South bridge savvy

If anyone can put 41 SOUTH on the map it’s likely to be Sandpoint-area restaurateurs Mel and Claudia Dick. They own Café Trinity, 219 Lounge and the seasonal Trinity at Willow Bay, all uniquely positioned personalities in the local dining and entertainment scene.

Located on Lakeshore Drive where Highway 95 crosses the Long Bridge, 41 South already has several things going for it (which the previous two owners no doubt recognized). Its Lake Pend Oreille frontage means both indoor and outdoor dining areas have gorgeous views. Inside rustic floor-to-ceiling wood paneling and mammoth fireplaces are offset with elegant black and maroon linen, old French advertising posters on the walls, and a smattering of jazz in the background. In the kitchen is top-notch chef Jeremy Heidel, formerly of Café Trinity and the Idaho Club, and the wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive.

Located adjacent to the Lodge at Sandpoint — a 24-room, $100-plus-per-night hotel — the restaurant is decidedly upscale. The seasonal menu emphasizes well-presented, unusual variations on familiar foods. For starters, try the Apricot Fire Shrimp Cocktail with huckleberry coulis ($6) or the Flat Bread Napoleon ($5): an island of layered bread, spinach, garlic, marinated tomato, artichoke and caramelized onion, topped with feta cheese mousse and surrounded by a moat of balsamic vinegar and basil oil.

Dinner entrées include choice of soup or house salad — or upgrade to a choice like the Roasted Roots salad ($7), a healthful blend of beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips and fresh fennel bulb, garnished with arugula, dill and tomato vinaigrette.

Main courses include pasta, meat and seafood choices: fettuccini adobo, with chipotle and grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon ($17), or hearty beef stroganoff ($18); the classic steak Oscar ($33), or lamb chops marinated in mint pesto and garnished with fruit compote ($26). Seared scallops with saffron/vanilla bean/brandy cream sauce ($26) and a potato-crusted Chilean sea bass ($28) round out the seafood selections.

A separate menu affords more casual dining amongst overstuffed couches and cozy tables in the lounge, which is also an ideal place to share the abundant Sunday brunch ($15 adults, $6 children 10 and under).

— CARRIE SCOZZARO

41 South, at 41 Lakeshore Dr., Sandpoint, Idaho, is open Tue-Thu 4:30-9 pm, Fri-Sat 4:30-10 pm, Sun 10 am-2 pm. Visit www.41southsandpoint.com or call (208) 265-2000. Reservations recommended.