Paula Deen's Kitchen at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel Review

For several years, I've wanted to make the drive down to Savannah, Georgia to have a meal at The Lady & Sons Restaurant owned by the famous Paula Deen and her two sons, Jamie and Bobby. When I found out that Paula Deen was opening a new restaurant in my local casino, I was thrilled. Paula Deen's Kitchen was set to open on January 22nd, but actually opened a bit earlier. Would the restaurant live up to the hype? There was only one way to find out and, last night, I got my chance.

First of all, I have to comment on the atmosphere of Paula Deen's Kitchen at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel. When you walk up to the restaurant, it actually looked like the outside of a building even though it's indoors. You then enter a beautifully laid out gift shop that has Paula's cookbooks, spices, t-shirts, aprons and so much more. It's absolutely gorgeous. The restaurant itself, however, is breathtaking. It looks like something out of Southern Living and feels incredibly comfortable and homey. It also features an open kitchen that was designed to look just like Paula Deen's restaurant in her own home. Everything about the restaurant is gorgeous. I found myself making mental notes of the paint color combinations for my own home.

Okay, we all know that the atmosphere of a restaurant will only get you so far. The food has to be good. I have to say that I was impressed with the menu, which features many of the dishes I've seen Paula Deen cook on her hit TV shows over the years. My boyfriend had heard wonderful things about the chicken pot pie so that's what we bought ordered. The pot pie was made with chicken that was pulled from the bone and had both light and dark meat, which gave the dish a rich flavor. There were also peas and carrots and a rich sauce, topped by a crust made of puff pastry. The dish was absolutely huge and neither of us could finish it. The only thing I would say that was bad about this dish were the vegetables were overcooked. If the peas and carrots had a bit of snap, the dish would have been much better. Of course, you can't go to a new restaurant like this and not have dessert. I chose the key lime pie and was immediately in love with the crust, which features crushed graham crackers, butter and large pieces of almonds. And, it true Paula Deen style, it was topped with fresh whipped cream.

A lot of people have complained about the prices at Paula Deen's Kitchen at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel and I'm not sure why. The prices are no more outrageous than other restaurants the casino has had over the years. Our bill came to a little less than $45, but that featured two entrees and two desserts. For a celebrity chef's restaurant, that seems more than reasonable, in my opinion.

If you're a fan of Paula Deen, or just good Southern cooking, I highly recommend Paula Deen's Kitchen at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is delightful and the waitstaff were absolutely some of the nicest I've ever encountered. I give Paula's Kitchen 5 out of 5 stars.