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ELKINS IDAHO CUISINE ORIGINAL ... and local success story.
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Tony’s on the Lake 57 years of Tony’s lakeside boat-up dining When I first walked into Tony’s in 1999, the name on the front step made me smile. My name was etched into the cement step at the door, and I walked in without a clue about its illustrious past and the Jeanette who had been there long before me. Once known as Jeanette’s Club, this lakeside gem has a rich history of players who have passed through its doors. Jeanette’s Club was built in 1939, and Jeanette was a well-known and respected businesswoman in town. The club housed a bar on the main level and bordello with downstairs rooms for rent. After Jeanette’s passing, the club was closed and sat vacant for a few years until 1952 when Tony Carneiro took it over and operated a family business, Tony’s Supper Club, with living quarters upstairs. After he passed away, the family sold to Ozzie Singer. The owners in 1999 were Nella and Kathy, who had worked for Ozzie and became the owners; it was they whom I met when we first started our dining guide in 1999. They operated the restaurant for close to 18 years. Tony’s on the Lake is now operated by the D’Alessandro family— Paul, Bonnie and their daughter Cheyenne, a talented chef. Her credentials include culinary school in Florence, Italy, and she is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y. Since taking the restaurant over and undergoing an extensive remodel of the building and menu, they have been enjoying a rousing success. Paul has been in the restaurant business since the age of 14 and knows what it takes to keep customers coming back for more.
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When asked what makes Tony’s so successful, Paul states without hesitation, “My people are key to our success; they care! … Service really matters, and our good food, too! We take pride in making everything from the freshest ingredients in-house, and we’re here every day.” Paul feels that hard work and passion for the business, the food and the people, has helped them develop a staff who cares as much about the business as he does about them. This gorgeous lakeside dining is a wonderful nearby retreat from the bustle of downtown and the heavy traffic of the north side. It is a fun and engaging environment, and as people find their way from boats on the lake or driving down Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive, a blinking arrow points the way when they get close. A warm greeting is always in store, and the overall ambiance brings a family style feeling to the table. With their entire dining room mirroring the lake, it offers a cozy romantic setting, and at the same time, a vibrant sundeck feel. Both casual and party dress is acceptable at any given time at Tony’s. The cuisine is genuine Italian, as is the D’Alessandro family’s heritage. The wine list is also literally a mapof-Italy wine selection. It’s no longer Jeanette’s Club, but you just might see me there often, having dinner, of course! Just follow the blinkin’ arrow. East CdA ~ 6823 E. Coeur d’Alene Lake Dr. ~ (208) 667-9885