The Ridges' Sequoyah Restaurant-a night of fine dining
By JOAN CROTHERS and ANN B. DORAN

Executive Chef/Owner James Reaux.

What atmosphere! What service, and, most importantly - what food! The Towns Sentinel staff, along with many other guests, was invited to a special night at the Sequoyah Restaurant at The Ridges in Hayesville. The Ridges Vice President, Jarrell Johnson, met us at the entrance, and from there the evening transpired into a wonderful dream event.

If you have not yet been to the Sequoyah, you have missed a great dining experience. The new restaurant, overlooking the golf course, the mountains and 7000-acre Lake Chatuge, is located on Highway 64 (as you head east from Hayesville in North Carolina). The Sequoyah Restaurant is a part of The Ridges Golf Course facility, which opened here in 1992. Everything about this restaurant is of five-star quality.

We were first treated to a generous sampler of three appetizers: Petite Crab Cakes with Red Pepper Remoulade, Seared Ahi Tuna on Tomato-Cucumber Relish, and a perfectly prepared and seasoned Lobster Bisque.

We next sampled warm Sea Salt Focaccia Bread with Herb Butter, a crisp green salad, and also were given our choice of three entrees: Filet Mignon of Beef Straight Up, with a choice of Bordelaise and Bearnaise Sauces; Mustard and Almond Crusted Salmon; Rock Shrimp and Ramp Fricassee or Grilled Basil Rubbed Jumbo Gulf Shrimp. The entrees were accompanied by a Vegetable Risotto and fresh Sweet Corn.

Finally, a trio of pastries to die for was served for dessert: a Bailey's Crme Brulee, a Cheesecake Beignet and a luscious Key Lime Tart.

Mr. James Reaux, the Sequoyah's Executive Chef and Owner, stopped by our table to ask if we were enjoying his fabulous menu, and we assured him that we were indeed enjoying our meals.

We also met Chef de Cuisine Bryan Fyler, and we all expressed to him our delight with the menu as well as with the superb food preparation and presentation.

Do give the Sequoyah Restaurant a try. You will experience a simply marvelous meal at any time. You may call ahead for reservations, however, reservations are not necessary.

You also will want to use the Sequoyah at The Ridges for those special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and other events with friends and family.

We certainly enjoyed our evening. Sequoyah Restaurant is the place for fine dining with a comfortable ambience - and all overlooking Hayesville's splendid mountain surroundings. If the weather permits, you may want to be seated on the terrace for spectacular outdoor dining.

Please call 828-389-6200 for further information.