Big date? Parents coming into town? Check out Scene's reviews of South Bend's elegant (and more expensive) dining establishments
C. SPENCER BEGGS
Assistant Scene Editor
The LaSalle Grill (ironically located on 115 Colfax Avenue) offers some of South Bend's finest cuisine.
Specializing in classic gourmet food, LaSalle Grill presents its patrons with a much-needed breath of culture and class.
Featured dishes are changed often, so dining at LaSalle will never be boring.
Notable on this month's menu is the hardwood grilled New Zealand rack of lamb. Served in a modest portion on particularly smooth horseradish mashed potatoes, the tender lamb is lightly bathed in a port wine demi glaze.
Although almost no chef can go wrong with red wine on lamb, the chefs at LaSalle Grill have outdone themselves this month.
Also worthy of mention this month is the hardwood grilled New York Strip. Served with a generous portion of New Potatoes LaSalle and smothered with tobacco onions (a perfect name for this addictive concoction), the Strip is an all around crowd pleaser.
For those with an adventurous side, LaSalle Grill offers an Italian spiced rubbed and roasted breast of Indiana duckling served with Manchego cheese, spinach Dauph-inoise potatoes, Cham-bord liqueur and dried cherry jus. Try saying that in one breath to the waitress.
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. LaSalle Grill has a full arsenal of decadent treats for after the meal.
Easily beating all others is the raspberry and white chocolate-infused upside-down cheesecake pyramid.
If your mouth is not watering from the name of this sinfully delicious dessert, seeing is believing. LaSalle Grill also offers a wide variety of dessert wine, fine brandies and cognacs.
Overall, the restaurant prides itself on excellently prepared and presented dishes.
While the prices may be high for the average college student, they are exactly what you should expect from such an establishment. You definitely get more than what you pay for.
Atmosphere at the LaSalle Grill is very classy, especially with the Sylvia Ziontz gallery on the walls. The service is wonderful as well, although a bit scattered at times, and the restaurant got a little too noisy when customer flow picked up.
If you have a reason to celebrate or any reason at all, you will not be disappointed with the LaSalle Grill.
It is a delightful restaurant — perfect for a date or night out with the parents.
All Scene Stories for Wednesday, April 25, 2001
