RIVER RIDGE INN
BY JOHN BERRY

One of my favorite places to eat is not a restaurant, but a delightful country inn. River Ridge Inn does not prepare meals on a regular basis. You cannot drive up unannounced and get dinner. Meal preparation is by prior arrangement and generally limited to corporate and other groups. That said, River Ridge is the premier Inn in the area and offers a level of service not equaled by anyone else. It is a charming collection of cabins and larger buildings that are tastefully decorated and located on the banks of the Norfork River. This is where Hooked On A Cure housed its celebrities and the Mid South Fly Fishers hold a Norfork River outing every year.

I must admit to a conflict of interest because I occasionally guide for corporate groups or guests of the Inn. I always look forward to these bookings because they feed me and the food is the best in the area. Jim and Liz Smith go out of their way to take care their guests and employees. I regularly refer my clients that want a nicer place to stay here.

Last week, the Mid South Fly Fishers held its November outing at the Inn and Jim and Liz pulled all stops. The food was incredible. They started with the appetizers, sushi and bacon wrapped shrimp. I spent a little time in Japan and I am a big fan of sushi. This was the real deal. I hit the sushi pretty hard. With a little soy and wasabe, it really hit the spot. Bacon wrapped shrimp, how can you miss? You take two of my favorite foods and carefully cook them. It is inspired. The club members consumed these treats like there was no tomorrow. Those platters were wiped so clean that Liz didn’t have to have them washed.

The meal was just as good as the appetizers. They started with a crisp garden salad with home made dressings. The entrée was a variation on chicken cordon bleu. This dish is generally a chicken breast rolled up with a slice of ham, and a slice of Swiss cheese and cooked in butter. This variation was not rolled but was cooked wrapped in pastry. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the pastry was golden brown and flaky. The entrée was served with steamed vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots) and two types of scalloped potatoes. One batch was loaded with bacon and the other one was not. Both had lots of cheddar cheese. I opted for the bacon flavored scalloped potatoes and was not disappointed. In fact they were probably the best I have ever had.

Dessert was chocolate pecan pie. The pie was double chocolaty and loaded with pecans. It was, I think, the richest pie I have ever eaten. Served with a fresh cup of coffee it was a fitting end to a great meal.

If you missed this years Norfork outing at River Ridge Inn then you better make plans for the next one. I think it is the highlight of the Mid South Fly Fisher’s calendar.