Summer House on the Lake has opened on the West Side of Disney Springs. On weekdays, the new restaurant serves lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (or 11:30 p.m. on Fridays). On the weekends, they will serve brunch beginning at 9 a.m. There is also a quick-service Cookie Bar inside. We visited on opening day to try the lunch and dinner menu.

Summer House on the Lake Entrance & Interior

Summer House on the Lake is located across from Salt & Straw and Bowes Signature Candles.

It has indoor and outdoor seating available.

The Cookie Bar

The Cookie Bar is accessible at the entrance between these white columns.

The Cookie Bar menu includes beverages in souvenir cups. Guests can scan a QR code to access the full menu.

This counter shows off all of the day’s available treats, as well as various merchandise for sale.

Interior

The interior of Summer House on the Lake is light and airy with plants, wicker chairs, and warm lights.

The restaurant has a mostly white color palette, accented by light-colored woods and various plants.

There’s also bar seating available that borders on the outdoor seating area.

A patio gives guests a view of the lake at Disney Springs.

There are ceiling fans in the outdoor seating areas.

Another bar can be found toward the front of the restaurant.

There is limited seating on the front porch.

Lunch and Dinner Menu

The lunch and dinner menu at Summer House on the Lake includes starters, salads, sandwiches, tacos, pasta, pizza, and “Summer Comfort” food.

There are spritzes, specialty cocktails, zero-proof cocktails, wine, and beer.

Starters

Jalapeño Corn Bread – $12.95

With honey butter

This is very different from the Walt Disney World cornbread that guests may be used to. It tasted more like a spoonbread to us. There are kernels of corn that pop when you bite into them and large chunks of jalapeño.

The texture is a little confusing but the flavor is delicious. There is so much going on with the cornbread that we didn’t taste the honey butter, but the bread has its own sweetness. This is great for sharing with a big group and we’ll be coming back for it.

Truffle Fries – $15.95

Parmigiano reggiano, aioli

The fries are thin and crispy. The truffle flavor is profound. Most of the cheese on our portion was clumped in the middle.

The sauce is great. It’s a creamy aioli that counterbalances the truffle flavor well.

It’s a large portion, so be prepared to share.

Veggies

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts – $14.95

Balsamic vinegar, parmigiano reggiano

These are excellent. The caramelized flavor hitting the balsamic vinegar is amazing. The Brussels sprouts are perfectly cooked, so they’re soft and crunchy.

It’s a good-sized portion for the price. They might be our new favorite Brussels sprouts at Walt Disney World.

Raw & Chilled

Ahi Tuna & Watermelon Tostadas – $18.95

Hass avocado, thai chili, crisp corn tortilla

There are only five tostadas, but they each have a lot of tuna piled on them. The tuna is a nice quality.

There’s a little spiciness on the back end but it’s not too much. The crunch of the tortilla is nice.

The avocado is a perfect accompaniment. The watermelon wasn’t a strong flavor. Even so, we think these are great.

We were also delighted by the plates having the restaurant’s name on them, it’s a simple thing, but it offers a lot.

Sandwiches

Turkey Stack – $17.95

Havarti, lettuce, tomato, bacon, 9 grain bread, fries

This is an excellent turkey sandwich. It’s heavily dressed with thick cheese.

The bread could be toasted to bring it over the top but there’s nothing wrong with it.

Pizza

Hobbs Pepperoni – $20.95

Mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce

It’s a bold move to serve pizza at Disney Springs, which has many pizza offerings. This is a good-sized pizza for $21.

It reminds us a bit of Blaze Pizza. It’s stiff and crisp. The tomato sauce is light while the cheese is thick. It’s nothing special but it’s good for picky eaters.

Summer Comfort

Skirt Steak Frites – $38.95

Guajillo chili, cilantro-lime butter, garlic fries

This is phenomenal. We think it gives Wine Bar George’s Steak Frites a run for their money.

We got our steak cooked medium. The knife slid through it like butter. It’s tender and juicy with a wonderfully seasoned char on the exterior.

The steak itself is so great that the cilantro-lime butter doesn’t matter.

The side is the same thin and crispy fries as the truffle starter.

Picnic Fried Chicken Basket – $23.95

Boneless white meat, slaw, honey mustard, french fries

There is a lot on this plate (notably, not a basket).

We don’t like that the breading is so crispy it just falls off when cutting the chicken. It’s a little too thick and chewy.

The sauce is made in-house. It’s super sweet but we don’t feel like it adds anything to the chicken.

Spritzes

Orlando Spritzer – $15

Grapefruit, Giuliana Prosecco, soda

This mostly tastes like soda or juice with some alcohol at the back end. It tastes good and is refreshing.

Specialty Cocktails

Frozé – $14

Summer House Rosé, Aperol, americano, strawberry purée

This is great. It has a real strawberry puree flavor. It’s smooth, cold, and refreshing. It’s made with their own Summer House Rosé, which is available to purchase by the bottle at The Cookie Bar.

Jalapeño Business – $16

818 blanco, Dos Hombres, grapefruit soda, jalapeño agave

This is light and refreshing. It’s like a bubbly margarita. Despite it having soda, it doesn’t feel sticky. There’s also a strong grapefruit flavor.

Tropical Dreams – $14

Sunny vodka, pamplemousse, habanero honey

The spiciness of the habanero honey hits you late, but then it’s very present. This is a really good and refreshing cocktail.

Endless Summer Old Fashioned – $15

Brother’s Bond whiskey, lemon demerara, orange bitters

This is a little more citrus-forward than a typical Old Fashioned. It’s just fine.

Espressotini – $16

Ketel One vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso

If you like your coffee black, this is for you. It’s a good, balanced espresso martini.

Two Tickets to Paradise – $18

Flecha Azul Reposado, pineapple, Nonino Amaro

This tastes like a classic tropical cocktail, similar to something you would get at Trader Sam’s. It’s a well-balanced tiki drink.

Lavender Haze – $15

Aviation Gin, blueberry, lavender

This is heavy on the fruit juice flavor. Despite that, it’s well-balanced and probably the most interesting drink we had — but it’s not for everybody.

Dessert Menu

Guests who dine in can order selections from The Cookie Bar as well as other desserts.

Stay tuned for our separate review of The Cookie Bar menu.

Overall

All four starters were fantastic, the drinks were good, and the entrees were solid. We’re excited to come back and try more. The restaurant also has a good ambiance. We recommend Summer House on the Lake for relaxing with drinks, cookies, and maybe a couple of starters.

Stay tuned for our full video review!

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The post PHOTOS, VIDEO, REVIEW: Summer House on the Lake Opens at Disney Springs with Refreshing Cocktails, Fantastic Cornbread, and a Misleading Chicken Basket appeared first on WDW News Today.