A number of eateries throughout the county are preparing to dish out varying specials for restaurant week starting as early as Friday.
Glen Lake Restaurant Week starts on April 26 through May 4, while Northport- Omena Restaurant Week is set for April 27 to May 5. In Glen Arbor, this will be the 10th year of celebrating special prix-fixe menus offered by participating restaurants where people can experience the best of the area’s culinary delights. Prices will vary and some restaurants will offer breakfast and lunch specials. Participating Glen Arbor restaurants this year include: Art’s Tavern, Blu, Boonedocks Glen Arbor, Broomstack Kitchen & Taphouse, Cherry Public House, Good Harbor Grill, Funistrada, La Bécasse, and Western Avenue Grill.
Restaurants participating in the second annual Northport-Omena Restaurant week include: Barb’s Bakery, New Bohemian Cafe, Around the Corner Food and Fun, The Big Hot Woody, The Mitten Brewing Company, Fingers Crossed, Fischer’s Happy Hour Tavern, and Knot Just a Bar.
New Bohemian Cafe Owner Kevin Murphy said it’s the first time his business is participating in Northport’s restaurant week, adding that he wanted to get involved out of support for the rest of the restaurants in the area. The cafe’s specials will include deals on items like a honey almond latte for $5, a breakfast deal that includes any breakfast burrito and a drip coffee or cold brew for $10, and a lunch special which is any sandwich or wrap, a bag of chips, drink, and chocolate chip cookie for $15.
“We’re introducing a new burrito which is a spicy bacon breakfast burrito — it’s actually the thing I always make for myself. If people like it as I suspect they will, then we’ll probably add it on as a regular menu item,” Murphy said. “All of it is a good deal, but we’re also kind of hoping we’ll have some people that’ll come in that haven’t been there before.”
Murphy said restaurant week is important to help defeat the mindset that Northport is “out of the way,” but rather that businesses like the restaurants at the top and along the peninsula are worth the trip.
“We want people to think of Northport as a destination like ‘you know what, we haven’t been up there for awhile, let’s go up, grab some sandwiches and go for a hike,’ that sort of thing…” he said. “We’re eager to see how it (restaurant week) goes.”
After the fall season winds down and the colder months roll in, many restaurants and businesses see a decrease in customer traffic until about May when people start returning to the area. Knot Just a Bar Owner Dave Waskiewicz said restaurant week is a reminder to everyone that places like his are still open and offering tasty meals even at this time of year.
“Especially for those of us that are open seven days a week all year-long, you give people a reminder that ‘hey, we’re still out here and we’re doing it and here’s some fun items,” Waskiewicz said. “It’s a good time of year to encourage people to get back out, because April can be kind of quiet, and it bumps right into where on Saturday, May 4, we do our annual Kentucky Derby party.”
Knot Just a Bar will have a breakfast special, a soup and sandwich special for lunch, and a three course dinner option ranging between $30-40. The exact menu items, like at other participating restaurants, are still being finalized.
Some of the restaurant week menus for businesses in the Glen Arbor/Maple City area have already been set, including at Trattoria Funistrada. Susan Garver, Funistrada owner, said in addition to their regular menu, Executive Chef Jake Noonan has created three course options (starters, mains, desserts) all priced at only $45. From main dishes like eggplant ragu with gnocchi, bread crumbs to desserts like maple bread pudding with cherries, the options ensure a delicious variety for all to come and try out.
“The theme or goal each year is to represent some ingredients or flavors from our area blended with current trends and offered in a way that represents a Funistrada experience and style of cooking. Thoughtful Simplicity,” said Noonan.
Garver said for 10 years, the Glen Lake Restaurant Week has been an important event for the community as “it affords local residents a prime opportunity to dine locally at many of our fine restaurants before the busy summer season.”
“We view restaurant week as a win-win for both the participating restaurants, as the kitchen staff can showcase their creative talents, as well as for the customers, who can enjoy a delicious offering of several courses at a great value,” Garver said. “Funistrada has supported and participated in Glen Lake Restaurant Week since its inception in 2013.”
To check out the full menus and list of participating Glen Lake restaurant week businesses, go to www.visitglenarbor.com/ event/2024-restaurant-week/. To inquire about restaurant week menus for Northport and Omena businesses, people are encouraged to contact establishments directly or to follow their social media pages online.
