine Sea Scallops was a Special which was served with jalapeño, caper, brown butter, avocado mousse, sautéed seasonal vegetables which included mashed potatoes, carrots and snap peas. The Scallops were perfectly seared and beautifully plated. Although we were quite full and satisfied, we were a bit jealous as we saw the Prime Rib on its way to a neighboring table. The 12 oz. 45 day aged Prime Rib was slow roasted and served with pan au jus, horseradish sauce and whipped potatoes. We will definitely have it on our next visit.
We were enjoying the casual, comfortable yet sophisticated atmosphere, so we decided that after dinner drinks and dessert would allow us to linger. The Portuguese Ramos- Pinto Fine Ruby Port and a Decaf Cappuccino were perfect choices to pair with their house made Strawberry Shortcake made with lavender pound cake, macerated strawberries and lemon curd. The dessert was light and just delicious with the fresh lemon curd.
The Grill at Knob Hill features both indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) dining, has lovely garden and mountain views and is a favorite for good reason of both locals and visitors. We chatted with Restaurateur Bob Dunn who should be proud of what he has accomplished in his seven years owning the restaurant with his wife and partner Jolie Dunn.
We loved staying at the Knob Hill Inn and dining at The Grill at Knob Hill. It is a great way to be pampered in Sun Valley and is worthy of its 2018 recognition as one of the top 25 boutique hotels in the U.S. The excellent value is also enhanced as a Signature Breakfast in the Fireplace Room is included in the room charge. We look forward to returning soon.
The Grill at Knob Hill
Knob Hill Inn
960 N. Main Street
Ketchum, ID 83340
208-726-8004
@KnobHillInn
Restaurant Reservation Recommended
Open 7 Nights a Week
Private Dining
Room Service Dining
Banquet, Meeting and Event Catering
Pet Friendly
Indoor Pool and Spa
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By Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives