The Grand Hotel Porch

May 25, 2008

The outdoor dining experience is one of the most treasured summertime activities enjoyed by Northern Michiganders. Despite the short season, numerous eateries throughout the region offer outdoor dining.
As a kid I spent my summers on the Old Mission Peninsula at the family cottage near the lighthouse. We would eat our lunch on the deck every chance that we could. In the evening, we would have cocktail hour on the screened in porch and marvel at the beauty of West Grand Traverse Bay. I remember on several occasions pleading with my grandmother to let us eat dinner on the porch as well.
When I moved to Traverse City in 1986, I was introduced to the patio at the Holiday Inn. For those who live in the area, it remains a gathering place after work every Friday during the summer to kick off the weekend. During the ‘90s, Larry’s Place (where the Parkshore Inn is at today) was the ultimate summer patio experience in the region.
In my travels throughout Northern Michigan I have enjoyed the dining and music experience on a lot of patios. Each summer my family and I make our way to the beaches at Elberta and Frankfort. In Elberta I love sitting on the front porch of the Trick Dog Gallery, sipping on espresso and enjoying a Cuban sandwich while gazing over the Frankfort/Elberta Harbor.
When I am in Frankfort, it’s great to have lunch on the back deck of the Villa Marine. Just down Lake Michigan from Frankfort is Arcadia Bluffs, one of the most stunning golf courses in Michigan. The views of Lake Michigan from the deck of their Nantucket style clubhouse are worth the visit, even if you are not a golfer.
In Leland, the deck at The Cove is very relaxing and the water from the Leland River spills down the fish ladder into Lake Michigan. The escargot in a bread bowl with a glass of Riesling from the Leelanau Peninsula while the sun is setting over the harbor is a “must” at least once a summer.
In Glen Arbor, Boonedocks blends entertainment and dining for a great summertime experience.
Another favorite outdoor dining experience over the years has been Legs Inn in Cross Village. Sitting on their deck overlooking Lake Michigan while sipping on one of the many Polish beers and snacking on their whitefish spread is always on my must-do list at least once every summer.
Of course, the patio at The Dockside near Alden on Torch Lake has long been a favorite of residents and visitors alike. Enjoying one of the Mexican dishes and a cold beer has also become part of summertime ritual.

ON THE PORCH
There are so many great places to eat and drink outdoors in Northern Michigan it is hard to get to them all. But if I had to pick one place that is my favorite it would be “The Porch” at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
At 660 feet in length, it is the world’s largest porch. If you have been to the Grand Hotel you know firsthand the views are absolutely stunning. Off in the distance is the “Mighty Mac.”
Now, the experience on Mackinac Island is different than anywhere else in Northern Michigan, and for that matter maybe anywhere in the world. The same can be said about the Grand Hotel.
The Grand Hotel opened in 1887 and the porch became the center of attention on the island. Over the years many celebrities and dignitaries have walked the porch: Presidents Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton all enjoyed moments on the porch.
Mark Twain visited often and sometimes gave readings on the porch. Thomas Edison was a regular visitor and legend has it that he gave the first public demonstration of his newly invented phonograph on the porch.
While the Grand Hotel has been a popular destination for Midwesterners for years, that popularity has spread worldwide. The fact that there are only a few Victorian resorts of grandiose proportions in the world is one contributing factor to the Grand Hotel being sought out by worldwide travelers.
Another contributor is the 1980 film, “Somewhere In Time,” starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. The film has become a cult classic (there is an annual gathering each October of diehard fans of the film) and was filmed at the Grand Hotel.
There was a particular moment 22 years ago this summer when the sun was setting and shimmering off the waves of Lake Huron that I made a decision that forever changed my life. It was on that porch at that moment that I looked at my girlfriend and knew that I wanted to marry her (I proposed two weeks later).
Dining out on the porch is not a regular offering at the Grand Hotel. But Ken Salmon, who is hands-down the best maître d’hôtel in the Midwest, will make dining on the Grand Hotel porch happen if you ask him.
When staying at the Grand Hotel, your breakfast and dinner are included in your room price. However, you don’t have to stay at the Grand to dine at one of their many restaurants.
If you are not staying there and would like to dine on the porch, call Ken Salmon a day before you arrive.
Here are some suggestions to consider when dining on the porch. Start with a bottle of L. Mawby sparkling wine from the Leelanau Peninsula to enjoy with the minted melon balls as well as the escargot parmigiano. After the appetizers a the Michigan Whitefish Bisque is a must.
The Yukon gold potatoes, cucumbers and pear tomatoes with a sweet mustard and peppercorn dressing is a wonderful salad, especially for those tired of traditional greens for the salad course. Now, for the main course here are two winners. The almond-macadamia crusted trout or the pepper-coffee rubbed Black Angus prime rib with chandterelle stew and a Jack Daniels jus.
For dessert, this is an easy one. The Grand Pecan Balls. It is easily their most popular dessert with 50,000 of them served.
For information on the Grand Hotel or to make reservation, visit grandhotel.com or call 800-33-GRAND.