Culinary Arts
Dining in Saugatuck/Douglas is a study in choices. True to its nature of offering diversity for every aspect of a visitor's stay, the Saugatuck/Douglas area serves up a veritable buffet of dining establishments.
Upscale dining reflected in both their settings and their menus is available at some Saugatuck/Douglas area restaurants. The Dining Room at Clearbrook features excellent continental cuisine in a classic Scottish Golf Club setting with beautiful views of their fairway and herb and flower gardens. They also offer more casual dining year 'round in their Grill Room overlooking the first tee. Casual dining in a lovely Gatsby-era atmosphere is offered by Ravine's Golf Club at their course-side restaurant in Arnie's Cottage. Exquisite American contemporary cuisine is the fare at the Belvedere Restaurant and Inn which offers sophisticated dining in an elegantly restored mansion; you bring your own wine! On Blue Star Highway in Douglas, The Blue Moon Bar and Grill is very "NYC". It offers an imaginative menu in chic indoor and outdoor settings. Restaurant Toulouse specializes in continental as well as American contemporary cuisine with intimate outdoor dining in season.
Looking for casual dining with a touch of flair? Coral Gables overlooks the Saugatuck harbor and features authentic American food, a deck, multilevel verandas, several lively bars, entertainment, a dance club and live comedy at their prime waterfront location. Nearby, The Butler offers great steaks, chops, seafood and a wonderful waterfront view of Cook Park. If you are looking for a "joint that rocks" visit The White House Bistro and Capitol Lounge; bring your appetite and your sense of humor - you'll need them both! And for the sports enthusiast, Spectator's Bar & Grill serves up great food while televising sports events on 19 TV's around the premises and offers Keno, pull tabs and live music on the veranda.
The Mermaid Bar & Grill on the boardwalk has a bustling European seaport atmosphere with outdoor waterfront seating, as well as indoor dining with a bar - we recommend the mussels! Just a few steps down the boardwalk you'll discover terrific sweet treats at The Dairy Dock. Phil's Bar and Grill is an upscale tavern with a bistro touch - try the lamb lollipops or broasted chicken. For casual chic dining try Monroe's Cafe-Grill - a 50's James Dean-style diner famous for excellent barbecued ribs and chicken.
The Saugatuck area has a colorful bouquet of ethnic cuisines. Chequers recreates the feel of a traditional English pub complete with fireplace and fabulous imported beers, wines and ales. Marro's not only dishes up the finest fare sunny Italy has to offer, but also provides one of the hottest dance floors in town. The Elbo Room specializes in pizzas and other Italian and Mexican favorites as well as more traditional American cuisine with an intimate water view. They will deliver from their entire menu! For authentic Mexican cuisine, head to Su Casa in nearby Fennville.
Also in Fennville is The Journeyman Cafe featuring local produce, artisan breads and outstanding American artisan foods at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In downtown Saugatuck, Pumpernickel's specializes in hearty breakfasts and lunches with fresh-baked bread every day. For a light breakfast, delicious home-baked goods and outstanding lattes and coffees, try Uncommon Grounds. Tucked away at the end of Lelands Alley off Butler Street, the Saugatuck Coffee Company purveys gourmet beverages and culinary delights in a casual elegant atmosphere. Or if your craving for sweets should get the better of you, there's Kilwins Chocolates in two nearby locations on Butler Street, where great slabs of fudge get carved into bite-sized morsels right before your eyes - not to mention their other candies and a vast assortment of ice creams. For "gourmet eats and treats", stop by Yum! Yum! Cafe, Gelateria & Luncheonette, an intimate European-style cafe in downtown Douglas.
At the rooster sign on Blue Star Highway in Douglas, the ever-popular Kalico Kitchen features down-home country cookin' "with all the fixin's". Nearby, Ye Olde Woodshed provides a convivial "hometown" atmosphere with great food, and entertainment on weekends. A little farther south on Blue Star you'll find the new Saugatuck Brewing Company where you can savor the latest home-brewed beers, brew your own, or just take a tour.
Most restaurants are suited for families with children, but Crane's Pie Pantry is well known for its orchard-fresh pies, apple cider and home-cooked, child-pleasing meals.
No resort community would be complete without its soda fountain and Saugatuck Drug Co. has preserved the tradition of old-fashioned hand-creamed sodas and phosphates for 83 years. And for those too much "on-the-go" to sit and dine, there's always the Subway in the Shell station at exit 41 off the Interstate.
Photography by Felicia Fairchild - All Rights Reserved