Stan Garfield recently supplied the picks for Detroit Restaurants: A Local’s Favorite and then he expanded to cover Ann Arbor. Now he takes on the rest of the state. Today it will be northern Michigan and tomorrow we will cover western Michigan. Here are his picks by city. I have been to Traverse City and it is a very beautiful summer resort area. I still have some Petoskey stones from the trip. The Sleeping Bear dunes near Glen Arbor are wonderful. Visiting all these sites makes me want to go back.
Burdickville - Funistrada (Italian) has a great web site with an inviting photo gallery. Trattoria Funistrada was started in 2000 by Tom and Holly Reay. Tom was a former bartender at Art's Bar in Glen Arbor for 10 years (see below). It won the "Best New Restaurant in the North" award in July 2001 by Traverse Magazine. It is located at 4566 MacFarlane, Burdickville, MI 231-334-3900
Burdickville - La Becasse (French) The northen Michigan guide says it is “A delightful, cozy little inn located on Glen Lake in Leelanau County. It would be right at home in the French countryside and so would the fine French-accented cuisine. The menu changes weekly and is a superb blend of local delicacies and gourmet French cooking.” It is located at Corner of CR-616 and CR-675 Burdickville (231-334-3944)
Charlevoix - Grey Gables Inn, This 1875 Victorian, once part of the renowned Belvedere Club, was established as a restaurant in 1936. Darren & Kelly Romano, are Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduates. It is located at 308 Belvedere Ave. 231-547-9261
Charlevoix - Terry's Place – another CIA grad offers many fresh fish dishes. It is located at 101 Antrim Street • Charlevoix, MI 49720 • 231-547-2799
Cross Village - Legs Inn (Polish) is an impressive stone covered building. Cross Village, once a thriving fishing and lumber town, is located on the northwestern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Their sites syas, that “One man, Stanley Smolak, created the fantasy-like atmosphere of Legs Inn…. In the late 1920's, Stanley Smolak began building this extraordinary complex.” Go to the site to see it and read more. It is located at 6425 Lake Shore Drive 231 526-2281
Ellsworth - Tapawingo (fancy), Gourmet Magazine said that “cooking spoke eloquently for itself in course after course.” It is located at 9502 Lake Street, Ellsworth, (231) 588.7971
Ellsworth - Rowe Inn Their sites says that “Our signature dishes include white chocolate brownies, rack of lamb and morels stuffed with pecans. “ It is located at 6303 East Jordan Road, Ellsworth (231) 588-7351 • 1-866-432-5873
Glen Arbor - Barb's Country Oven (bakery – for cinnamon rolls and pecan rolls), It is located at 5921 Lake St Glen Arbor,, 231-334-3686
Glen Arbor - Art's Tavern – Their site says that “Art’s Tavern has been located at the corner of Lake Street and M22 is some form or another since before prohibition… Art’s is open seven days a week, 360 days a year, serving up good times and great food. Art’s proudly remains a “quaint piece of schlock” in an increasingly generic world!!” It is located at 6487 Western Ave Glen Arbor (231-334-3754)
Harbor Springs - New York Restaurant, established in 1904, offers “The New York Restaurant in downtown Harbor Springs offers eclectic cuisine in a comfortable setting, overlooking Little Traverse Bay's waterfront.” And the got a Wine Spectator award of excellence. It is located on Bay and State Streets in beautiful downtown Harbor Springs. 231 – 526-1904
Harbor Springs - Lorenzo's (Italian) Northern Express writes, “Lorenzo’s Casual Fine Italian Dining is truly a destination both for its casual yet sophisticated setting and for fabulous food that’s lovingly prepared and exquisitely presented. “We have an upscale look – our food is presented in such a way,” said executive chef Tom Holt. “But we want to be known as casual fine dining. We want people to know they can come dressed as they are.” .” It is located at 7075 South Lakeshore Drive Harbor Springs, : 231-526-1000
Leland - The Cove (for fish chowder), Their site says that it is “casual home of fine cuisine, spectacular sunsets and Leland's only harborside dining..”It is located at 111 River Street_Leland, (231) 256-9834
Leland - The Bluebird (for whitefish) “For over 70 years, the Bluebird has been the gathering place in Leland… Long known for the finest whitefish and perch in Northern Michigan” 101 River Street Leland, 231.256.9081
Petoskey - Jesperson's (for pie) Epicurious writes, “Bill Frazier of Jesperson's sells his famous cherry pies, made by hand from a recipe passed down through five generations .” 312 Howard St. Petoskey 231-347-3601
Traverse City - Omelette Shoppe (breakfast), was voted best breakfast 17 years in a row by readers of Traverse Magazine. 1209 E. Front Street Traverse City, MI 49684. Phone: (231)946-0590.
Traverse City - Taqueria Margarita (Mexican) caters to Mexican migrant workers and its TV spots are in Spanish, and so is the voice on the PA in the restaurant, The food is great according to Traverse City Record-Eagle.and the menu has English subtitles. It is located at 1315 W South Airport Rd, Traverse City, (231) 935-3712
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