We began and ended a week around Grand Marais at Chez Jude in mid-September. Don't believe they turned anyone away for no reservations either evening, but it filled right up, including the porch, even after the summer season. Duck breast was excellent, medium rare as recommended; grilled polenta was beautifully charred and delicious; planked lake trout was moist and tasty; the ribs were meaty with a sweet, smoky, tangy maple-chili sauce and the french fries that came with the ribs were fabulous - great potato flavor, crisp, tender, hot. We tried three desserts, all were good but not up to the level of the entrees, except for the sage ice cream - sage ice cream, who'd have thought? Foreign summer staff were still there and we enjoyed chatting with servers from Wilnius and Kiev. Meals were not cheap ($125 for two, with appetizers, dessert, wine and tip) but were less expensive than meals of similar imagination and quality in the Twin Cities. The first night's dinner was to try the restaurant, the second was because of what we had found. Anything that pulls us away from the Gunflint Tavern has to be pretty good.