Dempsey's gets high marks all around

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We waited much too long for a look at Dempsey's Fine Restaurant and Lounge, on East Shore Drive in Lansing, just three miles north of Stewart Park. Dempsey's specializes in steaks, chops, and seafood, and there are a few vegetarian entrees. The moderate prices include so much food that you'll leave full, and feeling you've gotten a bargain.

On a recent visit, I had the filet and lobster francese special. Dempsey's filet mignon was cooked perfectly, and I hardly needed a knife to cut it. The filet was topped with a generous mound of lobster chunks in a tangy sauce, and the lyonaise potatoes I chose as my side dish were crisp and delicious.

Another recent special was a seafood symphony, featuring fresh scallops, shrimp, mussels, and clams over linguini with a light, fresh white wine, lemon, herb, and cream sauce. I've tried a couple of times to replicate the sauce at home, but no luck so far. That same night, the surf and turf special paired a tender, juicy sirloin and a generous lobster tail.

We haven't tried the vegetarian entrees, but they sound delicious. The lasagna features fresh spinach and artichokes with a Mornay sauce, and the melanzane, pan-fried eggplant with plum tomato sauce and mozzarella, is on the list of things to try.

Entrees at Dempsey's come with a mixed green salad or fruit salad, vegetables, and a choice of potatoes, rice pilaf, or capellini. They also come with not one but two bread services, starting with fresh loaves of warm bread. I loved dipping the bread in olive oil mixed with the provided fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, or freshly grated parmesan. The second bread service had crusty focaccia and banana bread. I'm a big fan of fresh bread, so this really set the tone.

The food is matched by fantastic service at Dempsey's. Our waitresses have been friendly and outgoing, very familiar with the menu and the dishes on it, and helpful even with some odd requests.

My two favourite sources for tiramisu in the area have closed, so I tried Dempsey's tiramisu for dessert last week. The dessert's name, in Italian, means "pick-me-up," and Dempsey's picked me right up with their creamy, rich tiramisu. I was happy.