A Big Night at Northern Lakes Seafood

October 25, 9:02 PMDetroit Restaurant ExaminerDavid Moss

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Special occasions call for a restaurant with attention to detail, or ‘special touches’. Such was the case on a recent visit to Northern Lakes Seafood in Bloomfield Hills.

Celebrating a birthday with several friends, my wife called way ahead and arranged for a four course feast. Think “Big Night”—the movie!

Our evening began with champagne and baked brie at the home of a good friend. From there, it was off to dinner. Arriving at Northern Lakes, we left the car with the valet and were quickly seated in a private dining room.

As we mingled, we enjoyed a Spanish Sparkling Rose, which went quite well with our first course, Prosciutto Wrapped Day Boat Scallops served over a Cantaloupe & Blood Orange Coulis. The scallops were perfectly medium rare, and delicious.

Our second course was a medium-rare Seared Duck Breast served over Baby Arugula, with Blueberries, red onion, Candied Walnuts and Roasted Bosc Pear. Duck is something that MPRG (Matt Prentice Restaurant Group) seems to do exceptionally well. Tonight was no different. This dish was paired with a 2005 Saintsbury Pinot Noir. The distinctive cherry notes complemented the duck quite nicely.

Our third course was a clever twist on “steak and eggs”. We enjoyed a Pepper Seared Bison Strip Loin atop a potato pancake and Detroit Zip sauce. A quail egg graced the top of the oh so tender steak. Perfectly seasoned and (you guessed it) medium-rare, this buffalo steak was delicious and a nice alternative to the usual beef. This dish was paired with a to-die-for 2005 Columbia Crest Reserve Shiraz. The wine was silky smooth with hints of berries, coffee, chocolate and spice.

After some mingling, it was time for dessert. We were each presented with a trio of crème brulee in shot glasses—Vanilla Bean, Maple and Chocolate Chili. All three were excellent, with my favorite probably the chocolate chili, which supplied a perfect amount of heat.
Sharing four plus hours in a private room with good friends created an atmosphere of a special occasion that felt as comfortable as being in the home of a friend. I’ve been to Northern Lakes several times now, and each visit somehow tops the previous. I’ll be back.

Northern Lakes Seafood Company
39495 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
(248) 646-7900

See my other reviews of metro area restaurants:

Iridescence, Motor City Casino, Detroit    

Slows BBQ, Detroit

Wasabi Korean & Japanese, Detroit       

What Crepe?, Royal Oak     

Inn Season, Royal Oak               

Café Habana, Royal Oak

Town Tavern, Royal Oak

Katana Japanese Steakhouse, Royal Oak

Angel’s Café, Ferndale    

Inyo Sushi, Ferndale    

Cafe Via, Birmingham    

Ruth’s Chris, Troy            

Maggiano’s, Troy       

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