The Skyline Lodge has been reborn.
Perched atop Skyline Lodge Rd. in Highlands, the Lodge offers a one-of-a-kind location and a legendary architectural pedigree. Closed for several years, the property was recently purchased by Indigo Road - an Atlanta-based restaurant group - and is in the final stages of a full renovation. The inclusion of the Oak Steakhouse restaurant within the main building of the Lodge is a welcome addition to the dining landscape of the plateau.
Designed by Arthur J. Kelsey, a student of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the mid-century look and feel has been retained. However, while many of the original features of the lodge have been restored, the design language has also been reinterpreted.
Lauren Skidmore is Director of Rooms at the Skyline Lodge.
“I love the history of the Lodge,” Skidmore said. “I love that it retains the unique architectural feel of the original building, but that we could bring in a great restaurant into an already existing great property and fix it up is really cool. Our company’s plan is to expand into more boutique hotels in the region and that’s really exciting. The Skyline is our first venture into hotel hospitality.”
Michael Searles is in charge of operating the Oak Steakhouse at the Skyline and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of food and beverage.
“I grew up with a love of cooking and waited tables for years, and saw that obviously there’s a next level to this world that I could sink my teeth into… so I did,” Searles said. “I’ve opened several restaurants in Atlanta and elsewhere. I worked with Old Edwards Inn and learned a lot from how they treat their people well and still produce a great product and generate great revenue. Indigo Road is that kind of company and is one of the reasons I joined this group: smart, compassionate, and successful. I am very invested in their projects and in their people. One of the things that drew me to this project was being a part of the history of this place. I loved the lodge and I hated seeing it falling into disrepair - being mistreated, if you will. And I knew that this group of people would really do it justice and wanted to do something meaningful with this project. I’m also excited about the addition of an actual steakhouse to the area. Not to mention that it’s a steakhouse with some pedigree; the steaks that we’re using are all certified angus, and even though there are seven Oak Steakhouses, each one is chef driven and each has individual offerings specific to that location.”
Jason Dauble is the General Manager of the Lodge and recently moved to Highlands to take the lead role at the Skyline.
“A couple of years ago I found out that this property was going to be available, and I introduced the prospect to the people at Indigo Road,” Dauble said. “They had a look and immediately fell in love. I was growing tired of Atlanta and this opportunity was just what I was looking for. I immediately saw the vision - I could see past the state it was in and see the bones, the windows, the view … driving up to the Lodge you have no idea what you’re about to experience. It’s totally unexpected.”
The Oak Steakhouse is in full operation and currently taking reservations. It is a new addition to the local dining scene with a modern bar, an open dining room and mountain views.
The beverage program at Oak, curated by Searles and Wine Director Vonda Freeman, features an expansive wine list that complements the restaurant’s culinary menus, an ever-evolving cocktail selection, a variety of local beers, spirit-free cocktails, and more. The menu features creative touches on classic libations, like the Pinkie Lee Spritz with Bitter Orange, Lemon, Cava, and Black Pepper flavors and the Dark, Truthful Mirror with Chartreuse and Mezcal, Lillet, Lime, Ginger and Mountain Herbs. Guests are encouraged to enjoy their beverages “on the rocks and under the stars” on the property’s outdoor patio, which overlooks the lodge’s stone terrace and overhears the sounds of Big Creek Falls and Laurel Falls just below.
In addition to Oak, Skyline Lodge’s central lobby bar, Butlers Lounge, features expansive lounge seating, vaulted load-bearing ceilings, and two large scale fireplaces of hand-carved, locally quarried granite, and offers mid-century favorites such as Corpse Revivers, Manhattans, and Whisky Smashes as well as contemporary riffs on classics—nodding to the property’s 1960s roots.
The first and only steakhouse in Highlands, Oak is led by Executive Chef Kelly Vogelheim, who partners with area purveyors and neighboring farms to bring the flavors of Appalachia right to the table. Guests will enjoy a variety of starters, entrees, sides, and more, including Braised Rabbit Agnolotti with White Wine, Hazelnut, and Lavender; Wild Mushroom Tart with Shaved Turnips, Garlic Confit, Sherry Cream, and Gruyere; Duck Fat Poached Lobster Tail with Saffron Risotto, Pea Tendril, and Chive Oil; and, of course, a selection of Certified Angus Beef steaks. And for those with a sweet tooth, Executive Pastry Chef Anne White offers delectable treats such as her signature Sorghum Caramel Cake (which is sold both by the slice at Oak and as a full cake to take home), an Eight Layer Chocolate Cake (which also happens to be gluten-free), and a Honeysuckle Sorbet with Fried Sage Leaves and Baked Honey Meringue Shards. Anne brings a worldly mindset to her pastry program, having worked all over the world from Scotland to South Carolina.
“I feel so blessed to be up here among so many people with a shared vision,” Dauble said. “In Atlanta, your restaurant can get kind of lost – here, there’s more community feel and more appreciation for the experience we’re providing, and that goes both ways; we know and value our customers. It’s more personal on both sides. And that reciprocal gratitude is a passion for our company.”
The Skyline Lodge is located at 470 Skyline Lodge Rd between Highlands and Cashiers. Call 828-526-4008 for reservations or visit skyline-lodge.com.
Article by Lance Matzke