Lake Elmo Inn
Lake Elmo, MN 55042-9715
Phone: (651) 777-8495
- Price:
- $$$
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm, Sun 10am-2pm, 4:30pm-8:30pm
Editorial Review for Lake Elmo Inn – by Citysearch Editors
In Short
Warm oak woodwork and white-linen tablecloths lend an air of refinement, but thousands of vintage salt-and-pepper shakers in display cases give a "grandma's house" feel to this inn, which has been around since 1881. Minnesotans serious about a smorgasbord come for a Sunday brunch complete with champagne, sticky buns, made-to-order eggs and omelettes and directions to buffet tables groaning with food. For dinners, there's American standards like spinach salads, lobster ravioli and Cajun pork chops.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyA Tuesday buffet, from 11am to 2pm, offers a chef's entree, soup, salad, bread baskets and a dessert buffet. $11.45 adults, $5.75 children 11 and younger.
What to DrinkIf you're not up for a gut-stuffing brunch, try a house ale or cool martini at the Lake Elmo bar, where the scene is a bit more relaxed.
User Reviews for Lake Elmo Inn
06/23/2007 Posted by thefisherman2
We three couples celebrated a 44 and 50 anniversary at the Lake Elmo Inn. Our waitress, Debbie N. was prompt, courteous and very knowledgeble about all the menu options. We settled upon the special "Taste of the St. Croix" fixed menu. We started with a trio of appetizers which included artichoke and spinach dip, bruschetta and provencal olives. Wonderful! Next a trio of filet mignon, filet of pork and filet of salmon. Again exeptional. The trio of desserts included sin of the inn, chocolate dipped strawberry and chocolate creme brule. Each and every item was truly a unique experience. We all left with a feeling that this was a night to remember!
05/26/2007 Posted by jesusofnazareth
My wife and I ate here on a Saturday night (26 May 07), principally because we had a $90 gift certificate. In short, the food was fine, but the experience didn't justify the rather pricey tariff. If two people are going to spend well over $100 (with 4 glasses of ordinary wine and dessert), there are many other places with far greater value. Appetizers were odd (baked brie with a caramel sauce) and unimaginative, among which was the ubiquitous artichoke and cheese dip which we nevertheless got because we're suckers for it - and it was a good version. A spinach-goat cheese salad was fine. My wife had a Kobe steak for $30 (why so inexpensive for Kobe?) which was tasty, and I had a Creole scallop with mango relish special. The scallops were nicely done, but the relish was uninteresting and there was little Creole "zip". A large pile of accompanying vegetables was, as they frequently are, a minor distraction, and the potatoes featured an odd tasting tarragon dressing. A German chocolate cake and a volcano chocolate dessert were quite good. The service was very friendly and efficient. Ambience was "clubby" and low decibel. Overall, this is a very traditional restaurant. Nothing at all adventurous. The menu refers to "a unique dining experience" - but it isn't. Aren't there enough Buffalo wings on local menus? Filets mignon with bearnaise sauce? Chicken Oscar? The restaurant may do all of these very well (we had only one dinner there, to be fair), but it probably appeals more to those who are, let's say, "comfortable" with standard preparations. I should add that we aren't food snobs, but Lake Elmo Inn is a bit of a throwback to an earlier time, but with downtown Minneapolis prices.
Pros: Nice for those whose tastes are very traditional
Cons: Same as the "pro" above
Users Like You Also Viewed
Ike's Food and Cocktails
50 S Sixth St
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1540
Nancy's Landing
318 E Lake St
Waconia, MN 55387-1109
