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Interview with Cassandra Cayson of Forty-one South: Sandpoint Blog

By Gary Lirette

Services for Real Estate Pros

January 14, 2011 05:45 AM

Forty-One South Logo
Forty-One South Restaurant

www.41southsandpoint.com

41 Lakeshore Dr
Sagle, ID 83860
(208) 265-2000

Forty-one South is a fixture in Sandpoint. It is also a restaurant seemingly in constant flux. Dr. Alex Verhoogen envisioned the site almost twenty years ago as the perfect location for a restaurant and small hotel. In 1993, he met his partner on Schweitzer Mountain and spent two days skiing together. Those were happy times. Many remember fond days of manager Bev Boronkay greeting guests at the door, Tawny pouring drinks in the bar.

It was a great place: my favorite hangout.

After some financial troubles, Glen Harvey bought the property and completed the Lodge at Sandpoint. The foundation had been poured but had sat unfinished for years. In the ensuing years five operators have managed the restaurant with various names: Swans Landing, the Landing, 41 South, and now, under manager/owner Cassandra Cayson and Chef Jeremy Heidel, a new partnership has provided great food, yet with Chef Jeremy as a co-owner, provided continuity. He was chef under the previous owners Mel and Claudia Dick. Mel is the consumate community supporter and was the CFO of our biggest corporation: Coldwater Creek. They still own a seasonal restaurant on the Pend Oreille River and their son is the proprietor of Trinity at City Beach, an offshoot of Claudia's original place Cafe Trinity.

They recently sent out this missive:

"As you know, Mel and I sold 41 South to our chef and investor/partner at the end of October, 2010. Many of you have asked what we are going to do and are we staying involved in the restaurant business. I have been enjoying time off, getting caught up with 8 years of deferred projects at home and spending time with our 2 year old grandson, Jace. Mel is active working on community projects and non-profit boards and training for his big bicycle race across the country and raising money for autism. We continue to be involved with our other family businesses, including our son Justin's restaurant, Trinity at City Beach (which just won Business of the Year by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce). Justin was also recognized as Young Professional of Year for Trinity's success and his dedication to the community."

So, when they decided to sell 41 South, one of their regulars thought this would be a great opportunity for him and his daughter. The daughter is Cassandra Cayson who had been managing a family restaurant in Tribeca in New York for a couple of years, and had been looking to exit the city. Chef Jeremy was also interested.

"Everything fell into place. Maybe too fast," she related on my radio show, Speak Up North Idaho, last Thursday.

Still, with her Dad and Jeremy as business partners, and Chef Jeremy giving that continuity, they intend on building on the goodwill that Mel and Claudia have constructed.

"One of the things we would like to improve is our winter business. With the roaring fireplace and gigantic lake views, we think people should take the five minutes to cross the Longbridge and discover we aren't just a summer destination," explained Cassandra.

Crossing the Longbridge has always been an obstacle to increasing business at the restaurant. I lived on Lakeshore, and it has often amazed me how people consider the short journey a long trip. It actually takes longer, with more curves, turns, stops, and traffic lights to go to Wal-Mart or even the library.

"Another thing we hope to do this summer is take-out, but not only to cars, but to boats docking for a day on the lake." Cassandra also wants people to cast off their ideas that Forty-one South is expensive. "We aren't any higher priced than many of the places in town, and we have better views. Plus, Chef Jeremy is the best chef in town."

My gal O'Hally and I went to Taste of Sandpoint after my show, and the only booth we visited twice was Forty-one South. O'Hally loved the tasty beef amuse-bouche cups that we had sampled earlier and we went back for seconds. Personally, when I visit the restaurant, I enjoy sampling a combination of their appetizers seated at the comfy leather couch in the bar next to the fireplace during winter months, and out on the deck overlooking Lake Pend Oreille in warmer times.

I have been the emcee for Summer Sampler several times over the last few years, and Jeremy competed in the 2008 chef's competition. See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMysLfSTJpQ

I asked Cassandra if there were any changes on the menu, which was foolish on my part because Jeremy always prepares a menu representative of what is fresh and local for the time of year. Still, she explained the style of the menu is the same.

Needless to say, Forty-one South is still our finest restaurant, and Jeremy our best chef. Try it out, you won't be dissappointed.

Cassandra Cayson-manager of Forty-One South Sandpoint

Chef Jeremy Heidel of 41 South at Taste of Sandpoint

Forty-one South Restaurant in Sandpoint, Idaho

View of the Longbridge from the deck of Forty-One South

Tasty food at 41 South

Forty-One South Restaurant in Sandpoint, Idaho

41 South on Lake Pend Oreille

Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts.

Gary Lirette