THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Jager

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Jager Restaurant Review:

Perhaps the name Szmania's Lake Street, while descriptive, just didn't have enough zing. So the delightful Ludger Szmania and his wife and partner, Julie, retooled the concept and this Eastside sibling of Szmania's in Magnolia was reborn as a more youthful Jäger. Jäger means hunter in German and the restaurant is named in honor of the signature dish, jägerschnitzel. And it seems to us, judging by the attractive singles that often crowd the circular bar, patrons may be doing some hunting of their own. The room is warm and contemporary, with rotating works by area artists gracing the walls. As the sun sets over Lake Washington, we like to sink into a dark booth and leisurely sup on almond crusted goat cheese, smoked trout with sour apple and horseradish dip, later swapping bites of Dungeness crab cakes, seared halibut or lamb chops. On one occasion our calamari arrived rubbery, a problem that was swiftly rectified by a green but eager server. When we've saved room, desserts have been a delight, particularly the white chocolate mousse. The menu---divided into Fast, Medium, and Slow dishes, depending upon your time constraints---unabashedly pushes the beverages, both wine (from a well-selected list) and specialty cocktails, offering options to go with each dish. If we need to feel transported, we like stopping in to the bar for a Venice with peach purée, mint, rum and a hint of prosecco.