Tastemakers: The Catch Island Grill Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich/Sage Restaurant Saturday Wine Tasting

Feb. 15, 2009

The Catch Island Grill
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich

The location of 120 Park Street has been a gathering place in Traverse City for years. In the early ‘80s it was known as Billy’s and was a popular happy hour hangout. Dan Kelly took over and continued the happy hour tradition. Both Billy’s and Kelly’s were the place to be after work as a who’s who of the business community gathered, and both establishments had great reputations for dinner as well. In recent years the location was known as Pete’s.
Last year the venue became The Catch Island Grill with a décor and menu focused on the tropical island lifestyle.
The Catch has resumed the popular happy hour every day between 4-6 pm with drink and appetizer specials. The Catch Island Grill is also open for both lunch and dinner. The Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich is an excellent lunch choice. It’s reasonably priced with a generous portion of grilled chicken seasoned perfectly and served with sweet potato fries. Another great lunch option is the Caribbean Meatloaf served on top of a pile of mashed sweet potatoes.
At dinner all entrees are priced under $20 and the Mojito Grilled Swordfish is a must try. Too often, restaurants turn to premade mass-produced desserts. Not The Catch Island Grill, as all of their desserts are house made. The Tres Leches (three milk cake) is a popular Latin American dessert and The Catch Island Grill nails this dessert. For a complete menu and additional information, check out catchislandgrill.com
Sage Restaurant
Saturday Wine Tasting

When the Little Traverse Bands of Odawa Indians decided to expand their casino operations a few years back, they wanted to be a complete entertainment destination. That included having a world-class fine dining restaurant. They accomplished that with Sage.
If you have a perception that a restaurant located at a casino is simply serving pre-made mass-produced foods, guess again. At Sage they prepare everything from scratch, procuring the finest ingredients available. They also have one of the most impressive wine lists in the region
A constant frustration for wine drinkers is the inability to taste a wine before buying. Sage has the best tasting opportunity going. They have an assortment of wines available for tasting every Saturday between 3 and 5 p.m. for $10. The tasting also includes an assortment of appetizers prepared by the chef. After the tasting, guests may purchase any of the wines by the bottle to take home (they offer them at a discount), or buy a bottle and enjoy with dinner.
In the center of Sage is a 16-foot wine tower loaded with some of the best names in the wine world. Great Cabs from Caymus, Sequoia Grove, Joseph Phelps and Cakebread Cellars, along with an impressive collection of Michigan wines. Even if casinos are not your thing, Sage is among the best dining experiences in Northern Michigan, and anyone into wine will not be disappointed. Remember, Michigan now allows guests at restaurants to re-cork any bottle of wine you have not finished to take home for enjoyment later. For a look at the wine list, go to thesagerestaurant.com