Best fine dining in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota?

[mikecho]

What is the best fine dining restaurants in the Brainerd lakes area? That is if there are any.....:)

Thanks,

Mike

[cindyupnorth]

I would like to btt this one?
Anyone?? we are headed down that way this fall.
Thanks

[mamahebbie]

My top favorite restaurants in and around Brainerd:

1. Prairie Bay (don't be fooled by the Perkins-like exterior). Fusion food, real chefs, great wine selection and knowledgeable staff.

2. Matty's (two locations, one by the airport and one by Bay Lake) It's a bar/burger joint. Try the sunfish sandwich and sweet potato fries--everybody's favorite. They also have Guinness on tap and very good buffalo wings.

3. Norway Ridge (limited hours in the fall--call first). Romantic, shabby-chic meets gnome home decor. Great menu. Full dinner for two with wine will easily cost $100.

4. Lost Lake Lodge-- call for reservations! Expensive four course meals.

5. Ivan's on the Bay. Newly remodeled, elegant. Food varies in quality but it's generally up scale.

[scoopG]

Ivan's on the Bay - enjoyed great walleye, both pan-fried and walnut crusted last week. The pan-fried walleye was better and actually had a light almond type sauce. Desserts were less interesting: the Honey-Crisp Apple Galette was more pie, not even close to a galette. The Chocolate-Ancho Terrine had barely any ancho chili. Certainly more upscale than Matty's which is as you describe, especially their sunfish sandwich! Will have to hit the others next time up north.

[mikecho]

Lost Lake Lodge was great and a cool hidden location.

[mikecho]

I do like Prarie Bay (ate there several times) and it is fairly consistant expect for the 16 year olds checking you in but what do you expect for cheap help.....I was not impressed with Ivans on the Bay...food quality is fair and the service is off for a fine dining restaurant...but then again how many of the kids that assist the server ever ate a fine dining restauarant but they should be trained better tho...

[mikecho]

So we ate at The Sherwood Forest which is one of Grandview Resorts restaurant. At least when I was there, The Sherwood was excellent. The crabcake gives the Oceanaire a run for there money.....there are not that many places in MN that served good crabcake. The service was great and decor was nice with good ambience. Quarterdeck Boat house eatery sucks....Ate there twice. Once for dinner and then once for brunch. Most of the food there is fair at best. My In-laws ate at Matty for the sunfish sandwich as raved about it...So I am going to have to try it out....I will let you know...

Mike

[mikecho]

FYI....I ate at Mattys which is great for Burgers and the Sunfish sandwich...get the sweet potato fries....

[cup_cake]

My parents went to Ivan's and weren't impressed. We all went to Quarterdeck and DEFINITELY were not impressed...with the food or the service. Prairie Bay is wonderful and so is the Black Bear Lodge, especially for the Walleye!

[mikecho]

I never cared for Black Bear or Grizzlys.....There are too much like an Applebees....