Photos: Chris Emeott
Gary’s Supper Club wants to be your spot for date night—or any night.
Whether it’s a Tuesday and you’re already in need of a decent cocktail and a break from kitchen duty, or you’re looking for the perfect spot to mark a big milestone, Gary’s Supper Club aims to be your destination.
Gary Windschitl and Andres Garcia
The Lakeville restaurant, which opened last winter, has quickly made a name for itself with a menu featuring fresh lobster flown in weekly from Boston, satisfying prime rib dinners and enticing weekend brunches. “I felt like Lakeville deserves something like this,” says Sarah Jenny, who co-owns Gary’s Supper Club with her husband, Jason Jenny (who is also an oral surgeon), restaurant manager Gary Windschitl, drink developer Jana Whitt, plus a group of friends and investors.
As Lakeville residents and restaurateurs, the Jennys wanted to bring exceptional food and service to the community while maintaining small-town amiability. The group purchased Harry’s Scratch Kitchen and put its own spin on the decor and the menu, keeping the philosophy behind the “made from scratch” kitchen and adding their own connections in the seafood industry (They previously owned Stella’s Fish Café in Minneapolis.) and relationships with local farmers to get locally sourced meat.
Sarah collaborated with chef Andres Garcia to create a homey, yet elevated menu, where Turkey Pot Pie and oysters can coexist. The trick, Sarah says, was making sure that everything—from the cheese curds to the halibut with lemon basil beurre blanc—was the absolute best quality. “I can taste the quality of food, the care that goes into every dish,” she says, noting that everything on the menu down to the salad dressing and croutons are homemade. “If you’re going to get the Reuben, it’s going to be the best Reuben.”
Garcia was working at the Gold Nugget Tavern in Minnetonka—another restaurant the Jennys own (along with McHughs Public House in Savage)—when he was brought in to help create the menu at Gary’s. He currently splits his time between both restaurants. “He’s an amazing chef,” Sarah says.
The menu features supper club favorites like Popovers, chophouse salad, New York strip steak, and lobster, as well as instant classics like the Prime Rib Egg Rolls, Asada Bowl or Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich.
Sarah Marie Aviation
The drink menu was crafted with similar care, featuring creative cocktails. (Watch for one with flavors of pineapple, basil and mint coming this summer!) There’s also an extensive wine list featuring more than 60 varieties.
While serving up exceptional food and drink is a top priority, Sarah also wanted to create a modern supper club vibe where guests could escape on a date night or a girls’ night. She brought in lots of plants—even planting a tree in one corner of the seating area—and added glam elements throughout the restaurant. A beaded curtain subtly separates the open kitchen from the dining area, and a giant fish tank with lobsters greets diners in the restaurant lobby.
The new Marion Room has glass doors that can be opened or closed to create rental space for private parties or meetings.
This summer, Sarah hopes to open a patio with lots of greenery and a water feature. “We want to go all out,” Sarah says. “I believe in continuously keeping it fresh, new. We constantly put into our restaurants. We invest. You’ll not see any of our restaurants dated.”
In a few short months, Gary’s has already built up a following of loyal diners. Restaurant namesake, manager and partner Windschitl, who is often greeting guests with a welcoming smile, marvels at how quickly and seamlessly it has come together. “This community of people is fantastic,” Windschitl says. “I think we’re a nice complement to the Lakeville market, something different.”
Gary’s Supper Club
20790 Keokuk Ave., Lakeville; 952.469.5696
Facebook: Gary’s Supper Club
Instagram: @gsclakeville
