I'd wanted to stop by here for awhile since the prior restaurant located here was one of my favorites and overall, I thought this was a good place. It was a nice night so we sat outside and they really do have a nice patio by the lake. I started with an old fashioned that was very well made. Having looked online, I knew I wanted to try the short rib tacos and the fig, goat cheese and prosciutto flat bread. Both were very good and I probably could have stopped there because I was getting full. Definitely recommend those two appetizers. For my entree, I had the chicken schnitzel which came with potato salad. The schnitzel was fine. I enjoyed it but it's not something I would go out of my way to have again. I will say that the Czech-style potato salad was amazing. I would go out of my way to get more of that....hands down the best potato salad I've ever had. Service was friendly but a little scattered. I would have liked another drink but after our entrees were dropped, we couldn't get our waitress to come by and the food runner couldn't take a drink order. Again, nice service but just not polished. I think this is a place worth visiting. Definitely try some potato salad! read more

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Food was amazing, the ambiance was even better! The service was good, just had to wait a bit for drinks. We will be back!

We had such a wonderful dinner at Great Blue Heron in Carmel! To start, we tried the short rib crispy tacos--the shell had a perfect crunch and the short rib inside was tender and flavorful, with the pickled onions adding just the right balance. We also shared the fig and prosciutto flatbread, which was full of flavor and one of my favorites of the night. For our entrée, my husband and I split the Czech-style chicken schnitzel. The coating was golden and crisp, and it came with a traditional potato salad that was so good we asked for an extra side. Service was attentive and friendly, and we felt welcomed from the moment we arrived. Prices were very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. The setting is also a highlight--whether you sit inside or enjoy the outdoor seating overlooking Lake Carmel, it feels relaxed and special. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Located off I-84 Exit 61 on NY 311, Great Blue Heron (formerly Limni) opened a few weeks ago serving up European & American cuisine in a casual setting overlooking Lake Carmel. The place offers a full service bar with seating and table seating in the bright dining room. The food menu offers a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, sausages, pasta dishes, seafood dishes, pan roasted chicken & pork chops & flat iron steaks, stir fried vegetables, Czech dishes, and desserts. The prices are moderate here. The bar offers 8 beers on tap, wine, cocktails & dessert drinks. While heading back home from a long road trip, I stopped off in Carmel for dinner. I decided to check out Great Blue Heron and arrived here around 8:30 pm. They close at 10pm, but the kitchen closes at 9pm. I sit up at the bar which had the NHL playoffs on the TVs. I ask to see the menu and was told that the kitchen was closing soon and they were only serving burgers, sandwiches, and deep fried foods. Since I couldn't get schnitzel or penne a la vodka, I decided on the Gouda Burger ($16 plus tax) with Fries & homemade pickles. My food was served in about 12 minutes. This burger had a thick juicy grilled beef patty with arugula, applewood smoked bacon, melted gouda cheese, & parmesan cream sauce on a soft sesame seed brioche bun. The thin golden fries were crisp and salted. The homemade pickle spears were pretty good. I finished my plate of food and requested the check with Toast QR code, which was $17.34 with tax and before tip. I paid my check online and I was able to head back out on I-84 on a rainy foggy night for 3+ hours through CT and MA and back to my home. The Gouda burger I had was one of the better ones I've had this year. The service at the bar was adequate. read more

Our sons, Brian and Michael, took Mom and Dad out for our Birthdays (2 days apart) to the Great Blue Heron Restaurant in Lake Carmel, NY, on Lake Carmel. We tried a myrad of their appetizers and entrees. Everything was EXTRAORDINARILY DELICIOUS and each item we were served tasted even better than the last one we had. We look forward to going back there REAL SOON, It is a TRUE EPICUREAN'S DELIGHT! read more

From the moment we entered the restaurant everyone was so nice. We had the lobster roll and spaghetti and clams. The food was excellent but the real standout were the pierogies. They were amazing. The restaurant overlooks the lake and they have outdoor dinning as well. The staff was very helpful and the bartender Kayle is the best. read more

Had my daughters confirmation dinner her with 15 people. Service was great and portion sizes were huge. Drinks were great! Perfect setting right on the lake. read more

I was with a party of 9. We made reservations way in advance as it was for a friends birthday. I like to support local but I unfortunately will not be back. They have been open long enough to have figured out what is needed staff wise and to perfect the kitchen. The drinks were good. The service was good (considering the poor waiter was on his own) The atmosphere was good (how can it not be. Great location). Beyond that, all bad. The owner was sitting on his laptop while the ONE waiter was serving inside and outside tables. He could not keep up, no bus staff just him and the bartender who had noone at the bar and didn't help either. The food was mediocre at best. Creamy sauce dish had no sauce and dry. Out of 9 of us who actually all ordered different dishes 3 of us enjoyed it. The rest was not great. The prices are way to high for just OK food. Hope they figure it out. read more

This was a great dining experience. Everything we ordered was great, from the appetizers to the main course. The atmosphere was more than pleasant. The dishes had a professional homemade quality to them.. I was very surprised to see anyone could have less than a 5 star experience. read more

A messy experience from start to finish. Service was textbook bad. I worked in hospitality and restaurant service for more than a decade. Food was ok. Don't recommend. read more

Stopped here while exploring the area and you can't beat the ambience directly on Lake Carmel! We ordered calamari to start and cleared the plate. We were informed some of the menu was not available, but there were still plenty of options. The wait staff was responsive and service was quick. We ordered a burger and the chicken schnitzel which came with potato salad. Overall we really enjoyed our meals and plan to return. read more

I have eaten here a couple of times and also attended a retirement party. Have ordered pickup a few times also. The food is always good. I highly recommend the chipotle chicken flatbread, calamari, short rib tacos, chicken schnitzel (the potato salad is amazing), and the chicken paprikash. Everything has been amazing. read more

Visited on Friday, May 23rd I waited a few days before writing this review to reflect on the experience and provide constructive feedback in the hopes that the owners will take it seriously. We were genuinely excited to try this new local restaurant, but unfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing. The restaurant was clearly understaffed--both on the floor and in the kitchen, as our server openly admitted. To start, I ordered an unsweetened iced tea, only to be told they don't serve it. That alone was surprising--it's hard to imagine a restaurant today without iced tea on the menu. We began our meal with soup. The clam chowder arrived cold and was served with a teaspoon. When we asked to have it reheated and requested a proper soup spoon, we were instead given a large serving spoon. The chowder itself was shockingly thin for a New England-style version. Dinner didn't fare any better. It took 50 minutes to arrive. My husband's Bacon Egg Burger was literally still frozen in the center. When we showed this to our server, his only response was, "Well, that's not cooked." The Chicken Schnitzel and Pork Schnitzel were both overcooked, tough, and clearly made with low-quality meat. Presentation was equally underwhelming--just a large scoop of what seemed like potato salad and a piece of fried meat. Another member of our party had the salmon, which was bland and served on plain white rice. I understand every restaurant can have an off night, but the issues we encountered--from the service to the food--were beyond what can be excused as a one-time mishap. We left very dissatisfied and, sadly, will not be returning. I sincerely hope the owners take this feedback to heart and make the necessary improvements, because the potential is there--it just wasn't realized during our visit. read more

Excellent local dining, the appetizers to the desert and every meal in between is fresh, local, fulfilling portions and so well prepared it makes dining out a real treat. What a great find! read more

We decided to host our family Mother's Day dinner at the Heron after having a great experience during Happy Hour. The Bartender was attentive, the cocktails were made expertly and the appetizers were delicious. Our Mother's Day experience was unfortunately disappointing. It took over two hours from when we ordered to when the appetizers were served. We had difficulty ordering because they were changing over the menus from the brunch service . There were members of our 9 person party who had dietary restrictions but the waiter was unable to suggest alternative options or alter the menu offerings. The appetizers arrived staggered due to issues with part of the kitchen still setting up . The appetizers were delicious when they finally arrived. The main course varied in size and quality. The ethnic dishes were flavorful with large portions. The steak was inedible and arrived with soggy fries. I don't mind paying for quality but $30 for that dish was overpriced. The waiter was busy doing housekeeping tasks for the first part of our meal and only appeared when our food arrived two hours after ordering. I gave the Heron 2 stars because the bartender is excellent and the atmosphere is bright, elegant and beautiful overlooking the lake. The service and mixed quality of the food rates a lower rating. We will return on a non holiday evening to determine if this was just a new restaurant with growing pains. I hope the next visit will garner a higher rating. read more

My girlfriend and I couldn't wait to go.Unfortunately most things on the menu were unavailable. Wtf?

This is an interesting place. We came here the week they opened and the food was delish. But there were a lot of hiccups in the kitchen. Appetizer order filled after the entrees were done. Coffees listed on the menu were not available. Actually sold out of some stuff on the menu. But we didn't really care. We weren't in a hurry and were quite happy with the meal when it arrived, in various stages. Lee all agreed that if they can get the kitchen in order, it would be a hit. The menu is rather extensive and may be contributing to the kitchen stress Anyway, we liked the place enough to want to support it and help make them a success. We stopped in last evening. We did not have a reservation. There were plenty of open tables. But they discouraged us from staying, saying that the kitchen couldn't keep up and if we stayed, it would be an hour before we got any food. So that's why they get 3 stars. They still struggle in the kitchen, so much so that they turn business away. Doesn't seem to have improved since they opened and this will hurt them going forward. We are going to give it one more shot. We will make a reservation in advance and see what happens. To be continued... read more