The Glenwood

June 27, 2010

The Glenwood carries on a fine dining tradition in Onekama
By Danielle Horvath
Take a step back in time with a trip to The Glenwood – an authentic piece of Up North since the 1920s when it was part of a resort where families came for the summer. Since 1994, partners Donna Ervin and Chris Short have been at the helm of the fine dining establishment in Onekama, where many of their customers return year after year to celebrate special occasions.
“We have guests that dined with us the first night we were open in 1994 and have come back every year since,” said Ervin. “One customer, now in her 90s, was a bus girl here when she was 14; a couple from downstate came for their anniversary, they couldn’t afford to stay the whole weekend so they came for dinner and drove back home.”
So what is their secret? “We make new friends every year,” says Ervin, “and work hard to make every dining experience special in some way. Not only do we own and run the restaurant, we have developed our own unique array of appetizers and main courses, cook the meals ourselves, and prepare our own mouth-watering homemade desserts every day.” It doesn’t get much better than this.

A VIEW, TOO
With an expansive view of Portage Lake right out the front door, a menu of made-from-scratch favorites, the highlight for many returning guests is the dessert tray that appears without asking at the end of each meal. The sumptuous 12-14 choices are described in detail by their well-trained and friendly staff. Known for their melt-in-your-mouth homemade pies made with local fresh fruit in season, starting with strawberry rhubarb in the spring and ending the season with a pecan chocolate cream that is so popular they sell out almost as quickly as they are made.
Using the freshest, local in-season products, their menu choices include almond battered shrimp with cherry mustard, Northern Michigan specialty whitefish, grilled salmon topped with a spinach-artichoke dip, a “tower” of battered and deep fried perch filets, grilled filet mignon in a rich blue cheese sauce, a hearty 20 oz. Porterhouse steak with sautéed mushrooms, chicken pesto over linguine, cheese stuffed ravioli, shrimp pasta and specialty salads.
Because of the increasing popularity of their authentic Glenwood sauces - Cherry Mustard Vinaigrette made with local cherries, and Lime Ginger Dressing made with fresh limes, ginger and local honey, the staff began selling them at the restaurant and in various stores throughout the state. Last year they opened the Glenwood Market for the holiday season where they featured their own products along with locally made jams, honey, maple syrup, that all went into their Made in Michigan baskets. It went so well they have decided to expand and re-open this year from May 20-Dec. 20, at 417 River St. in downtown Manistee.
Featuring a full bar, a variety of local wines, specialty martini menu, over 30 bottle beer flavor and Bells Oberon Ale on tap, the Glenwood is open seven days a week, 5 pm – depends, usually around 10 pm, dinners range $13-32. 4604 Main Street, Onekama. Contact them for reservations at 231-889-3734, or at their website: glenwoodrestaurant.com.