Forest Lake: A Meal, a Memory, and My Dad - City #7

Forest Lake is, unsurprisingly, very into water. At roughly 2,270 acres spread across three connected basins, it is one of the larger recreational lakes in the metro area and a magnet for boaters, anglers, swimmers, and anyone else eager to pretend they are outdoorsy. Lakeside Memorial Park adds to the appeal with a beach, boat access, picnic areas, and plenty of scenic opportunities for people who like nature. Perfect for “Memorial Day” visitors.

My dad and I, however, were not in Forest Lake for the fishing, the scenery, or any meaningful communion with the natural world. We were hungry. At one point he asked, “What does Google have to say about restaurants in Forest Lake?” and, as it turns out, Google had at least one very good answer: “The Grillium”. It had the cozy feel of a place that knows exactly what it is doing, namely, feeding people well enough that they will be talking about it later. The menu offered plenty of worthy choices, including comfort-food favorites, walleye, and other hearty options, but once I saw house-made corned beef, my decision was over. I ordered the Reuben with the confidence of a man who had done no research but somehow knew he was right. The sauerkraut counted as a vegetable, the tater tots were exactly what the moment required, and by the end of the meal I felt that Forest Lake had shown me its true character: yes, it has a big lake, but more importantly, it has lunch.

In the end, the real gift of Forest Lake wasn’t the lake itself or even the scenery around it. It was the chance to spend a simple afternoon with my dad. Part sightseeing, part good meal, and part easy conversation. Some places stay with you because of what you see there, and others because of who you shared them with. For me, Forest Lake will always be memorable for that second reason.