The Lakehouse Tavern in Hopkinton is the kind of place where — remember that old TV theme song? — everybody knows your name.
Or at least it feels like that.
The Lakehouse is a favorite spot for locals, as evidenced by the happy banter among the patrons seated at high- and low-top tables or at the three-sided bar in the pub downstairs.
But it’s also a great place to stop by after a day of skiing at Pats Peak or Mount Sunapee, with its convenient location just off Interstate 89.
In warmer weather, the deck overlooking Kimball Lake is always packed, and no wonder — there’s usually a breeze, music is playing and the cocktails are terrific.
In the winter, if it’s a quieter meal you’re looking for, head upstairs where large windows in the dining room overlook the lake. Otherwise, the downstairs pub is a friendly, cozy place to stop by for a late lunch on a chilly day.
We did just that when the kids were in town — native son, daughter-in-law (a transplant from New Jersey) and their 10-month-old Future Gourmet.
After 4 p.m., more than a dozen entrees — including prime rib, chicken marsala and maple miso salmon — are also available, and all come with a side salad, a vanishing amenity I always appreciate.
But the lunch menu offers plenty of choices, including soups, large salads, hot and cold sandwiches and burgers.
We started with a shared order of the Fried Brussels Sprouts ($9.95). The once-denigrated vegetable is now a popular appetizer at lots of restaurants.
But the Lakehouse’s version, tossed with bacon, candied walnuts, shaved parmesan cheese, and maple syrup, is, quite simply, the best we’ve ever had. The generous portion disappeared quickly.
House burger with mushrooms and carmelized onions
The Carnivore was happy with the house burger ($10.50), adding cheese, carmelized onions and sauteed mushrooms (75 cents extra for each). You can also add bacon or a fried egg for $1.50 or avocado for $2.
He ordered it medium and the burger arrived with just the right pinkness in the center — the mark of a good chef, he said approvingly.
Native Son opted for a Rachel sandwich ($13.50) — roasted turkey on grilled marbled rye with thousand-island dressing, coleslaw and Swiss cheese. He declared it “a solid version” of the classic, with “good toasty bread.”
Jersey Girl started off with the French onion soup ($8.95), which came piping hot, chock full of onions and not too salty, she declared. And she couldn’t resist the day’s special, a poutine burger ($14.95), topped with gooey, salty cheese curds and a savory gravy.
The Poutine Burger, above, and the Brownie Sundae at the Lakehouse Tavern.
She only managed to eat half, but enjoyed every bite, and took the rest home for later.
The kids were especially impressed with the fries served with all three sandwiches. “Salty, good potato flavor and perfect color,” declared Native Son.
I opted for the tuna poke bowl from the appetizer menu ($14.75), which features cubes of raw yellowfin tuna, poached golden beets and shallots, tossed with a lime-ginger soy sauce. It’s all served over citrus rice with eel sauce and chili aioli, and topped with wonton crisps.
The dish is an explosion of flavors and textures — the beets slightly crunchy, the tuna melt-in-your-mouth tender — that works incredibly well. (To make it gluten-free, ask the chef to leave off the soy sauce and wontons; the dish is still a standout.)
Customer service is clearly emphasized in training because the wait staff at the Lakehouse is exceptionally friendly, accommodating and attentive. If you have a question, they’re quick to bound upstairs to ask the chef about his preparations.
Steph was helping us that day, and she was especially attentive to our littlest diner, offering him oyster crackers so he didn’t feel left out. He was clearly smitten.
Brownie sundae
For dessert, we ordered the brownie sundae ($6) to share. Gooey on the inside, chewy on the outside, the brownie was served with tasty vanilla ice cream from a Vermont creamery, the requisite hot fudge and dollop of whipped cream. A sweet finish to a satisfying meal, the tab for which came to $100 for the four of us.
Steph noted that the brownie was made in-house by the tavern’s owner — and pointed him out, sitting at the bar chatting with patrons.
We think it’s always a good sign when the owner is proud enough of his eatery to hang out there. And at the Lakehouse Tavern, it’s easy to see why.
Lakehouse Tavern 157 Main St., Hopkinton; 603-746-1800; lakehousetavern.com. Hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.) Cuisine: Creative American fare, from pub favorites to prime rib. Pricing: Appetizers, $5.95-$18.95; soups and salads, $6.50-$14.95; sandwiches and burgers, $10.50-$14.95; entrees (after 4 p.m.), $15.95 to $36.
