QUIETLY BLAZING A TRAIL ON THE LAKESHORE RESTAURANT SCENE
In a world replete with aspirational, Instagram-worthy dining vibes, experiences that truly live up to the promise are rare, right? Perhaps particularly in small lakefront towns where demographics change with the seasons, there can be little incentive to abandon what’s known to work for most and follow a vision.
Well, Susan’s has a vision. One of casual meals with an unapologetic fondness for fine dining. Beachy, mid-century style centered in an old architectural gem of a building. And a minimalist’s passion for detail—be it on the plate, in the glass, or throughout the space. In the teeny town of Sawyer, Susan’s is doing Susan’s, and we’re really glad she is.
As suited for date night as impromptu ‘we need to get fed!’ missions, Susan’s has an intimate, low-key feel that also clearly conveys you’ve landed somewhere special. Whether you’re in for a sandwich or a four-course graze, Susan’s is a near-perfect intersection of beach town and uptown, where the pace is never rushed, the atmosphere always welcoming, and good taste prevails.
The surprisingly mellow force behind it all is owner Cecilia Peterson. After years of owning the building and working in corporate law, Cecilia decided to return to her roots in hospitality and create a dining experience she hoped would fill a niche along the lakeshore. We say vision accomplished.
Local Tip: Susan’s bar, dining room, and outdoor patio comfortably accommodate groups of one to a bunch. But it’s walk-in only, so plan to have a drink if you visit at prime time.
