Careful preparation and generous portions make for a loyal following at Elisabeth’s Chalet
Alfie Lau
Sun
Josef and Elisabeth Huber, of Elisabeth’s Chalet, with some of their favourite foods, schnitzel (left) and shrimp cocktail. Photograph by : Photo by Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun
Josef Huber has tried retirement twice and discovered it was much harder than working.
Along with wife Elisabeth, Josef runs Elisabeth’s Chalet, the cosy and inviting Bavarian restaurant that has delighted Surrey diners since 1994.
The Hubers have long been in the restaurant business. They had a place in Langley from 1973 to 1988 and another in Abbotsford from 1989 to 1993. After five months in retirement, they gave in to the lure of the kitchen, opening up their current Cloverdale location and serving the customers who love authentic Bavarian schnitzel and prime rib dishes.
“I love taking care of my customers,” said Josef Huber. “I give them as much respect as I can and that means we have flowers, crisp linens and generous portions.”
Huber greets diners at the door, where servers such as Nigel, an 11-year veteran of the chalet, are extremely helpful with food choices.
Clams and mussels ($9.95) is a great alternative to the popular oysters Rockefeller. Diners will be impressed by the sheer volume of clams in this hors d’oeuvre. It could easily pass for a main course.
The heart of butter lettuce salad ($5.80), which some would say is among the best offered in the Lower Mainland, complements nicely.
For seafood devotees, the Dungeness crab cake served with salsa ($8.95) is not to be missed. They are flaky and flavourful, the equivalent of anything I’ve ever eaten in Maryland, a place known for its fresh and addictive soft shell crab cakes.
For mains, try the roast duck ($21.95), double cooked to ensure crispiness. Expertly done, it’s evident in a bite that excess oils have been cooked off, leaving only crispy and tender duck breast to be savoured.
And what would a visit to Elisabeth’s be without schnitzel.
The Swiss Four Season schnitzel ($20.95) comes with a tomato sauce, mushrooms and red and green peppers. The Austrian Franz Lehar schnitzel ($23.95) is topped with crabmeat, asparagus and Hollandaise sauce. A house specialty, it’s a customer favourite at Elisabeth’s Chalet.
The portions are large. The schnitzels cover more than half the plate, barely leaving enough room for the tasty spaetzle noodles and carrots that accompany some meals.
The majority of employees have been with the Hubers since 1994 and head chef Max Bleiker has worked with them since 1968. Bleiker runs the kitchen and while he won’t tamper with the tried-and-true menu, he does experiment with the seasonal seafood dishes sold as daily specials.
Huber is proud that he has a long list of regulars, including seniors looking a good meal at a good price.
“I’ve got people who’ve been with me since Langley and Abbotsford,” Huber said, “I still have my prime rib special for them each night and I make sure it’s a good deal for them.”
The food is wonderful, and equally outstanding is the attention to detail. Huber comes by each table to say hello and ensure that everyone’s dining needs are met.
It’s a nice gesture that means so much, yet isn’t done nearly enough with the same sincerity at many fine dining establishments.
Don’t count on the Hubers retiring for the third time any time soon.
“We tried retirement and we missed our customers too much,” Huber said. “We love meeting new customers as well and it’s so much fun. Why would we want to quit now?”
ELISABETH’S CHALET RESTAURANT
17785 No. 10 Hwy., Surrey
Phone 604-574-1474
Open for lunch Tuesday to Friday, 11:30 to 2 p.m.
Open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday at 5 p.m.
Reservations recommended
Budget: $50-$100
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
