Food as good as the lake front view at Beverly's in Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho

San Francisco Caliber Dining at Beverly’s in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Not since a dinner in Lugano, Switzerland have I had a meal at a lake front restaurant with food that matched the quality of the view. Beverly’s restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho delivers on all fronts. From the Charcuterie Platter of duck prosciutto, smoked buffalo sausage, quail foie gras pate, venison-smoked cheddar salami and duck rillette to the grilled lamb chops, Beverly’s Chef Tyler Schwenk hits a home run. The service and caliber of food coming out of the kitchen at Beverly’s 5-Star Restaurant is top tier, as is the view of gorgeous Coeur d’Alene Lake at sunset.

Try the crab cakes at Beverly's Restaurant, Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Wine Service without Attitude

With over 16,000 wine bottles in his collection, Beverly’s Restaurant Sommelier Eric Cook has made Coeur d’Alene Resort a wine lover’s playground. In fact, his friendly and approachable demeanor opened my eyes to Pinot Noir wines outside of California and Oregon’s boundaries. For you wine geeks out there, you can follow Cook on Twitter @CorkJockey.

After proclaiming my fondness for California Pinot Noir’s, Cook suggested I try “A World of Pinot Noir” wine flight; three 2oz pours for $19.  Willamette Valley, Oregon’s Panther Creek non-vintage Pinot Noir was ideal for pre-dinner sipping at $58 a bottle. The 1999 Lynmar “Requiem” from the Russian River Valley, California at $105 a bottle, didn’t appeal to me at first taste. However, paired with the duck prosciutto, the wine came to life. In the end, the 2003 Bruno Clair Gevery-Chambertin, priced at $75 per bottle, was my personal favorite for a dining companion. For less than $20, I was able to sample several unique Pinot Noir wines with my meal.

Of course, you don’t have to be a wine connesour to dine at Beverly’s restaurant. Try the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s signature drink, the huckleberry lemon drop for $12.

Small Plates – Idaho Gardens and Orchards

From Anchorage, Alaska  to Baltimore, Maryland, I’ve had my share of crab cakes, and Beverly’s takes the cake. Accompanied with lemon garlic aioli and chili oil, Beverly’s Dungeness crab cakes ($16) are not weighted down with bread crumbs and filler. Beverly’s Caesar Salad, with garlic croutons and parmesan-reggiano chunks ($6) also hit the spot.

Grilled Lamb at Beverly's Restaurant, Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho

Chef de Cuisine Tyler Schwenk Recommends

I ordered the grilled lamb, served with jasmine rice, marinated grape tomatoes, roasted garlic, caper berries and drizzled with balsamic glaze at $42, but the Muscovy Duck prepared two ways: Chinese five-spice roasted breast and a caramelized leg, with jasmine rice, Asian slaw and sweet sesame vinaigrette at $34 was the flavor combination winner for the evening.

Godiva Chocolate Souffle from Beverly's at Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho

Sweet Spot

Our friendly and knowledgeable server recommended the warm cream cheese gratin with huckleberry sauce and huckleberry sorbet ($12), but being the chocolate lover that I am, I ordered the Godiva chocolate soufflé ($12), my only disappointment of the evening. True chocolate lovers should skip the soufflé and order something off the menu at Gooey’s in the Dockside Restaurant located on the first floor of the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Then walk off the wonderful dinner at one of Coeur d’Alene’s many pedestrian trails.

If You Go:

Beverly’s Restaurant (208) 765-2300 or (800) 688-5253

The Coeur d’Alene Golf and Spa Resort

115 S. 2^ndSt., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

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