The Oaks Lakeside

The Oaks Lakeside Restaurant on beautiful Chippewa Lake is just a half-hour drive from Cleveland, but it feel like a retreat to a serene resort thousands of miles away. The surroundings are peaceful and captivating, and the food is divine. A combination of casual and elegance, the Oaks is the perfect place to enjoy the fine flavors of the world in a breathtaking atmosphere where the lake breeze is perfectly refreshing.

 

The Oaks Lakeside, part of the Oaks Lodge complex that offers fine banquet accommodations and party services, blends fine dining with a slightly rustic atmosphere that is crisp and clean. It showcases the beautiful nature that surrounds the facility in perfect balance.

 

The menu is diverse and classic, filled with American favorites that feature exotic twists. From casual eats to gourmet dinner entrees, The Oaks Lakeside has its patrons tastes covered to completion.

 

To start your meal, try the Parmesan Pommes Frites-- a delicate appetizer of thinly-cut, French-fried potatoes seasoned with black pepper, Parmesan cheese and served with cilantro barbecue sauce, or the crispy roll with nori-wrapped salmon, shiitake mushrooms, scallions and panko breading with a plum-sesame sauce.

 

If you're in the mood for a lighter meal, The Oaks has a variety of salads, sandwiches and baskets available for the choosing. The grouper fingers are perfect for hot summer nights: panko breaded filets of grouper served with pommes frites and lemon-chili remoulade. The Oaks' chicken waldorf is another excellent choice if you're hankering for something light-yet fulfilling. Plump, moist chicken breast meets juicy grapes, crisp celery and apples and crunchy pecans in a creamy salad that's served on a bed of fresh romaine lettuce.

 

If pasta is your vice, try the Mama Ragu-- tender pasta beneath a savory pork bolganese sauce, or the scampi pasta with plump shrimp, artichokes, wild mushrooms and a parmesan butter glaze.

 

The pistachio-encrusted lamb is wrapped in prosciutto and drizzled in a lemon-scallion oil and also makes a great dinner choice.

 

Other popular options include potato crusted halibut, filet mignon with bourbon shallots, rack of lamb in a Cabernet reduction and poached scampi in herb butter.

 

Reservations are advised, especially on busy weekends. Dress is business casual.

- by LeeAnn Mullen, Cleveland Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

LeeAnn Mullen

LeeAnn Mullen is a freelance journalist from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism is currently furthering her education by studying for an additional degree in information systems management. Mullen has written for several Cleveland-area newspapers, online publications and dozens of private clients. Her topics of specialty include health, technology and travel.