Kudos to Living Water Resorts

COLLINGWOOD, Ont. — Lakeside Seafood & Grill, Collingwood’s only waterfront patio/restaurant, has received a 2020 Travellers’ Choice award from Tripadvisor.com in recognition of consistently earning great reviews from dining guests. Lakeside now joins the top 10 per cent of TripAdvisor’s restaurants world wide.

“This is a spectacular accomplishment for the Lakeside team and reflects Larry Law’s long-standing vision to have a globally ranked restaurant at the resort,” said Don Buckle, vice-president of resort operations and general manager of Living Water Resorts. “Chef Emily Mallen, restaurant manager Sandy Dixon and the Lakeside team deliver inspiring meals each day as the award and reviews reflect.”

Despite COVID, the restaurant continues to offer set weekly features and to plan events such as an October Beer Garden, Chef Mallen told CLN. The beer garden will include traditional German fare along with local beers from brewers such as Side Launch, The Collingwood Brewery and more. There will be a Harvest Dinner on Oct. 22 featuring Georgian Hills Winery. They had a great season, extending their patio into the parking lot. Mallen has been with the Lakeside team for five years.

Sandy Dixon, who has been there for a year, tells people she has “the most beautiful office in the world,” overlooking the willow trees and lake.

“Plus we’ve had tropical weather all summer long,” she told CLN.

Both Dixon and Mallen subscribe to Larry Law’s vision of a loving and caring family. “Even the other day, we had a staff appreciation award ceremony for our stellar staff,” said Dixon. “It was really amazing that our boss would go out his way to be there — he’s a very busy man.”

The resort’s Living Shore Spa, which features the only AquaPath Therapy in Ontario, has also received the Traveller’s Choice Award. The Spa has reopened and now offers massage, AquaPath and body services, manicures and pedicures. Operations at the Spa have changed due to COVID, noted Sandy-Kay Van Der Vechte, spa manger. They aren’t offering RMT massage and facials at the moment, “but still it’s recovery,” she said. Van Der Vechte is delighted with the award. “I certainly hope I was able to convey how honoured and excited I am to be part of the Living Water Resort Family,” Van Der Vechte noted. “It has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Law and Mr. Buckle to see Mr. Law’s vision of a wellness spa accessible to everyone come to fruition. We have many more exciting developments to come in the future.”