Cuisine: American, Fish & Seafood, Steaks, Dessert
Restaurant Features: Banquet, Happy Hour (bar only), On-Site Parking, Patio, Sunday Brunch
Location: North Oaks, MN
Address: 5959 Centerville Road North Oaks, MN 55127  651-426-9222
Hours: Mon-Thurs 5-9pm (Bar 4-10pm), Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm (bar 4-11pm)  Sun 10am-8pm
Links: Tria Website * Tria on Facebook * Google Map

Atmosphere: Tria is located at Centerville Rd and County Rd J in a large, beautiful building that more closely resembles a modern mansion than a restaurant.  There are six dining areas within the property.  The main dining room is just inside the entrance; a homey room with arched entries, fireplaces and wooden floors.

Another popular area at Tria is the Bar, which is where we sat.  The beautiful wooden  bar is the center of the room, with big booths running along the wall.

This is one of the areas available for private dining

Private Dining Area at Tria ~ North Oaks, MN

Here is another dining space.

Additional Dining Area at Tria ~ North Oaks, MN

Menu: Appetizers at Tria include Bruschetta Boursin, Seared Scallops, Escargot, Beef Bites, Crab Cakes, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Dijon Chicken Bites, Walleye Fingers, Chicken Tenders, Calamari, Shrimp Pronto Pup, Mushroom Puff, Wild Mushroom Flatbread (bar only, and Prosciutto and Arugula Flatbread (bar only).

Soups include Cream of Wild Rice and Brie, French Onion, and the Scallop and Cucumber.  Salad offerings are the Caesar, Wedge, Spinach and Roasted Beet.

Casual Classics include Chicken Pot Pie, 1/2 lb Burger, Chicken Club, Walleye, Prime Rib Dip, and Baked Mac N Cheese.

Tria’s Entrees include Tournedos of Beef (choice of Dijon Cream, Bearnaise or Sauteed Mushrooms), Walleye (broiled, blacked or pan fried), Veal Scaloppine (piccata, marsala, caprese), Chicken Penne, Pappardelle Pasta, Chardonnay Chicken, Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Stuffed Chicken, Pork Shank, Steak Frites, 6 oz or 9 oz Filet Mignon, 14 oz Ribeye, New York Strip, Lamb Chops, Venison, Salmon, Seared Ahi Tuna, Halibut, Sea Bass, Scallops, and Shrimp Scampi.

Desserts include Artisan Cheese Board, Homemade Ice Cream (pistachio white chocolate, ), Homemade Sorbet, Hot Fudge or Mixed Berry Sundae, Chocolate Lava Cake, New York Cheesecake, Creme Brulee, Chocolate Decadence, Apple Tart, and Chomeur Pudding.  There are also a number of dessert wines and ports.

Price guide: Appetizers $7-12  Entrees $15-30  Desserts $3-9

Happy Hour:

• Early Bird M-F 4:00-6:30
• Late Night M-Th 9pm-close  Sunday 8pm-close
• Bar Area Only
• 1/2 price Salmon Creek Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, Michelob Golden Light, House Rail Cocktails
• $3 off Appetizers

Weekly Specials:

Wednesday-  Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes $18

Thursday- Prime Rib with Twice Baked Potato, Green Beans and Popover Queen Cut $20 King Cut $24

Friday-  Cioppino $27

Saturday- Beef Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes $24

Sunday- Prime Rib with Twice Baked Potato, Green Beans and Popover Queen $20  King $24

What we ordered: My companions and I visited Tria during Happy Hour, so we ordered several appetizers, including the Chicken Dijon Bites.  These little bites of white meat chicken were mixed with a flavorful, creamy dijon mustard sauce along with sauteed mushrooms and spinach. Delicious and low-carb! Came with a long slice of toasted ciabatta.

We also tried the Artichoke Dip, which was also very good.  The blend of cheeses, spinach and artichokes was baked in a ramekin with breadcrumbs on top.  It was served with a plate-full of  golden baguette toasts.  Both the dip and the toast were wonderful, just wish there was more dip for all the toast ;)

We also had the Beef Bites, mmm mmm mmm. The bites of beef were tender and juicy, seasoned with Montreal spices and cooked in a red wine reduction, then served with a side of bearnaise and extra-long slice of toasted ciabatta.  Delish!
.

Beef Bites at Tria ~ North Oaks, MN

And last but certainly not least of the appetizers is the Wild Mushroom Flatbread.  I like everything I tried but this definitely stood out, it was fabulous! The flatbread was topped with chive oil, fresh garlic, wild mushrooms and boursin cheese, then baked to a crispy golden brown and topped with fresh sprouts.  The pizza was light and very flavorful and  I absolutely loved the cheese they used, it had much more to offer in the flavor department than any ordinary mozzarella.  I might dream about this pizza, it was that good.

We also ordered a Burger with Bacon and Bleu Cheese.  The burger was 1/2 lb of beef topped with extra thick slices of smokey bacon and bleu cheese crumbles on a fresh, toasted bun.  The entire thing was very good but the bacon was outstanding.

We were definitely full from our appetizers and wine but when I heard they had a list of homemade ice creams and sorbets, I had to try one.  Our server ran down the list of flavors and once I heard “pistachio” I was sold.  This was no ordinary pistachio ice cream.  It was a scoop of frozen heaven in a dish and I am an ice cream lover to the core.  It was rich, creamy and packed full of small pieces of pistachios and the white chocolate was infused into the pistachio cream.  Heavenly!

Service: We had excellent service at Tria.  We wanted to take advantage of the happy hour specials so we sat in the bar; fortunately we arrived early enough that a booth was available.  Our server greeted us right away and told us about the happy hour specials.  Our glasses of wine arrived within minutes so we enjoyed it while we looked over the appetizer menu.  Our server was great about checking on us even when the bar area became busy, all requests were taken care of quickly.

Overall Impression: I am glad I finally tried Tria; the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent.  I am still thinking about the Wild Mushroom Flatbread and the Pistachio Ice Cream, but would also like to have dinner there next time I visit.  Looking forward to the patio when it gets a little warmer too!

Cuisine: Italian, Fish & Seafood, Steaks
Restaurant Features: Bar, Gluten Free Menu, Happy Hour (Bar only), On-Site Parking, Sunday Brunch
Locations: Burnsville & Roseville, MN
Addresses & Maps:
Burnsville- 14296 Plymouth Ave  Burnsville, MN 55337  952-892-7555
Roseville- 2050 North Snelling Ave Roseville, MN 55113  651-644-2808
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-12am  Sun 10am-10pm
Links: Chianti Grill Website * Chianti Grill on Facebook

Atmosphere: The new home of the Chianti Grill in Roseville is on Snelling Ave next to Har Mar Mall.  This newly constructed restaurant has been open for about two years now and is a much larger and more modern version of its former home.  The main dining room is large and seems even bigger with the tall ceilings.  The room is divided into sections of high backed booths, which help to keep noise levels under control and also offer some privacy for the guests.

The bar area is another large seating area, with seating at the bar as well as booths along the wall.  The bar is beautiful and runs the entire length of the room.

There is also a little lounge area in the bar near the entrance; a great place to have a cocktail and wait for a table when it gets busy on the weekends.

Menu: Appetizers at Chianti Grill include Spicy Tenderloin Tips, Calamari, Mozzarella Caprese, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Seared Ahi Tuna, Crab Claws, Bruschetta, and Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Flatbread options include Prosciutto Arugula, Mediterranean, Margarita, and Grilled Chicken.

Pastas include Seafood Canneloni, Lasagna Bolognese, Mostaccioli, Manicotti, Tortellini (ham, mushrooms and peas), Spinach Ravioli, Cappellini al Fresco, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Cappellini al Gamberetti, Spicy Chicken Penne, Seafood Linguini, Chicken Cappellini, Fettuccine Alfredo, Gnocchi alla Crema di Campagna, and Shrimp and Lobster Linguini.

Seafood options include Grilled Tiger Prawns, Walleye Impanato, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Salmon Taormina, and Crab Claws.  Steaks include 8 oz Filet Mignon, 16 oz Sirloin, 16 oz Ribeye, 14oz NY Strip.  Chicken and Veal options include Marsala, Sorrento, and Parmigiana.

House Specialties include Zuppa de Pesce, Lobster Ravioli, Grilled beef Skewers, Lobster Oscar Filet.

Gluten-Free items include Chicken Spicy Penne, Lobster & Shrimp Spaghetti, Chicken Spaghetti, Penne Chicken Alfredo, Spaghetti and Mostaccioli, as well as all of the steaks and many of the seafoods from the dinner menu.

Price guide: Appetizers $7-13  Flatbread $8-10  Pasta $14-20  Entrees $16-28 (items on lunch menu considerably less)

Happy Hour:

• Served in the Lounge only

Sunday Brunch:

• $12.95/Adults $6.95/ Kids 4-11  Free/ Kids 3 and under
• 10am-2pm
• a variety of homemade pastas, fresh fruit, pastries, salads, an omelet bar, traditional breakfast items and delicious desserts.

What we ordered: What do you do when two different appetizers sound really good and you can’t decide which to get? Order Both!! At least that’s what I do ;) First on that list is the Spinach Artichoke Dip.  This was a large portion of cheeses, artichoke, spinach and onion blended then baked in a ramekin.  It was served with a sliced, toasted baguette.  Delicious! The dip was very flavorful, partially because it had a lot of onions in it, which I thought was great.  You might not love it as much if you aren’t a fan of onions.

We also tried the calamari.  This was good, but nothing out of the ordinary.  The calamari was cooked just right so it was still tender but the breading wasn’t too crispy and was kind of boring in the flavor department.  It was served with marinara and also a  horseradish dip, which were both good and definitely helped spice up the flavor.

Then came the basket of bread with our meals.  We didn’t have any room for this at dinner so I brought it home and had it later.  It was very good and kind of dense.

Our meals also came with a house salad, I got mine with ranch.  I just love fresh buttermilk ranch dressing and this one was really good!

For my meal I ordered the Mostaccioli.  Although this is kind of an ordinary meal for me and I usually order pastas that are more adventurous, I was in the mood for red sauce.  I was too full to eat more than a few bites while we were still at the restaurant, but it was very good.  The noodles were tossed with a zesty red sauce, ground Italian sausage, chunks of mushrooms, sauteed onions, garlic and other spices.  It was topped with a ton of mozzarella then baked.  I also had it topped with freshly grated parmesan.  This was yummy (although I know I could easily make something similar at home) and hit the spot.  The leftovers were just as good the next day.

My companion wanted to have something with seafood and after much deliberation and suggestions from the server, ordered the Crab Ravioli, one of the daily specials.  This was a unique dish; there were about five raviolis stuffed with shredded crab meat.  The bell pepper cream sauce that it was served with was very sweet and contained pieces of the tri-colored peppers.  We both liked it but I admit I think I would like it better with a more savory sauce.

Service: We had good service at Chianti Grill.  We visited at an odd time (3:30pm) on a Saturday and had no problem getting a table without a reservation.  Our server was both friendly and also had a funny sense of humor.  She had several recommendations on the menu and did a good job timing our food so that everything was staggered.  Most of the time our drinks were refilled as soon as needed but there were a couple of times while we were eating that I waited for several minutes without anything to drink.

Overall Impression: I am glad I finally had the opportunity to try Chianti Grill.  I thought the food was decent, as was the service.  Items from the lunch menu are considerably less expensive, so if you want to save a few bucks, visit before 4pm.  Happy Hour offered in the Lounge only.

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill, Fish & Seafood,  Steaks
Restaurant Features: Bar, Flat Screen TVs, Happy Hour, Kids Menu, Live Music, On Site Parking, Sunday Brunch
Locations: Brooklyn Center & Bloomington, MN
Addresses and Maps:
Bloomington- 5001 American Blvd Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 746-8887
Brooklyn Center- 2590 Freeway Blvd Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 (763) 503-3561
Links: Oak City Website * Oak City on Facebook

Atmosphere: The Brooklyn Center location of Oak City is located next to Country Inn & Suites Hotel, on the frontage road that runs along the north side of 694.  The building is a decent size (formerly TGIFriday’s), with the dining room arranged into several distinct eating areas to allow for more privacy.  The section my companion and I sat in had several two-person booths, other sections had bigger booths and also some tables. The decor of Oak City is sophisticated contemporary, with gold accents and fun quotes throughout the restaurant (hanging on walls and also embedded into the backs of the booths).

Above the booths in the middle of the restaurant are these cool metal sculptures made to resemble Trees.

There is also a large bar area when you first walk into the Brooklyn Center location, with seating at the bar and also several high-topped tables.

Menu: Appetizers at Oak City include Walleye Fingers, Captain Crunch Chicken Strips, Mini Black Angus Burgers,  Cheese Curds, Mile High Nachos, Pot Stickers, Chicken Wings & Boneless Wings (6 sauces).

Oak City also serves Flatbread Pizzas including Margherita, Signature Sausage, Spinach & Artichoke Heart, and Traditional (sausage or pepperoni).

Appetizer Salads include House, Caesar, Candied Walnut and Spinach and Applewood Bacon.  Entree Salads include Chicken Caesar, Portabella, Peppercorn Tenderloin, Candied Walnut, Spinach & Applewood Bacon, and Cashew Chicken.

Specialty Sandwiches at Oak City include Chicken Ciabatta, Oak City Philly, Walleye, French Dip, Hickory Chicken, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Gyro, Reuben, and Oak City Club.

Burgers include Bourbon Teriyaki Bacon Cheeseburger, Hickory Burger (smoked gouda and chipotle bbq sauce), Sauteed Shroom Burger, Bleu Cheese Burger, Cajun Ranch Burger, Cheeseburger and Basic Burger.

Entrees include Fajitas, Fish ‘n Chips, Baby Back Ribs, Broasted Chicken, Choice Top Sirloin, Peppercorn Sirloin, Tenderloin Medallions, Gulf Shrimp, Cajun Chicken Alfredo, Ribs & Chicken Combo, Shrimp Scampi, Canadian Walleye, and Grilled Salmon.

Oak City’s Desserts include Chocolate Lava Cake, Banana Cream Pie, Turtle Cheesecake, Inside OutSundae, and Cheesecake.

There is also a lunch menu served M-F 11am-3pm

Kids Menu includes Walleye Fingers, Fettuccine Alfredo, Grilled Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Macaroni & Cheese, and Mini Burgers.

Sunday Brunch:

• $10.95/ Adults   $5.95 Kids 5-12   Free/ Kids 4 and Under
• 10am-2pm
• Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, French Toast, Bacon, Sausage, Cheesy
  Hashbrowns, Mashed Potatoes, Pecan-Crusted Walleye, Tilapia, Shrimp
  Alfredo,
  BBQ ribs, Swedish Meatballs, Steamed Broccoli, Pork Tenderloin, Clam
  Chowder, Pasta Salad, Lettuce Salad, Cakes, Pies, Cheesecake, Chocolate
  Mousse

Price guide: Appetizers $ 7-11   Salads $ 4-13    Sandwiches/Burgers $8-11  Entrees $10-25  Desserts $5-7

Happy Hour:

• Daily 3-6:30p & 10p-12a
• $2 Appetizers (Buffalo Wings, Rock Shrimp, Walleye Fingers, Mini Burgers w/ Fries, Fresh Tortilla Chips & Salsa
• $4 Flatbread Pizzas )margherita, BBQ Chicken, Oak City Signature, Spinacc & Artichoke, Traditional)
• $2 Rail drinks & 16 oz Domestic Taps  $3 Vodka Redbull  $4 Long Islands
• $1 off all other drinks

Weekly Specials served 4-9pm:
Monday- Any Burger on Menu $5.95
Tuesday- Any Pasta on Menu $9.95 and 1/2 price bottles of wine
Wednesday- All You Can Eat Snow Crab $19.95 (includes bread, soup or salad, veggie and choice of potato
Thursday- All You Can Eat baby Back Ribs $12.95
Friday- All you can eat Walleye Fingers $11.95
Saturday- 12 oz NY Strip $10.95
Sunday- Roasted Chicken $8.95 and Kids 12 and under eat free off Kid’s Menu (one per paid adult)

What we ordered: We started with a round of cocktails.  One of my companions ordered this Bloody Mary,

One of my companions ordered an Irish Bulldog.  This drink tasted good but it was obvious that Coke was one of the main ingredients (rather than a splash).

I had a margarita which was okay but it tasted too much like bottled margarita mix.  For dinner  I had the Beef & Chicken Fajitas, a large portion served with grilled chicken breast and a steak over a large pile of sauteed peppers and onions.  The fajitas were served with a basket of flour tortillas and a plate of shredded lettuce, cheese, tomato, salsa, sour cream and guacamole.  I thought the fajitas were very good; the meats were seasoned nicely and the peppers and onions were the perfect compliment.

One of my companions had the Mushroom Swiss Burger.  The grilled patty was covered with sauteed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese, the bun was fresh and substantial.  Great choice!

Another companion ordered the Candied Walnut Salad with Chicken.  This salad had dried apricots, fresh pears and apples on a  bed of spring greens.  There were chunks of bleu cheese and also candied walnuts mixed with a honey vinaigrette.  The salad itself was very good but the chicken that was added-on for an additional price was a big disappointment; rather than being chicken breast, the chicken was of the shaved deli-variety (roughly three slices).  My companion would not have ordered the chicken if the menu had stated the type of chicken.

Service: We were greeted by the hostess within a few minutes of arriving and were shown to our table.  The restaurant wasn’t too busy after the dinner rush on a Monday and we were promptly greeted by our server.   Our food was served reasonably fast and overall the service was decent.

Overall Impression: Good burgers! Would love to try Oak City’s Sunday Brunch and the weekly specials look great too

Cuisine: American, Burgers, Steaks
Restaurant Features: Bar, Games, Happy Hour, Live Music
Location: Forest Lake, MN
Address: 131 N Lake Street, Forest Lake, Minnesota 55025 651.464.4647
Hours: Daily
Links: Forest Laker Website * Forest Laker on Facebook * Google Map

Atmosphere: The inside of the Forest Laker is on the shabby side; one step in the place and it is obvious that the bar is the central focus, restaurant is an after-thought.  In the lower level, anyway.  There are only six booths in the small space, with about six additional bistro tables and some seating around the bar.  There is a small stage area that can acommodate live perfomances.

The upstairs of the Forest Laker is much bigger and more comfortable than the main level, with many additional tables.  I would have preferred to sit in this area but it didn’t appear as though any server was available upstairs, it was a ghost town while downstairs was slammed.

Menu: Appetizers include Chicken Wings, Garlic Toast, Chips & Salsa, Mini Tacos, Mozzarella Sticks, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Shrimp Cocktail, Potato Skins, and Deep Fried Battered Mushrooms.  Deep Fried Baskets include French Fries, Fresh Cut Fries, Popcorn Shrimp, Chicken Strips, Hand Battered Fish N Chips, and Potato Skins.

Salad options at the Forest Laker include Chophouse Wedge, Lakeside Chef, Mixed Baby Greens, Caesar, and The Lakeside.

Sandwich options include BLT, Turkey Club, Grilled Cheese, Hot Turkey or Beef, Reuben or Rachel, Prime Rib Dip, Fried Walleye, Charbroiled Chicken Breast, and Philly Prime Rib Dip.  Burger options are the Mushroom and Swiss, Patty Melt, Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger, and California Burger.  All burgers and sandwiches come with chips and pickle or you can upgrade to either French Fries or Fresh Cut Fries for an additional charge.

The Forest Laker also has a selection of Southwest items featuring the Famous Giant Taco, Super Nachos, Taco Salad, Fajitas and Quesadillas.

After 5pm you can also order Steaks, including Sirloin, Bone-In Tenderloin and Prime Rib.  All served with salad and choice of potato.

Other dinner entrees include BBQ Ribs, Lobster Tails, Sirloin, Chicken Breast, Fresh Walleye, Fresh Shrimp, Cracker Crusted Walleye Filet, Steak and Shrimp, Fettuccine Alfredo, Jumbo Shrimp, Linguine in Red Sauce,  Linguine with Wild Mushroom, and Penne with Artichoke.

Price guide: Appetizers $3-9   Salads $4-9 Burgers $6-8  Sandwiches $8-10  Steaks $16-28

Happy Hour:

• 2-6pm Daily
• 2 for $6.95 includes Fat Tire, 1554, Ranger India Pale Ale,
• 2 for 1 all drinks and appetizers

Weekly Specials:

• South of the Border Saturday- Pick 2 for $7 including Giant Taco, Margarita, Cuervo Shot, Corono, Modelo, XX Tap,
• Monday- Buck a Burger

What we ordered: I ordered the Philly Prime Rib Melt with fresh cut fries.  To my surprise there was a whole steak on the french roll that was not sliced like I had assumed it would be.  This made it impossible for me to eat without cutting it bite by bite, which I had to do anyway because it was a rather grisly steak.  The peppers and onions were sauteed and really dressed it up, as did the toasted bun.  I thought this sandwich was okay but I would not order it again.  The fresh cut fries were very good.

My companion ordered the Mushroom and Swiss Burger with regular french fries.  This burger was pretty good, it had real mushrooms and swiss on a 1/2lb seasoned juicy patty.  It came with a buttered toasted bun (although it tasted more like margarine than real butter).  The french fries were pretty standard.

Service: The Forest Laker was very busy on the Saturday afternoon that I visited, and despite the odd 4’0 clock hour, the place was packed and there was only one table available- a bistro table.  Our server was the only server in the entire bar and was completely overworked.  She mentioned that the other two servers had called in sick that day and was on her own (which is probably why the upstairs wasn’t open?).  She did great, very patient with ordering even though she was slammed with other tables.  She refilled our drinks and took care of our minor requests.
Overall Impression: I really wasn’t too impressed with the Forest Laker, the seating area is kind of shabby and it is very small.  The burger was pretty good but the steak sandwich wasn’t my cup of tea.  Maybe the food would be more impressive in a better environment?

Disclosure: I was invited out to do this review and my meal was provided by the restaurant. All opinions are my own.

Cuisine: American,  Dessert, Italian, Pasta, Steak, Chops
Restaurant Features: Bar, Banquet, Catering, Happy Hour, Kids Menu, On-Site Parking, Patio
Location: Apple Valley, MN
Address: 15435 Founders Lane Apple Valley, MN 55124  952-891-6569
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11a-9p   Fri-Sat  11a-10p   Sun 10a-9p
Links: Enjoy! Website * Enjoy on Facebook *  Google Map

Enjoy! ~ Apple Valley, MN

Atmosphere: Enjoy! is located in a very large, impressive  building about 1/2 mile south of Country Rd 42 off of Galaxie Dr. and Founders Ln.  The restaurant is divided into seven distinct areas, The Conservatory (pictured below), The Upper Dining Room, The Grotto, The Vintage Room, The Water’s Edge Patio, The Bar Patio, and The Lounge.  We ate in the lovely Conservatory which had a beautiful fireplace  complete with a large-tile mosaic painting.  One highlight of the room was the magnificent domed skylight.  In addition to having tables, this area also has high-backed booths which offer a sense of privacy.

The Conservatory at Enjoy! ~ Apple Valley, MN

The Upper Dining Room is another one of the many seating areas at Enjoy! that is perfect for groups, offering larger booths and tables that can accommodate many.

Upper Dining Room at Enjoy! ~ Apple Valley, MN

Enjoy! also has The Vintage Room available for Banquets and larger parties. The Lounge  is also a big, beautiful area and is also the place to go for a great Happy Hour.

The Vintage Room at Enjoy! ~ Apple Valley, MN

The Lounge at Enjoy! ~ Apple Valley, MN

Menu: Enjoy! just unveiled their new menus within the past few weeks with a great selection of favorites as well as many new items.  The Lunch Menu is served Mon-Sat 11am-3pm and includes Bruschetta, Calamari, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bake, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms and Crab Cakes for Appetizers.

In addition to many of the pastas, salads, seafoods and meats that are offered at dinner, Enjoy! has a nice selection of Specialty Sandwiches on the Lunch Menu: Prime Rib Dip, Chicken Cashew, BLT, Ultimate Grilled Cheese (cheddar, fontina and bacon), Turkey Club, Chicken Bacon Avocado Wrap, Pulled Pork, Grilled Chicken, Reuben, Rachel, Beer Battered Cod, and Open Faced Turkey.  Burgers are also offered at lunch; Juicy Lucy, Avocado Bacon, Crispy Cheddar, Black and Blue or Build Your Own.

The Dinner Menu is served after 3pm and has starters such as Bruschetta, Calamari, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bake, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Seared Scallops, Crab Cakes, Tenderloin Tips, and the Warm Cheese Sampler.

Grilled Flatbread options include Pesto Chicken, Mushroom and Garden (olive, artichoke, tomato, garlic).

Enjoy! also offers salads including the Caesar, Iceberg Wedge, Strawberry Spinach Salad, Chopped, Avocado and Crab, Tenderloin, and the Enjoy! Salad (pear, gorgonzola, walnuts).  Soups offered are French Onion, Tomato Basil and Lobster Chowder.

Classics are the Chicken Pot Pie, Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Build-Your-Own-Burger.

Pasta dishes at Enjoy! include Cannelloni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Spicy Sausage Penne, Short Rib Lasagna, Shrimp Angel Hair, Seafood Fettuccine, Lobster Ravioli, and Duck Risotto.

Meat Entrees offered are the Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Piccata, Oven Roasted Chicken, Flat iron Steak, Sirloin, Filet Mignon,  New York Strip (14oz),  Ribeye (16oz), Veal Marsala, Lamb Chops, Pork Chops and Prime Rib.

Seafood and Fish selections at Enjoy! are the Tilapia, Mahi Mahi, Pecan Crusted Walleye, Crab and Brie Stuffed Salmon, Halibut, Sea Bass, Seared Scallops, and Lobster Tail.

Side dishes include Fingerling Potatoes, Parmesan Leek Hash Browns, Mashed Potatoes, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, House Cut Fries, Boursin or Bleu Cheese Bubble Bread, Fettuccine Alfredo, Herb Risotto, Asparagus, Mushrooms, Green Beans, and Broccolini.

Desserts at Enjoy! are heavenly.  Options include Maple Creme Brulee, Chocolate Molten Lava Cake, Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Bread Pudding, Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Upside Down Walnut Crusted Apple Pie, Hot Fudge Sundae and Italian Gelato or Sorbet.  There are also a number of dessert coffees, drinks, cordials and ports.

Kids Menu items include Buttered Noodles, Spaghetti, Penne & Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese, Mini Burgers, Grilled Chicken, and Beef Tenderloin.  Served with drink and ice cream sundae.

Price guide: Appetizers $7-12  Sandwiches $  Pastas $13-23  Entrees$ 17-29 Seafood $17-29  Desserts $4-7 Kids Menu $5-10

Happy Hour:

• Sunday-Thursday 3pm-Close  Friday 3-6:30pm
• Specials available in the Lounge Only
• $3- Opulent martinis, Jameson, Beefeater, Captain Morgan, Michelob Golden, Miller Lite, Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss, Sam Adams, Summit Epa,
• $4-Canyon Road Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, white zinfandel, Bass Ale, Amstel Light, Blue Moon, Ranger Pale Ale
• $5- Enjoy! Wines- Chardonnay, Cabernet and Syrah, Guinness and Stella Artois
• $6  Any signature martini or cocktail, French Onion Soup, Emjoy! Salad, Spinach Salad, Bruschetta, Chicken Tenders, Garden Flatbread
• $7 Lobster Chowder, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bake, Calamari, Bubble Bread, Pesto Chicken Flatbread
• $8- Fish & Chips, Crab Cakes, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Seared Scallops, Garden Shrimp Flatbread
• $9 – Tenderloin Tips, Shrimp Cocktail, Mushroom Flatbread, Black & Blue Flatbread, Warm Cheese Sampler

Sunday Brunch:

• 10am-3pm
• Adults/ $21.95   Kids 3-11/ $11.95
• Assorted Muffins and Pastries, Yogurt Parfait Bar, Fresh Fruits, Antipasti, Shrimp Cocktail, Enjoy! Salad, SunDried Tomato Pesto Salad, Scrambled Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Sausage, Parmesan Leek Hash Brown Potatoes, Sausage Penne, Chicken Rigatoni, Tilapia, Eggs and Omeletes (cooked to order), French Toast, Belgian Waffle, Carved Beef, and Chocolate Fountain.
• Includes Orange Juice, Coffee, Champagne or Mimosa.

What we ordered: We started with a couple of beverages, I had the House Pinot Noir and my companion had the Raspberry Mint Long Island.  Oh, was this yummy! It was sweet and fruity yet still packed quite a punch.  You’ll feel real good after a couple of these!

We also got this complimentary basket of different breads, French, Sourdough, Pumpernickel, and a Flatbread Cracker.  All were very good, it was nice to have a variety to choose from.

We tried the Calamari, which was extremely tender. The strips were thick and cooked perfectly without any hint of chewiness.  The outside wasn’t as crispy as I like it but since that would mean overcooking it, I’ll take it tender over chewy any day!  It was served with two dips, the spicy marinara and a lemon herb aoili.  Both were excellent!

We also got the Tenderloin Tips, a great choice if you want mouth-watering, tender beef.  These bite-sized pieces were pan-seared in a tangy bourbon sauce, topped with green onion and tomato and served with a  creamy horseradish sauce for dipping. These were great!

My companion also tried the Lobster Chowder.  This soup was extremely enjoyable; the sweet and tender bites of lobster were the star of this dish with the corn, potato, and leeks cooked al dente to create a nice contrast in texture to the creamy broth.

There were so many temptations on the menu that when I saw the special Tasting Menu featuring a sampling of regular menu offerings, I knew it was the perfect choice for me.  The first course had a sample of the Enjoy! Salad, Lobster Chowder and Bruschetta.  I loved every bite of the Lobster Chowder, as described previously.  The Enjoy! Salad was also very good; a mix of greens with gorgonzola cheese, slices of pear, candied walnuts and tossed in a citrus vinaigrette.  One of my favorite salads! The Bruschetta was also delightful, a combo of fresh tomato with basil served over grilled french bread then drizzled with balsamic vinegar.  Reminds me of summer!

The main course included a sampling of Halibut, Canneloni and Chicken Picatta.  The Halibut was a thick sampling of the filet, seared to an appetizing golden brown and served over a creamy mustard sauce with asparagus tips.  The Canneloni is one of the signature dishes at Enjoy!, a tube of pasta stuffed with ground beef, pork, tomatoes, ricotta then topped with mozzarella and served on a bed of spicy marinara.  This was wonderful, a real classic. The ground meats were very flavorful but one of my favorite aspects of the dish was the combination of red and white sauces.  The third item of this sampler  and my favorite of the three was the Chicken Picatta.  This decent-sized pounded chicken breast was served over a creamy herbed risotto and topped with a light and creamy lemon butter caper sauce.  This was so delicious!  The lemon was apparent without being overpowering and the capers provided just a hint of saltiness.

The dessert course also had three delicious samples: the Chocolate Bread Pudding, Maple Creme Brulee and Espresso Cheesecake.  I started with the Chocolate Bread Pudding.  This had a good taste but the texture of it was slightly hard so I moved on to the creamy creme brulee.  I loved it!  It was very creamy but didn’t have the eggy texture that custard often gets.  It had a candied sugar crust on top that gave just a hint of crunch to contrast the creaminess.  The third dessert sample was the Cheesecake, a bite of heaven supported by a crunchy oreo cookie crust then topped with an espresso glaze. Mmmmm

After much deliberation my companion ordered the Sea Bass for an entree.  Oh My was this delectable!  The filet itself was perfectly cooked, light and flaky, served over a bed of delicious veggies.  The roasted brussel sprouts, swiss chard and crispy bacon bites were tossed in a creamy citrus butter sauce; every bite was wonderful.

We shared this Coffee with Bailey’s for an after-dinner drink while enjoying our desserts

My companion also ordered the Key Lime Pie, which was exceptional.  It was creamy and tart yet sweet.  Scrumptious!

Service: I had made a reservation and despite being late, my table was waiting for me when I got there.  The hostess checked our coats right away and shortly after we were seated we were greeted by our server.  We took our time looking over the menu however the server really helped by highlighting the special features and making other recommendations.  The pacing of the food was just right, giving us time to finish each course before the next arrived.  Overall I was very pleased with the service, it certainly made the experience even more enjoyable.

Overall Impression: I was very impressed with Enjoy! and can honestly say it is one of the best (new-to-me) restaurants I have tried in many months.  The facilities are gorgeous and the perfect place to have a group dinner or event.  The new dinner menu is impressive, as are the Chef’s Special Features; we enjoyed everything we tried.  I have not yet eaten at Enjoy! for lunch but all of the sandwiches sounded wonderful and the best part about lunch is that it is guaranteed 45 minutes or less or it is free!  I look forward to going back once the weather warms up so I can enjoy the patio too!