It may just seem like it.
Yes, if vacationing on The Door and looking for an excellent breakfast, stop in at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, across from the water in Sister Bay. I get the Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberries. My husband gets them with cherries.
And you should take an ice cream break or do a lunch stop at Wilson’s, just south on Bayside in Ephraim. Its root beer is homemade.
Or, you may want to try a fish boil, the county’s famed, fun to watch, historic Scandinavian way of preparing fresh white fish. For that supper, visit the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. The town is Bayside.
But when ready to relax and enjoy a more gourmet, well-thought-out and perfectly prepared dinner, cross the Peninsula to Baileys Harbor where Chives Restaurant has a good window and porch view of Lake Michigan. It’s our fine-dining choice when on The Door because the now overly used phrase Farm to Table, actually means something here. Chef/restauranteur Jr Shoenfeld and Chives Chef Brady Miner grow some of their ingredients on site and source locally where possible.
I could talk about the best salmon dish I’ve ever had but it was a special the night we were at Chives in May. Instead, I will mention that my husband, a picky eater, really enjoyed the restaurant’s Classic Steak Frites because the filet was tender, came medium rare as requested, tasted wonderful and the Chives Fries were excellent.
If I hadn’t ordered the salmon special, I would have gotten either the Chicken Marsala which came with free range chicken breast, a confit leg and mushrooms or the Mussels in a white wine/garlic sauce and Chives Fries with Parm.
I know from past experience that whichever dish was chosen, it would be perfect.
In addition, as a restaurant reviewer, I’m picky about service. Chives’ was excellent.
Chivies is at 8041 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202. Reservations highly recommended. Call 920-839-2000. Visit www.ChivesDoorCounty.com
