Arnie's Barn

My view while eating at Arnie's Barn

While visiting Big Cedar Lodge, it was recommend that we visit Top of the Rock.  Since the golf course and nature area was just down the road, we drove up there around lunchtime.  Although there are a few restaurants to choose from at Top of the Rock, only Arnie's Barn was open for lunch.  Arnie's Barn is a Mexican restaurant that is housed in a 150 year old barn from Pennsylvania that was dissembled, transported, and reassembled at Top of the Rock site.  This historic barn also housed the pro shop and overlooked the beautiful driving range.

Interior of Arnie's Barn

Being creatures of habit, we started with the Wood Baked Queso.  This dish was made with a blend of Mexican cheeses, house-made chorizo, charred peppers, charred onions, and topped with cilantro and queso fresco.  The first taste of this queso, sent my taste buds to their happy place.  Despite it having a different texture from most queso I have had, the flavor was fantastic.  Not to be outdone, the chips were good as well.

Wood Baked Queso

For my entree, I ordered the Braised Short Rib Enchiladas.  These enchiladas were rolled in corn tortillas and topped with Chihuahua cheese and a roasted tomato chipotle sauce.  Much like the queso, the enchiladas were muy bueno.  The braised short rib was cooked to tender perfection and the roasted tomato chipotle sauce had just enough kick to please this Texan.  The dish was also served with refried beans, toasted cumin and green chili rice, and Mexico City street corn.  All the sides were great, but the corn was my favorite of the three.  

Braised Short Rib Enchiladas with refried beans, rice, and Mexico City street corn

My wife had the Carne Guisada Tacos that included the same three sides.  She loved her meal as well and the one taco I tried was very good, but not as good as my enchiladas.  The kids enjoyed the quesadillas and quickly polished off their meals.

Carne Guisada Tacos

I must say that I was pleasantly surpassed at just how good the Mexican food was at Arnie's Barn.  This meal was probably the best Mexican food I have tried outside of the American Southwest.  The service was grade A+ and the setting inside the old barn was very unique.  If you are in the mood for Mexican food (and in the area), I would highly recommend a visit to Arnie's Barn.

Kid's Quesadillas

Arnie's Barn
http://www.topoftherock.com/Page/Dining.aspx
Livin the Good Life Rating=4

Devil's Pool Restaurant

During the week of Thanksgiving, my family and I visited Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri.  The resort is absolutely gorgeous and has plenty of family friendly activities.  Our family had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed our little mini-vacation to Big Cedar.  The resort also has several restaurants and we were lucky enough to have one of them, Devil's Pool Restaurant, adjacent to the lodge where we were staying.  

Bar Area at Devil's Pool

On the first night that we visited Devil's Pool, we were famished after a long drive.  The menu had several appetizers that sounded great, but I ordered the Smokehouse Chili because I didn't want to get overly full prior to my meal.  The chili had fantastic flavor and I particularly liked the fact the meat had a brisket-like texture instead of the usual ground beef that one finds at most restaurants.  Our waitress also brought us a basket of some very good jalapeño cheddar biscuits that we enjoyed prior to our meal. 

Smokehouse Chili 

Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits

For my entree, I ordered the Cajun Cornmeal Dusted Catfish.  It didn't have the Cajun flavor I expected, but it was still a large catfish filet with good batter.  The coleslaw was good as well, but the hush puppies were amazing.  My wife had Bourbon Barbecue Glazed St. Louis ribs.  She gave me one of her ribs and although they had good flavor, they were a little too tough for my liking.

Cajun Cornmeal Dusted Catfish

Bourbon Barbecue Glazed St. Louis Ribs

I really should have stopped eating because I was filled to the gills, but my wife and girls wanted dessert.  After an intense family discussion, we went with the Devil's Pool Sundae.  This particular sundae was a chocolate chip cookie, topped with an Oreo stuffed brownie, vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, and candied pecans.  Amazing doesn't even begin to describe this dessert which we all agreed was the best sundae we have ever had.

Devil's Pool Sundae

Since we enjoyed our dinner here so much, we also at breakfast here one morning.  They have a breakfast menu, but they also have a fantastic breakfast buffet that includes an omelette station, bacon, house made breakfast sausage, waffles, biscuits and sausage gravy, eggs, and several other items.  Of all the items on the breakfast buffet, I enjoyed the house made breakfast sausage and the biscuits and gravy the best.

One of many plates I had at their breakfast buffet

The Devil's Pool is much better than most restaurants that you will find at a resort or in a hotel.  The food was great and the service was top notch on both visits.  If you every have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Big Cedar Lodge, I strongly suggest you take the time to dine at the Devil's Pool Restaurant at least once.

Devil's Pool Restaurant

http://www.big-cedar.com/Page/Devils-Pool-Restaurant.aspx

Livin the Good Life Rating=3