The Inn at Honey Run – exotic comfort close at hand

  • By Mark Weaver
  • June 6, 2011
  • 262
                        
Finding new places, relishing new experiences, tantalizing one’s palate, does not require a drive to the city. Indeed, Sunday morning dining doesn’t need to be ‘complimentary continental breakfast’. It’s easy to forget the local treasures, especially the places that seem to cater to out of town guests. So the ho-hum eating places become habit, while diversity seems exotic and distant. Urban is where it’s at, after all. But the adventurous soul looks for the delightful experience at every turn, and that’s who will seek out the Inn at Honey Run. A casual drive past Honey Run reveals little but a sign that rests comfortably in the grass and trees, and a driveway that disappears up the hill. This is the Inn at Honey Run; unobtrusive yet accessible. Guests who drive in feeling unsettled, will depart relaxed and rejuvenated, whether from a weekend’s stay, dinner and drinks, or a Reiki massage. The restaurant at the Inn at Honey Run is in the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired main lodge. It is open to the public, seven days a week, three meals a day. So if the fast paced, assembly line, generically ethnic restaurant is leaving the palate bored, Chef Scott Fetty has the cure. “I want to excite the diners with flavors, with cultural presentations,” he said. Chef Fetty describes the restaurant as having many faces to cater to the diverse tastes of their guests. While Chef Fetty is a highly decorated, French trained chef, his philosophy of handcrafted meals meshes with the community. “I think the cooking is simple, our dishes are elegant, and flavorful,” he said. “My goal is to take the best ingredients I can find, and treat them respectfully by cooking them properly. It’s more of a European mindset.” Having grown up on a farm, Chef Fetty understands where food comes from, and brings a respect for the source to the kitchen. “We take our time with the food. The farmer took a lot of care to grow the vegetables, the cheese makers used their craftsmanship to make the cheese. Why rush that, and just throw it on a plate?” But Chef Fetty brings his travels, training and experience to the kitchen as well. His travel is one of the things that attracted him to Honey Run. “It’s like a little European inn, tucked away into the woods, like places I’ve been in Germany or Switzerland.” The cooking here is mostly American, and he enjoys regional diversity, whether it’s Cajun, California, or Florida/Caribbean. With international flavors, such as Indian or Chinese, ingredients are treated with respect, with an appreciation for the origins. Chef Fetty talked about one of his favorites. “The chilled seafood trio is like three little compositions. It’s got different flavors, different textures, different colors, and it all goes well together.” A surprising guest favorite is the Fork and Knife Burger, created almost on a lark. It’s a ten ounce custom blend of ground Angus beef, served open face on griddled bread from their own bakery, topped with bleu cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and onions. Its size makes it, of necessity, a fork and knife burger. It’s a refreshingly diverse menu for any meal of the day, with lunches starting at $7. Custom cut steaks, seared duckling breast, or pan-roasted sea scallops are just a taste of the dinner menu’s variety. Or simply enjoy appetizers and drinks on the deck overlooking the ravine. The wine list has tripled in the last few months. Fabulous deals for lunch and spa specials are available with online coupons at BHDeals.com. It’s an easy way to try out the restaurant or the spa for the first time. With therapists that have loyal clients flying in monthly for treatments, the spa at Honey Run is an experience in holistic treatment beneficial to the body, the mind, and the spirit. A couple’s massage, combined with dinner in the dining room, and drinks on the deck looking over the treetops is a romantic luxury not to be missed. Honey Run is an ideal place for family events, class reunions, anniversaries or showers, and is used by local businesses for retreats or conferences. The aptly named TreeTop Pavilion is a popular for private parties. Honey Run is also a beautifully romantic setting for a wedding, rehearsal dinner, reception, or honeymoon. There’s a wedding planner on staff to help in creating the perfect day. The Inn at Honey Run offers events throughout the year, including a cooking school for more serious cooks, and a cooking enthusiast course for the more social and entertaining approach to cooking. An adventure in dining is just down the road. The Inn at Honey Run is awaiting discovery. The Inn at Honey Run can be found at 6920 CR 203, Millersburg, or innathoneyrun.com. They can be reached at 330-674-0011. Dinner reservations are recommended, but not required.


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