Aaron and Nikki Ackley serve wines from their own Longview Winery, which is located adjacent to their restaurant in Leelanau County.
Wine & Dine at Cedar Rustic Inn
When the Cedar Rustic Inn opened in 2006, owners Aaron and Nikki Ackley wanted to be all things to all people.
But in the years since, their patrons have helped the restaurant evolve. The Cedar Rustic Inn in Leelanau County now specializes in what some might think of traditional food, such as pot roast and fried chicken, but all expertly prepared.
“It’s Northern Michigan, so you have to have walleye and perch on the menu,” said Nikki. “When I have new servers, I have to tell them not to put a knife next to the ribs,” a fall-off-the-bone specialty.
Aaron continues the story.
“A big seller is the pot roast,” he said. “And the (beef) stroganoff – how often do you see that in restaurants?”
While favorites include the roast, ribs and Tuscan Chicken Marsala, another of the draws is the breakfast. And it’s not just for early risers.
“We had so many people asking for breakfast in the middle of the day, we sell more breakfast during lunch than lunch,” said Aaron.
So now breakfast is available until 4 p.m ., with the exception of omelettes, which are discontinued after 11 a.m.
THEIR OWN WINE
A recent addition to the menu is wine from the family’s Longview Winery next door. Aaron says the ability to serve the wine at the Inn is a boon for both businesses. “We worked a long time to be able to offer Longview wines,” said Aaron. The restaurant now holds wine dinners most months. The reservation-only dinners take place on Tuesday evenings, a night the restaurant is normally closed.
For the rest, the Cedar Rustic Inn is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. To 8:30 p.m., Fridays till 9, Saturdays from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays 8 to 8.
The Cedar Rustic Inn is located on the north end of Cedar at 8699 S. Good Harbor Trail. Phone 228-2282.
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