Juniper
May 9th and an 8:45 p.m. reservation at Juniper, one of the premier restaurants in JC. It had been an easy ride into the city from Greeneville, breaking from Andrew Johnson Highway onto the curvy backroads of Washington County. As we turned to enter the parking lot, ominous road closure signs blocked half the roadway. We paused, perplexed. Then we saw it: a small sign beneath saying: “Except for restaurant guests”.
We approached the antique house where the restaurant is located, with lights glittering faintly from the windows. A few guests stood in small groups conversing before leaving for the evening. We parked and began our approach on foot. The air was pleasant, freshened by the stream that passed near the restaurant.
We were seated towards the rear of the restaurant at a nice two-top and greeted by a tall, slender gentleman who would be our server for the evening.
After a consultation, we ordered drinks and starters. Focaccia, and chicken pot pie croquettes. For drinks, Keri ordered an Old Fashioned, and I, a Cognac concoction, the name of which I cannot recall, but it was absolutely exquisite.
The focaccia was airy and sweet, far different from the cheese- and accoutrement-laden flatbread Americans typically associate with focaccia.
The Chicken Pot Pie Croquettes were beautiful little orbs of encrusted pot pie filling. They were like a mix between a miniature soup dumpling and a chicken pot pie, were exactly bite-sized, and melted in our mouths in the most delightful way possible.
For the main course, Keri selected Steak Frites with a Wagyu filet medium-rare and sliced into perfect morsels. Meat and potatoes. I ordered the duck breast, which was served with pistachios over a bed of black lentils with apples. I also got a side of Brussels sprouts. With the meal, I also requested a glass of E. Guigal Cotes-du-Rhone. A red wine from the Rhône River Valley in France. I am not a sommelier, but the wine paired well with the meal, and I would highly recommend it.
Keri absolutely loved her Steak Frites, but turned her nose up at the Brussels sprouts. All the more for me. They had a wonderful vinegar glaze and accompanied the duck perfectly. The duck breast was prepared medium-rare, and absolutely incredible. Perfectly sliced and melt-in-your-mouth delectable, the black lentil soaked up the juices and the apple highlighted the mellow tones of the duck with a staccato dichotomy of both tart and sweet.
We were having a lot of fun. Our server was exceptionally knowledgeable and offered expert guidance interspersed with witty and tastefully comic diversions.
It was time for dessert and I was absolutely going to take the plunge. The debate raged. No, not really. We contemplated the delectable sweet side of the menu while discussing the benefits of Japanese whisky with the server. We decided to split a Caramel Pretzel and Chocolate Sundae. Caramel swirled and chocolate ice cream with chocolate truffles, whipped cream, caramel and candied pretzels. It was the perfect end to the perfect evening.
We were the last guests out the door that evening. We waved goodbye to the staff and headed out into the spring night to follow the winding streets back to the mountains of the North Carolina Boarder.