FORT ATKINSON -- We just came across the North Shore Chophouse and we are not at all certain why we have never heard of this place, as it is practically in our own backyard.
Located on Lake Koshkonong, this unassuming restaurant looks like a local tavern. There is parking out front and an enormous patio with heaters for chillier nights and a beautiful view of the lakeside.
When you step inside, there is a large bar to the left with a wall of windows that faces the lake and brightens the room. To the right of the entrance are two dining areas. Cozy and intimate with ambient lighting, the space gives off elegant supper club vibes. With jazzy blues playing in the background, black cloth napkins and tablecloths bring a touch of elegance and old photographs depicting fun on the lake beautify the walls.
Choosing just one thing from their starter selection was tough. I was sold on trying the sous vide tenderloin kabobs ($15), but we made the group decision to try the bacon slab with house made peach whiskey glaze ($16). I have never had a slab of bacon and was surprised but pleased with the presentation.
Three large strips of thick bacon were delivered with a sauce that tasted of fresh peaches. It started out sweet but was tamed by the whiskey without a hint of alcohol. Depending on which part of the bacon you got, it was both crispy and salted but in some parts like butter that melted in your mouth. Perfect.
Jennifer and I ordered craft cocktails to accompany our starter. I had a wonderful pear tree martini ($10). The pear vodka and elderflower blended to form a light, fruity treat. Jennifer picked the blueberry lemonade margarita ($9.50), their drink of the month. Served in a tall glass with a salted rim, it was so fresh and inviting--an excellent summertime cocktail.
As we were deliberating over the menu, we discovered that every Thursday they have crab legs! We are all fans, so I had the king crab as a sweet and succulent add-on for us all to enjoy ($35). They were split which makes eating them that much easier.
For my meal, the special of halibut was a great find ($43). It is my favorite fish and it was perfectly done, melt in the mouth (which is not how I normally describe halibut). There was a light cream sauce and it was served on a bed of garlic couscous surrounded by wonderful pea pods. My plate was so pretty.
Helene ordered chicken piccata ($24), adding a cup of corn chowder, the chef crafted soup of the day ($7) to her meal. It was a lovely butternut color, thick and creamy. Salty with bacon bits and spiced with paprika and peppercorns, the soup had a hint of heat that enhanced the fresh corn flavor.
Her chicken was marinated in buttermilk and coated with panko breading, tender and moist inside with a great crunch outside. Set on a bed of linguine, the white piccata sauce featuring torn leaves of spinach, was milky and slightly tangy from the capers. Sauteed plump cherry tomatoes completed the dish.
For her entree, Jennifer selected the petite filet mignon ($32) and added the encrusted blue cheese on top. The 5-ounce filet, prepared exactly to her liking, was phenomenal with a nice pink, moist center. The blue cheese provided both a hint of saltiness which balanced the richness of the beef and also a nice texture. She chose a baked potato and grilled crisp-tender asparagus.
Nikki opted for the lamb shank ($34). The meaty dish was served with roasted rainbow carrots sticks, creamy chive mashed potatoes, and savory brown gravy. The lamb, garnished with vibrant microgreens, was cooked sous-vide, which resulted in a moist, tender, falling-off-the- bone bite. The presentation was excellent and the flavor was unbeatable.
While the desserts are not house-made, we were convinced to try the cheesecake when our server told us the rhubarb in the strawberry rhubarb sauce was grown on the property. Every dish that we ate had a freshness about it and this was particularly noticeable in the dessert. It was a great choice, creamy rich cheesecake with the tart topping that brought the cheesecake to life.
This is a hidden gem, perfect for special occasions where good food and excellent service is at a premium. Upscale dining with a casual yet elegant feel: North Shore Chophouse goes to the top of our list!
