A year ago, Ember lit its first flame. Now, the signature steakhouse at The Meritage Resort and Spa is entering its second year with new energy, a new chef, and the kind of atmosphere that invites indulgence.

Dark marble, warm wood, and flickering candlelight define Ember’s intimate 50-seat dining room. A teal-accented bar glows softly in the corner, beneath the watchful eyes of a steer painted on canvas. There’s Sinatra in the background. A cocktail in hand—maybe the Barrel Aged Black Manhattan with Smooth Ambler Contradiction Rye Whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, Angostura, and orange bitters. This is not a typical hotel restaurant. Ember feels like a secret: moody, elegant, and deeply personal.

Now leading the kitchen is Nicole Heaney, a Wyoming-born chef whose approach blends ranch-raised toughness with refined culinary technique. “I want to bring the best of everywhere I’ve worked,” she said. “And help my team grow—not just as cooks, but as future chefs.”

Heaney grew up in Douglas, Wyoming, in a family that hunted elk, fished trout, and drove across state lines to bring home whole bison. She speaks about Highland cattle and heirloom vegetables with reverence and fluency. That farm-to-fire ethos now guides Ember’s menu, where dry-aged ribeyes meet precise technique, and even the simplest ingredients—say, a potato pavé—get torched tableside in dramatic fashion.

Guests begin with raw bar selections that rival any coastal fine-dining room: seasonal oysters, a sashimi trio, and varied rolls. From there, the menu unfolds with chargrilled steaks, seasonal vegetables, and rich, detail-obsessed sides. The presentation of the steak knives, in a velvet-lined box delivered tableside, is a fun highlight. Choose your blade, then carve into something unforgettable. And be sure to leave room for decadent desserts.

Ember recently earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and it’s easy to see why: the cellar leans heavily on Napa’s boldest reds, with deep nods to Old World producers and Trinitas Cellars anchoring the list. For those who prefer bubbles, many begin the evening just steps away at Sora, The Meritage’s new sparkling wine bar—though make no mistake: it’s Ember that steals the show.

Complimentary valet parking makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. And under Heaney’s leadership, Ember feels sharper, more confident, and more magnetic than ever. “I’m focused on local sourcing, skilled technique, and thoughtful flavor,” she explained. “And I’m obsessed with details.”

Ember might be a steakhouse, but it is more than that. It’s a place where fire and finesse share the spotlight—and every dinner feels like an occasion, which can be made even more memorable with an overnight stay.

For more information www.embersteak.com

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