Revitalized Fireside worth a return trip
October 22, 2008

At the age of 13, Wade Heapy began his career in a restaurant kitchen washing dishes at Ganley’s in his hometown of Nisswa, Minn. By age 15, he was cooking breakfast at Ganley’s.

Now 36 years old, Chef Wade Heapy is still cooking. And very well, I might add. For the past three years he has been executive chef and co-owner of the Fireside restaurant in Detroit Lakes.

In 1995, Heapy graduated from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, N.Y. During his tenure there, he practiced what he was learning by working weekends as an assistant in a variety of New York City catering events.

After graduating he returned to Minnesota and worked in the lakes area near Brainerd. Heapy’s sous chef, D.H. Shin, is also a graduate of the CIA.

Not only has the kitchen undergone a renaissance, but the dining rooms as well. Since Heapy began, new furniture, glassware, silverware and linens have enhanced the dining rooms.

The main restaurant seats 102 and an adjoining pavilion seats 88. Although the pavilion is winterized, the glass on the screened front can be raised in good weather to enjoy the lake breezes. A full-service bar adjoins the restaurant and offers an extensive wine list.

In the summer, boats can dock at the shore beneath the restaurant.

Opened in 1948, the Fireside has had a long run and in the past was known as the Lu Ray and the Blue Moon Club. Heapy recalls recent visits to the restaurant by a man who owned the property in the 1950s. He was in a wheelchair accompanied by his son and they reminisced with Heapy about the past.

Other visitors were a couple who were married at the Fireside in 1958 and returned for a 50th anniversary celebration. And they too, recollected the past with Heapy.

The Fireside serves from 5-9 p.m. weekdays and 5-10 p.m. on weekends. They are open for dinner six days a week from October through the winter months and seven days a week in the summer. They don’t take reservations, but it is a good idea to call ahead if you are going to make the trip from Fargo/Moorhead because sometimes the restaurant is booked for private parties.

The meal begins with a small appetizer tray of cheese, olives, a dip for vegetables along with a basket of bread made in-house.

The well-balanced menu, which changes four to five times a year, offers starters ranging from $4 for soup or salad to $10 for a Shrimp Cocktail. It was fun to see a Wedge of Lettuce Salad on the menu after its long absence because of the unpopularity of iceberg lettuce.

Main course prices range from $19 for Gorgonzola Ravioli to $41 for a Bone-In Filet Mignon. In between are several chicken dishes, grilled duck breast, lamb, a variety of steaks and a number of fish and shellfish preparations. The fish arrives overnight from the west coast. Potatoes are served with appropriate entrees.

Desserts include Crème Brûlée, sundaes with sauce, cakes, cookies, shortcake and cheesecake ranging in price from $6 to $8 and change often.

During the past few months, I have had dinner at the Fireside several times. It is much different from the supper club that I remember from my late teens and early 20s although the setting is the same.

My dining companions tried the Seafood Stuffed Walleye with citrus butter sauce and baked potato and Lamb Chops with a Dijon, Peppercorn and Rosemary Rub with lamb demi-glace and roasted red potatoes.

The dishes we have tried have been creative and well-made. I especially like the Grilled Duck Breast with Red Onion Preserves, Cranberry and Apple Compote and a puree of acorn squash. I also favor the Salmon with Parmesan and Peppercorn Crust with lemon butter sauce and garlic mashed potatoes.

All were delicious and I plan to return soon.

Readers can reach Forum columnist Andrea Hunter Halgrimson at ahalgrimson@forumcomm.com

Wedding Receptions~Grooms Dinners
Company Parties
Business Dinner Meetings
Gift Cards

The Fireside is the perfect lakeside location to host that special event for you! Our private banquet room allows us to meet any specific needs that you may require.

Remember...Fireside Gift Cards make a great gift! Stop by our host stand during business hours to pick one up or just give us a call. Our number is (218)847-8192.

Patrons come to us for a unique dining experience, and whether you work the front of the house or in the back of the house, you are an important part of why those patrons keep coming back.

We currently have a full staff for the 2008 season. Feel free to fill out an application and drop it off or mail it to the address at the top.