Damon Baehrel - Earlton

It took years to get a reservation and it didn’t disappoint. The man is a master and genius. The time, effort, and love he puts into each and every dish this man makes is astounding. I honestly don’t remember how long we were there, somewhere between 6-7 hours and 30+ course. I wish I could describe exactly how neat and exciting the experience and stories of how he creates his ingredients are.

The food was creative and very tasty, and it was a lot of fun listening to Damon describe the various dishes and processes he uses to prepare them. We were there for about seven hours, but the pacing was good we were never waiting around or feeling rushed, and I couldn't believe that so much time had passed when we reached the end of the meal.

I am a very exclusive client and have not been able to reach them. I will look elsewhere for world class, personalized, multiple course dining.

Went to Damon Baehrel with friends for my birthday on October 5 of 2019. We had the privilege of just the four of us and Chef Baehrel for a 27-course 7.5 hour experience with fabulous wines and special non-alcoholic juice and sap blends. Damon did it all, and it boggles the mind just what we saw in the service. Our drinks never ran empty, one dish after another came out with such distinct and original flavors, such sublime tastes and smells, seven hours felt like an hour went by. Just one of the courses was a beautifully plated charcuterie dish featuring craft meats and cheeses prepared from scratch by Chef Baehrel. We found Chef to be warm, witty, funny, articulate, intelligent, charming, just one of the greatest hosts imaginable. I've been to a number of three-star Michelin experiences including Noma in Copenhagen and Noma's pop-up in Mexico which Time Magazine referred to as the ...meal of the century Damon provided a once-in-a-lifetime experience that was equivalent in some ways, but almost on another planet when it comes to his Native Harvest cuisine. It was like watching a magical alchemist, some have said like a visit with Yoda or Willy Wonka. He's been at this for 35 years, and as we were also in the company of a friend and Owner/Chef at our best Italian restaurant in Gainesville, we all marveled from course to course at the experience in this beautiful home. Naysayers be damned, this man and this restaurant and this warm and wonderful presentation would have been worth it for twice the price. It was one of the very few top birthdays of my life. Just what was set up in advance for our engagement boggles the mind absolutely spotless glasses lined up at the ready, table settings in the front room where we sampled many bite-courses and delicious palate-cleaning little iced slush balls of vegetable, fruit, and sweetness (no sugar, no cream) the endless beautiful presentation plates and unique utensils, the impossibly clean clever details, even the ice came prepared in a variety of ways and in a variety of concoctions sap, fruits, syrups just so impressive. The courses range from seafood to meats, cheeses, little bites of heaven on crackers made of pine, a profundity of techniques and methods, sauces so delicious we went in with fingers, and only one person to look to in the end Chef Damon Baehrel. We felt we left meeting two new friends: The Chef of course, and when we got home, our own back yards that we hadn't given proper consideration to. What wonders there are to be found in nature. I dare say dinner with Damon is in some ways a life-changing event. If you can go, go! We continue to live the experience in our minds, this special time still resonating, and if food is magic, wonder, nature, and heart, this is the man and the place.

Amazing dining experience. Nothing comparable I’ve ever encountered.