Thanksgiving Point’s Harvest Restaurant offers a bountiful meal with a fine-dining feel
Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
Pan Seared Salmon at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
A cheeseburger and fries from the Kids Menu at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
A fresh loaf of wheat bread is served at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
The Seasonal Cavatappi Pasta at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point
Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken, Seasonal Cavatappi Pasta and Pan Seared Salmon at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
Pan Seared Salmon and Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken at the Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point.
It’s been almost five months since I first wrote about my dining experiences at Thanksgiving Point, and about that long since I realized just how expansive its culinary offerings are. Unfortunately, in the months since then, a crazy life, scheduling conflicts and countless after-work and weekend commitments have kept me from returning to finish what I started.
Well, I finally took one more step in the right direction with a late evening visit to the Harvest Restaurant, located in Thanksgiving Point’s Water Tower Plaza. It had been a long day of working, home organizing, buying new furniture and trying to find a moment to breathe, and neither of my kids had napped. So the idea of trekking from my home in Provo all the way to Lehi just to eat dinner? Well, it didn’t feel like such a genius move.
Having already committed to a friend, however, we loaded up our semi-reluctant crowd and hit the road. It was about time to put another notch on our Thanksgiving Point dining belt.
In case of a crowd, we called ahead while we were heading to Lehi, and were pleased, upon arrival, to find a hostess already waiting to take us to our table.
Having been to the Water Tower Plaza plenty of times before but never actually visiting the Harvest Restaurant, I was a little worried I might not find it. It took all of two seconds of glancing around to see the bold sign to the right signaling the direction we should head, and from the very entrance of the building, with a grand chandelier overhead, it was clear we were in for an elevated evening.
Much like Thanksgiving Point’s other eateries, the Harvest Restaurant is a completely developed experience that ties together the menu, décor, ambiance and service staff to create impressive opportunities for enjoyment in the least expected ways.
Each venue has its own theme, unique décor and tasteful menu, and the Harvest Restaurant had all that but at a more fine dining level. If the atmosphere wasn’t a tip-off to the higher quality of the establishment, the menu certainly was. Each entrée included chef-quality preparation and assembly with a price tag to match. The Harvest Restaurant is not for the faint of pocketbook, but it’s also a firm reminder that you get what you pay for.
The restaurant included a pretty ample portion of dining areas, all carefully divided out to offer a more intimate experience for each party, and though I felt like I should have probably dressed a little nicer, I felt comfortable in the classy yet rustic environment. A warm fireplace crackled in the corner and exquisite murals added dimension and a homestead feel to the interior amplified by the decorative wheat adorning each table.
Even the kids’ experience was elevated with the fun addition of twistable wax Wikki Stix rather than just crayons, and it’s safe to say that was a huge hit.
Exhaustion and stress went out the window as our attentive waitress ensured we always had a fresh, warm loaf of complimentary wheat bread on our table, and the serving staff made sure our water glasses never went empty.
That experience alone helped me feel more justified in our fine dining experience (I’ve noted many times before I tend to be a little tight-fisted about dining out).
It didn’t take long from ordering to serving, and I almost didn’t want to dive into my Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken – it was too beautifully plated! The meal included one half of a roasted chicken with chef’s vegetables, roasted fingerling potatoes and natural jus.
Essentially, it was a lovely spread of vegetables with a variety of colored potatoes that added an extra dimension to the plate. The chicken was moist and delicious, not to mention extraordinarily filling, and I could see myself sharing an entrée on a return visit before enjoying a dessert. There was plenty to take home that tasted just as great the next day.
The most interesting part of each entrée in particular was the fresh and earthy taste that accented it, making it very clear that each ingredient was carefully sourced and fresh.
Our group also enjoyed the Pan Seared Salmon, which included potatoes, vegetables and an avocado cream sauce, and departed from the all-too-typical fishy taste to actually quite a lovely, flavorful experience.
Our other entrée was the Seasonal Cavatappi Pasta, which included roasted butternut squash, shallots, smoked bacon, Italian shaved cheeses and sage cream. With so many complementary flavors, each bite was a unique, but delicious experience.
We had the children share a kids menu cheeseburger with fries, and were pleasantly surprised at just how tasty the fries were. We definitely enjoyed finishing up the leftovers from when the kids were done eating, and were impressed with just how large the portions were. Though the burger patty itself wasn’t a highlight, the bun was delicious, and the heaping portion of ice cream that was included with the meal definitely made the entire meal worth it! Thanksgiving Point’s craft ice cream is delicious, and we all enjoyed digging in to the chocolaty dessert (vanilla is also an option).
With the average entrée costing about $21 with a $4 additional charge for side salad or soup in addition to the main dish, it’s wise to plan your visit to Harvest Restaurant in advance, or, if you’re more budget conscious, consider checking out one of Thanksgiving Point’s other excellent eateries. But the Harvest Restaurant offers an experience equal to the cost, and the ambiance and excellent food aren’t soon to be forgotten.
If you’re looking for a high-quality or fine-dining experience in Utah County, the Harvest Restaurant could easily top the list.
HARVEST RESTAURANT AT THANKSGIVING POINT
Where: 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Cost: $15-$36 for adult dinner entrees, soups, starters, salads and lunch items starting as low as $7.
Info: (801) 768-4990, thanksgivingpoint.org/dine