The Fireside - Hayward

I took my son to try French cuisine for the first time, and we had a wonderful experience. The meal was expertly prepared, and everything was cooked to perfection! Although it was a bit pricey, we had looked up the menu prices online beforehand, so I was fully prepared for the bill. This won't be our last visit!

According to the menu, the dish consisted of deep-fried avocado stuffed with crab meat and served with an orange emulsion sauce. Fresh rolls accompanied it, along with a small dish containing three types of dipping sauces: butter, spiced olive oil, and something that resembled and tasted like finely chopped green olives with pimento. All three were delightful on the rolls! The salad was also a standout; it wasn't your typical pre-packaged mix. Instead, it featured fresh greens adorned with carefully arranged thinly sliced carrots. The presentation was exceptionally elegant, and while the dressing was not served on the side, it was just the right amount—not overpowering. Although the salad was modest in size, it complemented the meal beautifully. Next, I ordered the shrimp risotto, and it was truly amazing—everything was perfectly executed. My mother chose the pork medallions, which were incredibly tender, paired with cranberries that provided a lovely sweet and tart balance. The combination of flavors was simply perfect. Although I was already full, the food was so delicious that I found myself wanting to try a dessert, which I rarely do at restaurants. I was torn between the chocolate mousse and a lemon dessert. In the end, I opted for the lemon option, though I can’t recall its exact name. It featured lemon curd, a soft, dense cookie-like layer, vanilla ice cream on top, and blueberries with dollops of raspberry sauce decorating the plate. Oh my, it was definitely worth ordering! The Fireside is on the pricier side, with no family-friendly prices to speak of. However, the quality of the food would rival that of upscale restaurants in any major city—without the need for formal attire. This is the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where people are camping and vacationing in shorts and T-shirts, not suits and diamonds. While I wouldn’t wear the clothes I had on while painting the cabin, I felt completely at ease in my shorts and short-sleeved shirt. The bonus? No hassle of driving into the city with traffic and expensive parking. Here, it’s simply a straightforward drive right up and into the restaurant. On our way out, we had the opportunity to meet and chat with the chef, who had grown up dining at this very place and knew the former owner. He had also worked as a chef in Chicago, if I recall correctly. He was friendly and warm, and it was nice to exchange memories with him, especially since my mother had dined here about 20 years prior.

I also appreciated the house salad that came with the dish. Instead of the typical iceberg lettuce, we received a lovely mix of greens, curved carrots, and thinly sliced radishes. I opted for the blue cheese dressing, which was excellent. I had seen reviews mentioning slightly higher prices, but I can confidently say our meals were worth every penny. We'll definitely be back! Kudos to the chef for the great work—though I do regret being too full to enjoy dessert.

Excellent Northwoods lodge vibe crossed with gourmet cuisine. Had a traditional Belgian dish that was perfectly executed. A welcome surprise and worth a detour. Appreciate that one can have a beer at a very reasonable price or try a wine pairing suggestion.

Fine dinning. From the 70's. Still good today. Both the decor and the menu have not been updated in decades. It is ok because the tenderloin is a wonderful dinner. My friend had something shrimp and swooned over it. The presentation is the finest in the area. The ccx restaurant is worth the price.