Since 1992. This place is a landmark. Clara's on the River in Battle Creek is located in the former Michigan Central Depot train station which was built in 1888. It is worth a visit just to tour the building and read about its history. This place has the largest fireplace I have ever seen in a restaurant. Great atmosphere and a 17 page menu that will allow everyone in your party to find something they like. Known for Sunday brunch and for great drink selections in their bar(several ice cream drinks). They also have good food of all types from burgers and pizza to ribs. I went for lunch and had their chili which was very good along with a rueben which also was very good. Nice place for family outings or business lunches. Right on the river with a nice view and an outdoor patio looking over the river in nice weather.

Nice breakfast with homemade goods!

I especially like breakfast places that bake their own items. This is that kind of place. The Biscuit Cafe in Holland's Old Town area has an owner who has a culinary degree from Colorado, studied in Provence, France and Asti, Italy. Add to that she worked at both Bar Divani and Everyday People Cafe. All this background has led to a special restaurant where only the best ingredients are used and cooked properly. Try the fresh baked biscuits with a swiss scramble using real gruyere cheese. Maybe cover that biscuit with housemade onion jam. How about french toast made from their walnut cranberry focaccia bread or homemade brioche? They offer pancakes made from their housemade cherry almond granola or try the banana pecan pancakes made with housemade candied pecans. The meat comes from the local Montello's Meat Market with offerings like South African boerwors sausage. They have lots of omelets and scrambles to choose from and you can choose coffee, espresso or several loose leaf teas. For lunch try the pulled pork with tomato gravy or maybe braised beef. They also have tuna, greek, ham & cheese or a cubano sandwich. This place is worth a drive. 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.

Upscale food in casual atmosphere

Since 2006. This place is sitting on the St. Joe River next to the famous retired camelback bridge in Mottville. Jaywalker Restaurant has great views of both along with some nice signature menu items like their prime rib served Thursday-Sunday or their fall off the bone ribs. Try the fried green beans instead of fries. They are also known for an appetizer of "pork wings". Full menu including many other appetizers, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Entree's also include fried chicken, steaks, fish and pasta. One more signature item is the Motherload burrito. Desserts include carrot cake and their homemade cookie sundae. Full bar with some microbrews. Bring the whole family. No need to dress up. Good food and good service. Check out the guide for more details.

Good fish at a bar and grill

In 1894 a beekeeper was waiting for his fishing buddy and carved a piece of wood to look like a frog which he threw in a pond. When a large bass attacked it he decided to make more from a broomstick handle. Such was the beginning of Heddon & Sons Fishing Lures. Heddon became the largest in the world and the old ones are highly collectible. To honor that history this local bar in Dowagiac calls itself The Wounded Minnow Saloon. Lots of fishing lures are displayed here. Even though the Dowagiac factory closed in 1984 the Heddon lures are still made in Ft. Smith AR. This place obviously is known for fish! Nightly specials offer fish and a friday fish fry is very popular. They are also known for pizza. They do have good burgers, appetizers, sandwiches and even Chicago or coney dogs. Some desserts are offered. Neat atmosphere with high tin ceilings and exposed brick walls in this downtown spot. Lots of bar stuff as well like large TVs where we watched Notre Dame beat Michigan. A couple of pool tables out of the way and you have a small town bar and grill with good food and good drinks. Even a nice selection of specialty beers. I really like this kind of place and look forward to going back for some more fish. Check the guide for more details.

Nice lunch and cupcakes!

New in downtown Kalamazoo in 2012, however the Garden Gate Cafe had its beginnings in Shipshewana in 2007, Nancy Knoblock sold that location in 2011 and has opened this place. She knows how to run a lunch spot and how to make great food. Try the beet salad or mango ginger. Maybe have it with their signature homemade chicken salad on a grilled pretzel bun. Soups can be served in a sourdough bread bowl. They have other deli sandwiches, wraps and panninis. However you can go in just for some water street coffee and one of their amazing cupcakes or muffins. I had the key lime cupcake which was so good, I can't wait to get back and try all the rest. Oh, and don't forget the quiche. Catering and special cupcake club events are worth looking into. Nice people and a great addition to downtown. More info in the guide.

New breakfast place added

This Portage breakfast joint is worth a visit. The Daily Grind Cafe just north of West Lake is very cozy with very good food and great service. You can sense the owners pride in all areas. The omlets are excellent and filled to the max with quality ingredients. The sausage is ground fresh daily. The bacon is thick sliced and the steaks are tender. My toast and potatoes were done just right. On an earlier visit I had the crunchy french toast with corn flakes cooked into the batter. They also make homemade biscuits and gravy. With that they won the "best breakfast" in Kalamazoo county award from the gazette. I have not tried the burgers for lunch which are also fresh ground, however they won 2nd place for their burgers in the gazette as well. Cozy place with good food and local owners working everyday in the place! What more do you want? Check out the guide for more details.