One forkful into your meal you’ll find it hard to
believe that Patrick Knotz and his wife Heidi,
owners of The Swiss Country House, had no
desire to be restaurateurs.
The couple moved to Magnetawan from
Switzerland in 2000, having taken on the
housekeeping cottage business at Ahmic Lake
Resort. In those early years they found it difficult
to find any restaurants open late.
So began the idea for The Swiss Country House, a
truly unique dining experience located in the Almaguin
Highlands that is now entering its fifth successful year.
Housed in a part of the original lodge that dates back
to the 1940s, “we renovated it to our vision,” he explains.
The result is a cosy, comfortable dining space full of bright
woods, mementoes from their homeland, and cheerful
wait staff.
The restaurant can seat up to 45, and the couple
have been expanding the space as well. The Swiss Den,
a quaint, private room, offers seating for up to 25 while
the Lounge located on the lower level, decorated with
rich leathers and bamboo accents, is great for socializing.
Both the Swiss Den and the Lounge are available for
private functions, hosting everything from birthdays and
anniversaries to business meetings and holiday parties. Further expansion plans will see additional space built in
the next two years that can accommodate up to 60 people,
perfect for conferences and weddings.
And while Patrick and Heidi might have been hesitant
restaurant people, there was never any doubt about what
food they would specialize in: traditional Swiss cuisine
with a casual, fine dining flare.
“All of our chefs are from Switzerland,” says Patrick,
who points to the Jaeger Schnitzel and Roestis as
popular menu choices.
“Our goal was to offer something
different, but in a way that everyone would be able to fi nd
something they’d enjoy.”
The menu is quite large and it’s ever-changing, with
the chef’s specials varying by day and seasonal and
monthly updates made as as well.
Try these traditional dishes once and you’ll be
hooked.
Birchermuesli is a Swiss breakfast special with
oatmeal, fruit and yogurt while fi sh Chnusperli is an
herb and beer-battered tilapia, similar to their fi sh and
chips.
Knoepfli, also known as Spaetzle, is a traditional
dish in all German-speaking countries and is made up of
light and fluffy fl our dumplings flavoured differently. The
Swiss barley soup is a perfect start to any meal, and you
have to try the Schnitzel – with 10 varieties on the menu
including Vampire Schnitzel, Jaeger Schnitzel and Wiener
Schnitzel, it’s tough to pick just one.
An ultimate Swiss specialty, there’s many variations of
Roesti on the menu, with the Chicken Roesti highlighted
on these pages for you to prepare at home in your own
kitchen.
Enjoy!
• Summer hours: Monday to Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Winter Hours: Monday to Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Average cost for four people for a meal including appetizer, main course and dessert would be roughly $120
• All-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast buffet, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• All-you-can-eat pickerel Tuesdays
• Licensed with a wine list that holds from 16 to 20 labels
• No dress code, casual wear is fi ne
• No reservations, seating is on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis
• Wheelchair accessible
• Children’s menu available
50 Robinson Drive, Ahmic Harbour, Ontario P0A 1A0
705-387-3292 or 1-866-857-7946 • www.ahmiclakeresort.com
