As I look back at (a part of) my career, it somehow does not seem possible that I have written as many reviews as records would indicate I have. The number is somewhere north of 150… But I digress. So, here I am, contemplating a review of a dinner Lauren and I enjoyed recently at Lake Wissota High Shores Supper Club…
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Unsure of My Future
It has been several years since my last review (written, I believe, in 2022). Lauren and I had visited the Five O’clock Club in Cumberland, Wisconsin, and reviewed the evening’s dinner. That review, for many reasons, was never published back then. At the time, I was still very unsure of my future.
For now, I’ll just say that much time has passed and many events have taken place since I last saw one of my very best friends. We first met and started working together at the Abbey Restaurant (unfortunately now gone) in Marina Del Ray, California back in 1975… Restaurants got into our blood. They apparently have taken up permanent residence there – for both of us. But I’ll save the history lesson regarding my trials and tribulations in the restaurant business – as well as my writing career – for another missive.
… Back to Wissota High Shores Supper Club
Back in travel mode once again and now in Wisconsin, Lauren and I did some additional research on supper clubs. One place quickly piqued our interest. Back in Mid-July, we decided to give that venue a try. Our experience then was very positive, so we decided to re-visit the place when next we were in the Eau Claire area. That visit took place on a weekend in early July.
Perched on a high hill overlooking part of Lake Wissota (actually very near Chippewa Falls, WI.), the Wissota High Shores Supper Club has been operation since 1936. You can read the whole story on their website but suffice it to say that this place is the real deal: a classic Wisconsin supper club, except without the table cloths!
For what it might add to the story, know that we had been searching – for months – for a “real” Wisconsin supper club. You know, the kind with tablecloths, metal flatware (instead of plastic), a salad bar, excellent and reasonably priced cocktails, a great Friday night fish fry… and, well, you get the idea. I do think we found one! (Keep in mind that the Pandemic and its aftermath have had a rather large effect on pricing – everywhere!)
A Full Parking Lot
I’m sure that I have, on numerous occasions, mentioned why I prefer not to go out on weekends. But I’ll reiterate: the simple fact is that we are not big fans of crowds, and I would prefer to see a restaurant operate when things are moving at a slower pace. This time would be different; we actually chose a Friday.
In the “good old days” I always used to say that a restaurant’s parking lot was a good initial indicator of what one could expect inside the restaurant. A full parking lot was, as far as I was concerned, a very good sign.
On our first visit to Wissota High Shores Supper Club, we were met with a packed parking lot. On our next visit, although we were signed up for an early dinner and arrived early, when we departed, we noted the lot was jam-packed. Score one for High Shores!
The Menu(s)
I was interested specifically in the fish fry. After all, this is Wisconsin, and Wisconsin does have – among other things – a reputation for fish fries. We were seated at a four-top with a decent view of the bay on the east side of the lake. Our server handed us beverage and dinner menus and asked if we cared to start with something from the bar. The answer was easy…
There were eight different varieties of Old Fashions; Lauren selected the Blood Orange version and I the “regular” – both of us opted for Brandy. The Old Fashions made were, by the way, excellent! We sipped and perused as we tried to figure out what our choices were for dinner.
Tavern & Dinner Menus
The very extensive Tavern Menu included 15 appetizers, 3 pizza selections (cracker crust or gluten free crust in either 16” or 10” size), burgers, “handhelds” (sandwiches like Grilled Cheese, Grilled Chicken, Prime Rib, and Walleye), and a number of selections for children. Call these selections “Pub Grub” if you will…
The Dinner Menu featured nightly specials, nine different steaks and chops, six seafood choices, three poultry items, two pastas, six “enhancements” (like shrimp, scallops, onions and mushrooms) and eight different sides. If you can’t find an entrée to make your mouth water, maybe you are at the wrong venue…
Dinner and Salad Bar
Last time we were here, we both selected the Friday Fish Fry. Lauren wanted her Haddock broiled; I wanted mine fried. They were both very good. On this visit, I decided to try the perch, as I asked if it was lake perch, and was told yes, it was. Lauren was ditto. We both opted for the Leinenkugel’s beer battered / deep fried version.
We then headed for the salad bar. It seemed bigger and better supplied than any salad bar I have ever seen! Our server told us that High Shores’ version “never had any less than 50 items on it!” Everything was as fresh as could be and always full (a sever kept a watchful eye on the contents)! Soup, two kinds of lettuce, rolls & butter, and – well – not enough space here to list everything. But trust me, there was not an available plate big enough to hold what I wanted to pile on it! We both ordered Duchess Potatoes for our side dish; the server said it was “the most popular” side. (BTW, salad bar and choice of side is included with the Dinner Menu.)
Service, Food, Etc.
Although timing could have been a tad better (Entrees were served a bit before we had a chance to finish our salads), the service was very good. All servers kept watchful eyes on their tables, as well as on the tables of colleagues. There was an amazing camaraderie among servers – each helping others as needed. I don’t recall ever seeing that before. It was also nice to see all the servers were dressed in a type of uniform: black tops and black shorts. A Uniformed server is a rare sight in today’s world!
The food was very good and served hot. Perhaps a bit much breading on the fish, but it appeared to be cooked properly. Aside from a lack of garnish on the plate, there were only two other “dings” keeping this review from having a perfect score.
Near Perfect
Ding #1) My side selection – Duchess Potato – was nothing like any Duchess Potatoes I have had previously. Very good flavor, but poor plating/presentation; they looked to me like an ice cream scoop of spuds had been plopped on the plate and then a fist was driven down upon them. Not a very professional presentation! And Ding #2) the fish had an excessive amount of oil on and in it, causing the fish to be somewhat “mushy”. I can only assume the deep fryers were not given sufficient time to heat prior to opening the restaurant. And then too many orders were trying to occupy the fryer at the same time. Presentation looked good, but…
Everything else was near perfect, but along with a couple issues on our first trip (e.g., Lauren’s rice was not cooked / prepared all that well), so, near perfect needs some work to get to perfect. And, High Shores earns 3 1/2 Zins. But yes, I can easily say I recommend High Shores, and we will go back!
Your Table is Waiting
Ralph Pancetta
