Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern
Dallas has so many different opportunities for food and entertainment, that many of us in the Dallas area hesitate to roam too far. After all, I could probably come up with two hundred different options within ten miles of my home, so why should I go any further. I would challenge you to break through your "bubble" and experience more of what the area has to offer.
One of these areas often overlooked by those of us on this side of Lake Ray Hubbard is the relatively new development in Rockwall known as "The Harbor." In the front corner of this development right on the water with a great bar under an impressive dome and a patio overlooking the lake is Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern.
Blue Canyon best known for its three large lodge-style restaurants in Ohio and Montana. From looking at the photo above, it's hard to describe the Rockwall Blue Canyon as a "lodge." However, when you go inside you will almost want to step back out to see if you entered the wrong building. Although the owners obviously went along with the overall look of The Harbor for the outer facade of the restaurant, the inside is strictly a comfortable and casual mountain lodge.
Although the culinary style of Chef Brandt is self-described as "Ozark-Asian-Funk," I consider the menu to be full of good American Comfort Food that has been taken a notch up on the culinary scale. At the restaurant, they will call the cuisine "American-Bistro Style". However, you can't ignore the addition of their sushi roll selections that are hand-rolled every day and made of great combinations of flavors that would probably make a Japanese Traditionalist run screaming from the dining room.
All right, let's get down to the topic of the day: Specials. I chose Blue Canyon, because they do a great job of setting up the calendar for their restaurant as if everyone in Dallas will want to be there several times a week, and they truly have a special for everybody. This is probably a really good idea in today's economy, although it has created a large following of people who have never actually been to the restaurant to just order dinner of the menu.
We'll start with the special I promised to include, even though it is quite obviously not aimed at me, Martini and Manicure Night. This is Blue Canyon's version of a Ladies' Night that is actually aimed at providing a good time for the ladies, not just getting them there to attract men, as is often the case with Ladies' Night at local bars and clubs. The restaurant has teamed up with Belfiore Salon and Day Spa, another local Rockwall establishment. Basically, you go to the restaurant at the time of your reservation and have a mini manicure, two martini's and a selection of appetizers for $30 per person, plus tax and gratuity. In August, this promotion is being held on two Wednesdays: August 5 and 26. They make these reservations in thirty minute timeslots with only six people per slot, so you will definitely want to get your reservation in soon, especially if you want to go on the 5th, which is coming up fast. Reservations start at 6:00 PM, but if you don't live close to Rockwall, make sure you give yourself enough time to get across the lake bridges after work. During rush hour, that can take a little longer than normal, but then you get to let out your rush hour stress with a manicure and two martini's.
Blue Canyon also has a weekly event on Monday nights called Dinner for 2. This is similar to a Restaurant Week Deal, only at half the price and without the charity component. That's right, I said half price. Dinner for 2 at Blue Canyon on Monday nights is $35 for both of you, not each, for a three course dinner. Although it is advertised as Dinner for 2 for $35, the restaurant is more than happy to give the special to individual diners for $17.50. The menu choices change regularly, and although there is a designated menu for this promotion, the choices are never too limiting. For example, the current menu selections have the following choices for your first course: Gulf Oysters (3) served with cocktail sauce and today's mignonette; Red Fish Taco's with spicy charred tomato salsa, lime and sour cream; Yukon Gold Potato Chips toped with great hill blue cheese sauce and crumbled great hill blue cheese; Spinach with fresh berries, goat cheese, almond brittle, croutons, and triple berry lavender vinaigrette; Field Greens with red onion, cherry tomato, and maple balsamic vinaigrette; Caesar Salad with an asiago crips and chipotle caesar dressing; or a Cup of Lobster Bisque. Once you've made your way through those selections, you can choose an entree from the following: Blackened Tilapia with whipped potatoes, green beans, and lemongrass scallion butter; 7 oz. Blue Cheese Crusted Flat Iron Steak with triple vinegar reduction, rosemary skinny fries and green beans; Black Garlic Roasted Chicken Linguine with roasted chicken, black garlic, kalamata olives, shallots, olive oil, tomatoes, fresh egg linguine and romano pecorino cheese; Cedar Plank Salmon with whipped potatoes, green beans and a root beer glaze; or Pan Roasted All Natural Chicken with tarragon corn cream, grilled parmesan potatoes and back yard green beans. To top it all off, you have your choice of Vanilla Bean Creme Brule, S'more, or Triple Chocolate Mousse Bomb for dessert. This special starts at 5:00 PM every Monday night, and although the restaurant is large, and they offer this menu throughout the dining room, I recommend a reservation just to be safe.
Of course, I can't go any further without talking about their Sunday Brunch. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love a good brunch, but I'm also rather outspoken about my dislike for a poorly done brunch experience. Blue Canyon provides an excellent combination of brunch styles. Personally, I tend to prefer to order brunch off a menu and be served at the table. However, there is a long-standing brunch tradition, especially in the south, to which many of my closest friends and family members subscribe. I speak of course of the All-You-Can-Eat Brunch Buffet, which can be done in the dining trough style of the least expensive Las Vegas Hotels or in a high class fashion as used to be found at the past Dallas Landmark, Antares at the top of Reunion Tower. Blue Canyon does a really good job, once again, of having something for everyone. They provide a combination of made to order items ordered off a menu and a buffet. No matter the method for obtaining your food, you can have as much of it as you like. The buffet is kept to small portions so there is not a concern regarding freshness. You'll find a selection of breakfast breads, gravy, egg casserole, apple wood smoked bacon, and maple sausage links for those desiring breakfast. For a fresh morning start, there are fruits, cheeses, and salads. Moving into the lunch side of brunch, you'll have your choice of chef-carved prime rib, smoked salmon, and freshly chucked oysters on the half shell, which were close to some of the best oysters I have ever enjoyed. Back at the table, the first-class servers at Blue Canyon will be happy to bring you your choice from a variety of options including Eggs Benedict, Omelets, Waffles, and Pancakes. As a sidenote, I must offer one "warning" regarding the Eggs Benedict. Blue Canyon's chef apparently has an interesting definition of "prepared the classic way" that includes cheddar cheese. In my mind, this is not very classic, and although I have loved a variety of takes on Eggs Benedict and have a well-known love for cheddar cheese, I did not enjoy it on my benedict. If you don't think you will want the cheese, your server will be more than happy to get you a benedict without it, as long as you know to order it that way. Reservations are certainly recommended for brunch, which is $21.95 for adults and only $5.95 for children twelve and under. They would have regretted that when I was a child, because I still would have been indulging in the fresh oysters, prime rib, and eggs benedict, so they wouldn't have been able to buy the groceries for my brunch for $5.95. However, I guess it averages out when you have children who only eat the fruit or a biscuit and some bacon, as I recently witnessed at a brunch that did not have such an understanding children's price.
To close out the summer before school starts again, Blue Canyon is holding what they call Island Fest on August 20, 21, and 22. Their patio will be transformed "into a beach party showcasing traditional Island dishes, tropical drinks right out of a coconut and unique entertainment acts that will take you away to paradise..at least for one night!" The times and events are different each day. On Thursday, August 20, they are holding Wild Child Thursday starting at 11:00 AM. The Creature Teacher will be doing her show starting at that time, followed by a lunch buffet. In case you're not familiar with The Creature Teacher, here real name is Robyn Wheeler, and she has a travling show for children where she brings a variety of exotic animals for them to see, touch, and take pictures. Naturally, you can't really have an animal show and food service together, which is why the show is followed by a lunch buffet, and Blue Canyon will have a "sweet treat" to give the children when they leave. Adults are $12 and children are $10. Reservations are 100% required for this, and only a limited number are available. Friday, August 21, is Fire Friday with fire performer, Amelie, starting her show at 8:00 PM by the patio. Saturday, August 22, is Sizzling Saturday with Polynesian Dancers in the tavern starting at 3:30 PM.
If that isn't enough, there are other regularly scheduled promotions with karaoke on Thursdays, and live bands on Friday and Saturday at 9PM.