Fish Type: Bluegill Price: $23.00
Overall, I would recommend this Fish Fry.
| Fish Score: Good Potato Score: Good Tartar Score: Good Bread Score: Poor Miscellaneous Score: Excellent |  |
Comment: I had a few potential docking spots for lunch in #LakeGeneva last Friday but when my wife suggested we take our son to #BalloonAdventure at some point the list quickly narrowed to one.
The balloon bonanza takes place at the @pier_290 Boat Showroom and since the adjacent restaurant was near the top of my list it was a perfect storm of convenience. We showed up around 12:30, had a brief wait, then got seated at a wonderful window table in the lovely sun-soaked dining room. Our waitress grabbed me a delicious bloody and I had my bluegill and potato pancakes not long after.
At first glance I could tell this was going to be just the right amount for lunch (for me at least). Seven fillets of varying sizes graced the plate, along with two stout pancakes, a generous bowl of slaw, and ramekins of tartar and apple sauce. As one might expect, I wasted no time plunging in…
And dive I did, starting with the expertly-fried, and totally grease-free, freshwater fillets. The sunfish shone brightly under the March sky, each bite punctuated by a devilishly crunchy breading and light texture. It was good enough that it could be eaten with or without a dip in the thin and caper-heavy homemade tartar.
Next up were the potato pancakes which, like the fish, were expertly prepared; highlighted by crispy edges and supple centers. While I’d like them to have a little more onion-y oomph, they were still really tasty and capped off nicely by the provided apple sauce.
Rounding it all was a cool and creamy slaw that I absolutely smashed. No further notes.
Pier 290 is a really nice place and billed as LAKE GENEVA'S ONLY LAKESIDE RESTAURANT so I’ll take them at their word. I don’t know exactly what it is, but there’s something fitting about eating a Fish Fry at a place on the water that just makes it something more. Overall, we recommend this Fish Fry as well as the Balloon Adventure we experienced after; one being a feast for the eyes and the other for belly…both a solid B+ in my book.pier290.com/
1 Liechty Dr
Williams Bay, WI 53191
(262) 245-2100
