I’m not sure exactly how else to intro this post without just stating the most important part:
The meal I ate at The Dining Room at the Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie, Washington was one of my absolute favorite meals I have ever had in my entire life. Seriously, I think I can place it in the Top 5.
For one thing, the ingredients are sourced as locally and seasonally as possible, so everything is incredibly fresh. When you start with the best ingredients, you know you’re on the right track. Beyond flavor and freshness, my leisurely solo dinner at the lodge was also one of the prettiest, most amazingly plated and presented meal I’ve ever had. There was so much attention to tiny little details, which you’ll see in the photos, which just made an amazingly tasty meal even more impressive.
I should make a note here that this meal is a splurge. I opted for the chef’s tasting menu in order to allow me to sample across the menu rather than commit to a single appetizer and entree.
I thought about editing out some of the sun flares and blur (because of water and sunlight!) in these photos, but honestly? The bright, bright sunlight was such a perfect part of the setting that I’m leaving it.
First of all, the setting. The dining room at the Salish Lodge overlooks the Snoqualmie Falls. Sometimes, when the sun hits the spray from the water just right, you see rainbows. I like rainbows. I saw a few rainbows during my meal, making me believe that the universe was completely in support of me enjoying this experience.
I also watched the sunset. That was lovely.
First things first, right?
The chef introduced himself with this amuse bouche.
Next, we moved onto this Summer Vegetable Soup. I love that the baby vegetables were placed all pretty-like in the bottom of this bowl, and then the mushroom broth was poured on right there in front of me. Such a fun presentation, and the vegetables were perfectly tender (not at all bloated or soggy).
How fun is that? Let’s move onto the salad. Baby organic spinach was served with sliced almonds, strawberries, Walla Walla onions, and goat cheese. Not that crazy, right? Not at all. But look at this.
Next up? The most adorable mushroom risotto I have ever seen. Look at how these tiny spring vegetables were arranged to look like they’re growing in dirt!
Finally, there were these amazing entrees, a seared halibut and beef tenderloin.
All in all, this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had, in one of the most beautiful settings I’ve ever been in. Can’t wait to go back!
For more photos of my stay at the Salish Lodge, you can check out the Flickr set here.
*Disclosures/perks of the job: I was invited to sample, stay, and taste at the Salish Lodge and my lodging and meals were covered. My review is 100% honest (albeit late) and I was beyond impressed with everything about the entire place, from the friendly staff upon welcome to the great service in the restaurant and the cozy drinks in The Attic upstairs. Would I go back on my own dime? Absolutely. This is a phenomenal place for a romantic getaway, especially if you’re celebrating something like an anniversary, a birthday, a holiday, or you know, Tuesday.
