Scenes from Scenic...(an amateur's review)

Eating out is one of our favorite activities. So when we do go out to eat, we like to consume really, really good food…along with enjoying an overall experience that engages all of the senses. We typically avoid the chain restaurant type food where the focus seems to be more on the quantity of the food versus quality of the food. And we also like to order things that we likely wouldn’t make at home. Though we often times are inspired by what we’ve ordered and many times have had fun trying to replicate dishes that we’ve tried while eating out.

The Place…
Chances are pretty good that if you’ve visited us here, we’ve likely taken you to one of our favorite little places to enjoy quality food and all that is wonderful about the North Shore. Our favorite restaurant in these parts, New Scenic Café, has the most consistently delicious food, intensely good flavors, yet uses simple and fresh ingredients.

The Food…
During a recent visit there for dinner, I decided to try their seasonal entrée special, Ratatouille. It consisted of multiple layers upon layers of all sorts of goodness and the most unique combination of flavors. Aubergine, zucchini, spinach, onions, goat cheese, and quinoa are just some of the ingredients that make up this fine dish. (I wasn’t sure what “aubergine” was and the server told me it was a type of eggplant…or perhaps just a fancy word for eggplant?) And I won't soon forget the “fried garlic chip” garnish…fantastic and for a garlic-lover like myself, that’s the very best thing I could imagine being fried. Some new inspiration for me to try at home now too.
We really aren’t big appetizer-ordering people, yet we almost always order the "Artichoke Slather" here and incorporate into our meal. It is pure Asiago-cheesy goodness and oh so hard to resist once you’ve tried it. It comes with sliced, crusty ciabatta bread, and while this is very good too, it really is just a means for getting the "slather" neatly into your mouth.
And just a note about their soup and salad combo...this is what I most often order as the soups vary often and I've never had one I didn't like. The house salads (and dressings) are so satisfying and tasty...and come topped with phyllo crunched up on top for a little crisp. (This is something else I keep meaning to try at home...to "fancy up" my own home made salads.)

The Setting…
Aside from the food, the setting is fabulous…views of Lake Superior through the tall Pine trees and a sweet little garden full of fresh herbs and flowers to roam around in after your meal. Plus a few Adirondack chairs sprinkled here and there in the garden to kick up your feet and let the food settle a bit. The interior has a very understated, cabin-y sort of feel, reminding you of being away at church camp perhaps…minus the very bad camp food, of course. It has a modern twist though with a collection of abstract oil paintings gracing the walls, adding pops of color to the otherwise earthy and natural setting.

After Dinner…
Usually on our way home from Scenic, we’ll stop at one of the pull-offs and take a quick jaunt down to the rocky shoreline. Dipping our hands into the lake…feeling the icy-cool water. Watching the sky turn shades of pink, reflections from the sun setting on the opposite side. Finding smooth sea glass. Listening to the waves sweep over the rocks.

This is my idea of a perfect evening. What’s yours?