WLM
I
recently had the pleasure one Saturday
night of enjoying FireRock Steakhouse
and J’s Pub & Grill, both owned by
Johnson Restaurant Group, with
friends Ken & Sondra Stoecklin of
Casper’s Beartooth Photography. First place
we visited on our night out – FireRock
Steakhouse, on East 2nd Street in Casper.
Whenever I drive by or bring magazines
by the restaurant, I always salivate over
the exterior. The use of wood and stone
are both masculine and welcoming – and
excite my inner design diva. Add in rich
earth tones, a patio for an outdoor dining
experience and one instantly recognizes
that this building plays off elements of the
Wyoming landscape.
These facets continue inside the restaurant,
between the mammoth stone fireplace,
dining area, private dining rooms and bar.
The ambience is warm through the use of
rich wood tones, copper, muted light and
glass. I couldn’t help but look around me,
and I noticed many other patrons doing
the same. While the ceilings are tall, the
atmosphere is cozy, and the warm oranges
and reds created by the lighting offer a
chromo therapeutic dining experience.
The second thing I noticed when we
stepped inside – the place was packed for
a late Saturday night. The
bar was full, diners filled the
tables, and the energy was
high. We joined a group of
the Stoecklin’s friends at the
bar and settled into drinks,
appetizers such as Calamari
FireRock and their famous
dinner rolls. The menu
describes Calamari FireRock,
“Golden fried calamari
sautéed in garlic butter and
tossed with banana peppers; served with
| taste
Diablo sauce,” (or ‘Buffalo style’ and dressed
with bleu), but the Stoecklins describe it as
highly recommended.
However, our fellow diners and those
who responded to my Instagram picture
posted from our night out raved about
the steaks – and Wyomingites love their
steaks. FireRock serves the finest USDA
Certified Angus Choice Beef, from Sirloin
and Ribeye to Prime Rib served daily after
4:00 PM and noon on Sunday. “Our steaks
are hand cut, aged a minimum of 28 days
and cooked to perfection over almond
and oak on a wood fired grill,” FireRock
says. Maybe you’re craving seafood? Try
their Cedar Plank Salmon, Ahi Tuna
Medallions or Alaskan King Crab Legs,
just a sampling of their seafood menu. My
husband is a burger lover, and I’m planning
a trip back so he can sample his staple –
and their ‘famous’ – Bacon Cheeseburger.
He loves the basics.
To cap our meal, we were paid a visit
by the new head chef at FireRock, Brian
Escalante. Coming to Casper from Las
Vegas, Chef Escalante’s credentials
are impressive, including fine dining
establishments in the Bellagio, Cosmopolitan
www.wyolifestyle.com
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