More than 80 Years of Memorable Meals at the Roundhouse

Sun Valley’s Roundhouse restaurant offers pristine views, exceptional eats, and unbeatable charm. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUN VALLEY RESORT.

BY TIM ATWELL

In autumn 1939, as leaves turned yellow on the cottonwoods around Sun Valley, two historic events occurred in the area. First, Ernest Hemingway took up residence in Suite 206 of the Sun Valley Lodge to finish his novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls. Second, construction was finished on the Roundhouse, a scenic lodge overlooking the valley at an elevation of 7,700 feet. Both For Whom the Bell Tolls and the Roundhouse have delighted countless people over the past 80 years—but only one offers fondue.

“Much of the original character of the Roundhouse remains intact and is a beloved favorite of locals and visitors alike,” said Jenna Vagias, Brand & Communications Manager at the Sun Valley Resort. “Nestling up inside after a morning on the mountain to take in the views and enjoy the spectacular menu, including fondue, captures the magic of Sun Valley.”

The Roundhouse captures the Sun Valley magic in a warm, cozy way, thanks in large part to a four-way stone fireplace that was designed to defrost guests throughout all angles of the octagonal structure. The building was designed with 46 windows, which has widely been regarded as a good decision due to the breathtaking nature of the surrounding landscape. In the kitchen, chefs unwilling to be upstaged by the scenery serve up a full, multi-course menu featuring decadent dishes such as king salmon, sous vide duck breast, buffalo short rib, and of course, fondue.

“The authentic charm and unmatched elegance of the Roundhouse is an example of Sun Valley Resort as a whole,” said Vagias. “Sun Valley has become such a special place, in part because of the investment into the details around traditions, holiday experiences, and the human element—our people are what quite literally make this place stand out.”

Accessible only by gondola, the Roundhouse’s wrap-around deck and four-sided fireplace offer a unique dining experience.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUN VALLEY RESORT

Just a year after Hemingway finished For Whom the Bell Tolls, another group of people arrived to make the area notable. Set in Sun Valley, the musical Sun Valley Serenade was a box office success in 1941 with three Academy Award nominations. Its standout song “Chattanooga Choo Choo” went on to become a radio hit, reaching number one on the Billboard singles chart and selling over a million copies in the following year.

“When I enter the Roundhouse, I do feel a sense of the history. I especially think about the scenes in the movie Sun Valley Serenade that were filmed there. The restaurant looks much like it did in that movie 80 years ago,” said Vagias. “Really puts everything about Sun Valley in perspective when you think of the hundreds of thousands of people who have dined there.”

Of the people who have dined at the Roundhouse, it is curious to consider how many of them might have been inspired to visit after watching Sun Valley Serenade, a musical whose most famous song featured the line, “Dinner in the diner / Nothing could be finer / Than to have your ham and eggs in Carolina.” After all, what could be finer than the experience that Vagias wishes upon each guest at the Roundhouse:

“Hopefully guests who dine with us at the Roundhouse will leave with fond memories of a special time with friends and family and a soul rejuvenated by the nourishment and atmosphere alike.”