During a recent trip to our villa on Highlands Reserve, it was my nieces 20th birthday. We researched restaurants for a nice meal and, after discussing several options we decided to book the Lakeside Bar and Grill at the Bohemia Hotel in Celebration. We had eaten at the restaurant previously three years ago to celebrate a wedding and enjoyed it so had high hopes. As there were nine of us we made a reservation and as it was almost full, it’s a good job we did.
We arrived during a horrendous storm but were warmly greeted by a valet with large umbrellas and cheery smiles. He took the keys and parked our car, making us feel quite special. Decor in the hotel is very eclectic with rugged wooden tables, matched with over-sized chairs and huge crystal chandeliers. We were seated in the covered outside area, overlooking the lake. There was a large fan as of course no air conditioning, which made it cool for some and warm for others – ideal for us but maybe not for everyone.
We dined on a Saturday night and discovered a jazz duo play each Friday and Saturday. They were very good but again may have been a little loud for some people. We saw from the menu there is a ‘happy hour’ from four to six pm with drinks offers and also a special bar menu , which looked very good value. We dined at eight and so had the choice of and A’ LaCarte menu or a special set $35 menu. We went for a mixture of the two.
The A’La’Carte menu starters were HUGE – definitely for sharing! The charcuterie board was tasty, the heritage tomato salad delicious and the calamari was excellent – just too much! ! Main course salads were innovative and well-priced. The birthday girl chose not to have a starter but “just” the Filet Mignon! Words cannot describe how soft and juicy it was – definitely the best steak she (and those lucky enough to have been given a taste) had ever had and at $34, an experience worth having. Those who had the set meal were very happy with their choices, though the steak option didn’t compare to the Filet Mignon. Our party also opted for chicken and burgers which they enjoyed whilst my elderly mum was very content with a delicious bowl of crab bisque and a salad (most of which she brought home! )
The only down side of the meal was that I had ordered scallops, which the waitress admitted she had dropped and had to be re-cooked. Their replacement only arrived once everyone else had finished their meals but when I did receive them, they were succulent and again, the best I had ever had. There was no consideration for the delay on the bill, which I maybe would have expected.
Only those on the set menu ordered deserts which again were very good and the birthday girl was surprised to be sung ‘Happy Birthday’ to, accompanied by the jazz due. Cheesecake, decorated with birthday greetings was also delivered to her. All in all, - a lovely evening with some fabulous food worthy of a birthday celebration.
We arrived during a horrendous storm but were warmly greeted by a valet with large umbrellas and cheery smiles. He took the keys and parked our car, making us feel quite special. Decor in the hotel is very eclectic with rugged wooden tables, matched with over-sized chairs and huge crystal chandeliers. We were seated in the covered outside area, overlooking the lake. There was a large fan as of course no air conditioning, which made it cool for some and warm for others – ideal for us but maybe not for everyone.
We dined on a Saturday night and discovered a jazz duo play each Friday and Saturday. They were very good but again may have been a little loud for some people. We saw from the menu there is a ‘happy hour’ from four to six pm with drinks offers and also a special bar menu , which looked very good value. We dined at eight and so had the choice of and A’ LaCarte menu or a special set $35 menu. We went for a mixture of the two.
The A’La’Carte menu starters were HUGE – definitely for sharing! The charcuterie board was tasty, the heritage tomato salad delicious and the calamari was excellent – just too much! ! Main course salads were innovative and well-priced. The birthday girl chose not to have a starter but “just” the Filet Mignon! Words cannot describe how soft and juicy it was – definitely the best steak she (and those lucky enough to have been given a taste) had ever had and at $34, an experience worth having. Those who had the set meal were very happy with their choices, though the steak option didn’t compare to the Filet Mignon. Our party also opted for chicken and burgers which they enjoyed whilst my elderly mum was very content with a delicious bowl of crab bisque and a salad (most of which she brought home! )
The only down side of the meal was that I had ordered scallops, which the waitress admitted she had dropped and had to be re-cooked. Their replacement only arrived once everyone else had finished their meals but when I did receive them, they were succulent and again, the best I had ever had. There was no consideration for the delay on the bill, which I maybe would have expected.
Only those on the set menu ordered deserts which again were very good and the birthday girl was surprised to be sung ‘Happy Birthday’ to, accompanied by the jazz due. Cheesecake, decorated with birthday greetings was also delivered to her. All in all, - a lovely evening with some fabulous food worthy of a birthday celebration.