The entrance to the Adoba Hotel on Mt. Rushmore Road in Rapid City, South Dakota is prelude to art appreciation and fine dining. A large two-inch thick stone and marble mosaic inlaid into the lobby entrance floor replicates the faces carved on Mt. Rushmore, 30 minutes away. Fine art decorates the walls of this new concept for an eco-friendly hotel where every effort is made to create a healthy environment for guests.
“Glues used in carpets give off fumes. We have removed room carpets and replaced them with non-glued new carpet squares that fit together. Everything has been rebuilt so the rooms are not only comfortable but healthy and environmentally friendly,” Karim Merali, the owner explained.
We entered Enigma Restaurant off Adoba’s lobby. It is intimate. Lighting from hand blown glass lamps descend over each table with purple or yellow globes. Walls are paneled in dark wood, there are parquet floors. Etched tiles on one wall depict primitive horses. Tables are set with linen cloths and napkins with fine plate silver. Comfortable leather banquettes separate diners. Banquette high tops are made of frosted glass to afford privacy.
A martini bar will serve up favorites as well as South Dakota specials like Black Cosmopolitan with Absolut Vodka, Triple Sec, Chambord, with a sweet and sour sense. There is also the Pomegranate martini that adds pomegranate schnapps and juice to Vodka. Martinis are $10. Wines by the glass run from $6 to $9. White wine offerings include Seleni Sauvignon Blanc, $32 a bottle. Cake Bread Cellars Chardonnay is $80. Champagne lovers will find Veuve Cliqout from France $90. Reds include Gascon Malbec $28 a bottle, Chateau St. Michelle Merlot $34, Garnet Monterey County Pinot Noir is $32.
Chefs at Enigma use organic foods and local purveyors where possible. Black Hills Farmers Market and Dakota Rural Action provide greens. Bison, beef, seafood and vegetables come from locals like Alaskan Fresh, Prairie Harvest SD and Battle Creek Gardens. Ingredients are flown in fresh when necessary.
Appetizers include Maryland crab cakes for $12. Two large, lump meat portions come to table seasoned with fines herbes, served with smoked remoulade. Mushroom crostini offers wild mushrooms prepared in a demi glace and crème fraiche sauce $8. For those with a yen for steak tartare, the organic fillet is served with quail egg, red onion, capers and Dijon sauce $14.
Salads at Enigma include hearts of palm with arugula served with Champagne vinaigrette $8. Duck fanciers will like Enigma’s duck confit salad with field greens, fried lotus root with raspberry vinaigrette $12. The pear and blue cheese salad is garnished with toasted pine nuts, agave, organic arugula with walnut vinaigrette $8.
Main courses include South Dakota favorites like the 14-ounce Kansas City strip steak crusted with black pepper and seared with Cognac. The meat comes hot from the broiler with a savory sauce, organic mixed field green salad and french fries $34.
Filet Enigma is 10 ounces. The organic meat is served with grilled asparagus and vanilla Dauphine potatoes $38. The filet, prepared to taste, is savory, tender and juicy in demi glace with Boursin cheese.
Seafood and shellfish lovers will relish Coquilles St. Jacques. These diver caught scallops are prepared with Vermouth buerre blanc. The scallops are tender, browned in the pan, with a delicious firm but succulent taste $28. Trout almandine with buerre noisette and toasted almonds is $24. Swordfish, when available, is $26.
Local buffalo ranchers supply grass fed bison. The meat is ground and served with Maytag blue cheese, caramelized onions and french fries $14. Rosemary chicken is $24 served with glazed baby carrots, purple Peruvian hash and fines herbes.
Enigma’s rack of lamb offers eight chops with a demi glace sauce. The lamb is tender and delights eye and palate. The lamb is served with fingerling carrots and seasonal vegetables $32.
Our server brought a bread basket to the table with hot sliced baguette. There was creamery butter as well as olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette dip.
Enigma’s portions are plentiful. Try to leave room for dessert. Choose a deconstructed smore, profiteroles or strawberry pepper. There is home made ice cream and fresh berries to round out the meal. Desserts run about $9.
The restaurant gets its name from Adoba Hotel owner Karim Merali’s idea to let chefs create meals around a concept of asking diners to trust them to prepare surprises. The result is a four-course dinner for two called Enigma’s Mystery Dinner. Chefs prepare delights without telling diners what they will be served. Of course if there is something you don’t wish to eat inform the server, otherwise be prepared for an elegant meal of wonderful surprises. The cost of the mystery dinner for two persons is $96.
There are many delights in this City of Presidents. Rapid City gets its name from life-like bronze sculptures of all past U.S. presidents set on every street corner. Rapid City is gateway to the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. For a comfortable, healthy place to stay and a wonderful place to eat, Adoba Hotel and its Engima restaurant provides fine lodging and great food.
For more information visit their website at www.adobahotelrapidcity.com. Or call for reservations 605-348-8300.
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