Lake Elmo Inn Event Center

I was really disappointed for Easter Brunch! The cost was outrageous ($ 72 for 2)! They charged separately for coffee and tea. They charged an 18% gratuity for each check on a table of 8. They did not even earn the gratuity. I had to remove used plates from our table because there was no waiter to do this task. However, they were walking around looking for plates to remove from other tables.
The chicken was dry with a cream sauce that was like cream of mushroom soup. The bacon was so dry, it cracked into small pieces and was all stuck together! The beef and ham was very dry! Their caramel rolls were made from putting upside down parker house rolls on top of caramel sauce with nuts. They were not true caramel rolls.
Some desserts came out partially frozen, indicating they were bought from a vender.
Champagne was served in ice cream glasses.
I have had better Brunches on Holidays then the brunch at Lake Elmo. I will never attend again for any of their brunches.

We forgot to call early to book Easter Brunch at the main restaurant but were told that they still had room at the Event Center where they served the same brunch so we decided to give it a try.
First, the food is certainly very good and there is a lot of it. Hot caramel rolls at the table. made to order omelettes and a long buffet through the middle of the room. Started off with cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, salads, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and chilled shrimp. Hot stuff included incredibly tasty raspberry french toast, pretty good eggs benedict, bacon and sausage, chicken, pasta, potatoes and a carving station with ham, roast beef and lamb. And then if you have any room left over, two huge tables full of desserts. The food was great.
My complaints…1) Some of the servers were very inexperienced. For example — we got conflicting answers regarding the availability of drinks from the bar. Our main waitress told us only champagne until 1:30 (what kind of rule is that?). We flagged down a waiter who was bringing out wine to a different table and he said that they did indeed have a full bar.
2) My wife ordered a mimosa and the waitress brought her a glass of champagne and a glass of orange juice and told her she would have to mix it herself. I asked for orange and cranberry juice and she brought me a glass of each. I turns out that champagne is free but you pay for all other drinks — so for my table of 10 I had to pay and extra $ 25.00 for a glass of juice for everyone. Actually, I had to pay for an extra juice since she charged me for both of mine.
3) I understand the need to add the tip directly to the bill for large groups but I’ll have to admit that I was surprised to see an 18% gratuity added for a BUFFET meal. Further, if you are going to stick me for 18% you should at least make sure your entire staff is well trained.
I love the food and service at the Inn but I’ll have to say that I’m not too impressed by the Easter Brunch, at least at the Event Center. The food was great but for the cost I expected more and at least one of my guests mentioned that the overall experience we had at the White Bear Country Inn last year was better than this. And for less money.

I’d like to give two reviews so I could give 10 stars. Lake Elmo Inn is easily one of the best restaurants in Minnesota. Their event center matches the level of class and friendliness of their restaurant and delivers an amazing experience that everyone will rave about after the event is done. The event went on without a single problem, the staff was amazing, attentive to the needs of every guest, and the food was amazing! If you are getting married in the Twin Cities, this is the place to have your reception.
The owner, who is a world-​class chef, delivers amazing food. Their pastry chef rolled out dessert after dessert (10 different types like the Sin of the Inn) which left every guest happy since they could all have their favorite. Special requests were no problem and they were more than happy to ask about allergies and provide a range of options to keep everyone happy. The service alone is worth 5 stars and the food is worth another 5 stars. Stop in the restaurant first and have dinner to give it a try. You’ll understand after your first trip why this is the place to have any important event.

We had them cater our wedding in ⁵⁄₂₀₁₁ and my friends and family are still raving about the food! They did an amazing job. We felt comfortable choosing them because we had attended their mother’s day brunch several years in a row and knew they could handle the large crowds. Also, the fact that it is owned by a chef who really cares about the food was a very good sign. Of you’re getting married don’t look any further!

UNfortunately, their catering didn’t measure up to the reputation of their main restaurant. We purchased the Thanksgiving feast and we ended up w/​a dry turkey, inedible and BURNED stuffing, cranberries too tart to eat. The sweet potatoes were actually delicious and the pies were good pies. The mashed potatoes were fine but juts dry, mashed potatoes and for the green beans, no one ate them. It could be that our delivery slot was the last one of the day (1pm) but that shouldn’t have made a difference at all and had I know it was the last, I would have gotten an earlier slot. We did contact them to tell them about our disappointment and they didn’t bother to reply. Won’t be doing that again.