by Kim Adams

Last month we found out Where the Northern Wine Guys Go to Eat -- so as we headed south, it seemed fair to ask a few female winery professionals where they chow down or take their out-of-town visitors.

Chef Charles Loring of Soe Cafe

Lester says that Soe’s wine list offers a modest but well-chosen selection from Europe, Australia, and the U.S. (including Michigan) – from budget options through high-end choices, with many in the affordable mid-range.

Bill's Tap and Restaurant in Baroda is “a local hangout with a softer side,” according to Katie Maurer of Domaine Berrien Cellars in Berrien Springs. Maurer suggests eating in the bar for a great burger, or the linen tablecloth side for prime rib and a strolling singer/guitar player. She notes that they feature a number of local wines, great daily specials, and an all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry.

Maurer also recommends Grande Mere Inn in Stevensville, “a fine dining restaurant with incredible views overlooking Lake Michigan and friendly, attentive wait staff. Great steaks, wonderful salmon and fish, very nice wine list - again with many local wines! The owners and managers are always there, greeting customers and making you feel at home, whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth.”

About thirty-five minutes east is the Woodfire Italian Trattoria in Dowagiac, “an out-of-the-way location that’s worth the drive,” says Maurer.  She drives there for fresh fish, modern Italian specials, live jazz & big band music two nights a week, wood-fired brick oven for cooking pizzas and plank-roasted salmon as well as an extensive wine list featuring both local wines and exotic imported selections by the glass and bottle.

Cheryl Horiuchi and Jeremy Erb of Dowagiac's Woodfire Trattoria

Back up the coast, Tello's Italian Bistro, in the heart of South Haven, gets two recommendations. “When I want to go out to eat in the area, my favorite place to go is Tello's Italian Bistro and cabaret,” says Jamie Bekken, Tasting Rooms Sales at Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville. “Not only does Tello's have an excellent Michigan wine selection, they have a knowledgeable and friendly staff, great atmosphere and outstanding food.”

Rae Lee Lester agrees, noting, “for the best classic Italian food in Southwest Michigan, I settle in at Tello's. Antipasti could be a meal, with various seafood, meat and vegetable choices. The usual array of olives, cheese, sausages, and marinated vegetables, in addition to bread and really good olive oil can fill me up if I'm not careful. It's hard to choose among the pastas, but a favorite is one of the simplest: truffle and Parmigiano on fettuccine.  The seafood is flown in fresh and is not overcooked.”

Lester says that owner Dave Millitello choses wines that are predominately Italian, but that he prefers small producers, including some from France, Spain, and the U.S. “Most of the list is moderately priced, but there are some high-priced gems: Brunellos, Barolos, and some great Chiantis.”

Speaking of Fennville, southeast of Saugatuck, Lester reports that Chef Matt Millar of the Journeyman Cafe sources many of his ingredients locally, including organic produce, heirloom vegetables, fruits, and even some local wines.  Farmhouse artisan cheeses, pates, sausages and organic meats are purchased from small artisan producers from around the U.S. to supplement their local sources.  “Journeyman Cafe has a casual, somewhat rustic ambience, and the dishes that chef Matt produces from his excellent ingredients would be right at home in any city bistro. Service is relaxed and leisurely.  On a night we want to just go somewhere and unwind, or when we're on our way home from one of our many sales trips, it's a treat to stop in and feel like we're part of their friendly family.”

Heather Price, marketing director for Sandhill Crane Vineyards in Jackson, gives the thumbs-up to three establishments near her Pioneer Wine Trail location.

Charlie’s Pub & Grill, in Jackson, is a local family-owned eatery.  She says that they make a silky macaroni & cheese that’s to-die-for -- plus serve several Sandhil Crane wines.

The Common Grill, Chelsea, is her favorite “special” restaurant. “They do a wonderful vegetarian sampler dish with all sorts of amazing colors, textures, and flavors. And you must have their crème brûlée for dessert. They have a few Michigan wines on the menu -- I’m hoping they’ll carry some of ours soon.”

A little further afield, Price loves Ann Arbor's Zingerman’s Roadhouse. “Everything Zingerman’s does is amazing. My favorite thing on the menu is a decadent, woodsy mushroom soup. They have a nice wine list, but need to add some Michigan wines!"

We hope that these delectable suggestions whet your appetite for dining in Michigan wine country -- whether Southern or Northern. Enjoy! And when you return home, be sure to come back to the MichWineTalk Forum to let us know where you went, and what you thought of it.

SOE Cafe
12868 Red Arrow Highway
Sawyer
269.426.4878

Bill’s Tap and Restaurant
8906 1St St
Baroda
269.422.1141

Grande Mere Inn
5800 Red Arrow Hwy
Stevensville
269.429.3591

Wood Fire Trattoria
134 S. Front St.
Dowagiac
269.782.0007

Tello Italian Bistro
524 Phoenix St.
South Haven
269.639-9898

Journeyman Cafe
114 E. Main Street
Fennville
269.561.2269

Charlie's Pub & Grill
1052 Cooper St
Jackson
517.788.5454

The Common Grill
112 S. Main Street
Chelsea
734.475.0470

Zingerman’s Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Ave,
Ann Arbor
734.663.3663

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