Abby Nadeau
Staff Writer

Between the mango salsas, the steaks and the stews, there will be something for everyone at the soon to be “Lake House.”

Or at least those are the hopes for The Lake House restaurant in Forest Lake

Keith and Kim Warner are looking for the public to invest in the new Lake House restaurant that sits on the north side of second lake, formerly Willows on the Water.

The Lake House was set to open by late fall or early summer when the couple was given the opportunity to own the business themselves.

Now, the Warners will be given a 15 year lease to lease the land.

Although the couple has investors in the restaurant, they are looking for a few more.

The Forest Lake city council has already approved a conditional use permit for the restaurant and the footings are in place.

“We have the backing of the city and the neighbors,” Keith said. “Everyone is ready to go, but we need investors.”

‘An experience’

While Keith works on the investment part of the Lake House, Kim Warner is finalizing the look, feel and atmosphere of the Lake House.

Kim said that the atmosphere at the Lake House is sort of an “island fusion” that blends with a lake house feel.

The outside of the building will have shakes, shutters and pillars that are surrounded by colorful adirondack chairs scattered throughout the grounds.

Inside, Kim said she wanted to keep the feel of the restaurant more masculine and therefore has plans to include dark woods and leather throughout the eatery.

Kim also said the restaurant’s signature will be the pineapple.

“It’s a sign for hospitality,” Kim said.

She said the pineapples, along with the palm leaf, will be scattered throughout the restaurant.

“We want people to feel like they are taken away from the crazy world,” Kim said.

When it comes to the food, Kim gets a little more excited. Kim, who has worked as a chef for the last 23 years, said eating at a restaurant should be “an experience.”

“Dining is an experience and should be memorable,” she said.

To make the food memorable at the Lake House, Kim said they plan to offer the everyday items, but also a few specials.

The Lake House will offer the comfort foods like meat and potatoes, but also pineapple sauces and mango salsa.

For dessert, different ice cream flavors from a local ice cream shop will be available. Kim said the ice cream will not be the usual vanilla and strawberry.

“From jalapeno peppers to cocoa beans, the ice cream flavors will be very unique,” she said.

Kim said the kitchen at the Lake House is a “scratch” kitchen, meaning all the food is made from scratch.

“All the desserts are home made and nothing is frozen,” Kim said.

She added that they have already hired a chef and have started planning the meals.

The Warners said that they have high hopes for the Lake House and with a little help from the community it could become a great restaurant in Forest Lake.

“It will be very unique and different,” Kim said.

For more information about the Lake House visit http://lakehousemn.com or contact Kim or Keith at 651-770-7734 or 651-653-4866.

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