Lake Elmo Inn
3442 Lake Elmo Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN, 55042
Lake Elmo Inn Menu
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Address :
3442 Lake Elmo Ave N
Lake Elmo, MN, 55042 - Phone (651) 777-8495
- Website https://www.lakeelmoinn.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Ellie E.
One of the best Sunday brunches in the Twin Cities! I love me some brunch and I love me some prime rib. Lake Elmo Inn has both, so I'd been really looking forward to Sunday brunch for weeks. This place totally delivered. They offer endless champagne, which was ssooo lovely! However, if you want to "upgrade" to a mimosa, they'll charge you for orange juice. It was just a couple bucks though. Sunday brunch was fantastic! One section of warm food, one section of cold food and a dessert area. Hot: I really wish they'd had more hot food. Had they had more options, they would have received 5 stars. The only egg option was eggs benedict and there weren't any potatoes. I love me some potatoes so I was sad about that. The real star of this classy joint was the salmon wellington. Holy balls, it was to die for. I never would have thought it was something I couldn't live without, but oh my lord. It is! My fave, prime rib, was freaking delicious. When I sweet talked the carver into cutting into the new freshly cooked chunk of meat instead of the tiny, older one, I may have professed my love for him. They had little ramekins to put au jus and horseradish sauce in. I love dips and sauces and really hate when they mix with everything on the plate. I swear, little ramekins can make or break a meal. Cold: Meh. If the lines are too long and you have to skip a section, this is the one to skip. The salads were ok, and the fruit was yummy. But it's fruit... nothing to write home about. The shrimp was stellar! I don't know why, it looked like just basic shrimp cocktail. I stole a prime rib ramekin for the cocktail sauce and dipped my tasty shrimp in it. Desserts: I loved the cookie I had. But I'm not a dessert person so that's pretty much all I tried. My friends loved nearly all of them and enjoyed the variety. Salt and Pepper shakers: Nearly all reviews mention the salt and pepper shakers and I was so excited to see them! There are 1,200 lining the walls. John, the owner, offered a free bar drink to people that brought in a set when they first opened (something like 30 years ago). His collection is 5,000 deep! He has 3,800 sets of salt and pepper shakers in storage! It was amazing. Ask your server for details on the story. It was charming to hear. Overall, eat here. You won't regret it!
(4)Kim R.
We received a gift certificate about a year ago for Lake Elmo Inn and finally got around to having brunch. We went after Christmas, but they still had their decorations up, and it was very festive! My 2-year-old son especially liked all of the ornaments they have hanging from the ceiling in the bar. They have an extensive brunch buffet and I really appreciated the warm carmel rolls they bring to your table, and of course, the free champagne! On the day we went, they had a few Chinese dishes on the brunch menu (which I thought was a little strange but they were actually pretty good). They had egg rolls, fried rice and cream cheese wontons along with your traditional brunch fare. My favorite thing was probably the made-to-order omelet. I would go back, but this is more of a special occasion brunch place since it is a little spendy.
(4)Amba A.
My sister and I took our father to Lake Elmo Inn in for Father's Day a couple of weeks ago. It was good! Nice buffet brunch with a lot of variety: waffles, roasted duck with blueberry sauce, pastries and other deserts to name a few. It was a beautiful Minnesota day so we enjoyed our brunch on the patio. The patio is great because it's outside but enclosed at the same time. Hard to explain. The wait staff was also very courteous. I definitely suggest Lake Elmo Inn for brunch!
(4)Dave A.
After ripping Murray's last night we had to come to the warmest best tried and true place I know. Had our usual great meal and everything was perfect, from steaks to fish to fouls and sides. They even started decorating for Xmas in the bar. Great place for holiday meals.
(5)Karen K.
I have been going to the lake elmo inn for over 20 years. You can always count on excellent food and good service. The prices have continued to rise over the years and seem a little high and on par with a steakhouse in Minneapolis.
(4)V W.
I've been here a couple times in the past for brunch and the food is so fabulous. Both times, I walked out super stuffed. I just couldn't stop eating the good food and desserts! I was also there yesterday for lunch and got the Autumn Harvest Risotto with Duck. It was AMAZING! I have no complaints about the food here and wish I could eat here all the time! That's not really in the budget, but I definitely would if I could! Highly recommended! The service is also fantastic!
(5)Shawn S.
This review if for Sunday brunch, which starts at 10. Most months, get there early because it does get full. It's a great value, with lots of variety of food and dessert plus generous pours of champagne (or sparkling juice for the kids). Be prepared though that coffee will cost you extra. The food is basic american food: salads, cheese, carving station, shrimp, waffles, etc. They sometimes rotate in variety, such as Asian the day we were there. Not sure what else they rotate. I wouldn't call the food gourmet - just good hearty food at a good value. I have to admit I wouldn't have minded paying more for a more innovative selection, but it did the job. Extra kudos to the super friendly wait staff and snappy service. And people - this is a nice place. Keep the shorts and flip flops at home. It was nice to walk in and see customers, even the kids, in collared shirts and Sunday dresses. I'm all for being comfortable, but this isn't Denny's.
(4)Erin G.
Awesome brunch. I am a big fan of brunch overall and brunch buffets specifically and this one did not disappoint. Price was reasonable and included champagne, which is nice but for me it's kinda a waste because the bubbles fill me up and I would rather get full from FOOD than champagne. My bloody mary was pretty basic and not strong, but at least it wasn't overly expensive. They have a cold line, a hot line, a carving station, and desserts. Also, I think you can order omelettes from your server, but none of us did that because we were focused on the buffet lines. Also, it wasn't mentioned by our server as an option, we just saw other people doing it. In the hot line they have a rotating item of the week, which you can check online ahead of time. The week we went it was salmon wellington, ehich was good. The vegetables were AMAZING, and the eggs benedict was good also. I would have liked another egg dish, like scrambled eggs or a quiche or something. The salads were disappointing. There was fresh fruit and the shrimp was amazing. I would have liked a little bit more variety or creative dishes, but overall a solid spread. Desserts were TO DIE FOR, especially the peanut butter brownie. Our table tried most of the desserts and most of them were amazing, although a few were mediocre. I loved all of the bars and brownies. The service was pretty good, at first she seemed a little bit surly but then she warmed up and by the end of the brunch we all liked her. It's a little bit out of the way but definitely worth the drive! DO IT.
(4)Richard R.
Went there for dinner last friday night had resavations for 7:30 called them at 6 and asked if we could get in at 7 instead they said yes.so we showed up haven't been there in 10 years.The food was remarkable and the service was too.I would give them 10 stars if i could.The Best Dinner i had in years i had the Cajun marlin. I might go back tonight again.
(5)Mariel J.
[Disclaimer: I used to work at Lake Elmo Inn while I was in high school - about 10 years ago - so I may not be entirely unbiased.] I recently went to Lake Elmo Inn for Sunday brunch with a group of 10 people. As always, the food was great, and I tried a little of everything, which meant it wasn't necessary to eat for the rest of the day. It was also great the everyone in our group - from great grandparents to a 14 month old - could find things they loved. Our friends visiting from out of state loved the family-owned feel and the cute salt-and-pepper shaker theme. And, the chocolate moose and the "Sin of the Inn," are still two of my favorite desserts of all time - almost worth it to skip straight to dessert!
(5)Sarah H.
I have been here more than a few times and I've never walked away sad. The food is always delicious and and the staff is very friendly. I feel like everyone's done a great job describing the food, so I'll just say that the food is great, try the specials and the main menu. Attire :When I go, i'm usually sitting at the bar - so jeans and a shirt work out nicely. Now my roommate will usually go dressed in whatever suits his fancy that day. I've also seen people dressed in jackets and ties, So I 'd say, you can't go wrong with jeans and a nice top. So I also enjoy sitting at the bar because usually the bartender is up for making fun cocktails. Like today, Curtis made a cocktail with Frangelico, Chambord and topped it with champagne. It was real tasty like. Please go to the Inn and I would for sure recommend making a reservation esp. for the buffet days or on the special occasion days :)
(5)Michael H.
My first time dining at Lake Elmo Inn was great. Each one of our party of 4 had a different meal and we all enjoyed our food very much. The service was great and the ambiance was comfortable and peaceful even with a wedding party in the room. I would recommend this restaurant to my friends.
(5)Phyllis L.
We are always happy with the Lake Elmo Inn. This visit did not disappoint us. My prime rib sandwich was a bit salty,but very flavorful. The service is very good.
(4)Erin P.
I've been here many times over the years for lunch, dinner, and brunch. It is one of my favorite places to go, and when I lived in Stillwater, I was a regular here. Now that I live on the west side, I don't get here very much, but it still tops my list as a great restaurant. It's in charming downtown Lake Elmo, and going there kind of feels like you're going back in time. The food is phenomenal. Everything I've had there is delicious and obviously made with care and pride. They've also always taken any additions/substitutions with no problems and no attitude, which I love. Customer service here is great -- every server and bartender I've encourntered here is personable and attentive. My favorite part? Getting lemon sorbet in between courses at dinner to cleanse your palette. Such a great and classy touch! Absolutely recommend this spot!
(5)Eric L.
Absolutely fantastic Sunday brunch. Great atmosphere, beautiful patio and bottomless mimosas included. They start you off with a fantastic caramel roll and the options from there are endless, although my favorite was the fresh roast beef with a delicious horseradish sauce.
(4)Dakota W.
I called to make reservations for Sunday brunch and the only time slot left was 1:00pm. Since brunch was over at 2:00pm I asked if that would be a problem and was assured it was not. We arrived to a PACKED restaurant and was seated and delivered caramel rolls. Which my friends say were very good. We were then given option of Champagne or sparkling juice, that were the only options given. When we went up to buffet line it was at least 20 people deep and moving very slowly! At least 15 minutes waiting every time. When we did get up to buffet they were out of the waffles, eggs benedict, and the salmon wellington. The sausages, vegetable medley were good, but the carved roast was very dry and smoked ham had good flavor but was also dry. We waited for them to replenish dishes but there were so many people that were also waiting that it had to be replenished twice more before we had a selection. I went up for salmon 4 times and it was always empty. A gentleman in front of me complained about the lack of items and was told it would take at least 4 minutes before food would be coming out again. I said I would wait at my table and to my surprise they did bring salmon to me, which was absolutely delicious One person ordered an omelet from waitress and when it arrived we all could not believe it....it was brown and crusty fried crisp! Not really a breakfast or "brunch" buffet, one egg choice? No potatoes choices at all? No one filled water glasses, no coffee was offered. The cold items were abundant and good and the desserts were great. But for the price (especially if you are not a champagne drinker) it was not worth it. Out of the 6 of us I was the only one that gave it 3 stars, everyone else gave 1 or 2 stars. We sadly will not be going back for brunch.
(2)Jim H.
My wife and I visited the Lake Elmo Inn for an anniversary meal. We made reservations via open table for 8pm. We arrived and were seated rather quickly. Before we were seated we looked at some of the hundreds of different salt and pepper shakers that were on display. My wife liked them, I am not into to the nick Nak stuff. The lighting was good, the decorations were pleasant. A nice young man greeted us and filled out water glass. Our waitress was pleasant and wished us a happy anniversary. We order drinks and our meal. My wife ordered a petite filet 4oz and I ordered the Cajun pork chops. We enjoyed the rolls which were warm and tasty. It did take a while for our meal to arrive which was fine because we didn't have plans after our meal. I cut into the first pork chop and the center was raw and cold to the touch. The same was true of the second pork chop as well. My wife checked her filet which she order between medium and medium rare. The filet was very rare. I like my steaks very rare and I work in restaurants so I do know how steaks should look when prepared properly. We waited about 5 minutes and we caught out servers attention. We showed her out meals and she agreed that they were not prepared correctly and removed them. After about 10-15 minutes our meals were returned. I was surprised to see that they served us the same meat, just cooked longer. I would expect this of a chain restaurant but not a higher priced restaurant. A filet that is cut open does not retain the moisture in the meat. To a lesser extend this is true for a pork chop. The filet and pork chop was prepared to the correct temperature. I did not that the meat next to the bone looked a little questionable. The server checked back with us and offered to buy us desert for the inconvenience. I was surprised that a during our entire meal we did not see a manager or the chef did not visit any of the tables in our area. I was even more surprised that one did not visit our table because, 1 the raw pork chops is a health issue if I had eaten any of it, 2 we had a celebration and 3 we mentioned to the waitress that it was our first time visiting the restaurant.we did have a desert called the sin of the inn. It was good but the pecan shell was so hard we had to use 3 forks to eat it. 1 to hold it steady and the other to chop a piece off of it. It was good but not great. The reason I gave 2 stars was because of the ambience and friendly staff. If it was based on our meal anyone it would have been 1 star. The meal was $87 and I have had correctly prepared meats at chain restaurants for 1/2 of that price. We won't be returning.
(2)Mary W.
Okay food tonight but were asked to hurry up and leave because a group wanted to sit in the bar where we were sitting!! Empty tables all over the restaurant were available. Never experienced anything like this. Totally awful customer service. Will never go back!
(1)Reid W.
Had the Steak & Wild Mushroom Risotto - A blue cheese crusted 4oz filet, wild mushrooms & red pepper served on a bed of creamy risotto, finished with a balsamic glaze & fresh Parmesan. It was sooooo goooood! Always a good place for a nice dinner but this dish was the best I have had at this restaurant. Nice setting with thousands of unique salt/pepper shakers decorating the walls to keep you occupied while perhaps waiting for a table ;-)
(4)John W.
I hesitate to give this place a great review because I want to keep it a secret. But success deserves merit. I have been going to LEI for years. My most recent visit was yesterday. I had lobster ravioli with a creamy bisque-like sauce. I could tell the sauce was made the right way, from the lobster's shell. Julia Child could have been the chef. The wine and beer list is varied and long. The attentive staff are knowledgeable and can help with suggestions. And the desserts are just exquisite. That's all I can say. I split a chocolate tart that had a pecan crust and white chocolate grenache topping. Lake Elmo Inn is more of a dressy, elegant place. It's very decorated during the holidays -- always in theme. Christmas is especially lovely with the many European snow globes about the place. And I recommend the big wooden bar if you want a cozy meal with a friend. Don't expect funky food or odd, fusion pairings at LEI. Do expect fancy delicious, cuisine. Now, DON'T Tell anyone.Okay?
(5)Candace V.
Outstanding weekday buffet. Worth the price & haul to Lake Elmo.
(5)Amy R.
I've eaten here twice, both times for brunch. As a huge fan of brunch and breakfast fare, this is a wonderful place. The brunch is extensive, and has a wonderful variety of fresh items laid out with a presentation appealing to the eye. The brunch comes with champagne and has several delectable items. Eggs benedict, fresh fruits, a variety of salads, shrimp cocktail, made to order omelettes, carving stations and a lot more. The desserts are decadent and sinfully good. I don't usually get dessert, but theirs are a must try. The two times I have eaten here were quite busy, so I would recommend making a reservation. Having to wait and salivate while people walk through with their plates is no fun.
(4)Jeremy C.
This place has been bookmarked for nearly a year. We've heard rants and raves about how awesome it is. It's listed as a casual restaurant on here. I would say this is a bit misleading. It is a bit to fancy to wear jeans too. Other than this it was exactly as we expected. The food was great, the service was very friendly and helpful. The price was actually better than I expected. We did dinner with one drink each and a dessert and it was $80 before tip. I had the NY strip and my wife had the walleye. They were both great.
(4)Jen B.
Really can't say much that hasn't already been said. However, I had never been here. The in-laws rave about it, so we finally went with them for a Sunday brunch. I have to say, not only was the food delicious, the service was great, and the place is adorable and super charming! If it wasn't such a far drive, I'd probably go on a regular basis. If you're in the area, it's worth your time to check out!
(4)Alana Z.
My best friend, cousin, and I went to this place on my visit to St. Paul, MN and I will definitely go back again if I'm in the area! The Sunday brunch was top of the line! The dessert was my main course. Wow. What an amazing selection of decadent, delicious, and amazingly made tortes, cakes, and treats! My favorite course has always been dessert, so if you are a fan of sweets, I would highly recommend going here for their brunch. I ate not so much of the other foods so I could focus on the desserts! I know, I am such a fatty! The Caprese salad (tomato, pesto, and mozzarella cheese) was to die for! I love just the basic mozzarella and tomato salad, but this one was special. The pesto made everything even more fresh tasting! I could eat this all day. Their mini-waffles were so fluffy and yummy as well! My bestie was a big fan of the Eggs benedict. And their almond encrusted halibut was also crunchy and wonderful! In addition, unlimited champagne. Need I say more??? If you are a big fan of coffee, their brew here was lovely! Just right for the perfect cup of coffee! All in all, I highly recommend visiting this quaint little restaurant! The service was great and the food, superb!
(5)Brian R.
Great owner that has true passion about food and service. There are not to many restaurant left that make scratch food to order that is seasoned and prepared properly. I had the honor to work for Jon for 2 years and he inspired me to do the same with my catering company.
(5)Bill Z.
I was here for a financial seminar with a fixed menu. The beef tenderloin, wild rice and vegetables were very good. The walleye fish was uneven. One end of the fish had a fishy smell that left a bad taste in my mouth. Considering this is a high end restaurant, due to the walleye the rating was reduced. I spoke to some other customers with the same opinion due to the fish. This is strange due to walleye is KING in MN. Service was good.
(3)Kelly S.
Loved it here! The brunch is one of the best that I've had in really long time. I'm not kidding around, everything was delicious. The smoked salmon was great, the same for the mini apple waffles, prime rib, pasta salads, and mimosa. I like the old vibe to the restaurant and town. Making the drive and upon arriving to the destination you realize that you're about to enjoy and celebrate a special occasion. I had an amazing time, really can't beat a phenomenal meal with the family:)
(5)Alice W.
Though I've eaten here countless times, this review will be just for Sunday and Easter/Mother's Day Brunch. Loosen your belts. Wear the stretchy stuff, cause this is gonna be good. Your exquisite service will start will champagne or mimosas (or catawba juice) and warm, gooey cinnamon caramel rolls. Don't even fight it--slather them with butter and DON'T SHARE. This is moaning, eyes rolled back, licking the plate good. (If you need a smoke after that, you'll have to step outside). Now, the friendly and professional wait staff can take your order for a custom omelette, or, it's off to the buffet with you. Take a look at all that fresh, beautiful bounty: fresh fruit, and not just cheapo melon; six salads--fresh and delicious. Smoked salmon, cream cheese, mini bagels. Shrimp, a cheese platter. That's the chilled side. The mouth-watering aromas coming from the warm side include a variety of sausages, roast beef and smoked ham carving station, waffles and french toast, eggs benedict, and several other selections. But this isn't the reason for loosening your belt--no; this is standard stuff. High-quality, incredibly yummy standard stuff, but nonetheless. Then you got your desserts. Lordy, you got your desserts: mousse, tarts, Sin of the Inn, cheesecakes, cookies, croustades, eclairs--sorry, did I pass out for a second? Speaking of seconds, be sure to go back for thirds, fourths--you get the idea. The champagne is ever-flowing, staff is perfection. Decor is "Salt & Pepper Shaker Fancy." Okay, I made that up; they have the largest collection of salt & pepper shakers I've ever seen, and they line most of the dining room walls. Keeps the kids occupied after they've reached their food max. Sunday brunch is $21 for adults, half that for kids 3-11. Now, Easter and Mother's Day Brunch is this good and decadent times a hundred. Like, you may not be able to get reservations NOW (though it's well worth trying). I don't really even like to tell you about it, really. I don't recall if the price goes up for those or not. Very food allergy-friendly--even during buffets, they'll cook up something special. This is as close as I've ever felt to a family restaurant. (Full disclosure: in 1988 I worked on a farm that provided sweet corn to LEI for some catered events, but that's the extent of my relationship with this business--beyond being a happy, satisfied, *stuffed* customer).
(5)Meg K.
I've been here several times for special occasions. They offer free champagne if you're celebrating! They also bring out lemon sorbet to cleanse your palate after the appetizers are finished. When you are finished eating dinner, they bring cinnamon scented towels to clean your hands off. After dessert they bring chocolate dipped strawberries! The staff is top notch and the specials are delicious!
(5)Scott D.
All I can say is Lake Elmo Inn get better each time we go there. The people are exceptional and the food is #1. I would recommend anyone go ~always a full house because the food is so good,so check out after hours brunch or get there early sunday morning brunch~incredible
(5)Josh K.
It had been about a decade since I've been here. Probably longer if I didn't spend a few years getting punched in the head and could remember things better. But, this weekend, the girlfriend and I took her parents out for brunch here and we all relived how incredible this buffet really is. Make reservations. Do not, I repeat, do not think you'll get a table in a timely manner without them. At 10.10, a couple was quoted 45 minutes for a table without reservations. Don't risk it. We've all been to buffets where the food is pretty much the same... Chianti, Granite City etc etc. This place, NOTHING is like any of that. You'll pay a bit more, obviously, but, the food is so much better and better quality it is so worth it. The special was a fried fish, pole, and a special butter, which was incredible. Fish was fried perfectly, and the butter was amazing on top of it. They broke the normal menu of waffles and went with raspberry french toast, which was incredible. Their sausage pit had 3 different types, a normal thick breakfast link was really good, a kielbasa style which was not bad at all, and a smoked sausage that was ok - then amazing with a little maple syrup on it. Their eggs benny was ok. I'm not a benny fan and really don't care for it as a whole, but, this was ok. Caramel rolls at the table were spot on and gooey goodness. Beef and ham carving station also served up some really good meats, and not too fatty of beef either - which made it actually worth getting. For the cold side of the aisle, their salads were very good. One had field greens with apples, pomegranates and a very light sweet vinaigrette. The other was a garden salad with all the veggies and a balsamic vinaigrette. Pasta salads were immaculate with good quality cheeses, and spicy meats (pepperoni and salami). Smoked salmon was awesome. A brown sugar style of smoked salmon so it was amazingly sweet/salty with the cheeses. Desserts... all of them were amazing. A lemon pudding/sorbet kind of thing was refreshing. Berry mousse, chocolate/PB mousse and their cheese cake was spot on. Can also order an omelet from your server, which I did and was really happy with the quality. Wasn't one of those "egg in a squirt bottle" kind of omelets you get at other places. Real, actual eggs went into this thing. Mimosas were great, coffee was tasty and service was perfect. The perfect brunch if you're willing to drive and pay for it.
(5)Rowan J.
In the quest to eat only 1 meal on sundays, we stumbled across this place online. The brunch buffet seemed to appeal to the both of us & we made reservations for an hour later. We got there with plenty of time to spare, but finding a spot seemed to take a bit of an effort. We soon found out why, a couple was having there wedding reception. We were seated quickly & the cinnamon rolls appeared & the champagne started to flow. For our first round at the buffet, i chose to stick with the breakfasty stuff. A week later, the items that stand out are the mini-waffles with cream and strawberries & the eggs benedict. My wife ordered a shrimp omlette from the kitchen & that was quite good. For our second round, we did the -unch bit & had the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. This was simply about the best fried chicken I have ever had & had to have another one. By this time, I was rather full & decided to skip the cheese and head straight for the dessert and fruit. Now I wish I'd skipped the fruit as well & just done dessert. The service we had was great, our server was extremely friendly and cordial & I would almost go back just for that experience of being waited on by her again. My wife decided not to have her Cinnamon Roll & she gave it to us wrapped up in foil shaped up like a basket. The decor is quite nice in the dining areas & there is the previously mentioned salt & pepper mega collection in the waiting area. Our table had one set from this collection. I look forward to taking our out of town guests here to brunch. It's definitely something they should experience.
(5)Bob D.
I have been to the Lake Elmo inn about 20 times, and I have never been disappointed! You can't go wrong. The service is top notch, and the food is some of the best around. This is definately the place for a special occasion. The regular and holiday brunches are also amazing, but get there early.
(5)Kristi C.
This seems like a reliable choice if you're looking for something on the east side of the metro area, non-chain restaurant. Service was very friendly and staff was attentive. Comfortable decor. This was my first visit and while there are many places I'd like to try before I go back, I wouldn't hesitate suggesting this one. I agree, a good place to take mom or dad for their special day with the family. Food was well prepared. Pot Stickers were tasty. Butternut Squash Ravioli in Sage Brown Butter was outstanding. They make their own dessserts, the Sin of the Inn! If you love caramel, you must try this. It was also easy to find a nice wine from the selections available.
(3)Trish P.
I last ate here a couple of years ago with my husband and a friend who was visiting from Washington D.C. We had come for the Sunday morning brunch and we were not fans. Last week we told friends who had cat sat for us that we would take them out ot dinner wherever they wanted to go. They love Lake Elmo Inn and being the charming friends we are, we said ok. Well, the food was truly outstanding. Lots of options to choose from on the menu. I saw Jambalaya and ordered it. I couldn't stop eating even after my stomach hurt as it was so full. According to the others, the fish items melted in the mouth and the pork chops were so big they barely could make room for the dessert. Good service, great food and a nice ambiance. It's a place I wish I could have dinner at every night! But, I'll still pass on the brunch!
(5)Jeff J.
Truly amazing place. The owners and staff are some of the best that I have seen. The food is excellent and the presentations are well done. I love eating at a place where people care about the customer. Looking forward to coming back in October with more people.
(5)Mag B.
First time in this place on a busy Sunday brunch.. the personal were friendly the food was just excellent and I cant forget the complimentary free champagne!! Looking for a good brunch on Sundays? .. this is the place!
(5)Dana A.
Went here for Sunday brunch. The food was good, but there were not that many selections for hot breakfast foods. The dessert and fruit selections were of plenty. Service was very good. A bit fancy for kids, in my opinion.
(3)Dan S.
This is an amazing place for Sunday brunch. I would recommend a reservation and a large appetite. The food is amazing and the service is phenomenal. Bottomless champagne...need I say more?
(5)Betsy J.
Cute restaurant, food was good, but nothing unusual or great. This is a great place for a family event, lots of good basic food like steak and pasta. Staff was great, loved our server Jolynn, very friendly. If you're looking for something unusual, this isn't it. If you want a good traditional meal, this is the place.
(5)Oliver T.
Brunch review. Food was fantastic. Champagne was abundant, good, and included. Only complaint would be that it is lacking variety of hot breakfast choices. Omelets are included and very good. Order one right away as those take a bit from the kitchen.
(4)Lisa P.
I went to Lake Elmo today for family brunch to celebrate my grandparents' 65th wedding anniversary, and it was a great family experience. Apparently my grandparents have been coming here for years, so they thought the drive was perfect for a fall Sunday (the men in the family were not as pleased with the time because of the Vikings game, but they lived). The brunch was very good, lots of options (hot and cold). Favorites included the smoked salmon (according to our server, smoked in the smokehouse out back), raspberry french toast, roast beef, and chicken parmesan. There were also a ton of desserts that everyone enjoyed. Also of note, brunch comes with caramel rolls at your table and endless champagne (or sparking grape juice for kids). The only complaint I have about the brunch was there wasn't enough egg options. The only egg option was eggs benedict, and I don't care for hollandaise, so I was disappointed there. The staff was very friendly and the inn had lots of halloween decorations and pumpkins, which made it very festive for the fall. It is a little bit of a drive from Minneapolis, but I would definitely go back for special occasions.
(4)Jon M.
We celebrated our 35th anniversary with dinner at the Lake Elmo Inn and it was great. Service was attentive and professional. Deb had the Heirloom Tomato Salad then the Fried Sunfish and I had the Roasted Beet Salad and then Roast Duck with Cherry sauce. We both chose the grilled asparagus side. Everything was terrific and we cleaned our plates! Then, we ordered and split "Sin of the Inn" for desert (wow!). The complimentary Champagne with desert was a thoughtful touch.
(5)Kris V.
The food, the service, everything was top notch! We made reservations for 6 on a Friday night, the only seating they had was for a table in the bar area, which wasn't as bad as I expected. We brought our 89 year old grandmother, and let me say our server was VERY accommodating. Our grandmother is picky when it comes to certain things, every small issue that came up was taken care of immediately and fixed for her. The food...omg was excellent! We ordered the edamame which was perfect, along with the zucchini fries. I ordered the sea bass which was one of the best I've ever had. This dish compared to the sea bass I had in New Orleans earlier this year. So freakin' good! Overall, the food was fresh, tasted great and was perfectly seasoned. The service was probably even better, which unfortunately is getting harder to find these days. We also enjoyed the decor inside and out. Our grandmother loved the Christmas lights. Btw, if you're into unique and one of a kind salt and pepper shakers...you'll love their display. They literally have hundreds to look at and admire. I'm not even into them, but loved checking out the variety. We'll be back for sure, I really want to try their brunch which I heard is one of the best in the area.
(5)Stot D.
Ate brunch here for the first time this morning. It was one of the best brunches I have had in the Twin Cities. All of the usual brunch items and the entree was a salmon Wellington (delicious)! One of the highlights of our brunch was our waitress Lori! She was FANTASTIC. Overall a highly enjoyable experience.
(5)Jayme S.
Disappointed!! Hadn't been to LEI in AGES and decided to celebrate our anniversary with a gift certificate we had recieved. The only reason I gave it 3 stars is because the service and ambiance was OUTSTANDING! The food, however, was on the low end of the scale and not very memorable .Had the prime rib, which was very tasty and minimal "garbage" attached, but was lukewarm at best. Roasted potatoes were to the point of mush and didn't have much flavor. The honeyed carrots, while tasty, were horribly underdone-could barely poke with a fork. They had brought a baked potato by mistake and it was underdone also (could hardly mash it with a fork). I looked forward to the palette cleansing sherbet, but my palette hadn't really been "soiled" after only having a roll (where's the salad?). Had the Sin of the Inn for dessert, which was rich and gooey, but couldn't cut the cookie crust without pounding it with a fork. Hubby had the walleye, which he said was delicious, but had the same problem with hard carrots and baked potato. The manager (owner?) came into our dining area 3 or 4 times and never once asked anyone about their meal. Also, as long as you're there, how about picking up a couple of dirty dishes from tables? The waitstaff was busy and ours had been sitting there for quite awhile, as well as some other tables.
(3)Justine L.
OK, I'm totally biased, as I'm a foodie snob... but I am going to RAVE about this place. Can I give it 6 stars, two thumbs up, and a "woo-hoo!?" I had never heard of Lake Elmo Inn (LEI) until a few months ago. My neighbor recommended John, the owner of LEI, as a source of catering. We were looking for a caterer for our unusual wedding request: to host a Southern-style seafood/crawfish boil. We met with John for a tasting menu, and instantly fell in love with the restaurant and catering services. We felt fully confident in John's ability to pull off this unusual picnic style catering gig. He was totally amenable to our needs, and provided several options for us to work within our budget. His catering team (Elaine) was great to work with, and had phenomenal customer service skills and communication. After all, she had to deal with a jittery, nervous bride, right? On June 1st, the team at LEI catered what was one of the most memorable food experiences of my life on our wedding day. Everything was PERFECT... from the white linen tables to the nice disposable silverware to the lobster bibs to the presentation to the hot, cinammon-flavored hand towel at the end of the meal. When the waitstaff brought out the plates of seafood boil to the seated guests, eyeballs were popping out of skulls! Our guests (also fellow foodies) were salivating and wow'd by the beauty, presentation, and meal. The raw oyster bar was classy and delicious (and a huge hit). The staff were amazing servers, and I think they had fun with first first-catered seafood boil also. Overall, if you are looking for a great meal, incredible service, a creative catered event, hit up John and LEI. You will be amazed. One of my top 3 food experiences in my life... and I'm a foodie snob!!!
(5)BJ B.
We dined here on April 19th for dinner. We had a reservation, I really enjoyed this dining experience. It was my husbands birthday. We had some very tasty red wine, I had the Grenache, he had the merlot. Both were really good. We ordered rack of lamb, he ordered the 3 meat sampler. Salads, jalapeño cheddar potatoes & fries. Asparagus & green beans. WOW! The meal was really well balanced. I loved the jalapeño cheddar au gratins were the best I have ever eaten. The lamb chops were succulent, with a Dijon horseradish crust that brought a delightful bite to the lamb. My husbands entree was prepared to perfection. We loved the little unexpected touches; sorbet after salads, warm towels, chocolate dipped strawberries. The staff was so friendly and professional. Last year I took my husband to Ruth Chris & came away disappointed. Thank you John S. And your great staff for this wonderful experience. We booked in for Mother's Day brunch. :)
(5)Madison A.
Bring an appetite, take it slow, and prepare for this masterpiece of a Sunday brunch. Folks, I cannot possibly find the words to describe how amazing this brunch is, but I will give it a shot. Firstly, be sure to make a reservation, especially for special occasions. The ambiance if this classic eatery is a mix of "lets bring out Gram and Gramps for a classic Sunday affair," with "pick your favorite salt/pepper shaker from each row!" (Awesome collection of shaker sets in the waiting area.) Upon arrival, your server will bring homemade caramel rolls to your table, and offer you up some bottomless champagne. Um...yes please! Take the advice of other Yelpers and don't fill up on these right away because its the only thing you can take home. Plus they wrap them up for you in a tinfoil swan to-go! After ordering your custom omelette from your server (if you choose), you can make your way to the buffet. They have endless opportunities to nosh on hot or cold brunch classics. The cold line has gourmet fruits and cheeses (giant strawberries for your champagne!), delicious salads, including a perfect beet salad with red onions and pineapple, smoked salmon with accoutrement, mini bagels with cream cheese, and a giant boat of shrimp with cocktail sauce. Amazing. Moving on to the hot line. This line included some of my favorites of the meal, including eggs benedict, raspberry French toast (oh my gosh drooling over this), and assorted sausages. This line also had a country medley of veggies, Yukon gold and baby red potatoes, as well as a carving station offering roast beef (with au jus) and ham. My husband said the ham was bleeping awesome. At this point my pants were already feeling a little tight, so we took a couple minutes to down more champagne as we mentally prepared for the desserts. The desserts truly deserve their own review as there are over 20 delish desserts to choose from. I would recommend not missing a bite of a single one. My favorites included a dream bar, lemon bars, chocolate mousse, and melty gooey caramel chocolate cookies. This is seriously the best dessert selection I have seen and there are mini options so you can try a little bite of everything! I will somehow make sure to include this brunch into our regular celebratory restaurant locations. Bring your friends, bring your family, and bring your elastic waistbands because this place rocks.
(5)Richard K.
Sunfish! Have the sunfish. You won't be disappointed. Delicious little pan fried filets just like you used to catch & Mom used to make. Lake Elmo Inn is always good.
(4)Mike A.
We had an excellent dinner here tonight. Our party of four had wonderful entrees. I had the halibut special, it was so tasty! The others at our table had the dirty chicken, the sirloin steak, and the steak risotto. Everyone agreed they were impressed with the service, the quality of the food, and the presentation. Desserts were also phenomenal. I know Lake Elmo Inn has been rated highly for some time now, but this place is underrated!
(5)Daniel J.
My family has been coming here for 28 years...that's before I was even born! We go here about 6 Sundays per year for brunch, and each time it's a treat! The food is normally always great. Mind you, I'm very picky - hence the "normally". However, if the main entree doesn't look that great to me, I can always do an omelet. The food is ALWAYS hot, fresh and well seasoned. They must pay the cooks very well, because these guys not only love what they do, but they are PASSIONATE about their food! They take pride in putting out a great tasting meal. My favorite meals to date: 1. Beer Battered Walleye with a lemon zest dressing on the side :-O 2. Deep Fried Chicken with Garlic Red Mashed Potatoes :-OOO Seriously people...I'm glad my mother wasn't around, because I would have slapped her across the room. (get it? :-) The main reason I love this place above all else, is the service. I personally never receive such great service anywhere else. Being that this is such a big deal to me, I could spend days talking about it. We were just there 2 days ago and as always, the service was phenomenal: 1. We are promptly greeted after being seated. 2. We are told the special of the day while having out glasses filled with champagne, sparkling cider or whatever drink we want. 3. My omelet order is taken immediately 4. Our drinks get refilled EVERY 8-10 MINUTES. 5. They always stay out the way - while still hanging around waiting to cater to your every need This place comes highly recommended if you're looking for a great tasting brunch. Bring an appetite and and open mind and you will NOT leave disappointed!
(5)Lisa M.
Kitchy, but good. We had a small business dinner here for the Holidays. Which, I think most people there were doing. The 8 of us had an 8:00 reservation. We arrived a bit early to grab a drink the bar. That didn't work. The bar was packed as was the restaurant. We ended up lucking out and getting a table between the waiting area and bar while we waited. We were seated before our reservation which was nice, but the table was awkward. It was a party of 8 and we were seated along the wall, so it was half booth and half chairs. I typically like those kind of tables, but I think they were work best for smaller parties. People in our party had a variety of dishes - I selected the butternut squash ravioli and started with the watermelon and feta salad. Both were very good. I'd never had butternut squash ravioli, so I can't compare it to anything, but I really enjoyed it. I think most people at our table enjoyed the food. The service was standard. She had a few of the big tables, so I think she was a little overwhelmed. I'm knocking a couple stars off for a few reasons, and these are me nitpicking.... *It was so hot in there. I get it, it's winter, but with a fireplace and THAT many people in the joint, it heats up. There was zero air circulating. *It is cramped. The tables were smashed together in the room and I literally couldn't hear the people right across the table from me. They could have taken out a couple of the tables and the would have loosened up a bit. If you go early I think you will run into a lot of people bringing the older crowd for a special dinner. I'd go again, but it's not my first choice for special meal.
(3)Amir S.
Lake Elmo Inn restaurant offers hands down the best Sunday brunch buffet in the twin cities! We had brunch here on our way to Stillwater last Sunday. The buffet starts at 10. We were there at 10:15 and it was already crowded. If you plan to go there, reserve your table online on opentable.com . They get a beautiful veranda. But the day we were there was too warm to sit outside on the charming veranda. The inn's ambiance is warm, comfortable and inviting. The entry way and hallway walls are tastefully decorated with a huge collection of salt and pepper shakers. As you are seated your waiter/waitress brings water glasses and some caramel rolls (It's the only thing you could take home! So, don't eat it and save the space for other delicious stuff!). Then they ask you to choose between an ever-flowing glass of alcoholic or non-alcoholic champagne. After ten minutes or so they will be back to take your made to order omelets's order. You could put as many vegetables or meats as you want in your omelet. Despite the fact that it's busy, the buffet area is big enough so you don't feel to have to hurry. One side of the buffet area is dedicated to cold stuff: salads, fruits (grape, pineapple, strawberry, water melon, etc.), smocked salmon, shrimps cocktail, different types of gourmet cheese, bagels and cream cheese and also fantastic mini desserts. The other side is packed with mostly warm food: roast beef and smoked ham, sausages, entree of the day (when we were there it was a delicious raspberry chicken with pilaf), vegetables, Belgium waffles, Eggs Benedict and etc. We liked and enjoyed almost everything we ate. But we were all of the same opinion that the mini desserts are separately worth the $22 price of the brunch buffet. They are super delicious! Eclairs, tiramisu and cheesecakes are phenomenal! If you're into cookies, don't miss the cookies table located slightly outside of the buffet area.
(5)Tasha G.
Want a good buffet? Check out Lake Elmo Inn any Tuesday and be ready to go back for seconds, and thirds, and fourths.... I've been to Lake Elmo Inn a couple times but only once (so far) for their buffet. Their entree options for their buffet vary from week to week but I'm sure you'll never be disappointed because aside from their entrees there are so many side options it's hard to decide what to try first. When I visted, the two entrees they featured were sirloin and grilled chicken. Both were very delicious and juicy. As for sides, I tried a little bit of everything. They had at least 5 different salad options, all which were very tasty, but the strawberry spinach salad is a must try! They also had choices of fresh fruit, soup, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a huge assortment of tasty treats. Everything I had was very good and I will definitely be recommending this place to anyone venturing out to the Lake Elmo area.
(4)Mike G.
Excellent as always and a must visit when we are back in the Stillwater/Lake Elmo area. Service, friendliness, food and ambiance are all very, very good. The wild rice soup is a must along with the "sunnies", walleye, and nightly specials. Great bar area...Johnny is awesome! Thanks Lake Elmo Inn for always making it a great experience.
(5)Brett F.
I have been to the Inn on several occasions and have yet to be disapointed. Whether it is for a special occasion and I am with the whole family, or I am impressing a business client with a savvy meal at the bar ,the food is always fantastic. One of the best meals I've had involved a 30 oz lobster tail ( cooked perfectly ) in the middle of a large silver platter surrounded by sushi grade seared Ahi tuna, golden fried shrimp that were huge, fresh grilled asparagus topped with hollandaise and grilled tomato drizzled with balsamic reduction. On the side we had Prime Rib done app style where it is cubed and served in a bath of au- jus and a side of obrien potatoes which were the potato of the day. These " Platters" as the bartender called it are only available at the bar, which is where I like to eat anyways :) The brunch is of course out of this world and if you are looking for the best fried chicken in the cities than your search could end right here. The breading is light and crispy and seasoned perfectly. I think they actually brush it wih butter it is so good. They only offer the chicken at the brunch about 4-5 times a year and I go every time I am in town. There is also fresh fruit and the desserts are all made from scratch by the pastry chefs. The "sin" of the Inn is one that cannot be missed unless there happens to be Banana Crème Pie that day. The prices have gone up over the years but hey " it's not a non-profit organization " as my favorite bartender would say.
(5)Nathan C.
This place is nice for a good, formal sit-down meal with family or friends. I don't go there too often, but I love it when I have the opportunity to do so. The menu has some great selections, and I've yet to be disappointed with any order I've had from there.
(4)Krista S.
went there for mothers day, it was really cute atmosphere... they collect antique salt and pepper shakers that kind of freaked me out, lol. food was really good, served buffet style but it was actually kept fresh. the deserts were amazing and meal is served with champagne, yum!
(5)Sean O.
Continues to be one of the best restaurants in the cities. Total small lake town ambiance - with great service and food. Tried the Sunnies this time (that's sunfish people!) - they are potato crusted with a lemon vinaigrette and just melt in your mouth... if you fancy yourself a Minnesotan this restaurant will remind you why you live here.
(5)Andrew M.
The Lake Elmo Inn is probably the best American Restaurant on the east side of the Twin Cities. It is a quaint little restaurant in little Lake Elmo. It is kept up very well and its brunch has a strong following among the locals. The food is fairly traditional and always prepared and presented well. However, in my mind the wine list and desert menu are the highlights. The wine list is comprehensive, with a good selection in any price range. If you make the journey you have to have a desert, they are all amazing!
(4)Vanessa F.
A completely mediocre meal. The walleye, which was described as lightly breaded with panko, was overcooked and greasy. The fish in the fish tacos was flavorless and overcooked; they were little, rock hard, deep fried nuggets. The service, however, was friendly and the fries and dessert were completely acceptable. If you want to eat a meal like this, save your self some money and just go to Denny's.
(2)Bub N.
Been here once and it was great. Had a really good meal and service was good. I'd go back for sure.
(4)Dan P.
WAAAY Over rated. Our experience was met with extremely poor service, The advertised prime rib was unavailable as advertised. They had run out at about 5:00 P.M. Pretty poor planning for a weekend evening. The card in front also advertised garlic mashed spuds. Those were also unavailable. We got up and basically left the place. They charge astronomical rates, and can't even plan a dinner at 7:00. Can't tell ya how it tastes, as we split in disgust. After having been made to wait 45 min. for a table, and then finding the main advertised specials and feature items not even available. (Bait & Switch) Save yourself a trip. No steak/whatever is worth having to go though that just to get a decent dinner. NO LIE ! Scoot yerself on down to the Twin Points Tavern, a block or two away.
(1)L S.
Lake Elmo Inn as always been a favorite place of my family's to go on special occasions. It's a short drive from our house so the convenience of it is also a plus. It's in sleepy little Lake Elmo, but that is part of the appeal. Plus there is no place else you will find a bigger salt shaker collection. It's almost worth going just to gawk at that. My whole family noticed the menu has changed recently with less options but the food is still delicious and they have some of the best steak in Saint Paul. It's hard to find one so flavorful. I also had a salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette that was perfect and they have a great bread bowl. And I have to agree with my brother on this one, one of the best parts of eating there is the little lemon sorbet cones they give you to cleanse your palette! At the end they also give you chocolate covered strawberries -- all these little extras are half of the fun of going there. I had a special challenge because since the last time I had been there I developed an allergy to milk. I told them about my allergy before I came and they did an exceptional job of making sure my food was milk-free. Our server was wonderfully careful to check on menu items for me and I had no problems with getting anything other than I ordered. They even specially steamed the vegetables for me so that I could have those as well. I know they did good because when the meal was over I wasn't sick at all. My family also enjoyed the items they ordered. It's a quaint relaxing place for special occasions and they will definitely take care of you there. I've been there several times now and I've never been disappointed.
(4)Ellen C.
Maybe we had bad luck here, but our meal was boring, and our service was middling to poor. Everything took forever. We sat in front of our empty plates for 10 minutes while our waiter walked past us pretending not to see us. The desserts looked good, but we didn't have another hour to spend waiting for it. The manager saw us sitting there and did nothing. We have other options, we won't be back.
(2)kiki d.
This has been one of my family's go-to restaurants for Mother's Day, Easter, etc. for years. Lunch is good (this was my first experience with a palate cleanser). Brunch is my favourite here. There are lots of salads, fresh fruits (even in the winter!), cheeses, and desserts. There's an okay assortment of hot foods, and a ham/prime rib. They also serve champagne and hot buns and will bring a custom-made omelette to your table. Brunch can get crowded. They seem to seat people in waves, so there will be no line at all, and then all of a sudden, a bunch of groups will be seated and go up for food at once. In the warmer months, the outdoor saeting is nice and well-protected.
(5)