[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by Peter B

Stella's , Caio Bella, and Red Ginger are the best in Traverse City. Unfortunately, a Greek restaurant does not exist in the area. By & large, TC is still a burger and Mexican food town These folks go nuts for fried fish, burgers, & Mexican. Fortunately, people moving to TC from elsewhere are bringing more sophisticated palates. Many dive restaurants (U & I Lounge, Bubbas, Capones) still allow smoking TC is nice but still about 20 years behind the times.

Ahhh, the good ol' U & I Good memories from that place

[GlassPipe]

OMG - The morel dinner is fantastic! I used to sneak the leftovers when I was a dishwasher there in high school. Oh... I'm jealous, all there is to it.

Is that crazy old Lynne B and Granny Annie still working there?

Tell Wes, Kurt and all those crazy old lady waitresses there that Bob says hi and that I'm sorry I quit on new years and stole their beer. They should have locked it up better... He he he... To be a stupid kid again... Great memories there.

[touchdowntommy]

Boone's Long Lake Inn has the best food.

[mikkirae]

boones for sure. Either one! Best food I have ever eaten.

[GlassPipe]

I almost forgot about Pearl's Cajun in Elk Rapids. Just about a 20min drive from TC. Good stuff there if you're into southern cuisine!

[Rapunzll]

Originally Posted by Peter B

Stella's , Caio Bella, and Red Ginger are the best in Traverse City. Unfortunately, a Greek restaurant does not exist in the area. By & large, TC is still a burger and Mexican food town These folks go nuts for fried fish, burgers, & Mexican. Fortunately, people moving to TC from elsewhere are bringing more sophisticated palates. Many dive restaurants (U & I Lounge, Bubbas, Capones) still allow smoking TC is nice but still about 20 years behind the times.

Unless things have changed in the last couple of years, TC is well ahead when it comes to non smoking establishments, we were one of the tops in the state in regards to that issue. Personally, although I have never smoked, I figure it should be allowed in bars and restaurants if the owner wishes. Patrons have their choice whether to spend their money in those restaurants or not.

I gotta say Peter, you sound like a terrible snob. Don't forget that the vast majority of us come from big metropolitan areas.

[Rapunzll]

Personally, my favorite, although it is not right in the city is the Old Mission Tavern, known by those on the OM peninsula as just 'the tavern'. The boathouse is good too.

[MIhome]

the one you can eat at....

[Jswee]

For many years Windows was head and shoulders the best restaurant in the TC (I'm not including Ellsworth as being in the immediate TC area) but sadly Phil Murray closed up shop a few years ago. Currently Old Mission Tavern is one of my favorites. Bowers Harbor Inn is under new management and has come long way from the days when it was a Shelde property. Stella's is Ok but IMHO somewhat over-rated. Hanna is also pretty good but the menu is somewhat limited and some of the combinations are just a little too eclectic for my tastes. I just heard about a new place in Elk Rapids that just opened that is owned by the guy who used to own Spencer Creek Landing in Alden but I have not tried it yet. My current favorite is Red Ginger. Asian Fusion is usually not one of my favorites but this place is the exception. The food is absolutely fantastic! Definitely worth a try if you like fine cuisine.

[Peter B]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

Unless things have changed in the last couple of years, TC is well ahead when it comes to non smoking establishments, we were one of the tops in the state in regards to that issue. Personally, although I have never smoked, I figure it should be allowed in bars and restaurants if the owner wishes. Patrons have their choice whether to spend their money in those restaurants or not.

I gotta say Peter, you sound like a terrible snob. Don't forget that the vast majority of us come from big metropolitan areas.

What about the employees who work at those restaurants and bars and DON'T smoke? In case you didn't know, second hand smoke is harmful. Unfortunately, many business owners in the area need to be educated about that fact. I am not a snob, just informed. I grew up in metro NYC where smoking was banned in EVERY bar & restaurant 8 yrs ago. If you own a business, would you cater to the 15% of the population that smokes or the 85% who do not?