Photo by Pierre Ware
Can we take partial credit for this? About three years ago, Justin Sutherland was the keynote speaker at Grand View Lodge’s excellent DeVine wine festival weekend. My friend Joy Summers and I were the emcees and moderators. That weekend, Justin had such fun at Grand View, he got to talking with the management team, and they’ve been plotting a way to bring some of his food up to the Brainerd Lakes.
It’s happening. Just this morning, Grand View announced it’s bringing Justin’s Northern Soul Smokehouse concept to the golf course, the Preserve. The smokehouse has already been installed, and the bourbon list is growing and ready to rival the quality wine list at Cru across the street.
In a couple weeks, an outdoor patio and the existing clubhouse restaurant will be infused with Sutherland’s signature barbecue dishes. This summer’s theme is “Restaurants Reimagined,” and executive chef William Coyle will work on Sutherland’s dishes to change things up.
From their statement: “Inspired by his 2022 cookbook, ‘Northern Soul,’ the restaurant’s menu offers southern-style cuisine prepared with northern influence. Menu highlights include Smoked Brisket with house pickles and bourbon barbecue; Carolina Pork BBQ Sandwich, house-smoked and pulled shoulder, with Carolina mop sauce and slaw; Chicken-Fried Ribs with Cry Baby Craigs hot honey; and Oyster Po Boy with remoulade, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and pickled red onion.”
Sutherland said he was “absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Grand View Lodge and Chef Coyle to bring the flavors of Northern Soul even further North.” He added, “A quintessential getaway from the cities, Grand View’s culinary offerings are an integral part of the destination and experience, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
I love Grand View, and this is not only good news for visitors to the Brainerd Lakes but also to the people who live up there year-round. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a long-time partnership!
