Restaurants That Shine in Sun Valley/Ketchum

Sun Valley, Idaho, and the nearby community of Ketchum make up a skier’s paradise. Of course, between runs down Bald Mountain, a skier has to eat, right? Here are a few of our favorite places to chow down in the vicinity, listed in alphabetical order:

• Enoteca – A restaurant and wine bar with a focus on local and sustainable ingredients, Enoteca creates delicious morsels that are sure to satisfy the taste buds. The incredible selection of wood-fired pizzas includes the delectable Strega, with house-made pesto, prosciutto, wild mushrooms and Asiago cheese. And for an incredible entrée, the Panned Chicken – with cannellini beans, bacon and mushroom pan sauce – is not to be missed. The slow-cooked Pork Osso Bucco is another flavorful favorite. For dessert, the Chocolate Budino, made with Fleur de Sel and mascarpone cream, is a scrumptious way to wrap up the experience.
• Gretchen’s – A welcoming spot with a relaxing indoor/outdoor feel and terrace dining all day long, Gretchen’s – named after Gretchen Fraser, a Sun Valley resident who, in 1948 became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in an Alpine event – serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hearty breakfast selections offer a fantastic way to fuel your day, including the light and fluffy Artichoke Quiche (with an herb crumb crust) and the sensational Averell’s Omelet (maple-sage sausage, diced ham, bacon and smoked gouda). The dinner offerings are unique and exceptional, including the Piemontese Beef Short Rib Goulash and the Cider-Brined Ballard Pork.
• Grumpy’s – A favorite of locals and tourist alike, Grumpy’s has been serving up dynamite burgers and beer since 1978. The menu is simple and savory, and includes hot dogs, wings and a salmon fillet, with daily specials. A stick-to-your-ribs collection that provides a true taste of Sun Valley.
• Lefty’s Bar & Grill – Killer burgers, tasty buds, fresh salads and hand-cut fries make for quality meals at affordable prices. The casual atmosphere make Lefty’s a great place to grab lunch or dinner, or catch up with old friends. The menu takes the usual bar fare and expands it into an amazing selection – we wolfed down the Grilled Cajun Sausage hoagie and a Basket of Monkeys (spicy fries) – that includes something for everyone.
• Pioneer Saloon – Natural woods, mounted game and period firearms help recreate an authentic saloon atmosphere. It’s the place for beef, from a Teriyaki Beef Kabob to Barbecue Beef Ribs to Midwest-certified steaks. We were happy to dig in to a Jim Spud (baked potato with teriyaki prime rib, grilled onions and cheese) before savoring the North Atlantic Scallops. There are just two desserts on the menu – Marionberry Cobbler (a type of blackberry developed in the American Northwest) and Sheila’s Mud Pie – but they’re both to die for!
• Rickshaw – Serving “ethnic street foods” inspired by the flavors and foods of Thailand, Vietnam, China and Indonesia, Rickshaw is a cozy spot – just six indoor tables, plus six more on the patio (summer and fall only) – that provides an exceptional alternative to traditional fare. Get things started with the Shrimp Chips (prawn-seasoned tapioca chips), then get your spice on with the Vietnamese Caramel Pork Ribs (with chilies and cilantro), the Larb Gai (Laotian-style chicken salad) and the Hunan Lamb (sesame-ginger sauce). If you’re not a fire breather, the Thai Chicken Sate and the Hoisin Cashew-Shrimp are sure to satisfy.
• Sawtooth Club – Always warm, comfortable and welcoming – intimate, yet lively – The Sawtooth Club presents rustic elegance and sophistication without pretension. The menu offers a unique blend of American steakhouse classics, fresh seafood, wild game, pasta dishes and more, with many items cooked over a mesquite wood fire. We could easily have made a meal out of appetizers, kicking off out meal with the Dungeness Crab Cakes (in a roasted corn-shallot-jalapeno cream sauce – yum!) and the Stuffed Mushroom Caps (Italian sausage, fresh herbs, marsala wine and mascarpone cheese). But of course, we soldiered on and scooped up the New Orleans-Style Shellfish Pasta (though we spent a long time contemplating the Chicken Senegalese). This Cajun-inspired dish, with scallops and prawns, provided the perfect blend of creamy sweetness and flavorful zing, tantalizing our tongue throughout. For dessert (we pushed ourselves), the Apple-Blackberry Crisp was the perfect complement.
• Town Square Tavern – A newcomer on the culinary landscape (established in June 2015), Town Square specializes in world cuisine, inspired by the Mediterranean regions stretching from the Middle East to North Africa, from Spain and France to Italy. We started off with the tangy variety afforded by the Triad of Dips – hummus, beet yogurt zatar and roasted eggplant, then had a tough time deciding between the Lamb Tagine, the Beef Short Ribs and the Tunis Spice Chicken, all of which appealed to the senses. In the end, we opted for the Grilled Sultan Steak, extraordinary in a green olive tapenade. Numerous desserts called to us, and we hooked up with the tremendous Chocolate Ice Box Cake (with whiskey caramel). Sated and satisfied.
• Trail Creek Cabin –The rustic, early Western atmosphere of this mountain-style log cabin has made it Sun Valley’s destination for romantic dining. The menu is seasonal, but during our visit, we were able to sample the crisp Organic Apple Salad (with warm goat cheese, hazelnuts and dates) and the unbelievable Brass Ranch Meatloaf, made with buffalo, lamb, bacon and hunter’s sauce. Still, we were sorely tempted by the Lemon Risotto Arancini (with mushrooms and braised greens), which a nearby patron happily snapped up. For a delightfully different dessert, try the Sticky Toffee Pudding, with crème anglaise, candied kumquats and oranges.
• Vintage Restaurant – An intimate space (seating just 18-20), Vntage offers wonderful ambiance and amazing food. The menu offers a simple selection of lighter fare. Be sure to begin with the Prawn & Goat Cheese Tart, which blends in fresh mango and avocado, or the Crab Tower, with curried couscous, avocado relish and roasted pepper coulis. The highlights of the entrees are the Duck Salad, with spinach and black bean corn relish, and the Idaho Trout, with Meyer lemon confit.

To learn more about Sun Valley, visit our website at www.takeagetaway.com. For help planning a delectable journey to the Idaho mountains, drop us a line at [email protected].

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