Silas Creative Kitchen — Restaurant in Versailles

Review for Silas Creative Kitchen

I had heard endless praise about Silas Creative Kitchen from my buddy, who claimed it was the best restaurant he’d ever been to. This was a bold statement, considering his travels around the globe and his refined foodie palate. Skeptical but curious, I made him take me there while home for the holidays. Let me just say: I was completely blown away. Versailles, Ohio, is now home to the best dining experience I’ve ever had in my life.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by our server, Amy, whose energy set the perfect tone for the evening. Starting with a round of old-fashioned cocktails—each uniquely crafted and equally incredible—we moved on to appetizers that redefined my expectations. The fried mushrooms and pretzels were hands-down the best I’ve ever had. Special mention goes to the beer cheese, which was so good I joked about drinking it through a straw.

For entrées, I ordered the Wagyu prime rib, which was so tender it literally disintegrated under my fork. It was paired with a blend of flavors so unique and perfectly balanced, I was left speechless. My buddy had the scallops, and despite my initial doubts (because, let’s face it, Ohio isn’t exactly coastal), I had to admit they were some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Paired with grits that even a non-grits fan like me couldn’t get enough of, it was clear this restaurant was working magic. Amy explained how the seafood is caught, flash-frozen the same day, and shipped directly to them, and the freshness was undeniable.

The menu changes frequently, which means my buddy has never had the same dish twice—another reason he swears by this place. And after this experience, I no longer doubt him.

As if the meal wasn’t impressive enough, I got to chat with Samantha, the general manager, who was as enthusiastic as she was knowledgeable. She shared the history of the restaurant, their sourcing methods, and their dedication to quality. When I jokingly debated between ordering another beer or another entrée, she surprised me by saying, “Order the beer—I’ve got you on the entrée.” Minutes later, she brought out a Korean barbecue dish that somehow topped everything else we’d eaten that night.

By this point, we were stuffed, but even the leftovers were incredible. My parents, who ate them the next day, couldn’t stop raving about the flavors.

Before leaving, we met the head chef—a genius in the kitchen but humble and approachable, like one of the guys. His passion for the craft was evident, and it made the whole experience even more memorable.

As a final touch, we left with complimentary chocolate bark (infused with dates and chili flakes—an unforgettable combo) and a goodie bag filled with whiskey, old-fashioned mix, and luxurious Hotel Versailles products.

Now, let’s talk about the price. For a meal of this caliber, you might expect to pay hundreds of dollars per person. But at $65 each for food, it was an absolute steal. My final bill, after adding drinks, came to $160, which felt far too cheap for what we received. Our tip? $200—because Silas Creative Kitchen deserves every bit of recognition for creating such an unforgettable night.

If you’re within a thousand miles of Versailles, Ohio, do yourself a favor and visit Silas. It’s not just a meal; it’s...

Listen up, Versailles - and everyone within a 200-mile radius who claims to know good food. I just experienced what can only be described as a religious awakening disguised as a 22oz ribeye at Silas, and I’m not even sorry for the hyperbole. This isn’t just dinner; this is proof that miracles still happen in small-town Ohio. THE STEAK: Sweet mother of all that is holy and bovine - this ribeye was a star-spangled MASTERPIECE. Pre-cut (yes, THANK YOU for not making me saw through perfection like some medieval peasant), marinated to the point where angels wept, and with a crust so crispy it should be registered as a controlled substance. The inside? Tender enough to cut with harsh language, juicy enough to make you question every other steak you’ve ever eaten. The spice blend was like a symphony conducted by your taste buds - each herb taking its turn to absolutely DEMOLISH your expectations before gracefully stepping aside for the next flavor explosion. THE SIDES: Charcoaled corn that actually tasted like corn (revolutionary concept, apparently), beets that didn’t taste like dirt for once in their miserable existence, and wild-caught mushrooms fried in what I can only assume was liquid gold infused with lemon and dreams. The oil was so clean I’m convinced they change it after every order. The portions? GENEROUS doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m pretty sure they’re operating at a loss just to bless our unworthy palates. THE CONTROVERSY: Here’s where I’ll lose some of you - I’m convinced Midmark (yes, the medical equipment company) is secretly subsidizing this place because there is NO WAY food this extraordinary should cost this little in today’s economy. It’s either corporate benevolence or actual witchcraft, and honestly, I don’t care which. THE SERVICE: George. GEORGE! This man deserves a congressional medal of honor. I tipped him 33% and it still felt inadequate. The atmosphere wasn’t just pleasant - it was transcendent. I felt like I was dining in the secret chamber where all the world’s best chefs go to cry tears of inadequacy. THE BOTTOM LINE: If you can’t get a reservation here, keep trying. If they offer subscription reservations (and if you’re within driving distance), SIGN UP IMMEDIATELY. This place is going to be impossible to get into once word spreads. To the inevitable haters in the comments: Yes, I’m being dramatic. No, I don’t care. Sometimes you encounter something so magnificent that measured responses feel like an insult to the experience. Silas has ruined me for all other restaurants, and I’ve never been happier to be destroyed. Would I go back? I’m already planning my funeral here because I want my last meal to actually be worth...

It's an amazing restaurant where you would least expect to find something of this caliber. The food, service, and atmosphere are truly 5 stars, but why a 4 star ranking? I'll get to that at the end. Their late spring menu has so many amazing options and we settled on 2 apps and 2 entree's; the tart and the brussel sprouts, followed by an amazing dish of scallops and the short ribbon with hummus. Who knew? Our server, Sara/Sarah, was amazing and stayed far enough away to enjoy a night out, but was readily available to check on us. The entire night out was just under $250 for the two of us, and while we live in Dayton, we would have stayed for an additional drink or two in the bar, but herein lies why the 4 star rating. We didn't stay for a nightcap because the bourbon is just priced too high. The bar offers 1z and 2z pours and we prefer 2z pours. My wife and I have traveled to numerous distilleries in KY and bought many of the bottles that Aaron has chosen to have in the bar. From Peerless to Angel Envy's and Bookers to Penelope, amongst others, we really enjoy our bourbons. Many of their nicier bottles fall into a price range of $60-$150 at retail. I know that restaurants/bars will mark up a pour about 300-400%, and I'm fine with that, but dozens and dozens of their options are marked up as much as 1,500%! We simply couldn't stay to have a 2z pour on some of the bourbons that were as much as $50-$70 per pour. We came home and had a lovely nightcap from our bottle of Peerless Toasted Bourbon. But rest assured, we will be back and we will bring others, we just won't drink as much...