Restaurant Reviews
Catawba Island, located just over an hour from Findlay, is home to The Mon Ami Restaurant and Historic Winery. Well worth the drive, a trip to Mon Ami is like a mini vacation to a fine chateau in the wine country of France. In fact, many people don't realize that Catawba is on the same latitude as the prestigious wine regions of the world, including Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and Napa Valley, California. In addition, the high winds blowing off the lake, plus a high number of frost-free days, insure prime growing conditions for grapes and some of the finest wine produced in the world. Founded in 1872 as a wine cooperative, the Mon Ami has presented some of the most excellent wines created in the region over the last 130 years. But the wine is not the only reason to make the trip. Offering multiple dining experiences, The Mon Ami houses one of Port Clinton's most elegant dining rooms and also the less-formal Chalet Lounge. The Main Dining Room menu features exquisite creations from the Mon Ami's executive chef. Saturday's menu includes a famous Seafood Buffet and Brunch is offered on Sunday. The Chalet features a more casual menu with entertainment for dancing on Friday and Saturday evening and live, outdoor jazz on Sunday afternoons. Mon Ami was founded in Sandusky shortly after the repeal of the 18th Amendment and was one of only a handful of wineries in the United States specializing in the manufacture of domestic champagnes at that time. During 1937, the winery was acquired by the Mon Ami Champagne Company and moved its equipment from Sandusky to Catawba. The new facility employed fifty-five men in the production of up to 400,000 to 500,000 bottles of Champagne, burgundy, and still wines a year. Restaurant facilities were added on the ground floor in 1945 following a disastrous fire which gutted much of the interior. The present owners purchased the Mon Ami in 2000 and have invested large amounts of time and effort in maintaining and enhancing the magic and charm of this wonderful place, including renovation of the main dining room, the creation of the new cooking school, fabulous new wines, a complete overhauling of the kitchen, wonderful food, special new rose gardens, and reopening of the Log Cabin Gift Shop, where a multitude of their fine wines can be sampled and purchased. Some of the most popular wines are the Lake Erie Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, which have all recently won highest honors at national and international wine competitions. Another treat is the premier Ice Wine, produced from grapes hand picked after they have frozen on the vines An ideal and picturesque place to enjoy Lake Erie, Mon Ami's Live entertainment is featured year round in the Chalet. The cooking school partners with world-renowned chef and culinary educator Loretta Pagnini and offers classes throughout the year. The school can be contacted through Mon Ami at (419) 797-4445 or 1-800-777-4266.
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