Lakeside Restaurant

Ashamed to say it took more than a dozen years of residency in Highlands for me to finally have a meal at this lovely establishment. It was worth the wait but also, don’t wait, because you’ll kick yourself. Our table shared several appetizers, all absolutely delicious and we enjoyed two of the menu offered entrees as well as one of the night’s specials. Seafood, beef and pork were all represented and all were cooked exceptionally with interesting but extremely complimentary sides. Each diner in my party also enjoyed a perfectly made cocktail as well as an excellent per glass pour from the well-appointed wine options. Desert was a shared crème brûlée that was nearly transcendent in its perfect flavor with the texture of gossamer. If gossamer was made of creamy velvet. Portion sizes were perfect and the staff was exemplary. I had the added bonus of dining with a friend of the owner, who made time to stop by our table twice to say hello and make sure we were pleased with everything. She even remembered one of my companion’s gluten allergy and was ready with a better appetizer option when we accidentally ordered a dish that would have been problematic. The host was friendly and at one point, called the entirety of the small dining rooms attention for a brief acknowledgment of all the special occasions being hosted that night (turned out nearly every table had a birthday girl at it - including ours!) The vibe was supremely comfortable and lively, but not too loud to prevent decent conversation amongst our table. I have been informed that dining on the patio (once warm weather returns) is an enchanting experience - one I will certainly not wait another dozen years to enjoy! Prices were comparable to all finer dining restaurants in the Highlands-Cashiers area though I believe Lakeside provides more value for the dollars spent than many others on the Plateau. It has been a long time since a dinner out has left me completely content with the experience but Lakeside hit all the right notes for food, drink, service, and atmosphere. The little restaurant on the shore of Highland’s Lake Harris knows what they’re doing, and are an excellent representation of the best of Highland’s culinary offerings. Seamless professionalism, remarkable culinary execution, unpretentious charm.

Please read this as 20 stars since all four of us want to give 5 stars! Buckle up bc we have endlessly great things to say: - the food is clearly as fresh as you can get and is of the upmost quality - the chef is a genius. The combo of flavors on this menu is unlike anything you will find, it’s total brilliance - bless this kitchen and staff for navigating our dairy and gluten allergies. Everyone was knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and accommodating. Please know this makes the world of a difference for those of us who must awkwardly navigate allergies in public spaces! Safety is conditional and you guys made this a safe place for us to eat and that is invaluable :) - speaking of invaluable, the manager was just an utter gem of a person. She was hilarious, genuine, and attentive. She’s the kind of person you hope wins the lottery because good things should happen to people like her! - the ambiance of this place is what we imagine the Lost Kitchen to be like. This is the Lost Kitchen of the South! Aka, they have cultivated a place that has its own precious balance of charm, peace, and beauty I wish I took more pictures that I could share! No pictures were edited. *We also ate outside (don’t want to share those pics since other folks were in them. You’ll need to go see for yourself!)