The Local Restaurant & Bar

On our recent road trip we had the pleasure of dining at The Local Restaurant & Bar in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was only by chance that we made the decision to eat here...and what a decision that was!

We checked into the Homewood Suites by Hilton Jackson on a very cool summer's day following a blizzard and storms a day earlier. The gentleman that checked us in was a fountain of knowledge regarding things to do, and places to see in downtown Jackson Hole. Having spent 8 days on the road, and resisting temptation along the way, I had been craving a steak! I quizzed our erudite Jacksonite as to where I might find this carnivores' delight? The recommendation coming back was not The Local rather another steak house located on Broadway and out of walking distance from our accommodation. Fortunately for these weary travelers, we could neither complete a booking online or via the telephone at the suggested restaurant. With that, we headed downtown in search for a suitable alternative.

As we wandered along North Cache St. we noticed a shivering young lady clutching her iPad outside a restaurant. Noticeably, there were other prospective diners gathering around the hostess so we made haste to enquire about a table for two at dinner. The only available booking was for two, at the bar for 5pm...Trace & I looked at each other and felt that 5pm was too early even by our age group standards so we shuffled on in search for an alternative. We took 5-10 steps away from the restaurant and decided no, 5pm will be fine; we were confirmed.

The Local Frontage...

With hot showers and a change of clothes under the belt, we exited the hotel via the rear staircase and headed up North Cache St. towards our restaurant. The shivering, young hostess who took our booking earlier this afternoon was still perched on a stool outside the restaurant. We showed some empathy for this young lady as it was now very cool, cold outside...she did confirm that during her frequent breaks that hot coffee + snacks helped to get her through the frigid conditions outdoors. Before entering, we were reminded that our place inside would comprise of two stools at the bar and our time limit would be capped at 2 hours. With not a moment to waste, we took our place at the bar so let the games begin!

The first order of the day were a couple of cocktails to warm the cockles and get this party started. Peering through a large perspex screen, installed for bio-security purposes, I placed our drinks order with the barman. My libation of choice was The Local (maker’s mark bourbon, carpano antica, orange bitters, angostura bitters, brandied cherries) whilst Tracey opted for the Blackberry Old Fashioned (larceny bourbon, blackberry maple syrup, orange & angostura bitters). Our mixologist crafted two of the finest cocktails we have had the pleasure of consuming in our 6+ years in the US...the bar had been set very high; could the kitchen match or exceed the standard?

The Cocktails...

Our server approached, pen in hand, eager to accept our order. As is typically the case, he read out the nightly specials followed by the ubiquitous "do you have any questions about the menu?" Our response was a swift and decisive "no sir" followed by our selections for the early evening dinner. To begin, we will have the Crab Cakes (two jumbo lump crab cakes, blackened corn, arugula, pickled red onion and a lemon caper tartar sauce) followed by the Filet Mignon rare (8oz, double r ranch beef + pepper sauce) and Trace would have the special, a Filet Mignon med. rare (Surf n' Turf 8oz, double r ranch beef + Béarnaise sauce). To compliment our selections, we opted for a bottle of the 2018 Cabernet Franciscan Estate, Napa Valley.

The Dinner...

Given our very early seating, we anticipated moving on from Jackson's finest fare for an aperitif elsewhere...with all the best intentions in mind, there was not a snowflake's hope in hell of that happening! Like the proverbial fat kid on cake, we were full to pussy's bow. Our server approached us with the dessert menu in hand provoking a wry grin from these two fattened diners. Ah, I barely have enough room to draw my next breath let alone dessert. With that, the electronic bill was received a little after 7.30pm closely followed by ensuing high fives at the bar as we thanked all involved in our dining experience at The Local Restaurant & Bar.

Do yourselves a favor...if visiting Jackson, make room in the belly to fill your pie hole with the culinary delights prepared and presented by Executive Chefs Will Bradof & Paul Wireman.

Cheers