The Lake Elmo Inn restaurant is an East suburbs icon that until now I have never eaten at. For our wedding in late 2022 we received a gift card from my best friends parents with a note that they wanted to provide us an experience to one of their favorite places, which was beyond sweet and exactly the kind of thoughtful gift I love. So I was excited when husband reminded me that we had it and suggested it would be a great place to go for Valentine’s Day.

He was right…something I don’t usually admit haha.

Snacks:

Swedish Hereford Meatballs: With demi glaze sour cream sauce topped with dill and served with crostini

I love Swedish meatballs so when I saw it on the menu it was the obvious choice for me. These meatballs were very tender and the sauce was everything you’d hope for with Swedish Meatballs. A perfect comfort food since it actually ended up being a snowstorm that evening.

French Onion Soup: Broth and onions topped with croutons, melted swiss & provolone cheese

When I told Husband I was planning on getting a cup of the wild rice soup he was giddy, because it gave him the excuse to get French Onion (his fave). He gave it 5 stars.

Minnesota Wild Rice & Duck Soup

I was excited to try this soup, because it’s their signature soup. After one taste it was very obvious why. I think what I loved most about the whole menu was the selection of elevated comfort foods.

Roast Duckling: Roasted half duck, served with peppercorn sauce. Served with vegetable du jour and Minnesota wild rice.

The moment I saw the duck on the menu I knew Husband was getting it. Duck is his favorite food, especially because he doesn’t often get it. I swear he was having a religious experience while eating it haha. Again 5 stars.

10oz Manhattan Filet: Center cut striploin with melted crispy potato and bacon hotel butter and wild mushrooms. Served with baked potato and asparagus.

I went back and forth between the filet or the butternut squash ravioli, but in the end the idea of a superbly prepared steak was too much to pass up.

I upgraded to the asparagus and the mashed potato and when it came out with an entire tray of fixings I knew I made the right decision. How fun!

Drinks:

A Dozen Roses: Tito’s vodka, pomegranate juice, fresh lemon juice, rosemary simple syrup, charred rosemary sprig

Port Barrel Aged Old Fashion: Port Wine, Bourbon, and Rye with Orangecello

Both of our drinks actually came off their special “Valentine’s Menu.” My drink provided the perfect Miley Cyrus nod to ordering my own flowers on Valentine’s Day 😂

I was also happy Husband got something different than his typical Rye Old Fashion and he was pleasantly surprised with the flavoring.

Atmosphere/Service:

Lake Elmo Inn has been around since the 80s so the decor is more cozy and Grandmother’s parlor than modern. They have display after display of collectible salt and pepper shakers which was a fun “I spy” game while we waited for our table.

Before our main course came out we were given a sorbet palate cleanser, which was delicious and adorable.

I also absolutely loved that they brought us out two chocolate covered strawberries as a surprise & delight at the end of our meal. We were too full for dessert, but this made me feel like I wasn’t missing out!

The food was amazing and it was a great experience to share with Husband. Not to mention he was extra excited that for once we went somewhere he’s been that I haven’t (an honestly rare occurrence haha).

Lake Elmo Inn
3442 Lake Elmo Ave. N
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
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