Diner's Journal: Fall colors – and autumn dining – in Duluth

October 3, 2015 at 7:00PM
Patrons took in the view at the Canal Park Brewing Company, Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in Duluth, MN. (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com
Patrons took in the view at Canal Park Brewing Co. in Duluth. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

While gazing at fall foliage, head to Duluth's Canal Park neighborhood for lunch or brunch.

At the lively, great-looking Canal Park Brewing Co., the something-for-everyone menu naturally includes fare that pairs with the brewery's beers (celebrate the season with the robust dark German lager), including chewy pretzels with a beer-infused mustard, a well-stocked meat-and-cheese platter, beer-battered fried cod with fries and a long list of burgers. There's plenty for vegetarians; the kids' menu features eight options that youngsters will actually want to eat, and the patio boasts Lake Superior views.

300 Canal Park Dr., Duluth, 1-218-464-4790,

canalparkbrewery.com

Weekend brunch at Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar (served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) covers all kinds of delicious bases: cornbread smothered in slow-roasted bison, tangy pico de gallo and a pair of runny eggs; a golden skillet pancake dressed with candied walnuts; Parmesan-enriched scones bathed in a savory mushroom (or house-made pork sausage) gravy; a colorful plate of shrimp and grits, and a half-dozen well-constructed brunch cocktails.

394 S. Lake Av., Duluth, 1-218-722-2355,

lakeavenuerestaurantandbar.com

Get in line (it seems as if there's always a line) at Northern Waters Smokehaus and get your sandwich on. The bison pastrami is not to be missed, nor is the roast lamb, the house-smoked turkey or the kitchen's version of the classic banh mi. An a.m. favorite (doors open at 10) is the terrific bagel — it's baked across the harbor at Red Mug Coffeehouse & Bake Shop in Superior, Wis. — piled high with house-smoked salmon and a generous schmear of green-onion-packed cream cheese. Owner Eric Goerdt's second outpost — Northern Waters, featuring sandwiches, a small plates menu, a beer/wine roster and table service — is tentatively scheduled to open by the end of the month at 1608 Woodland Av., Duluth.

394 S. Lake Av., Duluth, 1-218-724-7307,

northernwaterssmokehaus.com

RICK NELSON

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