Lake Road Restaurant - North

We came to this restaurant for a work event, so we were only able to select from a set menu. Despite the limited options, the food was excellent. I ordered the lamb shank and my wife tried a different dish.

After having a horrible dining experience at another restaurant, where we waited 50 minutes without even being offered water despite having a reservation and arriving on time, we left feeling hungry and disappointed at 9 pm. We decided to try our luck on James St. North, where we stumbled upon Lake Road. The staff warmly welcomed us as their last guests were finishing up their meals. They were incredibly gracious and accommodating. To top it off, the food was delicious and beautifully presented. Thanks to the staff at Lake Road, our party of four went from having a bad evening to a fantastic dining experience.

During our last visit, the service and ambiance were still outstanding, but the food was disappointing. The appetizer we ordered, calamari stuffed with chorizo sausage, olive and tomato caponata, charred lemon cream, and gremolata crumb, was underwhelming. The stuffed calamari lacked texture and flavor, and the salsa was overpowering. My wife ordered the crispy fried avocado flan with spiced tomato chutney, grilled king oyster mushrooms, lime yogurt, poblano mole, and seasonal vegetables. While the mushrooms and vegetables were enjoyable, the flan fell short due to the overwhelming mix of ingredients. I ordered a confit chicken leg stuffed with spicy bacon, kale, bocconcini, lemon olive oil poached fingerling potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and natural jus. Unfortunately, the chicken was dry and overcooked, with the multitude of ingredients overshadowing its flavor. The excessive use of diverse ingredients does not always result in a flavorful dish. The Lake Road may need to reconsider their approach to innovation and creativity in the kitchen. We have decided to skip future visits until they scale back on elaborate dishes and prices.

From the moment we walked in, it was clear that this would be a fantastic experience. The staff at the front door warmly welcomed us, and we noticed the attention to detail that made this restaurant stand out. From the homemade snacks to the tasty cocktails in elegant glasses, everything surpassed our expectations. The artwork on the walls, the attentive staff, the creative menu, the delicious starters, and a visit from the Chef all added to the exceptional evening we had celebrating my wife's birthday.

The food and service at this restaurant are amazing, but make sure to be mindful of your budget.