Experience Vintage at Bay Harbor

May 29, 2015

After an extensive remodel, the South American Grille in Bay Harbor has been transformed into the Vintage Chophouse and Wine Bar. The Inn at Bay Harbor’s newest dining destination builds upon a former popular restaurant in order to retain loyal customers and draw in new ones.

THE SCENE

"The concept is simple," explained Ami Klykken, director of operations at The Inn at Bay Harbor. "It’s a steakhouse bar with an upscale lounge feel."

Vintage accomplishes this by offering a room awash in mahogany and earth tones, a plethora of local historical images to help start conversations and a big stone fireplace. Yet, Klykken said it’s the outdoors that’s the real visual draw.

"The sunsets are unmatched!" she said.

"We have the best location – on the water’s edge with unobstructed views. People are always looking for that."

They’ve also kept one of the features from Vintage’s prior incarnation as the South American: a model of that restaurant’s namesake boat.

"It’s mounted above the fireplace and it looks great," Klykken said. "It was a passenger steamboat that used to sail the Great Lakes from 1913 until the mid 1960s. We’ve actually had guests who have been on it or who had family who worked on it."

THE MENU

Starters at Vintage include their popular baked goat cheese with basil oil and their signature Vintage Salad, which combines arugula, locally-sourced beefsteak tomatoes, pickled red onions, bleu cheese and beet crisps, with an herb balsamic vinaigrette.

In the entree department, Executive Chef Barbi Papi uses traditional cuts and chops, but interprets them in a modern way with what Klykeen calls "a distinctive northern Michigan flair."

"Our bone-in Cowboy Ribeye is amazing," Klykken said, "as is our standout Bloody Mary Bison Brisket."

True to the restaurant’s name, the beverages consist of intriguing wines, ports, classic cocktails and shaken-not-stirred martinis. Handcrafted desserts are a sweet ending to each Vintage dining experience.

THE BEST

Lunch standouts include the rich ham and Havarti sandwich with caramelized onion and stone-ground mustard vinaigrette on onion-garlic ciabatta, as well as the shrimp linguini with blistered cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs and squid ink pasta.

Begin your meal in an eclectic way with Vintage’s charcuterie board, which includes cured meats, artisan cheese, house-made preserves and house-pickled veggies for $18.

For your entrée, try a departure from the standard planked whitefish of the region: Vintage’s broiled cedar plank salmon with a horseradish crust. The blackened flank steak with quinoa, kale and smoked bleu cheese cream is another standout choice.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Regular Bay Harbor clientele may be surprised that the Inn decided to revamp one of their customers’ favorite restaurants, but Klykken said the goal was to keep that ambiance and excellence, while taking it to another level.

Working with hospitality consultant Travis Talbot of Red Door Hospitality, the next level version of the restaurant opened last month.

"It’s always been so rich and quiet with great views and we wanted to embellish on that," Klykken said. "The restaurant itself needed a little refresh, so now what we have is a more upscale place where adults can go and really relax and indulge in great food and wine."

above: Barbie Pathi, Executive Chef at Vintage Chophouse ~ Wine Bar puts the finishing touches on their signature Vintage Salad.

top left: Regulars are already raving about the Bone-In Cowboy Rib-Eye, Goat Cheese Cheesecake, and Vintage Salad"¦while they enjoy the ambience of fireplace with view of the Bay. Photos by Peg Muzzall

THE SKINNY

Lunch soups start at $9, salads are $8 to $12 and sandwiches run $9 to $26. At dinner, starters run $8 to $18, salads $8 to $16 and entrees $16 to $45. The restaurant also features wine by the glass, craft beers and six beers on tap.

Vintage Chophouse and Wine Bar is located in The Inn at Bay Harbor, 3600 Village Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor. For information, call 855-688-7023 or visit innatbayharbor.com.