RT Lodge restaurant is the kind of place that reminds you dinner can be an experience—not just a reservation time. While RT Lodge is also a hotel, this visit was entirely about the food, and from the moment we arrived, it delivered. Set just outside of town and surrounded by trees, the restaurant feels tucked away in the best way, making it perfect for a slower, more intentional night out.
We arrived a little early and were more than happy to wait. Instead of standing around, we settled into the downstairs sitting areas where a romantic fireplace was already going. Plush seating, low lighting, and that soft crackle of the fire immediately set the tone. It felt cozy without being stuffy—exactly what you want before a long dinner.
Before heading upstairs, we stepped outside to the firepit and officially pregamed dinner with a s’more. Yes, really. Sitting by the fire, bundled up, chocolate slightly melting faster than expected—it was one of those small moments that made the whole evening feel special before we even sat down.
If you’re making a night of it, staying nearby makes everything easier. You can see where to stay near RT Lodge using a general hotel search nearby, especially if you plan on lingering over multiple courses. For another cozy dining spot in the area, see my full review of Bistro By the Tracks, which has a similar elevated-but-approachable vibe.
The RT Lodge restaurant menu is seasonal, thoughtful, and clearly designed for sharing. We leaned into that and ordered a mix of boards, small plates, and one hearty entrée.
We started with the Cheese Board, an assortment of three regional cheeses served with house preserves, nuts, olives, and crackers. It was simple but well-balanced, letting each cheese shine without unnecessary extras.
Next came the Charcuterie Board, featuring a variety of dry-cured and smoked meats prepared in-house, paired with the chef’s pickles and thick slices of crusty sourdough bread. Rustic, salty, and deeply satisfying—this is the kind of board you don’t rush through.
From the small plates, the Apple Salad stood out immediately. Arugula tossed with Benton’s bacon bits, benne seed, cider vinaigrette, and finished with house yogurt. It hit that perfect sweet-savory balance and added some freshness to the table without feeling like an afterthought salad.
The Chicken and Dumplings leaned classic but elevated. Braised chicken, potato dumplings, crispy chicken skin, and chive made it comforting without being heavy. It felt especially right on a cold night.
We also ordered the Lodge Onion Soup, finished with gruyère and a rye sourdough crouton. Deeply savory, rich, and warming—this is one of those dishes that quietly reminds you why classics exist in the first place.
If you’re exploring the area beyond dinner, renting a car makes this much easier, especially since RT Lodge is tucked away. Discovering nearby spots and scenic drives is far simpler with your own wheels.
For the entrée, we shared the Red Wine Braised Short Rib, and it was exactly what it should be. Tender and flavorful, served with carrot, fingerling potatoes, pearl onion, and mustard seed. Rich without being overwhelming, and clearly cooked with patience. This dish alone would justify the drive out here.
Everything we ordered felt intentional. Portions were generous, flavors were layered but approachable, and nothing felt like it was trying too hard to be impressive. It was just very good food, done well.
One of the best parts of the RT Lodge restaurant experience is how unhurried it feels. Between the fireplaces, the outdoor firepit, and a menu built for sharing, it’s a place that naturally encourages you to slow down. Whether you’re celebrating something or just want a cozy night out, it works without needing to announce itself as “romantic.”
If you’re planning more time in the area, check out my Gatlinburg and Sevierville Itinerary: The Perfect 7-Day Smoky Mountain Vacation for a full breakdown of where to stay, eat, and explore.
RT Lodge restaurant isn’t flashy or trendy—and that’s exactly why it works. It’s comfortable, thoughtful, and genuinely memorable, especially if you arrive early, order generously, and leave yourself nowhere else to be afterward.
A hotel that’s also a free 24-hour contemporary art museum penguins included. We booked a Corner Suite at 21c and it was massive: separate bedroom, living room, dining area, 699 square feet to spread out in. The bathroom alone had a double vanity and custom Rookwood Pottery tile that made getting ready weirdly entertaining.
The location is downtown, two minutes from Fountain Square, walkable to Boca for dinner, and close enough to hop the free streetcar into Over-the-Rhine. If OTR is where most of your plans are, you might want to stay closer to that neighborhood instead downtown worked for us, but we spent more time in OTR than we expected to.
And yes, there’s a recycled-plastic penguin sculpture that will absolutely scare you the first time you open your door and forget it’s there. Link in bio for the full review rooms, parking, walkability, and everything else before you book 🎨
Three neighborhoods, one streetcar, and more Cincinnati specialties than I could finish in one afternoon.
We hit a goetta breakfast sandwich, chocolate chip ice cream from a shop that’s been at it since 1870, a Liège waffle that earned its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives spot, and Cincinnati chili the way it’s actually meant to be eaten... over a hot dog, buried in shredded cheddar.
$75 got us three and a half hours, a local guide, free streetcar rides, and a genuinely full stomach. Don’t eat breakfast before this one, the portions add up fast.
My third Secret Food Tour in my third city, and it’s still undefeated.
Link in bio for the full review cost, route, parking, and every stop we hit 🥟🌶️
13 creek crossings, a canyon that keeps closing in around you, and a hike I’d genuinely put back on my itinerary, West Fork Trail was the one.
We got to Call of the Canyon at 7:15am and the lot was barely a quarter full. By 12:30 it was 85% full, so if there’s one tip that matters most, it’s this: go early.
The maintained trail is 6.6 miles round trip, mostly flat, mostly shaded, but I kept my regular tennis shoes dry the whole way by hopping across the rocks at each crossing. It’s rated moderate, and honestly that’s about the distance, not the terrain.
Here’s what nobody tells you though ✨ the maintained trail isn’t the end. We changed into water shoes at the official endpoint and kept going another mile straight through the creek, canyon walls narrowing around us the whole time. That extra mile ended up being my favorite part of the entire hike.
5/5 for me. I’d bring the water shoes again in a heartbeat.
Link in bio for the full guide parking, timing, what to pack, and everything I wish I knew before I went 🥾
Two hours, zero regrets. The Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour is hands down one of the most fun things we did in Sedona.
Open-air Jeeps crawling over slickrock, backcountry views you can’t reach on your own, and the famous Road of No Return, steep, thrilling, and somehow completely safe the whole way down.
If you’re picking one paid activity in Sedona, make it this one.
You have to do @pinkjeeptours 🌵🚙 Link in bio for the full review.
Dinner beside Oak Creek at Cress, and yes, it’s a splurge, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.🤍
Candlelit tables under the trees, the creek running right beside us, a menu that mixes Arizona ingredients with French technique. We ordered a little of everything: the squash and beet salad, milk rolls with three different butters, sweet potato gnocchi that somehow felt light instead of heavy. Then two desserts because we couldn’t decide. The Vanilla Crème Caramel with Manchego cheese completely stole the show, salty and sweet in a way that sounds strange until you taste it.
Plan on $100–250 for two depending on what you order, and this isn’t the spot for a quick casual dinner, it’s slow, intentional, and worth every minute. Book ahead and ask for a creekside table if you can.
If you’re looking for one unforgettable meal in Sedona, this is it. Link in bio for the full review 🍽️
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