Northern Lakes Seafood Company in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan: Restaurant Review

Part of the Matt Prentice restaurant group that includes such notable restaurants as the Coach Insignia, NoVi Chop House and Shiraz, the Northern Lakes Seafood Company is located in Bloomfield Hills within the Radisson Kingsley Hotel. Unlike the Coach Insignia with its stunning views from atop the GM World Headquarters and Renaissance Center, Northern Lakes has its feet firmly on the ground. Without Coach's dramatic city views of Detroit and Windsor, this restaurant concentrates on plating some of the tastiest seafood dishes in town.

Northern Lakes concentrates on fish and seafood, and does not fail to deliver. The service is impeccable, and the quality of the fish is second to none.

While located in a city with some of the best prime real estate in Southeastern Michigan, Northern Lakes is a little more laid back than its sister to the south, Coach Insignia. The web site states "business casual" as proper attire, but since the restaurant is located within a hotel, the dress code is relaxed.

Like all Matt Prentice restaurants, the wine list contains a good representation of various producing areas and vintages, and the price point ranges from bargains to expensive bottles.

Appetizers include many seafood stand-bys, like escargot ($10), raw oysters ($2 each), crab cakes ($12) and calamari ($10). A perennial favorite is the lobster corn dog ($15), a dish that is as far removed from a "corn dog" as one can get. Served with Asian slaw and a spicy mustard sauce, the Maine lobster tail is skewered on a stick, coated with a light tempura-like batter and quickly fried. Other outstanding appetizer choices include the prawns ($12) wrapped in apple wood smoked bacon and served with a carrot chipotle glaze.

As for the entrée selections, Northern Lakes is a restaurant after my own heart. A full and changing menu of fresh catch is listed, and diners can request any number of ways for their fish to be prepared, including grilled, blackened, baked, steamed, sautéed or buttermilk coated.

If sticking to the menu items, the Stilton and brioche covered sea bass ($35) is the signature dish. Diners are given a generous cut of sea bass, and the dish includes sautéed onions, artichokes and orzo in a port wine sauce. The seared Georges Bank sea scallops ($28) are presented with lobster-mashed potatoes and are finished with a beurre blanc sauce.

Of course, lobster is available, live or tail. Whole lobster is served either broiled or prepared lobster thermador.

For the meat eater in your party, there are also steaks, and there are choices for chicken and pasta.

Don't forget to leave room for dessert! The apple tart features thin layers of apple, caramel and sugar, and is served warm.

Make sure to sign up for the Matt Prentice restaurant group email newsletter. In addition to news about special dinners at all four restaurants, there have been many discounts offered, especially recently. Members of the frequent diner club often receive dinners at 50% off, not including alcohol.

During Lent, Friday reservations are strongly encouraged. Reservations can be made by calling Northern Lakes Seafood Company directly at 248-646-7900 or you can reserve a table online by using Open Table.

Northern Lakes Seafood Company

Radisson Kingsley Hotel

39495 N. Woodward Ave.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

Phone: (248) 646-7900

http://www.mattprenticerg.com/urc/northernlakes.asp