Diver Sea Scallops ·
It’s always a delight to dine at Swiss Lakewood and, after my most recent visit, I must say it is better than ever. My dining date, Judy Friedman of The Paper Trail, joins me for the night where we are greeted by the restaurants hostess/manager Doris, a Swiss Lakewood staple for many years.
Our server, Amanda, wastes no time in getting us comfy, bringing us the delicious, warm bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping while we wait for a starter of escargot. Every place has its own style when it comes to this dish and the crispy crouton that tops the tasty, garlicky buttered treats makes this a standout. The escargots are plump and juicy and drenched in buttery goodness. The bread comes in handy for sopping up the extras and it is hard to stop until every last drop is gone.
Judy orders the Caprese Salad special with fragrant yellow and red heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. The balsamic vinaigrette that tops this ties all the flavors in and there is plenty for us to enjoy. I choose the Roasted Beet Salad, a beautiful mixture of yellow and red beets with mache, fennel, Gorgonzola and pistachio vinaigrette. The beets are tender and succulent and the mixture of tastes is a real palate pleaser. Both salads are excellent — light and satisfying with sublime flavors and the perfect gateway to the main course.
We are both in the mood for fish, so Judy went chooses the Petrale Sole. The fish is buttery and tender, melting in your mouth with each perfect bite. She also chooses to get the side of kale, soaked in coconut milk and lightly grilled. Just the right amount of smoky, it’s a creative way to get your greens.
I order the Diver Sea Scallops special with saffron rice and asparagus, and I am not disappointed. Seared to a light crisp, one bite opens the door to ecstasy and the portion size is perfect, leaving me sated but not overdone. Both of us agree we have made the ideal choice for the night.
Being a soufflé lover, I order the Grand Marnier Soufflé at the beginning of the meal (it has a 30-minute preparation time). Light and sweet and fluffy, this classic dessert is hard to find and Swiss Lakewood does it well. Judy gets the dessert special of the night – a molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream covered with a coconut chocolate hard shell. Both are awesome and we share the wealth with delight.
The atmosphere at Swiss Lakewood is cozy Tahoe and the warm, friendly staff makes the dining experience complete. There are many gems on the West Shore, but this is at the top of the list.
Swiss Lakewood is located at 5055 West Lake Blvd. in Homewood. They serve dinner from 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and reservations are required. For more information, call (530) 525-5211.
