I am a huge fan of the Dining Lodge – as my previous blogs can attest.
Luckily, here at ACE we have another dining option, The Lost Paddle Bar and Grill.
Outside you will regularly see raft guides and guests hanging out and playing cornhole.(Cornhole is like a more redneck version of horseshoes. As a redneck, I can use the word so no one gets offended or writes back with a nasty comment.)
But inside, Valerie and her crew serve some of the best sandwiches and salads in the area. That says nothing about her bartenders. Ben made me a top shelf margarita that made me roll my “R”s for a week.
Back to the food. The Warm Ups offer a nice cross-section of appetizers from the expected to the surprising. For traditionalists, they have chicken fingers, nachos and quesadillas. And the chili they serve is amazing. I am very picky about my chili and this one scores in my book.
For the more sophisticated palate, they have a couple of apps that rock. The Surfer, in particular, is my favorite – seared sashimi tuna with soy, wasabi and cucumber. I am a sucker for any of these flavors. Another interesting treat is the Moonshine Burgers – 3 mini burgers with secret moonshine marinade. Reminded me of the sliders they served on “Top Chef.”
One of my favorite things in life is a hamburger and a beer. There is something very comforting about that combination. Of the 6 burgers on the menu, I chose the Class V.
Are you ready? It’s a spicy blackened burger grilled to perfection topped with melted blue cheese. It comes with tomato, lettuce and red onion. I replace my tomato with jalapenos. DELICIOUS. I love the sharp blue cheese flavor with the smokey burger. Try it. And get an Amstel Light from Eli at the bar. Dinner accomplished.
I also enjoy the Back Enders – spinach, tomato, red onion, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, goat cheese and mozzarella in a grilled tortilla. I love all of these Mediterranean elements together in a Spanish tortilla.
There is also a great vegetarian sandwich call the Boof. I have no idea what a “boof” is so maybe someone can tell me. The sandwich is roasted red peppers, portabello mushrooms, and zucchini topped with melted cheese on a tortilla grilled on the panini. I love the meatiness of the portabello which makes the sandwich heartier. It doesn’t seem like a typical vegetarian item.
My other favorite is called the Teacher’s Pet. A traditional Rueben with corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss, tangy Russian sauce on grilled marble rye. Here is a Scott tip: replace the corned beef with turkey. You will thank me. Take a chance.
I became a big salad convert when I started my diet in April and the ones on the menu fit the bill. My favorite is the Swimmers. Let me explain: Seared tuna on a bed of greens, potatoes, red onion, asparagus, tomato, egg and kalamata olives. What sends this one over the top is the homemade ginger-lime dressing.
There are also a couple of good options for kids. Chicken fingers, a burger, or a cheese quesadilla. The kids items come with fries or fruit. Kids can also order the appetizer version of the chicken fingers with fries as their meal. There are plenty of options for parents with choosier children.
The Lost Paddle Bar and Grill has a great environment that only adds to the family feel we like to create here at ACE. Who knows, you might end up having dinner beside your guide.
Or I might be sitting there. If I am, I will take an Amstel Light. Pronto!
