This place is new in 2015. Well known Chef and James Beard award semi-finalist Matt Millar has opened a place trying to tie his Northern experience with his Southern roots. The Southerner is named after a train that traveled from North to South. His menu features items from both and ingredients from local farms as well as from farms in Tennessee. I had always read about Nashville hot chicken but had never tasted it. I finally tried it here and wow!. Perfectly cooked chicken coated with a great hot sauce which was hot! This piece of chicken was then served on perhaps the best biscuit I have ever had. I took one bite and was hooked. My wife had a pulled pork sandwich she liked a lot. It came with buttered Anson Mills antebellum grits soaked in whey. They were great. Since myself and others she overheard were going on and on about the biscuit she had to try one for dessert. It came with a small jar of honey butter and jam in the same container. She loved it and we both can't wait to return. Known for fried chicken and northern whitefish sandwiches as well, along with breakfast featuring the same biscuit as well as a good looking cinnamon roll. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner in a nice location looking over the river and the boats. A full bar with lots of creative cocktails and nice craft beer selection. You have to try this place! See the guide for more details.

I read in one of my beer magazines that a bar in Delton was brewing their own beer. I had been past Tujax Tavern many times and thought it was just a small town bar. I decided to check it out for the beer and found a couple of nice brews and a very good restaurant. My beer was a Mud Lake Stout which was very good. It does look and feel like a local bar, but they have a chef and an expanded kitchen which allows them to prepare some pretty impressive stuff. Their burger is fresh ground to their specifications and never frozen. I had a burger and thought it was very good. They make their own bread, pizza crust, salsa and as many other items as they can. The bread is even sold by the loaf from a bread display which can include cookies, croutons and muffins. Next time I want to try the burger with peanut butter and jalapeno jelly. They have daily specials listed on the in house board. They also have a smoker and make great brisket and corned beef. They are well known for burgers, pizza on their house made crust, brisket and their reubens. They have lots of other sandwiches, wraps, salads and appetizers as well. I do want to go back at night and try some chef specials like pan fried walleye or perch. I would also like to try the whitefish Grenoble or one of the pasta dishes. This place was a nice surprise and I can't believe I am just finding it. Nice place and nice people. Check out the guide for more details.

This place was rebuilt in 2011 after a 2010 fire. However it has an inscription on the fireplace about it being a fur trading post in 1809. After the fire that nearly took the owner's life (she was rescued by neighbors who brought a ladder to her window, which she crawled out of with her hair on fire)the rebuild still has an old feel to it. The ceiling is covered in old doors inside, and shutters on the nice screened porch. We sat on the porch with a nice view of Devil's Lake. This classic lake area bar and grill in Manitou Beach used to be called the Manitou Beach Inn and now is the Manitou Bar and Grill. They are known for burgers and their famous soups the most famous being the cabbage chowder. I had a pulled pork sandwich which was very good. My wife had a southwest salad with grilled chicken with housemade dressing. Our friends had fish dinners perch and salmon. Everything was very good and we will go back. Lots of specials mean a constantly changing menu. The atmosphere is great and provides live entertainment after dinner hours. Nice family run operation. Check out the guide for more details.

New in 2001. However, Timothy's Restaurant at the Gordon Beach Inn is in a building that opened in 1924. Very cool atmosphere in this old fashioned inn. Tim Sizer is a well trained and well traveled chef that has a unique philosophy to cooking which combines contrasting features of color, texture and flavors to make your meal an experience. He was runner up in Best Chef America. I started with the homemade clam chowder which was excellent. They are also known for their fire roasted tomato bisque. They have appetizers like crab cakes, calamari and bang bang shrimp as well. My entrée choice was fish which was a horse radish crusted Michigan whitefish with balsamic glaze and lemon aoli. My wife had the salmon with an Asian sesame sauce. My friend had the walleye with strawberries and a sauce I can't recall. This really is unlike any other fish place I have been. Not that fish is all they do. Also, try the ribs, lamb, duck, steaks, chicken or pasta dishes. All are served uniquely in Tim Sizer style. Other fish offerings include scallops, sea bass or grouper(coconut macadamia nut crusted)! I will try the grouper next time. They have sandwiches, salads and a full bar with a decent wine list. All desserts are made in house. Special 10 entrée's for $10 are offered in the off season so...no reason not to make the trip. The hours are limited off season so be sure to check the guide for more details.

This place is new in 2013. In a great spot on top of the hill overlooking South Haven's harbor and lighthouse is Taste small plates & martinis. They do have big plates if you like with offerings like a filet, catfish, ribs or blackened chicken. We went for the small plates. My wife had their chicken sandwich with avocado and swiss on a butter roll and would go right back for that same one again! I had the pork flautas which were tasty as well. Others are mussels, Cuban shrimp, catfish or bay scallops scampi. They have several others and even cold plates with cold smoked salmon, crab napoleon or meat, cheese & olive. The last one uses brie and manchego for the cheeses. Soups include their signature tomato parmesan bisque and a daily special. They offer some salads like the goat cheese and beet or heirloom spinach. Small kids menu. Full bar with martinis being the specialty. Last but not least check out the desserts like blueberry mouse or bananas foster crepes. Great view from the front west corner seats. Check out the guide for more details.

This place has caught on quickly and is well deserving of the great reviews. The Four Roses Café in Plainwell is locally owned and operated by people with great pride in what they offer. Steaks and fish dominate the menu, however they are changed frequently on a paper and chalkboard menu. Very creative offerings like whitefish Grenoble, maple mustard ribs or Guinness beef. They do offer chicken or pork options as well, all of which are very unique. The appetizer list is long and features things like calamari. One of the most impressive things to me was the approximately 20 desserts offered. They actually have a pastry chef. I have not seen a dessert list like this since R. Stanley closed in Kalamazoo. Try the sticky toffee pudding. They have sandwiches and are open for lunch. Full bar and nice wine list as well as a nice selection of craft beers. I was able to get plead the fifth from Darkhorse Brewery here. Look for their frequent menu changes on their facebook page. Be prepared to wait for a seat, this place is popular. Check out the guide for more details.

Great view of the lake with "low country" food

New in 2012. This place has a great view of the Lake with lots of windows making Fat Cam's at Garver Lake worth the drive to the Edwardsburg area. The facility is two floors with a nice open atmosphere. The food is very good with lots of "low country" influence. The sandwiches for lunch are not ordinary. How about a shrimp po'boy with remoulade sauce or bbq pulled turkey? They do have other sandwiches and burgers as well. Appetizers include crab fritters. Other "low country" cuisine starts after 4pm and you can try the one I had called Gumbo Ya-Ya which is their signature item. It is southern stew with shrimp, andouille sausage, turkey and veggies served over rice with some great hush puppies. Also, check out the blackened catfish or the bayou pasta tossed in a cajun alfredo. They do offer a ribeye steak and even have one offered on the kids menu. Chicken breast, salmon or a porterhouse pork chop round out the dinner menu. Full bar with mojitos and lots of micro-brew selections with local influence. For dessert do not miss their already famous bread pudding! Nice place with great view and very good food. Check out the guide for more details.

Nice fish place on US 12

New in 2011. This older place(formerly Lakeside)has been completely redone with a nautical theme and gives tiny Jerome a flagship dining spot. Get it? The Deck Down Under has roots from the Gulf and brings us some nice seafood offerings. Raw oysters, peel and eat shrimp, crab cakes, conch fritters, boom boom shrimp and fried calamari just to start. I had the fish tacos made with grouper which you can order pan seared, blackened or deep fried. The fish and chips can be ordered in similar fashion using either grouper or catfish. They have good sides as well, we tried the onion rings and the hand cut fries. Both were excellent as was the New England clam chowder! The hush puppies looked good also. Desserts are made in house and include key lime pie and creme brulee. I had the creme brulee and was very happy with it. They have other stuff like pizza and burgers along with a kids menu, so bring the whole family. They have live music on Friday-Saturday evenings. It is so loud you will not be able to converse. Good music, just too loud for conversation. It becomes more of a night spot then. Good food, nice atmosphere and good service. My recommendation is to call first and eat before the music starts.

Fall is nice time to dine near the lakeshore!

This place is very cool! Check out Frankie's Place in Union Pier for fine but not pretentious dining. The fall season shrinks the lake crowd unless the winery visitors form a crowd. Do you like Frank Sinatra music playing while enjoying excellent food? Ever had a grilled cheese and chef prepared tomato soup for an appetizer? Best with a martini and a swagger. This place has lobster cake or ahi tuna appetizers, great soups, nice salads and top shelf entrees. Some nice touches are the "lighter fare" and the "prix fixe" menus. Also, try the aged delmonico steak, the brie & pear pork chops or the New Zealand rack of lamb. Nice desserts and a full bar. Live entertainment on Saturdays. Check out the guide for more details.

Sports bar in beach town

This place has quickly filled a niche for a sports bar. Joe's Bar & Grill in South Haven has become "the" place to watch sports in this beautiful harbor town. The large flat screen TVs everywhere make where you sit meaningless. They also have seating outside and on the rooftop in good weather. The rooftop would be great during the fireworks! The menu is filled with your usual bar food, however they do a better job with it. The burgers are very good and if you want bacon on your burger or a blt, they use applewood smoked bacon. If you want a fish sandwich, they will hand dip it in their own beer batter. I really liked my corned beef brisket sandwich on their brioche onion roll. Good soups and chili as well as their famous fish and chips. Lots of appetizers and great beer selection. Check it out when you are in town. Check the guide for more details. Also, watch out for the $185 towing charge from Lee's towing(two miles),(cash only) if you park in the closed auto parts store lot!

Nice place on Green Lake

This place on Green Lake actually has a Caledonia address. Sitting across the lake with a nice view is Maria's Pizza and Italian Restaurant. The pizza is very good either hand tossed or thick crust. Some special pizzas like Hawaiian with coconut or BBQ chicken. Nice pasta dishes as well. We had the manicotti which were hand filled and covered with their delicious, sweet housemade sauce. The lasagna is all housemade as well, along with all their sauces. The sausage is also housemade and mom makes the meatballs. Try the meatball sub or any of their 17 subs. Kids menu is available. Other offerings include American food like fried chicken, hamburgers or fish. They even offer some Mexican items with housemade burrito sauce. Salads and soups include BBQ chicken or taco salad and minestrone, clam chowder or chili soups. Desserts include cannoli, tiramisu or ice cream. No alcohol. Nice simple place with a great location and very good food! Check out the guide for more details and a map.

Time to feature a good Battle Creek spot!

This place in Downtown Battle Creek does everything. From breakfast to late night bar with live entertainment. The Griffin Grill and Pub is "good for what ales you". They start with a full breakfast menu featuring a cinnamon roll big enough for two. At 11am lunch starts with hand pattied fresh burgers, soup of the day or their two daily soup offerings of hot pepperjack potato and homemade chili. Lots of other sandwiches including the fish made with the same hand breaded prime cod used in their "famous fish & chips" known as the best in the area(very good!). Daily they offer their fish & chips along with "bubble & squeak". Friday & Saturday add corned beef & cabbage and shepherds pie to round out the irish/english pub fare. Yes they have lots of other items like appetizers, salads, steaks, chicken, shrimp, kids menu and desserts. 14 TV's for game day and 33 beers on tap. They are the only ones in the area featuring 2 cask conditioned hand pulled ales! Lots of Michigan microbrew beers and others from england and ireland. Small wine list and full bar. Check their website for live music. Check the guide for more details.

New European Cuisine place added

This new place is so popular that I feel I am late to the party. Downtown Kalamazoo is the host for Rustica described as Rustic-European-Cuisine. What a nice addition to the local dining scene. The restaurant is small and it is hard to get a table, so we used the call ahead program since they do not take reservations. This is what a great downtown restaurant should be. Open kitchen, fresh local ingredients, great service and unique selections. The menu is not large but has great variety. Our group of three had pan-roasted Michigan chicken, grilled American kobe beef and grilled leg of lamb. Each was served with a different side dish to match. They also have several fish and pasta offerings and a very popular pan-roasted pork chop. Add 130 wines from all over the world including 30 by the glass, nice appetizers, salads and desserts and you have one of the areas finest restaurants! Check out the guide for details and more review.

New addition Pub

Since 1959. This place has always had very good food but was a little smoky for the guide. However, you need to try The Pub in Richland. If you have never been or not in quite awhile like me, go back and check it out again. They are most famous for their burgers. They also make homemade potato chips and big beer battered onion rings. All soups are homemade and their fish sandwich is hand battered pollock. You could also try the 14 piece hand battered perch dinner or their 1/2 pound pot roast. They are a bar with TV's for sports and Nascar special wing deals. On Saturday you can stay past 9pm and enjoy the Karaoke! Nice place. Check out the guide for more details.

Try this newer place in South Haven

This place is behind Clementine's on a side street, however many people have found it. So much so that they have doubled in size in only a couple of years. The menu is large, mostly homemade and fresh.
Maria's A Taste of Italy has really done things right. Lasagna is their best seller. I really like the pasta shells. Pizza is hand tossed with homemade sauce and lots of topping choices. Don't miss the sweet pepper crab soup on weekends or the mussels in red sauce under the seafood section. Many go just for the salads. How about a tuscan chicken caesar or a traverse city salad. During the season try Maria's antipasto. Great breadsticks as well as a large sandwich assortment. Try the italian beef or sausage. Maybe both for a combo. The capaccio comes with hard salami, cappicola and pepperoni. How about the johnny D which is an open faced homemade meatball sandwich covered with their marinara and cheese then baked! Palazzolo's gelato, crane's pies and homemade cookies can be purchased there or to go. Click the highlighted name above for more details.

Smoking ban causes some new additions to guide!

I really like the food at some places that used to be a little too smoky to go in the guide. I am now adding them since the smoke free law starting May 1st. The smoke didn't bother me too much, however I know it bothered some of you. So now check out Barney's Bar in Bedford. This place has great hamburgers! Several other good sandwiches like a wet beef, philly beef or french dip. A grilled or deep fried chicken sandwich. Lots of "munchies" as well as steak or shrimp dinners. Nightly specials and very good pizza! Prices are great and food is good. My kind of place!

Hidden away in Jackson

You could visit Jackson for years and never find this place. Someone has to tell you about it, then you have to map it, because it is a former house in a residential neighborhood. However, it will be worth it when you find the Oak Tree Lounge. This place is a popular lunch spot for downtown workers and a nice bar and grill for dinner. Known for their five daily homemade soups from original recipes, like white chicken chili, corn chowder or creamy tomato. Great burgers and many other sandwiches. How about hand dipped fish? Small place but cozy. Many original items like their voo doo chicken sandwich. You will see why this place is a local favorite. Full bar and great food. My kind of place.

New addition in South Haven

You may think I am starting to lose it, but you have to prove me wrong. Check out the Lakeside Entertainment Center bowling alley with attached bar and restaurant for a really nice menu! How about their famous seafood chowder as a prelude to all you can eat whitefish on friday night. Do you like mahi mahi, lake perch, alaskan pollock, clam strips or yellowfin tuna steak? They have it served several ways. Like steak instead? How about a new york strip, prime rib or a blackened delmonico. Nice sandwich selection, but be sure to try the burgers. The pizza looked very good as well. Like wraps? Try the moroccan chicken wrap with a spinach dressing. Lots of appetizers like oysters on the half shell or shrimp jammers. I would not have believed this place was good if I had not tried it more than once. Check out the guide for details.

Nice BBQ in Jackson

This fairly new place has really caught on. Nice southern atmosphere and excellent BBQ at the Rocky Top Beer BBQ in Jackson. Meats smoked for 12 hours. Even smoked prime rib. Their hot spicy bbq sauce is great on the pulled pork or beef brisket. Try deep fried twinkies or deep fried corn on the cob. How about some sweet potato or pecan pie with a big mason jar of sweet tea. Large menu and full bar. Check out the guide for longer review and all the details.

New place added in Buchanan on the River!

New in August 2009. How about a nice upscale but casual barbeque place overlooking the St. Joseph river on a scenic drive road just north of town. Check out the Wheatberry Restaurant & Tavern in Buchanan. Everything made from scratch including the barbeque sauces. Try pulled pork, beef or chicken with the sweet and tangy or the spicy sauce. Nice bar and great selection of Michigan beers and wines. Hardwood floors, paper tableclothes and a chalkboard menu give this place a special upscale yet casual feel. This is worth a nice scenic drive along the river or take time to visit Michigan's only cave. Check it out! Look in the guide for details and more review.