Learning from every position, style, and people leads to opportunities

Published 12:58 pm Thursday, January 13, 2022

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BY CARA MCCLOUD
STAR CORRESPONDENT

An experience restauranteur, Troy Boane battled the challenges of a global pandemic when opening his new restaurant in Roan Mountain.

Boane developed the idea for the restaurant in June 2019, and despite the challenging landscape was able to open the doors on Aug. 2, 2021.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

With more than 36 years of restaurant experience, Boane brings a unique perspective to this venture. His career began in high school, working in a fast-food chain. Over the years, he worked with pillars of the restaurant industry, including Damian Mandola and Johnny Carrabba, who founded the eponymous restaurant chain. Boane’s contacts also include the founders of Outback Steakhouse and Chris Parker, who founded Bonefish Grill in 2000.

Boane’s resume includes operating Houston’s, part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group and Seasons 52, which is part of the Darden Restaurant Group, a Fortune 500 company. He was instrumental in the creation of Calistoga Bakery Café, which eventually drew support from John Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s Pizza.

While Boane has cooked $5 pizzas and gourmet meals for $5,000-per-plate wine dinners, he said he is excited to bring his experience to Carter County.

“Roan Mountain was and is a beautiful, incorporated village community with some of the nicest and caring residents I have ever known,” he said.

Boane said he believes great food comes not only from following a recipe but from the hands and hearts of those who create the cuisine, which many in this area will agree with when someone tries to replicate their grandmother’s favorite dish. Love merely adds to the flavor of the fresh ingredients Boane is insistent upon using.

At Americano Steakhouse, every detail is considered to make sure the entire experience is up to his standards, from something as simple as a chilled salad plate to a perfectly seasoned hand-cut steak or salmon filet.

He believes standards and trust are the key to providing an excellent meal and service, and he works to develop his team through intelligent dialogue and collaboration. Thus, discussions can be made, lessons can be taught and learned, and respect is cultivated for all multi-directionally.

With a menu focused on fresh, locally sourced items, Americano’s also seeks to cater to guests’ needs, including many gluten-free dishes. Highlights of the menu include a 12-ounce center-cut Hawaiian Ribeye, which is marinated in a secret sauce that includes pineapple, soy and fresh ginger; gourmet burgers with a custom blend of beef, served on brioche buns; and seasoned fries that benefit from a 24-hour preparation process.

Desserts include a popular Italian Tiramisu made with imported lady fingers doused in espresso and coffee liquor and layered with sweet mascarpone; the Carver’s Gap Chocolate Cake, of which a colossal 12-layer slice is perfect for sharing; and Key Lime Pie made with the freshest possible ingredients.

For diners seeking something other than steaks, the menu features fresh garden salads from locally sourced greens; a Mediterranean salmon dish that includes an 8-ounce hand-cut filet, fire-grilled, and topped with fresh tomatoes, mixed olive, and feta cheese; the Sunburst Trout, which is sustainably raised from waters in the Shining Rock National Wilderness; and Chicken Marsala, served in a large eight-ounce fire-grilled portion, topped with mushrooms and then finished with Marsala wine sauce.

Due to zoning laws, the restaurant does not serve alcohol but do invite patrons to bring their own to be enjoyed appropriately.

The Americano Steakhouse is open 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Reservations and carryout are available.

For more information, call 423-481-1201. The restaurant is located at 8362 US-19E, Roan Mountain.