The fine-dining experience at Mountain Creek Restaurant has guests talking about its cuisine, its view and its grand entrance—the aerial tramway ride that provides a front-row seat to Pipestem Resort State Park’s natural beauty.
By Maggie Matsko
A stunning view of lush trees, rolling hills and local wildlife is just a teaser of the unique experience guests will have at Mountain Creek Restaurant at Mountain Creek Lodge, located within Pipestem Resort State Park in Southern West Virginia. Visitors take in all that is wild and wonderful about the Mountain State as they descend 3,600 feet into the Bluestone River Gorge via the aerial tramway ride, the only way to access the restaurant.
“The tram ride sets us up for success with every guest,” says Jacob Blankenship, food and beverage manager at Pipestem Resort. “Our guests arrive on an extremely high note because riding down the mountain to the restaurant is a one-of-a-kind experience.”
Since 1971, Mountain Creek Restaurant has served a variety of dining purposes. In the early days, it was a place to find a homestyle meal; since the early 1990s, the restaurant has been known as a gourmet dining room that offers guests a more upscale eating experience in a state park setting. Today, the staff prides itself on providing a top-notch culinary experience for every guest.
The tram ride isn’t the only way for guests to experience the natural beauty of the state park’s surroundings. “The view from the dining room is a showcase for the best West Virginia has to offer,” says Blankenship. “The dining room itself overlooks the rambling Bluestone River, and it isn’t unusual to see native wildlife while enjoying your meal.”
To continue the mission of West Virginia State Parks, Mountain Creek Restaurant makes sure to go above and beyond for its customers. “Our goal is to give our patrons an unforgettable experience, and we achieve this by providing top-notch service with the southern charm our area is known for,” says Blankenship. “Many fine-dining establishments don’t feel inviting to some guests, and since we are in a state park setting, our focus is to provide the atmosphere of a fine-dining restaurant that any guest would feel comfortable in.”
Known for outstanding meals and preparation, Mountain Creek offers high-end American cuisine with an Appalachian flair. The restaurant has an extensive wine list, unique appetizers and entrees and homemade desserts. The culinary team prepares nightly specials and strives to provide a menu that encompasses southern comfort food while maintaining the fine-dining standard.
One of their most popular dishes is Skillet Fried Rainbow Trout. “The trout itself is a local product, and I feel rainbow trout is something people identify with when they eat at Mountain Creek,” says Blankenship. “Another popular dish is the prime rib, and what makes it so enticing is that the meat is smoked in-house. Upon entering the Mountain Creek dining room, the first thing you will notice is the aroma of the smoker. With that scent lingering around most of the time, the prime rib almost sells itself.”
Pipestem Resort State Park is located at 3405 Pipestem Drive in Pipestem, WV. Mountain Creek Restaurant is across the Bluestone River at the base of the park’s tramway. The restaurant’s seasonal hours of operation are May through October, 5:30-9:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (304) 466-1800.
