From Bob: After looking at Dean White's new restaurant menu, I was disappointed that there was nothing new or exciting on the menu. The dining experience at the Lighthouse on Cedar Lake (in Indiana) sure was NOT disappointing. Although the menu is basic with steaks, seafood, burgers, salads, and sandwiches, every item we tried was excellent.
The decor is new, crisp, clean and nautical. The servers, mostly seasoned veterans from other restaurants were friendly, prompt, and well informed about the menu offerings and recipes. The prices were reasonable, the portions ample, the taste outstanding, and the location on the lake scenic.
We are looking forward to dining on the outdoor patio when the weather allows. All four of us agreed that a return trip was assured. And even to watch the sun set slowly in the West.
From Rick: This place is brand new... only open for about a week when we went for dinner. What a great location and new building. The design is outstanding and we all had the feeling that we were on vacation, not really in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Dean White and crew did an outstanding job with the design. We sat in the more casual area surrounding the lounge/bar area but there is also plenty of tables inside the dining room that appeared to be a little more quiet with a great fine dining atmosphere. We think the casual are will be popular since windows were wrapped around allowing lake views from many different angles.
The food, although simplistic was flavorful. Our server (Pam) offered that they were keeping the menu simple to start with but offered that additional items may be offered later once kitchen staff were trained inside the state of the art food preparation areas. This seemed like a very smart business approach and we look forward to new menu selections or even "catch of the day" type offerings.
Attention to detail was on display all over right down to the proper sized wine glasses, heavy silverware, and over sided serving dishes. One issue we all noticed was the lack of garnishes anywhere on the plates. Jodi ordered the 8 oz. Filet ($18) and it was served in the center of a huge plate with nothing else on the dish. It was double plated since the meat was finished off inside the oven and arrived "sizzling" making for a great "sound" presentation, but the lack of anything else was a disappointment. It sparked conversations and we all felt that premium prices needed some additional presentation details... fruit, kale, cute sauce spread, etc. could all have added to the plate without much cost increase. Even Jodi and I have those squeeze bottles at home and add drizzles of flair to our plates at home when entertaining.
The lack of flair didn't affect Jodi's steak eating at all though and the steak was prepared perfectly. She ate the entire steak! So garnish or not, the taste was great.
I tried the Single Pork Loin Chop ($14) which arrived atop of the mile high pile of garlic smashed potatoes. The Chop was cooked perfectly and the server informed me that they cook it to 140 degrees meaning that there would be little "pink" inside. I asked for her to make it medium well which didn't dry the meat at all. I just don't care for the pink in my pork. The flavor was wonderful in this bone-in dish. The chop was thick and juicy and perhaps the best Chop I have had at a restaurant in years.
Bob and I ordered the Onion Scoops appetizer to share and it was good and ample quantity. The girls tried some too. It was $6 and we all agreed that we would order it again. It was a familiar take off from the "Bloomin' Onion" found at Outback Steak House and was served with a homemade Chipolte ranch sauce. I little mild, but good.
Overall, we all enjoyed our meals and the wonderful setting. Thank you Dean White for another great Northwest Indiana establishment. We will be back soon and look forward to additional menu items and outdoor seating. Plan on about $25 per person (not including drinks) to cover your entree and salad, perhaps an appetizer.
If you go: casual dress is fine. See the menu by clicking here: Lighthouse Menu
Visit their website for additional data here: Cedar Lake Lighthouse Restaurant
3 comments:
Food and service are terrible. Staff and managment treat customers poorly. food ranges from very bad to fair. Soups are bland a lack any body, salads are warm and veggies are wilted and yellow. salad dressing are warm and watered down. This is a shame, I tried it twice and both times had bad service and food. I was embarassed by a waitstaff and a manager after I got chastized for moving two adjacent tables together. Customers will try this beautiful place and setting once and then never come back.
Lighthouse restaurant in Cedar lake Indiana is full of the most snobbish rude workers there is. They are unaccommodating to their customers, mouthy and rude.That treated us like they we were trash. Do not bother with reservations, they do not properly comply.
We were a group of 7 celebrating a work Christmas party with presents & laughter that made reservations 2 weeks in advanced like the restaurant suggested. We waited 30min past our reservation time to be seated, but we were all there at least 15min early. Standing there the 2 hosts at the desk were very rudely glaring at most of us up & down. We were dressed very classy & nice just like the other customers waiting in lobby so we are not sure why were were getting the "WTF are u?" glares...
Well, That really wasn't the problem until they tried to seat us in a small booth made for 6 average-small sized people that was literally like sitting in a corner. We took a few moments & tried to squeeze in but there was no way this would be comfortable for all 7 of us, coats, purses, gifts and then be able to eat comfortably without elbowing each other.
One of us warmly greeted the host at the front and asked for a different spot only to be told if we didn't have presents this wouldn't be a issue and that they had nothing to provide for us until another group of 7 was done eating & they just sat down. So we asked for a chair on the end on booth & it was literally ripped from the table before she got to sit down by this very mouthy & rude "supposed" manager that looked like she was 21 barely. "fire hazard" she said, So we asked for drinks to wait for our inconvenience. That was refused rudely in so many words that we would be waiting in lobby area again in line till the other party of 7 was done or deal with our booth spot that they believe is a big enough spot for us & they accommodated us. We said we would stay there then.
Anyways, after watching the waitresses, manager & other workers talk about us for a few moments with very mean glares/laughter at the entrance to their food prep. We decided to leave with all of our gifts, respect & money we could of spent there and went to another restaurant we called about while dealing with the whole issue at the booth. The reply as we said goodbye to the host at the door was " like we care that your leaving".
Seriously? this HUGE popular place only has ONE other area accommodating to more than a 7 people group that you had 2 weeks as you suggested advanced notice??? Mind you, the table we took chair from was a party of 4 getting ready to leave at a table made for 7-8 people. They were just as shocked at the restaurant for their rudeness towards us and gave us the chair. That's when the lady ripped it from our table & the other group smarted off to them about it. She ignored them and walked away.
Regardless of the highly recommended food & scenery, if you do not have good customer service your place doesn't deserve a single dime from your customers. I cannot believe the way we were treated like trash and highly suggest you NEVER bother going there. Don't waste your money on this poorly priced, poorly staffed restaurant. I will be putting this everywhere & I will be advertising their poor service for many years to come.
Lighthouse restaurant in Cedar lake Indiana is full of the most snobbish rude workers there is. They are unaccommodating to their customers, mouthy and rude.That treated us like they we were trash. Do not bother with reservations, they do not properly comply.
We were a group of 7 celebrating a work Christmas party with presents & laughter that made reservations 2 weeks in advanced like the restaurant suggested. We waited 30min past our reservation time to be seated, but we were all there at least 15min early. Standing there the 2 hosts at the desk were very rudely glaring at most of us up & down. We were dressed very classy & nice just like the other customers waiting in lobby so we are not sure why were were getting the "WTF are u?" glares...
Well, That really wasn't the problem until they tried to seat us in a small booth made for 6 average-small sized people that was literally like sitting in a corner. We took a few moments & tried to squeeze in but there was no way this would be comfortable for all 7 of us, coats, purses, gifts and then be able to eat comfortably without elbowing each other.
One of us warmly greeted the host at the front and asked for a different spot only to be told if we didn't have presents this wouldn't be a issue and that they had nothing to provide for us until another group of 7 was done eating & they just sat down. So we asked for a chair on the end on booth & it was literally ripped from the table before she got to sit down by this very mouthy & rude "supposed" manager that looked like she was 21 barely. "fire hazard" she said, So we asked for drinks to wait for our inconvenience. That was refused rudely in so many words that we would be waiting in lobby area again in line till the other party of 7 was done or deal with our booth spot that they believe is a big enough spot for us & they accommodated us. We said we would stay there then.
Anyways, after watching the waitresses, manager & other workers talk about us for a few moments with very mean glares/laughter at the entrance to their food prep. We decided to leave with all of our gifts, respect & money we could of spent there and went to another restaurant we called about while dealing with the whole issue at the booth. The reply as we said goodbye to the host at the door was " like we care that your leaving".
Seriously? this HUGE popular place only has ONE other area accommodating to more than a 7 people group that you had 2 weeks as you suggested advanced notice??? Mind you, the table we took chair from was a party of 4 getting ready to leave at a table made for 7-8 people. They were just as shocked at the restaurant for their rudeness towards us and gave us the chair. That's when the lady ripped it from our table & the other group smarted off to them about it. She ignored them and walked away.
Regardless of the highly recommended food & scenery, if you do not have good customer service your place doesn't deserve a single dime from your customers. I cannot believe the way we were treated like trash and highly suggest you NEVER bother going there. Don't waste your money on this poorly priced, poorly staffed restaurant. I will be putting this everywhere & I will be advertising their poor service for many years to come.
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