We traveled to the Northwoods this past weekend to see some fall color. Â It was rainy and chilly all weekend, but we were glad we stopped in to try Boulder Junction's newest & greatest restaurant.
First off, the building is truly amazing. Â It is grand and majestic, while still remaining quaint and cozy at the same time.
They have 20 craft brews on tap that are constantly rotating from what we could tell (they had just printed new beer menus with newer choices when we arrived for lunch). Â
The food is definitely high-quality. Â We started with the spinach-artichoke dip and it was deliciously prepared, piping hot and had wonderful whole-grain flatbread-style points and lots of fresh veggies to dip with. Â A nice large portion that could easily feed 4 people. Â We split both the Cubano Panini and the Chicken Jalapeno Popper & Bacon Panini. Â Holy cow...excellent! Â There was not a crumb left of either.
They were nearly packed to capacity when we had lunch here, but service was spot-on and our food arrived quickly.
While prices are a bit higher than other more traditional restaurants in the area, this place truly lives up to its name as a Gastro Pub, so we were not offended to pay a bit more for higher-end, well prepared food in such a beautiful atmosphere. Â Definitely give it a try when traveling to this area of the Northwoods!
4.5 stars if I could. What a refreshing change of pace from typical Northwoods fare!
We had the shrimp appetizer, the Cuban Pannini and, a grilled flat Iron steak. Wow!!
The grilled Shrimp were perfectly cooked, served hot, with a small loaf with 3 dipping flavors tucked inside. Just enough of a bright taste to complement the fresh shrimp. The Cuban Pannini was crisp and flavorful. The steak was seared to an exact medium-rare, served with piping hot roasted reds, and a ramekin of (very) tasty homemade baked beans.
Tired of the deep-fried, Sysco-sourced, microwaved meals that are common in the Northwoods? Go here for a real meal. The chef is a genius. Service a bit distracted but they're still new at it, so I'm givin 'em a break.
Panini sandwiches seem to be the main feature of this restaurant. While decent, none of them are very good and they don't even have some of the more basic options for a panini. The beer selection was indeed quite good, and if I was rating this establishment solely on that, this would have been a four star review. If you like pork on everything and consider potato chips from a bag an acceptable side dish, I suppose this would be a good place for you. If you want a good panini sandwich and a side of something good and made by the restaurant, you're out of luck.
The wait staff was painfully slow and woefully incompetent. My table of three waited about thirty minutes after asking for the check before the waitress returned with our checks (and of course they were all messed up and needed to be reworked). There was only one other table being served during this time.
This place is expensive but very high quality. Â I was very surprised to see the quality and diversity of draft and bottled beers. Â The food is excellent. Â My son said the philly cheesesteak pizza was 'ridiculous', which is a good thing;)
I had the prime rib sandwich. Â The only thing that would have made it better is if the horseradish sauce had a bit more bite. Â
If you like high quality draft beer and high quality gastropub food, you won't be disappointed.
Their wifi is speedy and free, and you check out by using an iPad mini with a credit card reader. Â Â Cool place!!
Aqualand Ale House and the recently opened Frog House are wonderful additions to the Boulder Junction / Northern Wisconsin atmosphere. Â Dick and Susie are charming and engaging hosts, you'll enjoy their approach to life and restauranteering...We enjoyed a visit to the newly opened, Frog House - taking home several bottles of interesting wines. Â Celebrate Wisconsin's artisan craft soda, beer, wine, cider, mead, cheese, sausage, chocolate, pretzels and fresh Wisconsin ingredient based comfort foods made from scratch for your total craft experience. Also enjoy fair trade coffee, tea and snacks, while connecting with your world through their free wi-fi. Â We did not get a chance to dine as our schedule didn't permit - but we've added the Aqualand Ale House to our bucket list for our next visit. Â Schedule some time to visit Dick & Susie's new adventure -- The Aqualand Ale House and the Frog House - locally and family owned business - I know your support will be greatly appreciated. (Thanks Dick for your service in the US Military)
Review Source:A great addition to the north woods of Wisconsin! Â A friend and I drove over from Eagle River last night and enjoyed a great meal. Â The place was hopping when we arrived, and we were immediately offered a seat at the bar while we waited for our table. Â A very nice bar menu of beers on tap, wine and others. Â Everyone was really attentive during our short wait (about 10 minutes) and we were seated.
The atmosphere of this place is great. Â Nice lighting, plenty of windows to look out into the woods, and the place was lively but not so loud that my friend and I couldn't have a conversation.
The hostess and the waitress both were friendly and prompt.  We ordered the spinach artichoke dip which was flavorful and full of spinach and artichokes...probably the best version of this dip I have had  It was served with pita chips AND veggies which was a nice touch.  We split a Philly Steak sandwich and the Onion and Apple Flatbread Pizza both of which were flavorful and done well.
At the end of our meal the owners came over and introduced themselves and checked to make sure that everything was to our liking which it was! I always look forward to a trip to the north woods and Aqualand Ale House is another great reason to come back!
Stopped by for a late lunch, and we were more than happy we did. Â Started with the mushroom rice soup and the sausage stuffed mushrooms. Â Both very tasty, particularly the stuffed mushrooms. Â We then had the prime rib and pulled pork sandwiches. Â So so good!! Â The prime rib was tender and full of flavor. Â Even better, the pulled pork sandwich - consisting of pork, cheddar, Granny Smith apples with a caramel dipping sauce - is not to be missed. Â We've travelled to many places and this sandwich ranks as one of the best. The whole grain bread and ciabatta were also exceptional. Â
Aqualand has well over a dozen (if not two dozen) beers on tap, the atmosphere is great, and the service is welcoming and friendly. Â We will definitely stop back. Â Highly recommended.
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