Lake House

The Lake House restaurant sits on the east shore of Lake Bonavista in the southeast Bonavista neighbourhood. Its location, ambience and Rocky Mountain cuisine have garnered it a reputation as a go-to venue for special event bookings such as weddings, graduations and corporate functions, and day-to-day clientele has grown steadily since its launch in 2014.

“We’re booked up on Saturdays from now until March of next year,” says Lake House manager Scott Woodruff as he surveys the main dining room on a spring day. Chandeliers made of elk antlers hang from the ceiling over nearly every table. A large stone fireplace warms the room from the corner. The wall panelling, tables and exposed beams of the vaulted ceilings are all done in dark wood. It’s easy to see why so many people want to celebrate milestones at The Lake House.

The setting puts the staff in a good mood, too. “I feel like I work at a resort, to see this view every day,” says Woodruff, pointing to Lake Bonavista through the restaurant's large, plate glass windows. Boaters paddle the waters as an osprey circles overhead. “It doesn’t matter if it’s winter, fall or summer. It’s always pretty breathtaking.”