Denver, NC has experienced incredible growth in recent years -- and I speculate (though I'm not certain) Safari Miles may have been caught unprepared for the deluge of folks ready to take off "on safari."
The rather cozy, well-appointed restaurant is tucked back into a little strip mall on the side of highway 16, with plenty of room for parking. I rather expected a bit more from the jungle theme inside -- a few taxidermied animals hinted at what could be a real treat if developed a little more thoroughly.
My experience waiting at the front desk was unacceptable -- not so much for the length of time that passed before I was seated (about 14 minutes), but for the complete lack of acknowledgement for majority of that time. After my time in suppertime purgatory had passed, I was reluctantly greeted with indignation that I should wish to dine out, alone, on a Thursday night. [Point taken.]
Fortunately Gabby, the pleasant waitress who took my order, had none of the surliness of the front desk. She was warm and informative and a delight. It seemed, however, that the Safari Miles was short-staffed that particular Thursday evening, however.
The bread and salad that came first were delicious. The dressings, I understand, are all house-made and the bread is as well. (Though the butter had a note of clove in it that I didn't particularly care for.) The steak was cooked to perfection and served with a side of tasty mac & cheese. The cheesecake that followed was equally delicious. All of he FOOD at Safari Miles was all "en pointe". Prices are excellent and serving sizes appropriate.
It seems the back-of-the-house and the front-of-the-house here are managed with different philosophies. This dichotomy shows, badly, in the dining experience.
There is a large and well-stocked bar here for those Papa Hemmingways with a taste for adult beverages, and a cooler stocked full of yummy-looking desserts.
Before posting my own review, I read those of others. A consistent observation I found is: Safari Miles was once grand but has now become just so-so. While I cannot speak to its former "glory days," I'd have to agree -- right now, dinner at Safari Miles is just so-so.
BUT -- and this is a Big Ol' Wildebeest BUTT -- there is PLENTY OF ROOM for fast and rapid improvement in service. (. . . and pith helmets, witch doctors, and more than a few exotic animal carcasses.)
Better attention to the front door (perhaps a better staffing strategy altogether) would go a long way towards ameliorating things. I would've happily paid a little more for "better" -- but please, tackle the "better" before asking customers for more.
I loved the food and the concept -- and hope Safari Miles will come "back from the hunt" soon with better game.
PS. Check out the now extinct "Adventurer's Club" at Walt Disney's Pleasure Island for some great ideas on how to extend and trick-out your safari theme: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventurers_Club read more