We stayed at Heather Lodge with 2 meals/ included in our rate ( MAP) but the dining room accepts outside reservations for breakfast @ $17.50 and dinner @ $55.
Both the meals and Chef James are deserving of a 5 star rating. His plates are of the highest quality and delicious.The presentation, with an assortment of edible garnishes, is first class.
Eating areas include a deck/patio and sunroom with beautiful views of Twelve Mile Lake. There are also 2 interior rooms. Covid precautions are evident. As long as we stayed, our assigned table was exclusively ours. Staff was welcoming and efficient and the courses well paced.
The food was incredibly good. At breakfast, they serve a platter with fresh fruit, yogurt and a warm muffin or Danish along with various juices. They offer a “ healthy” choice like oatmeal with fruit and local maple syrup from Wintergreen. Or you can choose one of 4 regular breakfasts- Chef’s choice omelet, eggs any style, pancakes or Cinnamon French Toast with home fries or potato patty. Choose a toast with local raspberry or blueberry jam, and a protein of bacon, peameal or homemade Artisan sausage. The latter not my favourite because they tend to be dense and grainy. Coffee or tea is included. It is a huge delicious breakfast that sets you up for the day!! We never needed lunch during our stay.
Dinner is truly a treat. First comes a bread basket with warm artisan rolls from Ace bakery. The 4 course meal consists of soup OR salad, an appetizer, an entree and dessert. The roasted squash soup blew me away- the smoothest I’ve ever had! The artisan salad topped with lots of seeds and cheese was excellent too. Hubby’s favourite appetizer was a shrimp cocktail with 3 humongous shrimp and a very zippy horseradish seafood sauce. I enjoyed the smoked duck breast on bruschetta. You can hardly go wrong on entrees - on various evenings, we enjoyed panko crusted pork schnitzel, a Grill Trio ( lamb, beef tenderloin and Artisan venison sausage), an exceptional Prime Rib with horseradish/ beet mix on the side and a perfectly grilled Beef Tenderloin finished with blue cheese. Garnishes add a lovely touch- fruit, watercress and sweet potato curls! There is a choice of 4 desserts most commonly cheesecake with garnishes. Also tried deep dish apple pie and blueberry pie.
The wine list features Ontario wines predominately Malivoire. If you choose to bring your own, the corkage is $12.95. We were charged 12% gratuity for excellent service! I highly recommend Chef James and his dining room @ The Heather Lodge just north of Minden on Highway 33.