The Cashiers Highlands Plateau: Dinning Out On The Cashiers/Highlands Plateau

The plateau is full of local flavors to tempt the palate. One of the newest spots to dine on the plateau is The Zookeeper Bistro. Two seasons ago the twin talents Chef Kristian Murphy and His Brother Jake descended on the cashiers area and took it by storm. Their ino

vative cuisine and casual yet rustically elegant setting will certainly create a dinning experience to be remembered. The Zookeeper Bistro is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, everyday except Monday. As you enter the Bistro your always greeted with a friendly smile and the s

mells of the days fresh creations. Chef Kristian's daily creations are inspired by not only the fresh local produce and seafood, but by local mountain traditions. Chef Kristian adds his own intercontinental flair to create dishes unparralleled by anyone else on the Plateau.

The Murphy brothers have created a place to not only to dine, but it has captured the essence of what it means to be in the Western North Carolina Mountains. Chef Kristian boasts and impressive resume spending his first seven years traveling from NYC to Naples, to Detroit as a Sous Chef at the Ritz Carrolton. From there he took his experience to Atlanta as

the Corporate Chef for Apres Diem, Carpe Diem, and the Carrol Street Bakery. From Atlanta Kristian traveled to Savannaha Georgia to take a position as a Chef at the Nationally acclaimed Gottlieb's. It was not to long after this that Kristian was offered the Executive Chef position at The Ocean Plaza Resort on Tybee island. Kristian has been featured in Bon Appetite Magazine and has also won two Gold Medals at the Taste of Savanah with his famous chocolate sushi.

His brother Jake brings the ideal compliment to their relationship. Jake has traveled the country spending his time not only in the kitchen, but mostly in the front of the house. Jake epitomizes fine service. Jake has spent time behind some of the most popular bars in the United States and traveled seasonally working in five star resorts. Jake

creates memories like no other, his quick wit and expansive knowledge of food and wine make hime the ideal tour guide for your dinning experiance.

The Zookeeper serves three meals a day, making it hard to choose a favorite dish. The Brunch menu is classic and elegant with a slight mountain flair. It's hard to beat the "Murphy's Omelet", perhaps their cornerstone omelet it will make your taste buds dance. This egg white omelet is stuffed with bacon, vidalia onion, baby spinach, diced figs, local cullowhee goat cheese, and fresh parmesan reggiano, and at only $10.00 you will leave full, happy, and still have money left for lunch. Breakfast specialties also include their famous chicken and waffles, a lovellkentucky hot brown, and of course their Maine Lobster butter roll.

Lunch is

and eclectic mix of old favorites and new standards. Start with a house made hummus trio, and an order of Thai Shrimp toast. Work your way to one of the always healthy and fantastically delicious fresh salads, and then choose from an array of lovely sandwiches. If your not in the mood for all this food then try a cup of the She crab soup and a half portion of Kristian's own dried fruit salad with mountain apple vinaigrette. Check out the lunch menu below and plan your next meal.

Dinner at the Zookeeper is one to remember. With a slight mountain flair Kristian and Jake have taken their dinner menu and raised the standards for food in Cashiers and all across the Plateau. A broad mix of intercontinental cuisine along side some classic favorites will satisfy the taste buds of the biggest "foodies", or the pickiest of eaters. I like to begin with the Vidalia onion, served over rissotto, regiano cheese in a brocolini, butter puree. I then like to move onto the Bitter Greens. Endive, radichio, arugula, chippollini, onion, and a blue cheese viniagretter. If I am particularly hungry, wich is most of the time I will even throw in a cup of their award winning crab bisque. The entree is always a tough choice, so look below and pick yours.

THE ZOOKEEPER BISTRO

CASHIERS, NC

If you have private party or catering needs the Zookeeper can help you too. Kristian and Jake can create a custom menu and theme for the most informal occasion, or a Black Tie Affair. Below are some pictures from a recent private event. The menu was set for eight people and eight courses where served tapas style, finishing with an adaptation of Kristians award winning Chocolate Sushi. This time he serves it over a sweet kahlua syrup. Next time your in Cashiers remember to dine at the Zookeeper Bistro, or call them to host your private event....