Charlevoix’s Italian Connection
By Kristi Kates
Opened in December of 1998, Giuseppe’s Italian Grille transformed the previous building’s occupant - the American-cuisine restaurant Alexander’s - into an Italian restaurant, “something we thought the town would like,” says Giuseppe’s Robbin Moffat.
Over 10 years later, Giuseppe’s is still going strong, and is a favorite of both Charlevoix residents - where the restaurant resides on the outskirts, north of town - and Northern Michigan visitors alike.
FRIENDLY SURROUNDINGS
“We are fortunate to still have many of the staff members that have been with us from almost the beginning,” Moffat says. This teamwork-slash-family philosophy has helped Giuseppe’s to become a place that guests know and enjoy, whether they are locals who know the employees personally, or summer returnees who are pleased to say hello to their favorite waitstaff person each year.
“Giuseppe’s really is a family restaurant, within the staff and the locals alike,” Moffat agrees.
With their main dining room in the center of the restaurant and a secondary window-enclosed porch overlooking the golf course, Giuseppe’s offers comfortable surroundings summer or winter.
“There is a gas fireplace in the bar area in the wintertime, and another gas fireplace on the porch,” Moffat points out.
The fireplaces add a nice ambiance, and of course warmth, the perfect complement to Giuseppe’s hearty, cold-weather-friendly menu.
ITALIAN MEETS AMERICAN
Giuseppe’s did keep some of the American-cuisine influence from the previous restaurant - but their menu is all their own, and focuses more on the Italian menu items.
“We have a variety of entrees from pizza, steaks, fish, pastas and an abundance of appetizers,” Moffat enthuses, “our most popular items are the salmon, the prime rib, the lasagna and the Create-Your-Own-Pizza.”
As far as starters go, Giuseppe’s Breadsticks are nearly legendary, with the option of three sauces, marinara, alfredo, or creme cheese sauce, the latter of which is a local favorite. Fried Ravioli, Calimari, Farm-Raised Mussels, and a “Venetian Sampler” round out the appetizers menu.
Once you’ve added a salad or perhaps Giuseppe’s own homemade Chicken Gnocchi soup, you’ll be ready for your entree; highlights of the entree menu include lemon-bourbon Barbequed Sirloin Tips, Skewered Shrimp, Baked Salmon, Chicken Florentine, the vegetarian Pasta Giardino with artichokes, peppers, and angel-hair pasta, Manicotti, and those aforementioned “New World Pizzas.”
If you still have room, a rich range of desserts include Caramel Pecan Passion, Seven-Layer Chocolate Cake, Creme Puffs, Cannoli, and Giuseppe’s own “Sundae Shoppe.”
“Giuseppe’s is a great place to go for a quiet romantic dinner, or with a group of friends,” Moffat says, “with so many restaurants coming and going in our town, we seem to be very fortunate to still be able to serve our Charlevoix friends.”
Giuseppe’s Italian Grille is located at 757 Petoskey Avenue in Charlevoix; for hours of operation, visit their website at http://giuseppesitaliangrille.com, or telephone them at 231-547-2550.
By Kristi Kates
Opened in December of 1998, Giuseppe’s Italian Grille transformed the previous building’s occupant - the American-cuisine restaurant Alexander’s - into an Italian restaurant, “something we thought the town would like,” says Giuseppe’s Robbin Moffat.
Over 10 years later, Giuseppe’s is still going strong, and is a favorite of both Charlevoix residents - where the restaurant resides on the outskirts, north of town - and Northern Michigan visitors alike.
FRIENDLY SURROUNDINGS
“We are fortunate to still have many of the staff members that have been with us from almost the beginning,” Moffat says. This teamwork-slash-family philosophy has helped Giuseppe’s to become a place that guests know and enjoy, whether they are locals who know the employees personally, or summer returnees who are pleased to say hello to their favorite waitstaff person each year.
“Giuseppe’s really is a family restaurant, within the staff and the locals alike,” Moffat agrees.
With their main dining room in the center of the restaurant and a secondary window-enclosed porch overlooking the golf course, Giuseppe’s offers comfortable surroundings summer or winter.
“There is a gas fireplace in the bar area in the wintertime, and another gas fireplace on the porch,” Moffat points out.
The fireplaces add a nice ambiance, and of course warmth, the perfect complement to Giuseppe’s hearty, cold-weather-friendly menu.
ITALIAN MEETS AMERICAN
Giuseppe’s did keep some of the American-cuisine influence from the previous restaurant - but their menu is all their own, and focuses more on the Italian menu items.
“We have a variety of entrees from pizza, steaks, fish, pastas and an abundance of appetizers,” Moffat enthuses, “our most popular items are the salmon, the prime rib, the lasagna and the Create-Your-Own-Pizza.”
As far as starters go, Giuseppe’s Breadsticks are nearly legendary, with the option of three sauces, marinara, alfredo, or creme cheese sauce, the latter of which is a local favorite. Fried Ravioli, Calimari, Farm-Raised Mussels, and a “Venetian Sampler” round out the appetizers menu.
Once you’ve added a salad or perhaps Giuseppe’s own homemade Chicken Gnocchi soup, you’ll be ready for your entree; highlights of the entree menu include lemon-bourbon Barbequed Sirloin Tips, Skewered Shrimp, Baked Salmon, Chicken Florentine, the vegetarian Pasta Giardino with artichokes, peppers, and angel-hair pasta, Manicotti, and those aforementioned “New World Pizzas.”
If you still have room, a rich range of desserts include Caramel Pecan Passion, Seven-Layer Chocolate Cake, Creme Puffs, Cannoli, and Giuseppe’s own “Sundae Shoppe.”
“Giuseppe’s is a great place to go for a quiet romantic dinner, or with a group of friends,” Moffat says, “with so many restaurants coming and going in our town, we seem to be very fortunate to still be able to serve our Charlevoix friends.”
Giuseppe’s Italian Grille is located at 757 Petoskey Avenue in Charlevoix; for hours of operation, visit their website at http://giuseppesitaliangrille.com, or telephone them at 231-547-2550.
