Taste Makers

Sept. 29, 2013

CAFE SANTÉ

One of my favorite things to do is traverse around Northern Michigan and take in the offerings of our many small towns. My family typically makes a dozen trips a year to Boyne City due in part to my son’s athletic events. We like to visit the several locally owned shops and every trip through town includes a stop at Cafe Santé. Part of the Magnum Hospitality restaurant that includes Red Mesa and Pearl’s, Santé is a casual, European-style bistro with a Belgium influence to it.

The service is exceptional and meals are very reasonably priced. They have regular features that kick in this time of the year such as every Monday offering wood fired Neapolitan style pizzas for only five bucks, from 6 - 9 pm with live entertainment.

My favorite night is Thursday when they offer their all-can-eat "Moules et Frites" (Mussels and Fries) for $15. They offer five different European styles each week and you are allowed to mix and match, plus live entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m.

This Thursday, as they do each first Thursday of the month, they feature their "With Magnum’s Help Everyone Eats" program. So 5% of every dollar spent at Santé on the first Thursday of every month goes directly to Boyne area pantries via The Manna Food Project. Since inception, the program has donated over $91,000 to local food charities.

Cafe Santé is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a great place to meet people for a drink and an appetizer as well. As Northern Michigan continues to grow its reputation as a restaurant destination, Santé is certainly playing its part. For menus, special events and entertainment schedules go to magnumhospitality.com and while there, check out Pearl’s and Red Mesa as well. --Rick Coates