It is a very exciting time around here as we recently launched our new ala carte menu and guests are loving it.

If you’re new to the Rittenhouse Inn and Landmark Restaurant, some background may be helpful. We’ve been open since 1976, and have always been known for our multi-course dinners using local products whenever possible.

But these days people are into options, and having a five-course dinner is not something most people do every night. A few years ago we added a two-course option, and people really responded to that, so we started to think about going ala carte.

For two years now we’ve been planning this, and once our kitchen renovations were finally complete in June, we were able to turn our focus on the new menu. The plan was to keep all of our favorite dishes, add some new flavor profiles, and bring back a few classics from the days when my mother, Mary, did all the cooking here. All of these selections are available seperately or as part of our Signature Dining Package, which is perfect for those who appreciate our more customary dining options.

The menu includes soups like our Lake Superior Clam Chowder and the classic Mushroom Burgundy Consommé, as well as a rotating cast of fresh fruit soups made with local Bayfield Strawberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries.

There’s also salads, from our Smoked Lake Trout salad, a Grilled Tuna Niçoise, and the more traditional Spinach with Honey Pecan Dressing.

The newest feature of the ala carte menu is the “small plates” selections ranging from Sweet Coconut Crusted Shrimp or Mussels Marinierre to our Pomodoro (tomato) plate or Mediterranean plate. Of course there’s also a wide variety of entrées to select from, and our famous desserts. (more…)