Pontiac Lake Brew Co - White Lake

The host was busy cleaning tables, chairs, and even the entrance area. We started with a bowl of mushroom soup, a small spinach salad, a small heirloom salad, and scallops to share. We aimed for a light meal since we weren't extremely hungry, but we've been wanting to try this restaurant since it's nearby. I ordered a limeade, which turned out to be overly sweet, so I asked for a club soda with lime instead. The mushroom bisque was disappointing; it wasn't creamy and didn't meet my expectations. I've had amazing mushroom soups at places like Inn Season and Cafe Muse, and this one just didn't compare. The mushrooms had been pureed, but a dollop of crème fraîche would have made it smoother and creamier. Overall, I would rate the mushroom soup a 2—it was neither special nor what I anticipated, especially for a bisque. The spinach salad was decent, with a good dressing, a nice slice of Brie, and almonds adding a pleasant crunch, though the tomatoes were a bit under ripe. I would give it a solid 3. The heirloom tomatoes and watermelon in the heirloom salad seemed slightly overripe, which surprised me since watermelon isn't usually in season yet. However, the red peppercorns added a nice kick and texture. If I order this salad again, I would request the dressing on the side as it was a bit heavy on the oil, though the dressing itself was still good. This salad also earns a 3 from me. The scallops, on the other hand, were perfectly cooked—nicely browned and paired with a decent risotto that had hints of garlic and small pieces of asparagus, which complemented the dish well. I would rate the scallops a solid 4. Overall, the service throughout our meal was quite good.

It has been several years since my previous review and with numerous visits and meals since then, I wanted to offer a renewed perspective. This time around, the tasting menu sounded just right. And with the mushroom toast from the vegan menu added, to make it a five course meal, it was perfect. I'm glad that the server was so hospitable and focused on creating a memorable experience. The meal started with a quick amuse, a plumb cherry on creamy mascarpone, flavored with a drizzle of thick, light honey. Next up was the scallop. It was as good as the numerous other times I've had it. A sweet scallop is perfectly seared for crunch and placed on velvety, not gritty, white bean hummus with a splash of oil. Lettuce, chopped pistachios, and capers add nuttiness, brininess, and texture to the dish, without overwhelming the subtle flavors of the shellfish. I liked the freshness of sliced nectarines (although not as ripe as I would have liked) paired with the sweetness of the strawberries in the panzanella salad. With an arugula and watercress lettuce base, the French feta, sliced almonds, and poppyseed dressing added a just the right savory contrast to the dish. I'm terribly unimaginative when preparing salads so I'm appreciative of a well made one. This time around the mushroom toast featured a thick slice of sourdough, lightly grilled, and generously buttered on one side. On the other, the creamy roasted garlic paste was flavorful and yes, pungent. Large and meaty trumpet mushrooms top this enjoyable dish. The grilled pork chop was nicely browned, juicy and tender. The brown butter and fig sauce was crazy good, as was the light as air, pan fried spaetzle. The same trumpet mushrooms from the toast made an appearance on the pork chop. The ingredients were an unexpected but fantastic combination, and together, contributing to an amazing dish. I saw the dessert on a recent Facebook post it actually prompted this visit. The strawberry/mulberry and goat cheese popsicle was sweet but also tangy, providing a nice balance. Chopped pistachios, a bright strawberry sauce and piped chocolate flowers added to the overall flavors. Even the palate cleanser was pretty wonderful. The pineapple and preserved lemon sorbet had a mellow taste, instead of the expected tart one. It's because of the curing process which involves kosher salt, according to the server. As well, the focaccia continues to be bread perfection substantial pillows of thick and chewy bread with a crispy crust. I think this restaurant does this bread better than even the most experienced bakeries. Service was beyond fantastic. The server was enthusiastic about the food and knowledgeable about the preparation method. He listened carefully and accommodated a special request. I was pretty impressed by the excellent service. While I have received good service here, in the past, and elsewhere, I can only count a handful of times when it has truly been excellent in all the times and at all the places I've dined at so I am truly grateful for the effort.

Finally, a restaurant that feeds the foodie in me: interesting, delicious eats, supplied by ingredients from local businesses. Arrived on an early Thursday night after Sweetest Day weekend. The host greeted us upon arrival with a friendly smile. It was Ladies Night with an exotic HH menu available throughout the restaurant. (THANK YOU, Root! Food. The whiskey sour was delicious, topped with Malbec wine to accent the sour note. Foccacia was made in house and quite divine: fluffy, herby, and buttery. Fries were amazing: powdered vinegar to keep the fries crispy (vs. dousing in liquid vinegar a perfect balance of acid, salt, and crunch. The pad thai was good, but the scallops and crab cake dishes were AMAZING. Of course, the presentations were beautiful and on par with taste. Service. Our server was quite knowledgeable. Finally. Finally, another local restaurant where the staff knows the ingredients and preparations of the menu items. His pace was good with the courses, check backs, and payment process. He did give us the wrong check, but he quickly rectified it. Atmosphere. Does decor, lighting, music, and temperature, matter in restaurants in the midwest? Hardly. However, when it 's done well, it needs to be noted. The root decor items are all throughout, evoking a rustic, natural, yet aesthetically pleasing feel when paired with nonintrusive music levels and genre. The middle of the restaurant has a huge tree trunk in the front and centerpiece of the place, around a long table for large parties. From the outside, this restaurant is in a shopping plaza, but don 't let that distract you. Cleanliness. Restrooms were clean, stocked, and at a good comfortable temperature. However, the banquette cushions may need a good vacuuming or cleaning. I kept my coat on the seat cushion where I sat, and when I put on my coat as we were about to leave, I sneezed quite a few times. Then, my nose and back of throat were itchy; and eyes started to water. These symptoms appear when cushions are not cleaned (i.e. dusty, mildewy . After we stepped outside and got fresh air my symptoms cleared. In all, yes we 'll come back. However, we won 't sit at the banquette seating. Looking forward to seeing and trying new, creative dishes for another overall good dining experience.

A gem in the middle of a culinary dessert. We really enjoyed this restaurant from our first step thru the door. I made a reservation on open table and mentioned that it's our anniversary. The hostess promptly greeted and congratulated us. The waiter offered us a complimentary champagne toast on the house. The champagne with raspberries was the perfect start to a lovely evening. My husband ordered the French onion soup. It was delicious and so rich it could have easily been a meal on its own. The waiter brought out a refreshing sorbet as a paper cleanser, also on the house. He apologized that the meal was taking too long. Honestly we did not notice. I often judge these places by their bread basket and this one did not disappoint. The bread was fresh, moist and buttery. I ordered the rib eye steak which came with potatoes agrauten and collared greens. The side of garlic sauce solidified this as one of the best steak meals that I have had in months. Medium temp perfection. I liked knowing that the cow was grass fed and locally sourced, like the rest of the ingredients on the menu. My husband's burger was a little more raw than medium, however he did did ask for that. He thought that compared to everything else it was underwhelming. Our waiter informed us that dessert was also on the house for our anniversary. Another pleasant and unexpected surprise. We choose the slated pretzel chocolate tart with scarmel ice cream. It was nothing short of AMAZING!!!! We will be back and will definitely save room for dessert.

I ordered the sloppy joe with fries, which tasted decent, but there wasn't much meat on it. The fries were excellent, though. My husband got the ribeye steak, but sadly, the quality just wasn't there—it was overly chewy and didn't seem like a good cut of meat. At $35, we’d much prefer to go to Black Rock in Hartland, where we can get a great steak for just $17. The restaurant's atmosphere is cozy and has a retro feel, which I appreciated. However, I still feel that the food doesn't justify the price or the reputation. Perhaps we just chose the wrong dishes? Either way, while we’re glad we gave it a shot, we probably won’t be returning for a meal.