Treat Yourself to Chalet Suzanne

Imagine yourself in a stylishly elegant restaurant where you’re surrounded by an array of antiques rich with the timeless beauty of the past. As you enjoy your special occasion, subdued lighting from tall tapering candles and the classic beauty of Tiffany-style lamps envelops the room, creating a romantic, Old World atmosphere.

Lush greenery, plants and floral displays cascade throughout, accentuating large panels of stained glass, rich dark woods, and delicate lace tablecloths. As you look around this sumptuous dining room, your eyes feast on a variety of artistic table settings created with treasures from around the world. Expansive picture windows frame your view of the rolling landscape and a lake, allowing you to enjoy the ever-changing beauty of nature. Surely, with all of this rich atmosphere, you must be in a restaurant in some enchanted, far-off land, right? Not at all.

You’re in the good old USA in Polk County Florida, just a short drive from many of Florida’s main attractions. You are dining at Chalet Suzanne Country Inn and Restaurant—and joining thousands of people, including many celebrities and notables, who have made pilgrimages here since 1931. Check out the photo gallery in the cozy lobby, and you’ll see that you’re in excellent company.

But Chalet Suzanne’s setting, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is just the beginning. Wait until you taste the food. Chalet Suzanne has been serving its famous broiled grapefruit appetizer for decades, and guests are also treated to their famous Soup Romaine®, which accompanied the astronauts on the Apollo 15 and 16 flights.

While selections include such sumptuous entrees as Curried Shrimp, King Crab Thermidor, Lamb Chop Grill and Filet Mignon, our personal favorite is a positively addictive Chicken Suzanne ($59 for dinner, which includes appetizer, soup, homemade potato roll, dessert and beverage). Baked and continuously basted with its natural juices, the tantalizing flavor of Chicken Suzanne lingers on your taste buds—and in your memory.

Just before the main course, you’ll be served just enough of their icy cool lemon sorbet to get your palate ready for this culinary adventure. But, regardless of which entrée you select, make certain that you save room for their decadent desserts. From the rich home-made carrot cake to their ice cream drizzled with Bing cherries, each item is a specialty of the Hinshaw family. If you judge a restaurant by the awards it has won, you’ll be pleased to know that, in addition to numerous other honors, Chalet Suzanne has been voted one of Florida’s Top 20 restaurants for 30 consecutive years. Now that’s what we call a record.

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