As some of you might know, yesterday was my (Tre Eightman) 20th birthday and I decided to celebrate it at one of the newest restaurants in Oakland, Lake Chalet. In case you're unaware, Lake Chalet is located in the old Parks & Rec offices right on the shores of Lake Merritt, in a beautifully restored Spanish Revival building. This is the first restaurant on the Lake that we've seen in our lifetime, and though the food isn't top flight, the ambiance and view more than make up for it.
The Chalet is not the place to go if you want a great affordable meal. Most likely you will end up with an above average meal, but you'll leave with a pretty light wallet. FYI: Us 38thNotes' boys are not foodies by any stretch, so take our pedestrian review with a few grains of salt.
The Flat Iron Steak was the best entree we tried, as it was tender, had great flavor and was nicely complimented with the accompanying greens and Parmesan fries. The duck with polenta was a treat, but was tainted by this damned small plate movement (though it retained the big plate price). The Halibut was okay, but definitely a bit salty. And though the New York Steak was flavorful, it wasn't anything to write home about.
The Flat Iron Steak was the best entree we tried, as it was tender, had great flavor and was nicely complimented with the accompanying greens and Parmesan fries. The duck with polenta was a treat, but was tainted by this damned small plate movement (though it retained the big plate price). The Halibut was okay, but definitely a bit salty. And though the New York Steak was flavorful, it wasn't anything to write home about.
We grabbed a round of oysters (though they didn't have all the variations listed on their menu) and some calamari to start and they both held their own. Dessert wise, the flourless chocolate cake was rich, the raspberry sorbet refreshing and the huge slice of coconut cream pie was delicious.The service was friendly, but it's clear that they're still working out the kinks. We were brought dishes we didn't order three times and our waitress wasn't familiar with everything on the menu, but what can you expect from an establishment in its first week of operation?
Given the steep prices, their Taco Tuesday promotion is going to be our calling card. From 4-9p on Tuesdays, tacos are $2.50, margaritas are $4.50 and pints are $3 at their outdoor dockside bar and kitchen. They also have an indoor 80 foot marble bar, a private 30 seat dining room for events and conferences, and a 100 seat hall available for wedding receptions and other large events.Overall the place is magnificent. The food may not be adventurous, but that's kinda refreshing given all these Camino-esque mystery meals that are so popular these days. And regardless of the food, the gorgeous accommodations and stunning lake views make it a destination. Our final verdict? Though the food gets a B, the ambiance and location make the overall rating an easy A.
See you on Tuesday. Cheers!
-Tre & Coolhand
Bonus: OakBook write up on Jack London Square's new BocaNova
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