Nestled within the expansive and breathtaking Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve, Osage Restaurant offers more than just a meal; it’s a destination. After several work-related visits to Top of the Rock, I knew I had to return purely for leisure and the pleasure of experiencing Osage Restaurant. So, one sunny Sunday, I gathered my husband, Eli, and our son, Oliver, for a delightful drive to Ridgedale, Missouri, eager to savor the renowned dining experience.
A Sunday Afternoon at Top of the Rock
Arriving at Top of the Rock, the visitor’s center parking lot was bustling, yet the grounds themselves felt spacious and uncrowded. This sprawling location boasts an impressive array of attractions: two distinct restaurants, a cozy bar, a curated wine cellar, a charming gift shop, an intriguing cave system, a natural history museum, a driving range, and a championship golf course. The sheer size of Top of the Rock allows visitors to explore and relax without feeling overwhelmed. Our primary focus was Osage Restaurant, where we had dinner reservations, but we promised our son a post-meal adventure to discover more of what Top of the Rock has to offer.
Culinary Delights at Osage Restaurant
Upon being seated at Osage Restaurant, we were immediately greeted with warm hospitality and a tempting basket of freshly baked bread, crisp crackers, accompanied by a fragrant olive oil and balsamic vinegar dipping blend. As we examined the menu, our appetites were already piqued. My husband, Eli, a confessed devotee of fried chicken, opted for Genny Morris’ Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast. Priced at $23, this dish promised a hearty serving of creamy mashed potatoes, vibrant sautéed green beans punctuated with tart grape tomatoes, and a luscious thyme-cream gravy. The chicken’s breading was notably peppery and substantial, reminiscent of the best chicken-fried steak crust, encasing chicken that was incredibly tender and succulent.
My choice was the Grilled Circle B Ranch Pork Chop, a $34 selection that came with subtly spicy jalapeño-cheese grits and sautéed fresh spinach, generously seasoned with garlic. However, the standout element of my dish was the pistachio and sage pesto crowning the thick, perfectly grilled pork chop. This pesto was an inspired twist on the classic, both innovative and comforting. The sage invoked a sense of nostalgia, and I found myself savoring each bite of the tender pork, dipping it into the nutty, herbaceous pesto until the plate was clean, leaving me wanting more.
Oliver, in between animated trips to observe a large taxidermied bear (cleverly disguised as bathroom breaks), enjoyed a kid-friendly grilled chicken breast accompanied by sautéed green beans and mashed potatoes. This children’s meal was substantial and surprisingly flavorful (confirmed by a parental taste test), priced at $12. It’s always refreshing to encounter restaurants that prioritize quality ingredients and real food options on their children’s menus, rather than just the usual processed fare.
While the menu at Osage Restaurant reflects a higher price point – $23 for a single piece of fried chicken might raise an eyebrow – the view is undeniably priceless. Our table was perfectly positioned beside expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a panoramic vista of the serene Table Rock Lake as we enjoyed our meal. To conclude our dining experience, we shared a raspberry lemon bar for dessert. This treat featured layers of bright, fruity flavors atop a delightful crumbly crust, a perfect sweet ending.
Beyond the Meal: Exploring Top of the Rock
Post-dinner, we ventured out to explore more of Top of the Rock. A mandatory stop was for a selfie at the iconic infinity pool and the impressive “End of the Trail” statue, which overlooks a stunning panorama of Table Rock Lake. Oliver was captivated by the numerous taxidermied animals and utterly fascinated by the colossal woolly mammoth skeleton displayed near the entrance of the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. We also paused to watch golfers on the driving range, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Ozark Mountains. The only attraction we missed was the Lost Canyon Cave & Natural Trail. Having heard whispers of a bar nestled within the cave, we decided it warranted a dedicated date night visit. Content and satisfied, we boarded the shuttle back to our car, already anticipating our return to Osage Restaurant and Top of the Rock.
