Boathouse Restaurant
14039 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI, 49686
Boathouse Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Traverse City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Traverse City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Traverse City for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
14039 Peninsula Dr
Traverse City, MI, 49686 - Phone (231) 223-4030
- Website https://boathouseonwestbay.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :3:00 pm - 9:00pm
- Mon : 3:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Upscale
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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karen p.
had a wonderful dinner last friday.wow
(4)Steve M.
There were 7 of us and the best thing about the Boathouse was it's location. Food was good, but a bit over-priced. Server was very nice, but food came out at all different times and mistakes were made--could be kitchen related. The manager that night was rude and very "bullish" on himself. I recently bought a house on Old Mission Peninsula and was looking forward to having an upscale restaurant nearby... I doubt we'll ever return to the Boathouse.
(2)karen p.
had a wonderful dinner last friday.wow
(4)Christin R.
The food is amazing and the view is incredible. I highly recommend!
(5)Blake J.
This is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever been too. A great place for a romantic dinner. The establishment is beautiful, and if you go around sunset, the view is amazing. Everything visually is outstanding. The only reason I didn't give it a five star is the price. It is very expensive. Seafood in a place nowhere near the sea, although they do serve local fish. Which is cool. The waiter was really cool, and he was very helpful. But all in all this place is a winner.
(4)Paula H.
Wow! The food, the service, and the view were incomparable . Do not let the $$$ scare you off. You more than get your monies worth! We had French toast, salads, a cheese board, and burgers and everybody in our party raved about their meal.
(5)Hamilton A.
This place was really hyped - so we tried it.....we're sorry we did. The whitefish was very BLAND. We had just ordered whitefish in 3 other restaurants in Traverse City and it was outstanding - so we were sure this place could match the others....we were wrong. For $20 (lunch) we wish we had gone to the other restaurant on that peninsula - which we went to a couple of years ago and we loved their food. I believe this place has a great view but the whitefish didn't match the view.
(3)Geoff S.
Last night I finally dined at this epicurean delight. I shared the sea scallops as an appetizer which was fantastic. The price was a bit high but I already knew what to expect. The scallops were finished with a yam purée accompanied by a saffron butter some prosciutto and a morel mushroom. The appetizer was great but I'm not a huge fan of morel mushrooms in February. I had the Ribeye special from the restaurant week menu for dinner which was cooked to a perfect rare like I requested but the "potato pancake" was really just hash browns. The salad prior to the beef was a wedge of iceberg lettuce, and although I enjoyed the variation with the full slice of bacon, it still couldn't replicate a true lettuce wedge from Modes. Dessert was both creme brûlée and chocolate mousse which were fine but not remarkable. How was the service? Ashley, our server, was attentive, personable, friendly, and was never pushy yet there exactly when needed, exceptional young lady. The highlight was the overly flamboyant male server who cracked me up every time he threw a princess fit when things weren't going his was. I will totally be coming back.
(5)Alison B.
Our experience at this restaurant was not good. While the food was good and the scenery is very pretty, the service from the manager was terrible and portions are exceptionally small. The manager was not friendly and not accommodating to say the least. For the prices that this restaurant charges, food and service should be top notch. Overall - not satisfied and we will not be returning.
(2)Karen J.
Great scallop appetizer and great apple beet salad. Awful lobster bisque, tasted burnt and greasy appearence. Beef tenderloin flavorless and lobster was not cooked correctly, raw. Service very pretenseious . Left hungry and dis-satisfied.
(1)Laura M.
The food was great until 6 of our party of 9 were up all night with major FOOD POISONING! The chef blamed it on the 'rich food'...ridiculous, what kind of rich food causes vomit, diarrhea, and fever?! I just hope the elderly couples that were dinning near us are OK.
(1)Jeri J.
You start out with driving up the Peninsula with a gorgeous view of the bay and the wineries. You end at the cutest boathouse with an awesome view of the lake right outside the deck. We were really fortunate to get seated outside, the best view I've ever had at a restaurant even trumps California restaurants! My fiance had the Surf and Turf....1 1/2 lb. lobster and 4 oz. Kobe Beef filet. He was in heaven! He likes took every piece of meat possible in the lobster. I had the Chilean sea bass with hazelnut risotto. The best risotto I've ever had and the sea bass was delicious! We couldn't have asked for a better place to celebrate our new engagement!
(5)Gali B.
Excellent food, beautiful view, wonderfully cozy ambiance, excellent service. They didn't have French fries but they had potatoes so the chef made them for my two year old! Amazing! The Hawaiian sushi app was amazing. For dinner we had a Dover sole, a sea bass, and the filet - all of which were heaven!
(5)Ender W.
I have tried this place several times, including an extremely disappointing wine dinner. Each time, the portions have been small and the prices exhorbitant. On my last visit, I tried to suggest some improvements and was basically told they didn't need my business since I obviously could not afford it.
(1)Tracy B.
Went for brunch yesterday with mom and my 6 year old daughter for a girl's day. Ordered the bruschetta, it was soggy, it went back and came back much improved if a little lighter on the serving. I made the mistake of having the bloody mary and for $7.50 got a basic bloody w/2 olives. I always forget their drink prices are outrageous, lesson learned. My daughter had the creme brulee french toast, it was enough for two, amazing flavors, fresh berries and fresh whipped cream. Mom had the Maine Eggs Benedict, lobster was cooked well enough but the hollandaise was so lemony it drowned out the taste of everything else on the plate. I ordered the asparagus and morel omelette. It was supposed to have a bernaise sauce which would have been lovely but they decided to put the lemony hollandaise on it...I couldn't taste a morel from egg, blah. $85 for 3 for brunch is extreme, but it was a lovely day and the view was beautiful. I'll go back if I can get another 50% off certificate but since it's in the neighborhood, I'll probably end up at the Jolly Pumpkin. For Sunday brunch I'll stick to Bubba's in town.
(3)Greg H.
Big, consistent fan of this restaurant. Combine a great setting, open seating and great food & service and you get a fantastic experience. There were 7 of us, and they performed beautifully. Everyone had something different and all servings were well presented and great tasting. We asked for a special dessert combination and we got it!....plus a visit from the chef himself, Eric Nittolo. Will definitely visit again the next time we're fortunate enough to get out of the Texas heat. Enjoy!
(4)Pat Z.
It's disappointing to write this review but dinner at the Boathouse was disappointing last night. It started out good with a friendly waiter, but I ordered a steak and that was a mistake. It came smothered in a sauce which probably shouldn't be needed if the steak is as good as it's reported to be, but more importantly, it was really overcooked. They agreed to re-fire it. It took 35 minutes. Everyone at my table was finished when it came, and this time it was undercooked. No one checked in to ask about it. The GM and waiter were preoccupied with another table. No apology. No credit. No willingness to make the situation right. When I spoke to the hostess about speaking to the manager, she asked me what I would say if I could speak to him since he was unavailable. That even made the situation worse. There are so many other less expensive and better restaurants in Traverse City, that I can't see returning to the Boathouse. It was pricey; the food was not cooked well, and the lack of any sort of instinct about good customer service was missing.
(1)Andrea C.
This place was recommended to us by our B&B and it was EXCELLENT!!! Everything about it was wonderful... the food, the service, the ambiance, and their wine list. For appetizers, we had the oysters rockefeller that had a wonderful beurre blanc sauce (wine and butter I think)!!! The sauce was amazing, I literally used all the left over to dip my bread in. I had to stop the bus boy from taking the little sauce dish away until I got every drip out of it. Mmmmm! My husband absolutely fell in love with the Foie Gras appetizer - grilled, black mission fig cardamom jam, tart cherry concentrate, lingonberry paste, balsamic syrup, pear chips. There were sooooo many great selections for entrees. I could not decide at all what I wanted and all the dishes I was considering were all favorites at the restaurant. So what was I suppose to do? So our waitress Heidi was awesome and checked with the rest of the staff and they were able to prepare me a twist on surf and turf. I was highly debating between the Kobe filet mignon and the chilean sea bass, so the chef was able to do smaller portions of both for me. How awesome was that! The filet just melted in your mouth and came with a wonderful shitake mushroom sauce with sauteed spinach. And the Chilean Sea Bass was perfectly seared on a bed of parsley root emulson (not quite sure exactly what it was, but it was delicious). My husband had the scallops with brandied lobster mushroom cream sauce, gnocchi, truffled balsamic nectar, and truffle crunchies. The scallops were absolutely huge. He always finishes his food, and the dish was so delicious and filling that for once it was impossible to eat the whole plate. Over all, we loved this place. The food was fresh, delicious, and innovative. Prices were quite reasonable and service was excellent. No doubt 5 star rating hands down! We will be back next time we are in the area.
(5)Christine D.
I may want this as my last meal.
(5)Sheau W.
I'm gonna add a million more stars to the Boathouse Restaurant. Last summer, I made a last minute decision to go to Traverse City. It was wonderful, driving up the Peninsular, enjoying wine tasting visiting the vineyard and the cherry farms.. So I went up to the lighthouse and met some local folks there and they told me about the Boathouse. I never wanted to leave the restaurant, there's an outdoor sitting overlooking the lake. It was such a beautiful restaurant. Food? Even better.. the chef served us the dinner menu although we were there at lunch time. I love the servers, they are really nice and helpful. and the price? not even close to what you pay at Chicago.. So if you are ever..ever going to visit Traverse City, make sure you have to stop by the Boathouse Restaurant. Everyone at Traverse City knows about the Boathouse Restaurant.. Do you? :-)
(5)Abby W.
One word...Phenomenal! This place has beautiful ambiance with walls of windows, being tucked away in Bowers Harbor. The service, impeccable! The food was not only amazing but was beautifully presented. Definitely on the pricey side for the Traverse City area but well worth it! Known for their seafood and Kobe beef both of which we had at our table and it was unbelievably good!
(5)James A.
Absolutely, hands down, the best restaurant in Northern Michigan! I have lived in TC for 25 years and this is as good as it gets. Don't waste your money at pretentious dives like Stella and Amical. Food is contemporary with a French influence, the chef is amazing. Comes with a complementary beautiful drive on Peninsula Drive. I would recommend making a reservation, dining room fills up quickly.
(5)kate p.
Vegan Friendly I went here recently with my parents, there was nothing I could eat on the menu, but I noticed at the very bottom a line that said "vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free meals available upon request". So I inquired to the waitress regarding the vegan option. She said the chef would probably be out soon to talk to me about what I liked. Chef never came out and I was getting a little nervous (did they forget?). Right before the meal was served, the waitress came out and was like "are you ok with surprises?" and i was like "yes..." even though I'm totally not. WELL! I got pretty much the most amazing, delicious meal ever. Everyone in the restaurant was eyeing my plate (well, it was more like a tray) with envy. I had morels, fingerling potatoes in truffle oil, peanut shoots on top of sundried tomatoes, peppers, artichoke hearts, and some fresh strawberries on the side. Everything was perfect, in season, fresh, prepared perfectly. IT WAS AMAZING. Perfect "nice dinner" spot, especially if you have a veg or vegan guest in your party. You don't have to go through "the list" of what vegan means. The chef seems enthusiastic about cooking challenges, including making vegan stuff. SO AWESOME! Eat here.
(5)Dee S.
Had desserts and coffee in the afternoon, and enjoyed every moment of it! Very accommodating stuff and chef welcomed us off the regular hours and made sure we are comfortable. We sat outdoors on the deck, enjoyed a glorious afternoon in the tented deck. Tables are all with white table cloths, service was excellent, the only thing we missed was a soft background music. The major drawback was a constant whiff of bad (garbage like) smell from what they claim is a home made contraption to attract (the non existing) insects The prices are up there but for the location it's hard to expect much less. The place is a piece of European establishment in the midst of a beautiful semi-rural setting.
(4)Alexander G.
This place is amazing. Right on a peninsula on the water, with beautiful views. Sit out on the deck in the warmer months if you're able. Exceptional view of the sunset too. Service is excellent; attentive but not annoying. The food is great too. Fresh, imaginative, delicious. The lobster we had was so fresh and well prepared that we could have sworn we were eating in Maine. A wee bit pricey, but well worth it. The wine list is very reasonably priced though. You won't regret a visit here!
(5)michael b.
really nice restaurant. great location and the restaurant itself is homey. the food is good and well cooked. the fish was lightly battered and the steaks were excellent-- nothing overly fancy but it works. great spot for a special occasion.
(4)Ruth J.
There are several things I love about the Boathouse Restaurant! First, it is in Traverse City (one of the prettiest places in Michigan), and is located on the shores of the gorgeous Bowers Harbor in Traverse City. The restaurant lends itself to fantastic views of the sparkling, blue bay water, with huge windows and an outdoor deck. The interior of the restaurant is decorated in a very charming, non-pretentious, and subtly nautical way. Second, the restaurant is literally farm-to-table for some of its offerings. The owner and his wife have a farm where they grow organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs for the restaurant. How cool is that? They are also committed to putting a huge emphasis on recycling and other environmentally-friendly practices. Third, the French-inspired food is very nice and varied. The menu offers cool dishes like foie gras, roasted quail, various cheese and charcuterie boards, kobe beef, lamb, elk, and lots of seafood, too. We ended up ordering tempura asparagus, roasted quail, the elk rack, and a whitefish. The quail was really good. It came with delicious honey marinade, yam puree, and cherries. The perfect blend of sweet and salty. The elk had a great juniper flavor, and came with kale, squash puree, and a beautiful berry glaze. The fish (I forgot exactly what type it was) was also very well presented. On the other hand, we were not a fan of the tempura asparagus. In retrospect, I have no idea why we even ordered it (maybe it was out of curiosity as to how a gourmet restaurant would prepare it). It was overwhelming and a little soggy, and oily enough to put BP to shame. But asparagus tempura misadventure notwithstanding, we had a wonderful time. I would still recommend this restaurant as a stalwart of Michiganian beauty and farm-to-table dining.
(4)Wenqing S.
The food here is very good! Plus this place has a one-million dollar view! You are literally sit by the water and the view is amazing! We ordered the halibut and the fish was cooked perfectly! It has a very rich flavor, and paired really well with the truffle and rissotto! The cocktail here is very good too! Love it!
(5)Suha V.
Great view. We had the shrimp and lobster bisque-yummy. White fish pate. And the lobster salad with grapefruit-!
(5)Laurel S.
Just had dinner here the other night while visiting in Traverse City area. We were amazed by the location of the restaurant. The views are stunning. Service was great. Our waitress spent a lot of time with us helping recommend dishes and also answering our questions. The morel bisque is AMAZING...a must try for mushroom lovers. I had the quinoa sweet potato cakes and they were pretty good. Not amazing but pretty tasty. The rest of the table had an array of seafood dishes which were supposedly some of the best the have had. Overall, this was an enjoyable experience and we plan on going back.
(5)Tim S.
Beware - I took my better half out to celebrate her birthday and we received a most unwelcome surprise. We each ordered a 4oz lobster tail. When they arrived they looked great - but as it's said "looks can be deceiving". As I raised my first bite something overwhelmed me - it took me a few seconds - and bites - to place it, but the smell and taste of ammonia was stifling. We summoned our server and she, the chef and the manager all confirmed we had bad lobsters. They bought us a glass of wine and replaced our tails but the evening wasn't the same. For a top shelf restaurant I would think they would check for things like this before serving... And no, the place was pleasantly busy but not packed (most tables occupied but many empty ones too). I'm not sure if we'll give it another chance sometime, but for now I'd steer clear of the non-metal seafood.
(1)Deanna S.
The Boathouse is beautiful and food is excellent! We requested vegetarian dish not on the menu and their creation was fantastic! They were willing to make anything we desired. Service was excellent. Boathouse martini also great! Highly recommend. Nice restaurant on wine tour.
(5)Kristina B.
Wow. Amazing environment and truly delicious food. We were celebrating a big anniversary for my inlaws and the restaurant was so accommodating with the little table decorations we wanted to do, even effectively distracting my inlaws so we could decorate. The menu was amazing and we all wanted to try everything. After dinner we walked outside along the marina to enjoy the sunset. We will return!
(5)Hannah W.
Really fantastic meal and view! Delicious entrees, especially the Kobe beef and lobster we tried. The bisque soup was tasty, albeit a bit cold (we tried to eat ours anyway, but saw a number of other guests send theirs back). The wine list was comprehensive and desserts were good, although the pecan tart was a bit too sweet. 4 stars only because the soup was cold and service was rather slow.
(4)Tom F.
In my opinion this is the best restaurant in Traverse City! The view is incredible, the waitstaff were polite and friendly, the morel mushroom soup was tdf, the seafood salad was awesome. Can't wait to come back to this place.
(5)Katharine K.
Visited this restaurant for a Brys Estate Wine Dinner and then again a few months later during restaurant week. Beautiful building, take time to appreciate the woodwork! Great view if you can get there when the suns out. Wonderful, professional and knowledgeable staff, great food with a good variety of options and very accommodating. The lobster was delicious! As is the shrimp and lobster bisque. Great creme brûlée! Server Ryan was wonderful!
(4)Hollina U.
Food was good, view was great, being able to sit outside and enjoy the view and the nice summer weather that is so short here is even better. But the service sucks. There were about four other tables on the patio, and one inside, and two waitresses---- our waitress just took forever to take our order--- waited 20 minutes before she came over to take it, our water glasses were empty for a while, and she just wasn't attentive enough. It started to sprinkle and we were still sitting outside waiting for our check. Well, of course we got up to move under the tent to wait for our check, but it would have been nice if she was thoughtful enough to hurry up or see if we wanted to be moved or something. She seemed like she was rushing but I have no idea what else she was doing, since there was only one or two tables besides us near the end. Maybe she was helping to prep or something, who knows. Oh, and my friends ordered the oysters and complained it tasted fishy. I was also disappointed that the parmesan couscous that came with my salmon was the bigger kind of couscous instead of the finer variety-- but I guess couscous is all couscous.
(2)Kris C.
Couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting with perfectly cooked food. We sat near the window and looked out to the bay the whole meal. The food was very unique. We got oysters and escargot for appetizers which were perfect. Our main dishes were Alaskan halibut and rack of lamb which were both cooked very well and the sides provided were very good. Lastly our dessert was to die for. It was pretty expensive, but well worth it for a special occasion.
(5)Caitlyn T.
The whole experience was very pleasurable. It was busy but the service was great. It was restaurant week so there was a deal. Normally the deals stink at places but this deal included splendid options. Would definately recommend others to go there.
(5)Ron P.
Wonderful! A must place to dine when visiting. Wife and I celebrated our anniversary here after many recommendations and all I can say after having the elk and filet is WOW!! Complements to the chef Jim who came out to say happy anniversary! Just wonderful! Thanks to all at the Boat House! All the staff were great and friendly! Now go and indulge yourself!!
(5)Christina G.
DON'T EAT HERE. $450 wasted! I am not one to write bad reviews unless something is especially terrible. This place takes the cake. My husband took me for our one year wedding anniversary. We thought it would be a nice 4/5 star high end meal. We were disappointed. Atmosphere was obnoxious. Our waiter was rude. A table of 10 DOCTORS FROM CHICAGO (in CAPS because they were yelling that all night) was so loud and overbearing the table next to us left. The drinks are small and over priced. The escargot appetizer was the only edible item. My surf and turf was laughable. Bad filet, small over cooked lobster pieces. My husband's lamb was the worst lamb we've ever had. We had an incredibly disappointing evening for $250 and then we were more mad at ourselves for not speaking up while we were there. This was a year ago. This afternoon my father in law told us where he spent his 28 yr anniversary dinner this past weekend. Ironically it was THE BOAT HOUSE. He did not know of our experience He had terrible lamb . His wife had an okay scallop appetizer and side salad. Cost of a crappy dinner $200. I will pay $$$$ for an excellent meal but expect a level of quality. The Boat House has more than $450 from my family and I hope this review stops others from going there until they fix their nose in the air Nantucket wanna be restaurant.
(1)Martha V.
My husband and I had dinner here during a mid-week visit to the Traverse City area. The food was very good (we both had filet). The service was good. The wine list was really nice. The view of the sunset over the bay was tremendous. The restaurant is really dark - I ordered my filet medium (I know, I know) and I'm pretty sure it came out a lot closer to medium rare, but I couldn't see well enough to be sure. It was an excellent filet, and I did enjoy it. We had a very nice charcuterie/cheese selection to start. Had a good salad. Enjoyed some nice Californian wine. And we finished with dessert - a nice slice of cheese cake we split. We really enjoyed dinner here. If you are looking for an excellent steak or filet in NW Michigan, this is your place. We made reservations for a Tuesday night at 7pm (in September) but I'm not sure we really needed to as the restaurant wasn't full. I would absolutely recommend it.
(4)Charlie B.
This is a tricky one. I went here for dinner to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We had a great time, but there for this price, things should be pretty close to perfect! So, we started by ordering a round of drinks. We ended up with drinks being spilled, not just on the table but all over one of us! There were apologies, but nobody asked if clothes were OK (they weren't and a purse had red wine stains). We were good sports and moved to a new table. When we got the bill, the drinks weren't taken off the total, which would be least that someone could do. As for the food, there were some really good things. Scallops were wonderful and cooked perfect. Mushroom bisque was so great. Fish was cooked well. But, they tout the steaks they serve. For being very expense steaks, they were served at room temp and overdone. A real letdown for that high price. The setting is stellar and the place is in a beautiful spot. I wanted to love it here, but the service could be better and for this price the food should be perfect. Pull it together Boathouse! For over $100/person, you should be doing much, much better!
(2)Nancy K.
This is an exceptional, albeit out of the way, spot. I've dined here twice, soup to nuts, and everything has been perfect from the moment we arrived until we left. The steak is the star here and even if you're craving seafood it's best to do a surf and turf combination. And do not skimp on the steak - go with the ultra-super-prime Kobe. I love the tempura asparagus appetizer and the wedge salad. The beet salad is also fantastic. Both the au poirve and bernaise are perfect accompaniments to the steak. If you can, try the parsnip purée. We never order sides because the entrees are perfectly dressed and it allows a little room for dessert, which is a must here. Go with their creme brûlée, anything chocolate or traditional desserts like cheesecake. Unless they have the ice cream sandwich with salted caramel ice cream - freaking amazing! The service and setting make this a must on your Traverse City eating list.
(5)Jennifer G.
This has always been one of our favorite places. However this year visiting it twice we found it to be way overpriced and the food not up to standards. We took a large family there, all the steaks were cooked wrong. My medium well steak was cold and red inside. When we asked for a second roll/bread we were told it was one to a customer. Mind you the filet is nearly $100. per person! There was nothing about it except the view that was even remotely worth the price. The rest of our stay in Traverse City we went to Apache Trout Grill. We found it to be about 1/5 of the price, great staff and food cooked to order. I would never eat at the Boat House again even though in the past it was a wonderful experience and we loved the chef from New York.
(1)Dean K.
OK, so this is not going to be much of a review since i did not eat a meal. i just had the whitefish pate and a couple cocktails on the deck. actually, just makers mark over ice. i don't do cocktails. but the gorgeous day and the view made it an experience to remember. i will most definitely be back with an appetite.
(5)Bruno S.
Kobe Tartare, New Zealand Lamb Rack, Heritage Pork Trio, and Great Lakes Whitefish we all enjoyed by our group. The lamb was the very best one in our group had ever enjoyed. Exceptional view over the bay at sunset. Great meal in a fabulous location. Service was very knowledgable and quite efficient. Relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Mark W.
Amazing meal and location. Definitely a gem.
(5)Michelle H.
Beautiful location and ambiance. The food was excellent, and the service was perfect.
(5)Ginny F.
My husband and I had dinner there last Monday and everything was excellent. We each had escargot followed with a filet and both were exceptional. The service was excellent. What surprised me was that the restaurant was packed on a Monday evening and I was very great flu we had reservations. I would highly recommend this place for any occasion. Of course the view is so beautiful. What a gem!
(5)Kurt S.
Well I will start off by saying it was not our intention to even go out to dinner on Friday, but we were out for a drive and it was such a beautiful night we stopped at The Boathouse and were seated at a wonderful table out on the deck. We got there early..5:30 ish We had a great waitress named Kim and an awesome hard working busboy named Kyle... We started with a few appetizers, Tempura Asparagus and Shrimp Cocktail. The shrimp were big, firm and meaty!! The asparagus tempura was almost too light and flaky...it tasted like they were deep friend in old oil, or bacon rendering...not sure...shrimp cocktail great..asparagus tempura gets a 4.. Boathouse salad was good. My wife had the Lobster Bisque...it was good, could have had just a bit more lobster meat in it, but tasty nonetheless. We wanted to try the Kobe Beef, but neither of us were super hungry and did not feel like spending 100.00 for a 10oz filet, so we went with the 12 oz Kobe NY Strip. This is the headscratcher...I would think that you would grill a 12 oz NY strip to retain its flavor and tenderness, but our meat was pan seared and then finished in the oven. The pan searing made the outside tough and almost crunchy...finishing it in the oven gave it a "pot roast" texture. Maybe that is the way they prepare in Kobe...if so, I'll take a good old American Grilling anytime. Chocolate Bliss Cake for desert....awesome To sum it up....beautiful view, good service, food was ok but in my mind overpriced. * This is just one person's impression from one visit...do not let it discourage you from checking this place out.
(2)Lori P.
It's true...The view at this restaurant is beautiful... but I don't know what has happened to the food. (The new chef? The owner trying to gouge his/her patrons because of the short season?) We've come here in the past whenever we're in Traverse City and, previously, have been happy with the food, staff and ambiance, even though the price is on the high side. This time, we brought friends, raving to them about the restaurant, and ended up embarrassed that we brought them. The food was mediocre at best, and so far overpriced for the amount and quality that it became a joke at the table to see what would happen next. Beet salad included 3 slices of beets and a few goat cheese crumbles on top of some ribbons of lettuce. I ordered lamb, which came as two fatty mini chops on top of a sliced fingerling potato. The "family sized portion" of creamed spinach was a total of 3 tablespoons. The rest of the table had similar experiences. We won't be back.
(1)Barnaby F.
The location is so good, they could get away with a sub-par restaurant. But the food and service are a solid 3.5-4 stars on their own. Throw in the view from the deck and we're in solid 4-5 star territory. Leaving this review short, 'cuz it works that way.
(4)Kevin W.
Amazing food and ambiance. Highly recommended for lunch when visiting the wine country... Try the lobster bisque special if they have it that day.. not the traditional bisque and yummy!!
(5)Rebecca B.
This place is spectacular!! It has a lovely waterfront setting, though we weren't able to see it from our table.. I called early in the day to make a reservation and was told the only available reservation was for 9:30!! Well, we just can't wait that long to eat!! The hostess did tell me they might have some no shows and we could show up and try to get in. After the reviews I had read, I really wanted to eat here, so we gambled and walked in. They have a couple of tables near the front door in sort of a side vestibule that are basically first come, first serve tables.. not the greatest location, but at least we got a table.. Everything on the menu is a la carte. Everything is also very expensive, but hey we're on vacation, let's splurge for that $17 bowl of bisque!! My boyfriend and I ordered the Kobe fillet which melted in our mouths. This meat was so tender and delicous!! It was topped with an equally delish crab cake - bonus!! I like my steak rare, but can rarely get it that way - it's as if people are afraid.. this was cooked perfectly rare..perfect!!! I will have to admit my Long Island Iced Tea left a little bit to be desired, but was was good.. I'm just super fussy when it comes to my cocktails.. My boyfriends daughter was with and recently decided she's not going to eat meat anymore, well there wasn't really anything for her other than salad. They had a lobster macaroni on the menu, the waiter suggested that minus the lobster - it was the best macaroni she's ever had! I think our bill was just under $300 for the three of us, pretty pricey, but the experience was well worth it!! Next time I'm in town, I'll call for reservations earlier..
(5)Maggie H.
Years ago we stumbled upon the boat house after a wine tasting event. The head chef was at a winery tasting his bisque with truffle oil and we were hooked into dinner instantly. We went to dinner that evening and have gone back every time we go to our condo in traverse. The American Kobe beef steaks are amazing along with the Kobe Carpaccio. My husband likes the escargot, however they use anise which I have never appreciated. We have also had the tempura asparagus and morels, which were great. Get the apple beet salad (amazing). Every time we have been to the Boathouse our service has been wonderful not only by the staff but from management and the Chef. Almost every time we have eaten there the Chef has come out and personally spoken to us about meal selections and how our experience was. Plus, excuse the brief hippie-esque rant, the Boat House's view on sustainable farming, local produce, and co-op raised meats is admirable and something that my family and I believe in strongly. If you are in Traverse and are looking for an upscale experience I highly recommend the Boat House. Over multiple trips we have always been satisfied and happy to go back.
(5)Erin D.
This is our yearly lunch stop while hitting up the mission wineries. Lunch/Brunch prices are extremely reasonable; run anywhere from $10-$20, depending what you order. You can't beat the view! Get a window seat inside or enjoy the patio for a slightly more casual lunch. They serve breakfast until dinner menu. Last visit table ordered: Bruscetta-6 pieces with tomato, artichoke hearts, capers, topped with mozzarella and a balsamic drizzle. Crab sandwich-crab cake topped with soft shell crab served w housemade potato chips. Very LG portion. The 3 who ordered took half home. Burger- on a great roll, topped with a crisp onion ring. Eggs Benedict-perfectly poached with crisp Canadian Bacon. Fingerling potatoes, onions and fresh fruit. Also very large portion.
(5)Greg B.
This place is awesome. Fresh seafood and local meats. The staff is friendly and the view is excellent!
(5)Michael E.
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(3)Heather L.
Love the Boathouse...easily one of my Northern Michigan favorites! Whenever we are in the area my husband I at least try to sneak away for a cheese platter and glass of wine on the patio (overlooking the bay-beautiful!). Last time we were fortunate to arrive early enough for brunch-his morel omelette and my creme brulee french toast were TO DIE FOR. I have had dinner here too (during Traverse City restaurant week) and again AWESOME.
(5)Brittany A.
Fabulous. Fabulous sunset views, great wine selection. The waygu filet (obviously not actual waygu but... that's what they call it) was fabulous, but small. They offer it with the shrimp or lobster or crab cake which is a delicious accompaniment. The waygu strip steak was a surprise. By far the best strip steak I've ever had. It was a generous portion and grilled to perfection. They recommended the lamb over the steak but we disagreed. It was still very good and substantially cheaper but not what I prefer. Finally the calamari was good but a smaller portion than anticipated and the lobster mac and cheese was good but you must like truffle oil.
(5)Gina D.
I love that this restaurant is right on the water. The view is beautiful, and has outdoor seating. We came here for lunch on a late summer afternoon, based on a recommendation. We both ordered the mushroom soup and at $ 13 each, that is very pricey for soup for lunch or even dinner, and the amount you receive is not a lot of soup. I then ordered the pancko breaded walleye and husband ordered a salad with wild salmon. When I received my entree, it looked deep fried and over breaded. I stay away from fried foods and I did not have a good feeling about this. My husband liked his entree. Mine came with lobster ravioli. The breading overwhelmed the walleye, more breading than seafood. There was a tomato cream sauce which was good, but not much sauce. For the price that we paid for lunch, no bread basket was given with our meals? We never asked, but you would think they would give you bread like the majority of restaurants. Unfortunately, I did not feel well after my walleye entree, and I would not recommend this restaurant. I am sure there are a lot better for the price.
(1)Karie M.
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. It sits right on the water on Old Mission Peninsula. There are large windows so the view is gorgeous or there is a patio that you can sit and eat outside. I went there very early (around 5 pm) because I had my two year old son with me. I was dining with a group four other adults, myself and my son. Every single member of the staff was incredibly friendly and nice. Our waiter was excellent. They have a very reasonably priced kids menu. The kid's dishes come with fruit with whipped cream on top. The whipped cream is real and it's delicious. They were super nice to my son. He had a grilled cheese. I would say that the place is fine for kids. But, I would recommend going early. We finished dinner around 7 / 7:30 and the restaurant was getting considerably more crowded and it was definitely an adult atmosphere. The wine selection is amazing and the wine is excellent. I really couldn't choose between a soup or salad to start. I wanted to try the morel mushroom bisque but the boathouse salad looked so good too. I ended up going with the boathouse salad but my mom got the bisque. Both were simply awesome. The bisque is rich but you get just the perfect portion and it's absolutely divine. The boathouse salad has a perfect blend of ingredients. I had the scallops for dinner. It was a special. They were phenomenal!!! If they are on the menu - get them. My mom had the dover sole. That was good too and I almost ordered it too. I'm definitely happy I went with the scallops though - they were better than the sole. Two other members of my party got the Kobe queen filet. I am not a meat eater, but apparently they were really good. My aunt got veal, which really turns me off, so I'm going to refrain from commenting on it. This is definitely the kind of place that you order desert. So we did. One member of our party got the crème brule. It looked so good and came with the cutest piece of cotton candy on top. My grandma ordered bread pudding and I guess that was good too. I got some kind of sinful chocolate cake and every bite was amazing. One more thing to mention, whoever was working the raw bar that night was super cool to my son, who was fascinated with the raw bar. Just a really really top notch dining experience.
(5)Paul W.
Yep, it's got a darn nice location (if it's light outside) and pretty decent staff. BUT ... Extremely overpriced for the quality. I don't understand the New York City prices. I honestly think it wants to be a douchey Birmingham restaurant (and caters to those types from downstate and Chicago). Well it's TC guys; we live or visit here for a reason. And can you add a least something locally-sourced to the menu? Isn't TC a foodie-paradise? (which is probably why The Boathouse never gets a mention in any local foodie review.) I had the wagyu steak, which arrived cold like the sides. It was $50. My soup was $18. My entire party's meal was cold; too bad because flavors were good. And again, the price at least $100 per person. Ouch. I left embarrassed that I hauled my out-of-town guests there and we spent so much for a "just" OK meal when so many other better restaurants are in town (but we had the view -- haha - it was dark.)
(1)Jim M.
Fantastic meal with a very beautiful setting. Our party of five had appies of calamari, oysters & asparagus which were great. Main entres were sea bass, white fish, lamb, and probably the best filet I have ever had. I highly recommend this location for foodies; romance, and their deck for group dinners.
(5)Jenna P.
An ABSOLUTE must-see if you are in the Traverse City area. I had one of the best meals of my life in this restaurant. Having read many reviews and studied the menu prior to my Michigan trip, I was a little nervous about the price-range. We decided to go for lunch instead, to save some money while still getting a nice meal. It was more than worth every penny. First, the location!! The Boathouse is located right on the water. They have plenty of room on the outdoor deck, and the view simply cannot be beat. Absolutely a beautiful, perfect, romantic setting for a meal. And the food! We started with the fried crispy duck wings, and they were exquisite. Lightly crispy on the outside, absolutely melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. It came with a cherry hot sauce that was also delicious. I ordered the veal marsala. It was absolutely wonderful. The veal, sauce, noodles and mushrooms complemented one another perfectly. The bf ordered the prime filet, which was certainly one of the best steaks I've ever tasted. Every single bite of our meals was simply wonderful. They also offer an array of local Michigan wines for very reasonable prices. Oh, and the creme brulee dessert was sinfully good, and the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal. The staff could not have been more polite and accommodating. It was a lovely, leisurely meal. When (two hours later) it was finally over, I was reluctant to leave the restaurant! At the end of the day, we had a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two entrees, a dessert, and a cappuccino, all for under $100! Considering the perfect location, breath-taking views, and AMAZINGLY good food, it was more than worth the price!
(5)Rodney H.
Late summer we stayed at Chateau Chantal during a mission peninsula wine trip & we were recommended the Boathouse. Firstly the view is spectacular especially as the sun sets over the water, the outside deck is lovely & inside is equally nice. The Service is of a very high standard, the wine list is expansive & the food was very good, a good mixture of seafood, fish & meat dishes,the style is contemporary with French undertones, not my usually favorite but everything is done so well, with such good service in such a spectacular location. I highly recommend
(5)Jared H.
As Yelp puts it, this place is "As good as it gets!" My wife and dined at the Boathouse in December of 2010 on our honeymoon and we were very pleased with the restaurant all around. We arrived around 7 or 8 and we were the only guests. We assumed that business would pick up, but it didn't - we actually had the entire restaurant to ourselves for the entirety of our meal. (For those not in this are or whom don't remember, there was a massive snow storm in December '10 just a couple days prior to our visit. I assume this had a big impact on tourism.) Also, the food was very good although not perfect. I often cook parmesean risotto at home. On the menu at the Boathouse, they had a maple hazelnut risotto on the menu at the time. We were both intrigued, so we ordered it. Absolutely nothing was wrong with the dish and we enjoyed the plating and appearance. Unfortunately, we did not care for the flavor combination. I want to make it clear this was strictly our preference, not anything at all wrong with the dish. It was our first time trying a sweet risotto, and it simply wasn't something we cared for. Also, the risotto here was perfectly cooked (can rice be called al dente?) and to be honest I like mine a little overcooked. Our server nicely asked us how we were enjoying our meal and we were honest - it seemed like a very nice dish but we did not really care for it. She insisted that it be removed from our bill. We made it clear that it was our fault for ordering something we were completely unfamiliar with and that nothing was wrong with the food - so we'd pay for it. Nope, she removed it anyways and insisted that we have another appetizer instead - for free. We chose the kobe sliders that they had on the menu at the time as we found the concept very amusing - kobe... in sliders? They were very good and we were pleased! Then came the entrees. My wife ordered the peppercorn crusted Kobe fillet, and I had the cornish game hen. The fillet (cooked medium rare - medium) was excellent. I have never seen a fillet anywhere near this tender, and the flavor was excellent. The crusting was flavorful without overwhelming the beef - basically just perfect. It came with fingerling potatoes which were also very good - they seemed almost creamy. The hen wasn't bad, but obviously it couldn't compete with a kobe fillet - I just wasn't in the mood for beef. My only complaint is that it was slightly dry, but not too dry, and it did have a sauce. I won't go into more detail as it's not even on the menu anymore. As we were enjoying our dinner (still nobody there - we had the whole room to ourselves) Chef Eric came out to talk with us. He apologized that we did not like the risotto and we made it clear to him as well that nothing was wrong with the dish, it just didn't suit our taste. We talked for a few minutes about the food and he was very nice and it was very enjoyable to speak with him. When he asked why we were in the area and we told him we were married just a couple days before he insisted we celebrate - so he brought us sparkling wine (no charge). I am fairly confident that it was "Celebrate!" from Chateau Chantal (we've tried nearly all of the local wines and I'm very good at remembering the tastes). It's not the fanciest wine in the world but it is quite good and it was free - it was a very nice touch! All in all we spent around $120-140 with tip for the most memorable dining experience we've had to date. I highly recommend the Boathouse! Note - the queen and king cuts on the fillet used to be only about $20 difference in price so this total was for a king cut fillet, cornish game hen, free appetizer, free sparkling wine, and whatever drinks we may have had with the meal (I believe we had coffee or tea, no alcohol included in the bill).
(5)James A.
Absolutely, hands down, the best restaurant in Northern Michigan! I have lived in TC for 25 years and this is as good as it gets. Don't waste your money at pretentious dives like Stella and Amical. Food is contemporary with a French influence, the chef is amazing. Comes with a complementary beautiful drive on Peninsula Drive. I would recommend making a reservation, dining room fills up quickly.
(5)Alexander G.
This place is amazing. Right on a peninsula on the water, with beautiful views. Sit out on the deck in the warmer months if you're able. Exceptional view of the sunset too. Service is excellent; attentive but not annoying. The food is great too. Fresh, imaginative, delicious. The lobster we had was so fresh and well prepared that we could have sworn we were eating in Maine. A wee bit pricey, but well worth it. The wine list is very reasonably priced though. You won't regret a visit here!
(5)michael b.
really nice restaurant. great location and the restaurant itself is homey. the food is good and well cooked. the fish was lightly battered and the steaks were excellent-- nothing overly fancy but it works. great spot for a special occasion.
(4)Andrea C.
This place was recommended to us by our B&B and it was EXCELLENT!!! Everything about it was wonderful... the food, the service, the ambiance, and their wine list. For appetizers, we had the oysters rockefeller that had a wonderful beurre blanc sauce (wine and butter I think)!!! The sauce was amazing, I literally used all the left over to dip my bread in. I had to stop the bus boy from taking the little sauce dish away until I got every drip out of it. Mmmmm! My husband absolutely fell in love with the Foie Gras appetizer - grilled, black mission fig cardamom jam, tart cherry concentrate, lingonberry paste, balsamic syrup, pear chips. There were sooooo many great selections for entrees. I could not decide at all what I wanted and all the dishes I was considering were all favorites at the restaurant. So what was I suppose to do? So our waitress Heidi was awesome and checked with the rest of the staff and they were able to prepare me a twist on surf and turf. I was highly debating between the Kobe filet mignon and the chilean sea bass, so the chef was able to do smaller portions of both for me. How awesome was that! The filet just melted in your mouth and came with a wonderful shitake mushroom sauce with sauteed spinach. And the Chilean Sea Bass was perfectly seared on a bed of parsley root emulson (not quite sure exactly what it was, but it was delicious). My husband had the scallops with brandied lobster mushroom cream sauce, gnocchi, truffled balsamic nectar, and truffle crunchies. The scallops were absolutely huge. He always finishes his food, and the dish was so delicious and filling that for once it was impossible to eat the whole plate. Over all, we loved this place. The food was fresh, delicious, and innovative. Prices were quite reasonable and service was excellent. No doubt 5 star rating hands down! We will be back next time we are in the area.
(5)Christine D.
I may want this as my last meal.
(5)Sheau W.
I'm gonna add a million more stars to the Boathouse Restaurant. Last summer, I made a last minute decision to go to Traverse City. It was wonderful, driving up the Peninsular, enjoying wine tasting visiting the vineyard and the cherry farms.. So I went up to the lighthouse and met some local folks there and they told me about the Boathouse. I never wanted to leave the restaurant, there's an outdoor sitting overlooking the lake. It was such a beautiful restaurant. Food? Even better.. the chef served us the dinner menu although we were there at lunch time. I love the servers, they are really nice and helpful. and the price? not even close to what you pay at Chicago.. So if you are ever..ever going to visit Traverse City, make sure you have to stop by the Boathouse Restaurant. Everyone at Traverse City knows about the Boathouse Restaurant.. Do you? :-)
(5)Abby W.
One word...Phenomenal! This place has beautiful ambiance with walls of windows, being tucked away in Bowers Harbor. The service, impeccable! The food was not only amazing but was beautifully presented. Definitely on the pricey side for the Traverse City area but well worth it! Known for their seafood and Kobe beef both of which we had at our table and it was unbelievably good!
(5)Pat Z.
It's disappointing to write this review but dinner at the Boathouse was disappointing last night. It started out good with a friendly waiter, but I ordered a steak and that was a mistake. It came smothered in a sauce which probably shouldn't be needed if the steak is as good as it's reported to be, but more importantly, it was really overcooked. They agreed to re-fire it. It took 35 minutes. Everyone at my table was finished when it came, and this time it was undercooked. No one checked in to ask about it. The GM and waiter were preoccupied with another table. No apology. No credit. No willingness to make the situation right. When I spoke to the hostess about speaking to the manager, she asked me what I would say if I could speak to him since he was unavailable. That even made the situation worse. There are so many other less expensive and better restaurants in Traverse City, that I can't see returning to the Boathouse. It was pricey; the food was not cooked well, and the lack of any sort of instinct about good customer service was missing.
(1)Jenna P.
An ABSOLUTE must-see if you are in the Traverse City area. I had one of the best meals of my life in this restaurant. Having read many reviews and studied the menu prior to my Michigan trip, I was a little nervous about the price-range. We decided to go for lunch instead, to save some money while still getting a nice meal. It was more than worth every penny. First, the location!! The Boathouse is located right on the water. They have plenty of room on the outdoor deck, and the view simply cannot be beat. Absolutely a beautiful, perfect, romantic setting for a meal. And the food! We started with the fried crispy duck wings, and they were exquisite. Lightly crispy on the outside, absolutely melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. It came with a cherry hot sauce that was also delicious. I ordered the veal marsala. It was absolutely wonderful. The veal, sauce, noodles and mushrooms complemented one another perfectly. The bf ordered the prime filet, which was certainly one of the best steaks I've ever tasted. Every single bite of our meals was simply wonderful. They also offer an array of local Michigan wines for very reasonable prices. Oh, and the creme brulee dessert was sinfully good, and the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal. The staff could not have been more polite and accommodating. It was a lovely, leisurely meal. When (two hours later) it was finally over, I was reluctant to leave the restaurant! At the end of the day, we had a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two entrees, a dessert, and a cappuccino, all for under $100! Considering the perfect location, breath-taking views, and AMAZINGLY good food, it was more than worth the price!
(5)Jared H.
As Yelp puts it, this place is "As good as it gets!" My wife and dined at the Boathouse in December of 2010 on our honeymoon and we were very pleased with the restaurant all around. We arrived around 7 or 8 and we were the only guests. We assumed that business would pick up, but it didn't - we actually had the entire restaurant to ourselves for the entirety of our meal. (For those not in this are or whom don't remember, there was a massive snow storm in December '10 just a couple days prior to our visit. I assume this had a big impact on tourism.) Also, the food was very good although not perfect. I often cook parmesean risotto at home. On the menu at the Boathouse, they had a maple hazelnut risotto on the menu at the time. We were both intrigued, so we ordered it. Absolutely nothing was wrong with the dish and we enjoyed the plating and appearance. Unfortunately, we did not care for the flavor combination. I want to make it clear this was strictly our preference, not anything at all wrong with the dish. It was our first time trying a sweet risotto, and it simply wasn't something we cared for. Also, the risotto here was perfectly cooked (can rice be called al dente?) and to be honest I like mine a little overcooked. Our server nicely asked us how we were enjoying our meal and we were honest - it seemed like a very nice dish but we did not really care for it. She insisted that it be removed from our bill. We made it clear that it was our fault for ordering something we were completely unfamiliar with and that nothing was wrong with the food - so we'd pay for it. Nope, she removed it anyways and insisted that we have another appetizer instead - for free. We chose the kobe sliders that they had on the menu at the time as we found the concept very amusing - kobe... in sliders? They were very good and we were pleased! Then came the entrees. My wife ordered the peppercorn crusted Kobe fillet, and I had the cornish game hen. The fillet (cooked medium rare - medium) was excellent. I have never seen a fillet anywhere near this tender, and the flavor was excellent. The crusting was flavorful without overwhelming the beef - basically just perfect. It came with fingerling potatoes which were also very good - they seemed almost creamy. The hen wasn't bad, but obviously it couldn't compete with a kobe fillet - I just wasn't in the mood for beef. My only complaint is that it was slightly dry, but not too dry, and it did have a sauce. I won't go into more detail as it's not even on the menu anymore. As we were enjoying our dinner (still nobody there - we had the whole room to ourselves) Chef Eric came out to talk with us. He apologized that we did not like the risotto and we made it clear to him as well that nothing was wrong with the dish, it just didn't suit our taste. We talked for a few minutes about the food and he was very nice and it was very enjoyable to speak with him. When he asked why we were in the area and we told him we were married just a couple days before he insisted we celebrate - so he brought us sparkling wine (no charge). I am fairly confident that it was "Celebrate!" from Chateau Chantal (we've tried nearly all of the local wines and I'm very good at remembering the tastes). It's not the fanciest wine in the world but it is quite good and it was free - it was a very nice touch! All in all we spent around $120-140 with tip for the most memorable dining experience we've had to date. I highly recommend the Boathouse! Note - the queen and king cuts on the fillet used to be only about $20 difference in price so this total was for a king cut fillet, cornish game hen, free appetizer, free sparkling wine, and whatever drinks we may have had with the meal (I believe we had coffee or tea, no alcohol included in the bill).
(5)kate p.
Vegan Friendly I went here recently with my parents, there was nothing I could eat on the menu, but I noticed at the very bottom a line that said "vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free meals available upon request". So I inquired to the waitress regarding the vegan option. She said the chef would probably be out soon to talk to me about what I liked. Chef never came out and I was getting a little nervous (did they forget?). Right before the meal was served, the waitress came out and was like "are you ok with surprises?" and i was like "yes..." even though I'm totally not. WELL! I got pretty much the most amazing, delicious meal ever. Everyone in the restaurant was eyeing my plate (well, it was more like a tray) with envy. I had morels, fingerling potatoes in truffle oil, peanut shoots on top of sundried tomatoes, peppers, artichoke hearts, and some fresh strawberries on the side. Everything was perfect, in season, fresh, prepared perfectly. IT WAS AMAZING. Perfect "nice dinner" spot, especially if you have a veg or vegan guest in your party. You don't have to go through "the list" of what vegan means. The chef seems enthusiastic about cooking challenges, including making vegan stuff. SO AWESOME! Eat here.
(5)Dee S.
Had desserts and coffee in the afternoon, and enjoyed every moment of it! Very accommodating stuff and chef welcomed us off the regular hours and made sure we are comfortable. We sat outdoors on the deck, enjoyed a glorious afternoon in the tented deck. Tables are all with white table cloths, service was excellent, the only thing we missed was a soft background music. The major drawback was a constant whiff of bad (garbage like) smell from what they claim is a home made contraption to attract (the non existing) insects The prices are up there but for the location it's hard to expect much less. The place is a piece of European establishment in the midst of a beautiful semi-rural setting.
(4)Ron P.
Wonderful! A must place to dine when visiting. Wife and I celebrated our anniversary here after many recommendations and all I can say after having the elk and filet is WOW!! Complements to the chef Jim who came out to say happy anniversary! Just wonderful! Thanks to all at the Boat House! All the staff were great and friendly! Now go and indulge yourself!!
(5)Nancy K.
This is an exceptional, albeit out of the way, spot. I've dined here twice, soup to nuts, and everything has been perfect from the moment we arrived until we left. The steak is the star here and even if you're craving seafood it's best to do a surf and turf combination. And do not skimp on the steak - go with the ultra-super-prime Kobe. I love the tempura asparagus appetizer and the wedge salad. The beet salad is also fantastic. Both the au poirve and bernaise are perfect accompaniments to the steak. If you can, try the parsnip purée. We never order sides because the entrees are perfectly dressed and it allows a little room for dessert, which is a must here. Go with their creme brûlée, anything chocolate or traditional desserts like cheesecake. Unless they have the ice cream sandwich with salted caramel ice cream - freaking amazing! The service and setting make this a must on your Traverse City eating list.
(5)Jennifer G.
This has always been one of our favorite places. However this year visiting it twice we found it to be way overpriced and the food not up to standards. We took a large family there, all the steaks were cooked wrong. My medium well steak was cold and red inside. When we asked for a second roll/bread we were told it was one to a customer. Mind you the filet is nearly $100. per person! There was nothing about it except the view that was even remotely worth the price. The rest of our stay in Traverse City we went to Apache Trout Grill. We found it to be about 1/5 of the price, great staff and food cooked to order. I would never eat at the Boat House again even though in the past it was a wonderful experience and we loved the chef from New York.
(1)Dean K.
OK, so this is not going to be much of a review since i did not eat a meal. i just had the whitefish pate and a couple cocktails on the deck. actually, just makers mark over ice. i don't do cocktails. but the gorgeous day and the view made it an experience to remember. i will most definitely be back with an appetite.
(5)Bruno S.
Kobe Tartare, New Zealand Lamb Rack, Heritage Pork Trio, and Great Lakes Whitefish we all enjoyed by our group. The lamb was the very best one in our group had ever enjoyed. Exceptional view over the bay at sunset. Great meal in a fabulous location. Service was very knowledgable and quite efficient. Relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Mark W.
Amazing meal and location. Definitely a gem.
(5)Michelle H.
Beautiful location and ambiance. The food was excellent, and the service was perfect.
(5)Rodney H.
Late summer we stayed at Chateau Chantal during a mission peninsula wine trip & we were recommended the Boathouse. Firstly the view is spectacular especially as the sun sets over the water, the outside deck is lovely & inside is equally nice. The Service is of a very high standard, the wine list is expansive & the food was very good, a good mixture of seafood, fish & meat dishes,the style is contemporary with French undertones, not my usually favorite but everything is done so well, with such good service in such a spectacular location. I highly recommend
(5)Kurt S.
Well I will start off by saying it was not our intention to even go out to dinner on Friday, but we were out for a drive and it was such a beautiful night we stopped at The Boathouse and were seated at a wonderful table out on the deck. We got there early..5:30 ish We had a great waitress named Kim and an awesome hard working busboy named Kyle... We started with a few appetizers, Tempura Asparagus and Shrimp Cocktail. The shrimp were big, firm and meaty!! The asparagus tempura was almost too light and flaky...it tasted like they were deep friend in old oil, or bacon rendering...not sure...shrimp cocktail great..asparagus tempura gets a 4.. Boathouse salad was good. My wife had the Lobster Bisque...it was good, could have had just a bit more lobster meat in it, but tasty nonetheless. We wanted to try the Kobe Beef, but neither of us were super hungry and did not feel like spending 100.00 for a 10oz filet, so we went with the 12 oz Kobe NY Strip. This is the headscratcher...I would think that you would grill a 12 oz NY strip to retain its flavor and tenderness, but our meat was pan seared and then finished in the oven. The pan searing made the outside tough and almost crunchy...finishing it in the oven gave it a "pot roast" texture. Maybe that is the way they prepare in Kobe...if so, I'll take a good old American Grilling anytime. Chocolate Bliss Cake for desert....awesome To sum it up....beautiful view, good service, food was ok but in my mind overpriced. * This is just one person's impression from one visit...do not let it discourage you from checking this place out.
(2)Paul W.
Yep, it's got a darn nice location (if it's light outside) and pretty decent staff. BUT ... Extremely overpriced for the quality. I don't understand the New York City prices. I honestly think it wants to be a douchey Birmingham restaurant (and caters to those types from downstate and Chicago). Well it's TC guys; we live or visit here for a reason. And can you add a least something locally-sourced to the menu? Isn't TC a foodie-paradise? (which is probably why The Boathouse never gets a mention in any local foodie review.) I had the wagyu steak, which arrived cold like the sides. It was $50. My soup was $18. My entire party's meal was cold; too bad because flavors were good. And again, the price at least $100 per person. Ouch. I left embarrassed that I hauled my out-of-town guests there and we spent so much for a "just" OK meal when so many other better restaurants are in town (but we had the view -- haha - it was dark.)
(1)Lori P.
It's true...The view at this restaurant is beautiful... but I don't know what has happened to the food. (The new chef? The owner trying to gouge his/her patrons because of the short season?) We've come here in the past whenever we're in Traverse City and, previously, have been happy with the food, staff and ambiance, even though the price is on the high side. This time, we brought friends, raving to them about the restaurant, and ended up embarrassed that we brought them. The food was mediocre at best, and so far overpriced for the amount and quality that it became a joke at the table to see what would happen next. Beet salad included 3 slices of beets and a few goat cheese crumbles on top of some ribbons of lettuce. I ordered lamb, which came as two fatty mini chops on top of a sliced fingerling potato. The "family sized portion" of creamed spinach was a total of 3 tablespoons. The rest of the table had similar experiences. We won't be back.
(1)Rebecca B.
This place is spectacular!! It has a lovely waterfront setting, though we weren't able to see it from our table.. I called early in the day to make a reservation and was told the only available reservation was for 9:30!! Well, we just can't wait that long to eat!! The hostess did tell me they might have some no shows and we could show up and try to get in. After the reviews I had read, I really wanted to eat here, so we gambled and walked in. They have a couple of tables near the front door in sort of a side vestibule that are basically first come, first serve tables.. not the greatest location, but at least we got a table.. Everything on the menu is a la carte. Everything is also very expensive, but hey we're on vacation, let's splurge for that $17 bowl of bisque!! My boyfriend and I ordered the Kobe fillet which melted in our mouths. This meat was so tender and delicous!! It was topped with an equally delish crab cake - bonus!! I like my steak rare, but can rarely get it that way - it's as if people are afraid.. this was cooked perfectly rare..perfect!!! I will have to admit my Long Island Iced Tea left a little bit to be desired, but was was good.. I'm just super fussy when it comes to my cocktails.. My boyfriends daughter was with and recently decided she's not going to eat meat anymore, well there wasn't really anything for her other than salad. They had a lobster macaroni on the menu, the waiter suggested that minus the lobster - it was the best macaroni she's ever had! I think our bill was just under $300 for the three of us, pretty pricey, but the experience was well worth it!! Next time I'm in town, I'll call for reservations earlier..
(5)Dee S.
Had desserts and coffee in the afternoon, and enjoyed every moment of it! Very accommodating stuff and chef welcomed us off the regular hours and made sure we are comfortable. We sat outdoors on the deck, enjoyed a glorious afternoon in the tented deck. Tables are all with white table cloths, service was excellent, the only thing we missed was a soft background music. The major drawback was a constant whiff of bad (garbage like) smell from what they claim is a home made contraption to attract (the non existing) insects The prices are up there but for the location it's hard to expect much less. The place is a piece of European establishment in the midst of a beautiful semi-rural setting.
(4)karen p.
had a wonderful dinner last friday.wow
(4)James A.
Absolutely, hands down, the best restaurant in Northern Michigan! I have lived in TC for 25 years and this is as good as it gets. Don't waste your money at pretentious dives like Stella and Amical. Food is contemporary with a French influence, the chef is amazing. Comes with a complementary beautiful drive on Peninsula Drive. I would recommend making a reservation, dining room fills up quickly.
(5)Jim M.
Fantastic meal with a very beautiful setting. Our party of five had appies of calamari, oysters & asparagus which were great. Main entres were sea bass, white fish, lamb, and probably the best filet I have ever had. I highly recommend this location for foodies; romance, and their deck for group dinners.
(5)Christin R.
The food is amazing and the view is incredible. I highly recommend!
(5)Blake J.
This is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever been too. A great place for a romantic dinner. The establishment is beautiful, and if you go around sunset, the view is amazing. Everything visually is outstanding. The only reason I didn't give it a five star is the price. It is very expensive. Seafood in a place nowhere near the sea, although they do serve local fish. Which is cool. The waiter was really cool, and he was very helpful. But all in all this place is a winner.
(4)Paula H.
Wow! The food, the service, and the view were incomparable . Do not let the $$$ scare you off. You more than get your monies worth! We had French toast, salads, a cheese board, and burgers and everybody in our party raved about their meal.
(5)Geoff S.
Last night I finally dined at this epicurean delight. I shared the sea scallops as an appetizer which was fantastic. The price was a bit high but I already knew what to expect. The scallops were finished with a yam purée accompanied by a saffron butter some prosciutto and a morel mushroom. The appetizer was great but I'm not a huge fan of morel mushrooms in February. I had the Ribeye special from the restaurant week menu for dinner which was cooked to a perfect rare like I requested but the "potato pancake" was really just hash browns. The salad prior to the beef was a wedge of iceberg lettuce, and although I enjoyed the variation with the full slice of bacon, it still couldn't replicate a true lettuce wedge from Modes. Dessert was both creme brûlée and chocolate mousse which were fine but not remarkable. How was the service? Ashley, our server, was attentive, personable, friendly, and was never pushy yet there exactly when needed, exceptional young lady. The highlight was the overly flamboyant male server who cracked me up every time he threw a princess fit when things weren't going his was. I will totally be coming back.
(5)Alison B.
Our experience at this restaurant was not good. While the food was good and the scenery is very pretty, the service from the manager was terrible and portions are exceptionally small. The manager was not friendly and not accommodating to say the least. For the prices that this restaurant charges, food and service should be top notch. Overall - not satisfied and we will not be returning.
(2)Laura M.
The food was great until 6 of our party of 9 were up all night with major FOOD POISONING! The chef blamed it on the 'rich food'...ridiculous, what kind of rich food causes vomit, diarrhea, and fever?! I just hope the elderly couples that were dinning near us are OK.
(1)Karen J.
Great scallop appetizer and great apple beet salad. Awful lobster bisque, tasted burnt and greasy appearence. Beef tenderloin flavorless and lobster was not cooked correctly, raw. Service very pretenseious . Left hungry and dis-satisfied.
(1)Jeri J.
You start out with driving up the Peninsula with a gorgeous view of the bay and the wineries. You end at the cutest boathouse with an awesome view of the lake right outside the deck. We were really fortunate to get seated outside, the best view I've ever had at a restaurant even trumps California restaurants! My fiance had the Surf and Turf....1 1/2 lb. lobster and 4 oz. Kobe Beef filet. He was in heaven! He likes took every piece of meat possible in the lobster. I had the Chilean sea bass with hazelnut risotto. The best risotto I've ever had and the sea bass was delicious! We couldn't have asked for a better place to celebrate our new engagement!
(5)Gali B.
Excellent food, beautiful view, wonderfully cozy ambiance, excellent service. They didn't have French fries but they had potatoes so the chef made them for my two year old! Amazing! The Hawaiian sushi app was amazing. For dinner we had a Dover sole, a sea bass, and the filet - all of which were heaven!
(5)Tracy B.
Went for brunch yesterday with mom and my 6 year old daughter for a girl's day. Ordered the bruschetta, it was soggy, it went back and came back much improved if a little lighter on the serving. I made the mistake of having the bloody mary and for $7.50 got a basic bloody w/2 olives. I always forget their drink prices are outrageous, lesson learned. My daughter had the creme brulee french toast, it was enough for two, amazing flavors, fresh berries and fresh whipped cream. Mom had the Maine Eggs Benedict, lobster was cooked well enough but the hollandaise was so lemony it drowned out the taste of everything else on the plate. I ordered the asparagus and morel omelette. It was supposed to have a bernaise sauce which would have been lovely but they decided to put the lemony hollandaise on it...I couldn't taste a morel from egg, blah. $85 for 3 for brunch is extreme, but it was a lovely day and the view was beautiful. I'll go back if I can get another 50% off certificate but since it's in the neighborhood, I'll probably end up at the Jolly Pumpkin. For Sunday brunch I'll stick to Bubba's in town.
(3)Andrea C.
This place was recommended to us by our B&B and it was EXCELLENT!!! Everything about it was wonderful... the food, the service, the ambiance, and their wine list. For appetizers, we had the oysters rockefeller that had a wonderful beurre blanc sauce (wine and butter I think)!!! The sauce was amazing, I literally used all the left over to dip my bread in. I had to stop the bus boy from taking the little sauce dish away until I got every drip out of it. Mmmmm! My husband absolutely fell in love with the Foie Gras appetizer - grilled, black mission fig cardamom jam, tart cherry concentrate, lingonberry paste, balsamic syrup, pear chips. There were sooooo many great selections for entrees. I could not decide at all what I wanted and all the dishes I was considering were all favorites at the restaurant. So what was I suppose to do? So our waitress Heidi was awesome and checked with the rest of the staff and they were able to prepare me a twist on surf and turf. I was highly debating between the Kobe filet mignon and the chilean sea bass, so the chef was able to do smaller portions of both for me. How awesome was that! The filet just melted in your mouth and came with a wonderful shitake mushroom sauce with sauteed spinach. And the Chilean Sea Bass was perfectly seared on a bed of parsley root emulson (not quite sure exactly what it was, but it was delicious). My husband had the scallops with brandied lobster mushroom cream sauce, gnocchi, truffled balsamic nectar, and truffle crunchies. The scallops were absolutely huge. He always finishes his food, and the dish was so delicious and filling that for once it was impossible to eat the whole plate. Over all, we loved this place. The food was fresh, delicious, and innovative. Prices were quite reasonable and service was excellent. No doubt 5 star rating hands down! We will be back next time we are in the area.
(5)Christine D.
I may want this as my last meal.
(5)Sheau W.
I'm gonna add a million more stars to the Boathouse Restaurant. Last summer, I made a last minute decision to go to Traverse City. It was wonderful, driving up the Peninsular, enjoying wine tasting visiting the vineyard and the cherry farms.. So I went up to the lighthouse and met some local folks there and they told me about the Boathouse. I never wanted to leave the restaurant, there's an outdoor sitting overlooking the lake. It was such a beautiful restaurant. Food? Even better.. the chef served us the dinner menu although we were there at lunch time. I love the servers, they are really nice and helpful. and the price? not even close to what you pay at Chicago.. So if you are ever..ever going to visit Traverse City, make sure you have to stop by the Boathouse Restaurant. Everyone at Traverse City knows about the Boathouse Restaurant.. Do you? :-)
(5)Abby W.
One word...Phenomenal! This place has beautiful ambiance with walls of windows, being tucked away in Bowers Harbor. The service, impeccable! The food was not only amazing but was beautifully presented. Definitely on the pricey side for the Traverse City area but well worth it! Known for their seafood and Kobe beef both of which we had at our table and it was unbelievably good!
(5)Greg H.
Big, consistent fan of this restaurant. Combine a great setting, open seating and great food & service and you get a fantastic experience. There were 7 of us, and they performed beautifully. Everyone had something different and all servings were well presented and great tasting. We asked for a special dessert combination and we got it!....plus a visit from the chef himself, Eric Nittolo. Will definitely visit again the next time we're fortunate enough to get out of the Texas heat. Enjoy!
(4)Pat Z.
It's disappointing to write this review but dinner at the Boathouse was disappointing last night. It started out good with a friendly waiter, but I ordered a steak and that was a mistake. It came smothered in a sauce which probably shouldn't be needed if the steak is as good as it's reported to be, but more importantly, it was really overcooked. They agreed to re-fire it. It took 35 minutes. Everyone at my table was finished when it came, and this time it was undercooked. No one checked in to ask about it. The GM and waiter were preoccupied with another table. No apology. No credit. No willingness to make the situation right. When I spoke to the hostess about speaking to the manager, she asked me what I would say if I could speak to him since he was unavailable. That even made the situation worse. There are so many other less expensive and better restaurants in Traverse City, that I can't see returning to the Boathouse. It was pricey; the food was not cooked well, and the lack of any sort of instinct about good customer service was missing.
(1)Jared H.
As Yelp puts it, this place is "As good as it gets!" My wife and dined at the Boathouse in December of 2010 on our honeymoon and we were very pleased with the restaurant all around. We arrived around 7 or 8 and we were the only guests. We assumed that business would pick up, but it didn't - we actually had the entire restaurant to ourselves for the entirety of our meal. (For those not in this are or whom don't remember, there was a massive snow storm in December '10 just a couple days prior to our visit. I assume this had a big impact on tourism.) Also, the food was very good although not perfect. I often cook parmesean risotto at home. On the menu at the Boathouse, they had a maple hazelnut risotto on the menu at the time. We were both intrigued, so we ordered it. Absolutely nothing was wrong with the dish and we enjoyed the plating and appearance. Unfortunately, we did not care for the flavor combination. I want to make it clear this was strictly our preference, not anything at all wrong with the dish. It was our first time trying a sweet risotto, and it simply wasn't something we cared for. Also, the risotto here was perfectly cooked (can rice be called al dente?) and to be honest I like mine a little overcooked. Our server nicely asked us how we were enjoying our meal and we were honest - it seemed like a very nice dish but we did not really care for it. She insisted that it be removed from our bill. We made it clear that it was our fault for ordering something we were completely unfamiliar with and that nothing was wrong with the food - so we'd pay for it. Nope, she removed it anyways and insisted that we have another appetizer instead - for free. We chose the kobe sliders that they had on the menu at the time as we found the concept very amusing - kobe... in sliders? They were very good and we were pleased! Then came the entrees. My wife ordered the peppercorn crusted Kobe fillet, and I had the cornish game hen. The fillet (cooked medium rare - medium) was excellent. I have never seen a fillet anywhere near this tender, and the flavor was excellent. The crusting was flavorful without overwhelming the beef - basically just perfect. It came with fingerling potatoes which were also very good - they seemed almost creamy. The hen wasn't bad, but obviously it couldn't compete with a kobe fillet - I just wasn't in the mood for beef. My only complaint is that it was slightly dry, but not too dry, and it did have a sauce. I won't go into more detail as it's not even on the menu anymore. As we were enjoying our dinner (still nobody there - we had the whole room to ourselves) Chef Eric came out to talk with us. He apologized that we did not like the risotto and we made it clear to him as well that nothing was wrong with the dish, it just didn't suit our taste. We talked for a few minutes about the food and he was very nice and it was very enjoyable to speak with him. When he asked why we were in the area and we told him we were married just a couple days before he insisted we celebrate - so he brought us sparkling wine (no charge). I am fairly confident that it was "Celebrate!" from Chateau Chantal (we've tried nearly all of the local wines and I'm very good at remembering the tastes). It's not the fanciest wine in the world but it is quite good and it was free - it was a very nice touch! All in all we spent around $120-140 with tip for the most memorable dining experience we've had to date. I highly recommend the Boathouse! Note - the queen and king cuts on the fillet used to be only about $20 difference in price so this total was for a king cut fillet, cornish game hen, free appetizer, free sparkling wine, and whatever drinks we may have had with the meal (I believe we had coffee or tea, no alcohol included in the bill).
(5)Jenna P.
An ABSOLUTE must-see if you are in the Traverse City area. I had one of the best meals of my life in this restaurant. Having read many reviews and studied the menu prior to my Michigan trip, I was a little nervous about the price-range. We decided to go for lunch instead, to save some money while still getting a nice meal. It was more than worth every penny. First, the location!! The Boathouse is located right on the water. They have plenty of room on the outdoor deck, and the view simply cannot be beat. Absolutely a beautiful, perfect, romantic setting for a meal. And the food! We started with the fried crispy duck wings, and they were exquisite. Lightly crispy on the outside, absolutely melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. It came with a cherry hot sauce that was also delicious. I ordered the veal marsala. It was absolutely wonderful. The veal, sauce, noodles and mushrooms complemented one another perfectly. The bf ordered the prime filet, which was certainly one of the best steaks I've ever tasted. Every single bite of our meals was simply wonderful. They also offer an array of local Michigan wines for very reasonable prices. Oh, and the creme brulee dessert was sinfully good, and the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal. The staff could not have been more polite and accommodating. It was a lovely, leisurely meal. When (two hours later) it was finally over, I was reluctant to leave the restaurant! At the end of the day, we had a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two entrees, a dessert, and a cappuccino, all for under $100! Considering the perfect location, breath-taking views, and AMAZINGLY good food, it was more than worth the price!
(5)Rodney H.
Late summer we stayed at Chateau Chantal during a mission peninsula wine trip & we were recommended the Boathouse. Firstly the view is spectacular especially as the sun sets over the water, the outside deck is lovely & inside is equally nice. The Service is of a very high standard, the wine list is expansive & the food was very good, a good mixture of seafood, fish & meat dishes,the style is contemporary with French undertones, not my usually favorite but everything is done so well, with such good service in such a spectacular location. I highly recommend
(5)kate p.
Vegan Friendly I went here recently with my parents, there was nothing I could eat on the menu, but I noticed at the very bottom a line that said "vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free meals available upon request". So I inquired to the waitress regarding the vegan option. She said the chef would probably be out soon to talk to me about what I liked. Chef never came out and I was getting a little nervous (did they forget?). Right before the meal was served, the waitress came out and was like "are you ok with surprises?" and i was like "yes..." even though I'm totally not. WELL! I got pretty much the most amazing, delicious meal ever. Everyone in the restaurant was eyeing my plate (well, it was more like a tray) with envy. I had morels, fingerling potatoes in truffle oil, peanut shoots on top of sundried tomatoes, peppers, artichoke hearts, and some fresh strawberries on the side. Everything was perfect, in season, fresh, prepared perfectly. IT WAS AMAZING. Perfect "nice dinner" spot, especially if you have a veg or vegan guest in your party. You don't have to go through "the list" of what vegan means. The chef seems enthusiastic about cooking challenges, including making vegan stuff. SO AWESOME! Eat here.
(5)Alexander G.
This place is amazing. Right on a peninsula on the water, with beautiful views. Sit out on the deck in the warmer months if you're able. Exceptional view of the sunset too. Service is excellent; attentive but not annoying. The food is great too. Fresh, imaginative, delicious. The lobster we had was so fresh and well prepared that we could have sworn we were eating in Maine. A wee bit pricey, but well worth it. The wine list is very reasonably priced though. You won't regret a visit here!
(5)michael b.
really nice restaurant. great location and the restaurant itself is homey. the food is good and well cooked. the fish was lightly battered and the steaks were excellent-- nothing overly fancy but it works. great spot for a special occasion.
(4)Ruth J.
There are several things I love about the Boathouse Restaurant! First, it is in Traverse City (one of the prettiest places in Michigan), and is located on the shores of the gorgeous Bowers Harbor in Traverse City. The restaurant lends itself to fantastic views of the sparkling, blue bay water, with huge windows and an outdoor deck. The interior of the restaurant is decorated in a very charming, non-pretentious, and subtly nautical way. Second, the restaurant is literally farm-to-table for some of its offerings. The owner and his wife have a farm where they grow organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs for the restaurant. How cool is that? They are also committed to putting a huge emphasis on recycling and other environmentally-friendly practices. Third, the French-inspired food is very nice and varied. The menu offers cool dishes like foie gras, roasted quail, various cheese and charcuterie boards, kobe beef, lamb, elk, and lots of seafood, too. We ended up ordering tempura asparagus, roasted quail, the elk rack, and a whitefish. The quail was really good. It came with delicious honey marinade, yam puree, and cherries. The perfect blend of sweet and salty. The elk had a great juniper flavor, and came with kale, squash puree, and a beautiful berry glaze. The fish (I forgot exactly what type it was) was also very well presented. On the other hand, we were not a fan of the tempura asparagus. In retrospect, I have no idea why we even ordered it (maybe it was out of curiosity as to how a gourmet restaurant would prepare it). It was overwhelming and a little soggy, and oily enough to put BP to shame. But asparagus tempura misadventure notwithstanding, we had a wonderful time. I would still recommend this restaurant as a stalwart of Michiganian beauty and farm-to-table dining.
(4)Wenqing S.
The food here is very good! Plus this place has a one-million dollar view! You are literally sit by the water and the view is amazing! We ordered the halibut and the fish was cooked perfectly! It has a very rich flavor, and paired really well with the truffle and rissotto! The cocktail here is very good too! Love it!
(5)Hamilton A.
This place was really hyped - so we tried it.....we're sorry we did. The whitefish was very BLAND. We had just ordered whitefish in 3 other restaurants in Traverse City and it was outstanding - so we were sure this place could match the others....we were wrong. For $20 (lunch) we wish we had gone to the other restaurant on that peninsula - which we went to a couple of years ago and we loved their food. I believe this place has a great view but the whitefish didn't match the view.
(3)Ginny F.
My husband and I had dinner there last Monday and everything was excellent. We each had escargot followed with a filet and both were exceptional. The service was excellent. What surprised me was that the restaurant was packed on a Monday evening and I was very great flu we had reservations. I would highly recommend this place for any occasion. Of course the view is so beautiful. What a gem!
(5)Heather L.
Love the Boathouse...easily one of my Northern Michigan favorites! Whenever we are in the area my husband I at least try to sneak away for a cheese platter and glass of wine on the patio (overlooking the bay-beautiful!). Last time we were fortunate to arrive early enough for brunch-his morel omelette and my creme brulee french toast were TO DIE FOR. I have had dinner here too (during Traverse City restaurant week) and again AWESOME.
(5)Barnaby F.
The location is so good, they could get away with a sub-par restaurant. But the food and service are a solid 3.5-4 stars on their own. Throw in the view from the deck and we're in solid 4-5 star territory. Leaving this review short, 'cuz it works that way.
(4)Kevin W.
Amazing food and ambiance. Highly recommended for lunch when visiting the wine country... Try the lobster bisque special if they have it that day.. not the traditional bisque and yummy!!
(5)Laurel S.
Just had dinner here the other night while visiting in Traverse City area. We were amazed by the location of the restaurant. The views are stunning. Service was great. Our waitress spent a lot of time with us helping recommend dishes and also answering our questions. The morel bisque is AMAZING...a must try for mushroom lovers. I had the quinoa sweet potato cakes and they were pretty good. Not amazing but pretty tasty. The rest of the table had an array of seafood dishes which were supposedly some of the best the have had. Overall, this was an enjoyable experience and we plan on going back.
(5)Suha V.
Great view. We had the shrimp and lobster bisque-yummy. White fish pate. And the lobster salad with grapefruit-!
(5)Kristina B.
Wow. Amazing environment and truly delicious food. We were celebrating a big anniversary for my inlaws and the restaurant was so accommodating with the little table decorations we wanted to do, even effectively distracting my inlaws so we could decorate. The menu was amazing and we all wanted to try everything. After dinner we walked outside along the marina to enjoy the sunset. We will return!
(5)Hannah W.
Really fantastic meal and view! Delicious entrees, especially the Kobe beef and lobster we tried. The bisque soup was tasty, albeit a bit cold (we tried to eat ours anyway, but saw a number of other guests send theirs back). The wine list was comprehensive and desserts were good, although the pecan tart was a bit too sweet. 4 stars only because the soup was cold and service was rather slow.
(4)Tom F.
In my opinion this is the best restaurant in Traverse City! The view is incredible, the waitstaff were polite and friendly, the morel mushroom soup was tdf, the seafood salad was awesome. Can't wait to come back to this place.
(5)Katharine K.
Visited this restaurant for a Brys Estate Wine Dinner and then again a few months later during restaurant week. Beautiful building, take time to appreciate the woodwork! Great view if you can get there when the suns out. Wonderful, professional and knowledgeable staff, great food with a good variety of options and very accommodating. The lobster was delicious! As is the shrimp and lobster bisque. Great creme brûlée! Server Ryan was wonderful!
(4)Hollina U.
Food was good, view was great, being able to sit outside and enjoy the view and the nice summer weather that is so short here is even better. But the service sucks. There were about four other tables on the patio, and one inside, and two waitresses---- our waitress just took forever to take our order--- waited 20 minutes before she came over to take it, our water glasses were empty for a while, and she just wasn't attentive enough. It started to sprinkle and we were still sitting outside waiting for our check. Well, of course we got up to move under the tent to wait for our check, but it would have been nice if she was thoughtful enough to hurry up or see if we wanted to be moved or something. She seemed like she was rushing but I have no idea what else she was doing, since there was only one or two tables besides us near the end. Maybe she was helping to prep or something, who knows. Oh, and my friends ordered the oysters and complained it tasted fishy. I was also disappointed that the parmesan couscous that came with my salmon was the bigger kind of couscous instead of the finer variety-- but I guess couscous is all couscous.
(2)Kris C.
Couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting with perfectly cooked food. We sat near the window and looked out to the bay the whole meal. The food was very unique. We got oysters and escargot for appetizers which were perfect. Our main dishes were Alaskan halibut and rack of lamb which were both cooked very well and the sides provided were very good. Lastly our dessert was to die for. It was pretty expensive, but well worth it for a special occasion.
(5)Caitlyn T.
The whole experience was very pleasurable. It was busy but the service was great. It was restaurant week so there was a deal. Normally the deals stink at places but this deal included splendid options. Would definately recommend others to go there.
(5)Maggie H.
Years ago we stumbled upon the boat house after a wine tasting event. The head chef was at a winery tasting his bisque with truffle oil and we were hooked into dinner instantly. We went to dinner that evening and have gone back every time we go to our condo in traverse. The American Kobe beef steaks are amazing along with the Kobe Carpaccio. My husband likes the escargot, however they use anise which I have never appreciated. We have also had the tempura asparagus and morels, which were great. Get the apple beet salad (amazing). Every time we have been to the Boathouse our service has been wonderful not only by the staff but from management and the Chef. Almost every time we have eaten there the Chef has come out and personally spoken to us about meal selections and how our experience was. Plus, excuse the brief hippie-esque rant, the Boat House's view on sustainable farming, local produce, and co-op raised meats is admirable and something that my family and I believe in strongly. If you are in Traverse and are looking for an upscale experience I highly recommend the Boat House. Over multiple trips we have always been satisfied and happy to go back.
(5)Erin D.
This is our yearly lunch stop while hitting up the mission wineries. Lunch/Brunch prices are extremely reasonable; run anywhere from $10-$20, depending what you order. You can't beat the view! Get a window seat inside or enjoy the patio for a slightly more casual lunch. They serve breakfast until dinner menu. Last visit table ordered: Bruscetta-6 pieces with tomato, artichoke hearts, capers, topped with mozzarella and a balsamic drizzle. Crab sandwich-crab cake topped with soft shell crab served w housemade potato chips. Very LG portion. The 3 who ordered took half home. Burger- on a great roll, topped with a crisp onion ring. Eggs Benedict-perfectly poached with crisp Canadian Bacon. Fingerling potatoes, onions and fresh fruit. Also very large portion.
(5)Greg B.
This place is awesome. Fresh seafood and local meats. The staff is friendly and the view is excellent!
(5)Michael E.
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(3)Ender W.
I have tried this place several times, including an extremely disappointing wine dinner. Each time, the portions have been small and the prices exhorbitant. On my last visit, I tried to suggest some improvements and was basically told they didn't need my business since I obviously could not afford it.
(1)Tim S.
Beware - I took my better half out to celebrate her birthday and we received a most unwelcome surprise. We each ordered a 4oz lobster tail. When they arrived they looked great - but as it's said "looks can be deceiving". As I raised my first bite something overwhelmed me - it took me a few seconds - and bites - to place it, but the smell and taste of ammonia was stifling. We summoned our server and she, the chef and the manager all confirmed we had bad lobsters. They bought us a glass of wine and replaced our tails but the evening wasn't the same. For a top shelf restaurant I would think they would check for things like this before serving... And no, the place was pleasantly busy but not packed (most tables occupied but many empty ones too). I'm not sure if we'll give it another chance sometime, but for now I'd steer clear of the non-metal seafood.
(1)Deanna S.
The Boathouse is beautiful and food is excellent! We requested vegetarian dish not on the menu and their creation was fantastic! They were willing to make anything we desired. Service was excellent. Boathouse martini also great! Highly recommend. Nice restaurant on wine tour.
(5)Christina G.
DON'T EAT HERE. $450 wasted! I am not one to write bad reviews unless something is especially terrible. This place takes the cake. My husband took me for our one year wedding anniversary. We thought it would be a nice 4/5 star high end meal. We were disappointed. Atmosphere was obnoxious. Our waiter was rude. A table of 10 DOCTORS FROM CHICAGO (in CAPS because they were yelling that all night) was so loud and overbearing the table next to us left. The drinks are small and over priced. The escargot appetizer was the only edible item. My surf and turf was laughable. Bad filet, small over cooked lobster pieces. My husband's lamb was the worst lamb we've ever had. We had an incredibly disappointing evening for $250 and then we were more mad at ourselves for not speaking up while we were there. This was a year ago. This afternoon my father in law told us where he spent his 28 yr anniversary dinner this past weekend. Ironically it was THE BOAT HOUSE. He did not know of our experience He had terrible lamb . His wife had an okay scallop appetizer and side salad. Cost of a crappy dinner $200. I will pay $$$$ for an excellent meal but expect a level of quality. The Boat House has more than $450 from my family and I hope this review stops others from going there until they fix their nose in the air Nantucket wanna be restaurant.
(1)Martha V.
My husband and I had dinner here during a mid-week visit to the Traverse City area. The food was very good (we both had filet). The service was good. The wine list was really nice. The view of the sunset over the bay was tremendous. The restaurant is really dark - I ordered my filet medium (I know, I know) and I'm pretty sure it came out a lot closer to medium rare, but I couldn't see well enough to be sure. It was an excellent filet, and I did enjoy it. We had a very nice charcuterie/cheese selection to start. Had a good salad. Enjoyed some nice Californian wine. And we finished with dessert - a nice slice of cheese cake we split. We really enjoyed dinner here. If you are looking for an excellent steak or filet in NW Michigan, this is your place. We made reservations for a Tuesday night at 7pm (in September) but I'm not sure we really needed to as the restaurant wasn't full. I would absolutely recommend it.
(4)Charlie B.
This is a tricky one. I went here for dinner to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We had a great time, but there for this price, things should be pretty close to perfect! So, we started by ordering a round of drinks. We ended up with drinks being spilled, not just on the table but all over one of us! There were apologies, but nobody asked if clothes were OK (they weren't and a purse had red wine stains). We were good sports and moved to a new table. When we got the bill, the drinks weren't taken off the total, which would be least that someone could do. As for the food, there were some really good things. Scallops were wonderful and cooked perfect. Mushroom bisque was so great. Fish was cooked well. But, they tout the steaks they serve. For being very expense steaks, they were served at room temp and overdone. A real letdown for that high price. The setting is stellar and the place is in a beautiful spot. I wanted to love it here, but the service could be better and for this price the food should be perfect. Pull it together Boathouse! For over $100/person, you should be doing much, much better!
(2)Brittany A.
Fabulous. Fabulous sunset views, great wine selection. The waygu filet (obviously not actual waygu but... that's what they call it) was fabulous, but small. They offer it with the shrimp or lobster or crab cake which is a delicious accompaniment. The waygu strip steak was a surprise. By far the best strip steak I've ever had. It was a generous portion and grilled to perfection. They recommended the lamb over the steak but we disagreed. It was still very good and substantially cheaper but not what I prefer. Finally the calamari was good but a smaller portion than anticipated and the lobster mac and cheese was good but you must like truffle oil.
(5)Gina D.
I love that this restaurant is right on the water. The view is beautiful, and has outdoor seating. We came here for lunch on a late summer afternoon, based on a recommendation. We both ordered the mushroom soup and at $ 13 each, that is very pricey for soup for lunch or even dinner, and the amount you receive is not a lot of soup. I then ordered the pancko breaded walleye and husband ordered a salad with wild salmon. When I received my entree, it looked deep fried and over breaded. I stay away from fried foods and I did not have a good feeling about this. My husband liked his entree. Mine came with lobster ravioli. The breading overwhelmed the walleye, more breading than seafood. There was a tomato cream sauce which was good, but not much sauce. For the price that we paid for lunch, no bread basket was given with our meals? We never asked, but you would think they would give you bread like the majority of restaurants. Unfortunately, I did not feel well after my walleye entree, and I would not recommend this restaurant. I am sure there are a lot better for the price.
(1)Karie M.
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. It sits right on the water on Old Mission Peninsula. There are large windows so the view is gorgeous or there is a patio that you can sit and eat outside. I went there very early (around 5 pm) because I had my two year old son with me. I was dining with a group four other adults, myself and my son. Every single member of the staff was incredibly friendly and nice. Our waiter was excellent. They have a very reasonably priced kids menu. The kid's dishes come with fruit with whipped cream on top. The whipped cream is real and it's delicious. They were super nice to my son. He had a grilled cheese. I would say that the place is fine for kids. But, I would recommend going early. We finished dinner around 7 / 7:30 and the restaurant was getting considerably more crowded and it was definitely an adult atmosphere. The wine selection is amazing and the wine is excellent. I really couldn't choose between a soup or salad to start. I wanted to try the morel mushroom bisque but the boathouse salad looked so good too. I ended up going with the boathouse salad but my mom got the bisque. Both were simply awesome. The bisque is rich but you get just the perfect portion and it's absolutely divine. The boathouse salad has a perfect blend of ingredients. I had the scallops for dinner. It was a special. They were phenomenal!!! If they are on the menu - get them. My mom had the dover sole. That was good too and I almost ordered it too. I'm definitely happy I went with the scallops though - they were better than the sole. Two other members of my party got the Kobe queen filet. I am not a meat eater, but apparently they were really good. My aunt got veal, which really turns me off, so I'm going to refrain from commenting on it. This is definitely the kind of place that you order desert. So we did. One member of our party got the crème brule. It looked so good and came with the cutest piece of cotton candy on top. My grandma ordered bread pudding and I guess that was good too. I got some kind of sinful chocolate cake and every bite was amazing. One more thing to mention, whoever was working the raw bar that night was super cool to my son, who was fascinated with the raw bar. Just a really really top notch dining experience.
(5)Steve M.
There were 7 of us and the best thing about the Boathouse was it's location. Food was good, but a bit over-priced. Server was very nice, but food came out at all different times and mistakes were made--could be kitchen related. The manager that night was rude and very "bullish" on himself. I recently bought a house on Old Mission Peninsula and was looking forward to having an upscale restaurant nearby... I doubt we'll ever return to the Boathouse.
(2)Barnaby F.
The location is so good, they could get away with a sub-par restaurant. But the food and service are a solid 3.5-4 stars on their own. Throw in the view from the deck and we're in solid 4-5 star territory. Leaving this review short, 'cuz it works that way.
(4)Kevin W.
Amazing food and ambiance. Highly recommended for lunch when visiting the wine country... Try the lobster bisque special if they have it that day.. not the traditional bisque and yummy!!
(5)Ruth J.
There are several things I love about the Boathouse Restaurant! First, it is in Traverse City (one of the prettiest places in Michigan), and is located on the shores of the gorgeous Bowers Harbor in Traverse City. The restaurant lends itself to fantastic views of the sparkling, blue bay water, with huge windows and an outdoor deck. The interior of the restaurant is decorated in a very charming, non-pretentious, and subtly nautical way. Second, the restaurant is literally farm-to-table for some of its offerings. The owner and his wife have a farm where they grow organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs for the restaurant. How cool is that? They are also committed to putting a huge emphasis on recycling and other environmentally-friendly practices. Third, the French-inspired food is very nice and varied. The menu offers cool dishes like foie gras, roasted quail, various cheese and charcuterie boards, kobe beef, lamb, elk, and lots of seafood, too. We ended up ordering tempura asparagus, roasted quail, the elk rack, and a whitefish. The quail was really good. It came with delicious honey marinade, yam puree, and cherries. The perfect blend of sweet and salty. The elk had a great juniper flavor, and came with kale, squash puree, and a beautiful berry glaze. The fish (I forgot exactly what type it was) was also very well presented. On the other hand, we were not a fan of the tempura asparagus. In retrospect, I have no idea why we even ordered it (maybe it was out of curiosity as to how a gourmet restaurant would prepare it). It was overwhelming and a little soggy, and oily enough to put BP to shame. But asparagus tempura misadventure notwithstanding, we had a wonderful time. I would still recommend this restaurant as a stalwart of Michiganian beauty and farm-to-table dining.
(4)Wenqing S.
The food here is very good! Plus this place has a one-million dollar view! You are literally sit by the water and the view is amazing! We ordered the halibut and the fish was cooked perfectly! It has a very rich flavor, and paired really well with the truffle and rissotto! The cocktail here is very good too! Love it!
(5)Suha V.
Great view. We had the shrimp and lobster bisque-yummy. White fish pate. And the lobster salad with grapefruit-!
(5)Laurel S.
Just had dinner here the other night while visiting in Traverse City area. We were amazed by the location of the restaurant. The views are stunning. Service was great. Our waitress spent a lot of time with us helping recommend dishes and also answering our questions. The morel bisque is AMAZING...a must try for mushroom lovers. I had the quinoa sweet potato cakes and they were pretty good. Not amazing but pretty tasty. The rest of the table had an array of seafood dishes which were supposedly some of the best the have had. Overall, this was an enjoyable experience and we plan on going back.
(5)Tim S.
Beware - I took my better half out to celebrate her birthday and we received a most unwelcome surprise. We each ordered a 4oz lobster tail. When they arrived they looked great - but as it's said "looks can be deceiving". As I raised my first bite something overwhelmed me - it took me a few seconds - and bites - to place it, but the smell and taste of ammonia was stifling. We summoned our server and she, the chef and the manager all confirmed we had bad lobsters. They bought us a glass of wine and replaced our tails but the evening wasn't the same. For a top shelf restaurant I would think they would check for things like this before serving... And no, the place was pleasantly busy but not packed (most tables occupied but many empty ones too). I'm not sure if we'll give it another chance sometime, but for now I'd steer clear of the non-metal seafood.
(1)Deanna S.
The Boathouse is beautiful and food is excellent! We requested vegetarian dish not on the menu and their creation was fantastic! They were willing to make anything we desired. Service was excellent. Boathouse martini also great! Highly recommend. Nice restaurant on wine tour.
(5)Kristina B.
Wow. Amazing environment and truly delicious food. We were celebrating a big anniversary for my inlaws and the restaurant was so accommodating with the little table decorations we wanted to do, even effectively distracting my inlaws so we could decorate. The menu was amazing and we all wanted to try everything. After dinner we walked outside along the marina to enjoy the sunset. We will return!
(5)Hannah W.
Really fantastic meal and view! Delicious entrees, especially the Kobe beef and lobster we tried. The bisque soup was tasty, albeit a bit cold (we tried to eat ours anyway, but saw a number of other guests send theirs back). The wine list was comprehensive and desserts were good, although the pecan tart was a bit too sweet. 4 stars only because the soup was cold and service was rather slow.
(4)Tom F.
In my opinion this is the best restaurant in Traverse City! The view is incredible, the waitstaff were polite and friendly, the morel mushroom soup was tdf, the seafood salad was awesome. Can't wait to come back to this place.
(5)Katharine K.
Visited this restaurant for a Brys Estate Wine Dinner and then again a few months later during restaurant week. Beautiful building, take time to appreciate the woodwork! Great view if you can get there when the suns out. Wonderful, professional and knowledgeable staff, great food with a good variety of options and very accommodating. The lobster was delicious! As is the shrimp and lobster bisque. Great creme brûlée! Server Ryan was wonderful!
(4)Hollina U.
Food was good, view was great, being able to sit outside and enjoy the view and the nice summer weather that is so short here is even better. But the service sucks. There were about four other tables on the patio, and one inside, and two waitresses---- our waitress just took forever to take our order--- waited 20 minutes before she came over to take it, our water glasses were empty for a while, and she just wasn't attentive enough. It started to sprinkle and we were still sitting outside waiting for our check. Well, of course we got up to move under the tent to wait for our check, but it would have been nice if she was thoughtful enough to hurry up or see if we wanted to be moved or something. She seemed like she was rushing but I have no idea what else she was doing, since there was only one or two tables besides us near the end. Maybe she was helping to prep or something, who knows. Oh, and my friends ordered the oysters and complained it tasted fishy. I was also disappointed that the parmesan couscous that came with my salmon was the bigger kind of couscous instead of the finer variety-- but I guess couscous is all couscous.
(2)Kris C.
Couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting with perfectly cooked food. We sat near the window and looked out to the bay the whole meal. The food was very unique. We got oysters and escargot for appetizers which were perfect. Our main dishes were Alaskan halibut and rack of lamb which were both cooked very well and the sides provided were very good. Lastly our dessert was to die for. It was pretty expensive, but well worth it for a special occasion.
(5)Caitlyn T.
The whole experience was very pleasurable. It was busy but the service was great. It was restaurant week so there was a deal. Normally the deals stink at places but this deal included splendid options. Would definately recommend others to go there.
(5)Christina G.
DON'T EAT HERE. $450 wasted! I am not one to write bad reviews unless something is especially terrible. This place takes the cake. My husband took me for our one year wedding anniversary. We thought it would be a nice 4/5 star high end meal. We were disappointed. Atmosphere was obnoxious. Our waiter was rude. A table of 10 DOCTORS FROM CHICAGO (in CAPS because they were yelling that all night) was so loud and overbearing the table next to us left. The drinks are small and over priced. The escargot appetizer was the only edible item. My surf and turf was laughable. Bad filet, small over cooked lobster pieces. My husband's lamb was the worst lamb we've ever had. We had an incredibly disappointing evening for $250 and then we were more mad at ourselves for not speaking up while we were there. This was a year ago. This afternoon my father in law told us where he spent his 28 yr anniversary dinner this past weekend. Ironically it was THE BOAT HOUSE. He did not know of our experience He had terrible lamb . His wife had an okay scallop appetizer and side salad. Cost of a crappy dinner $200. I will pay $$$$ for an excellent meal but expect a level of quality. The Boat House has more than $450 from my family and I hope this review stops others from going there until they fix their nose in the air Nantucket wanna be restaurant.
(1)Jim M.
Fantastic meal with a very beautiful setting. Our party of five had appies of calamari, oysters & asparagus which were great. Main entres were sea bass, white fish, lamb, and probably the best filet I have ever had. I highly recommend this location for foodies; romance, and their deck for group dinners.
(5)Tracy B.
Went for brunch yesterday with mom and my 6 year old daughter for a girl's day. Ordered the bruschetta, it was soggy, it went back and came back much improved if a little lighter on the serving. I made the mistake of having the bloody mary and for $7.50 got a basic bloody w/2 olives. I always forget their drink prices are outrageous, lesson learned. My daughter had the creme brulee french toast, it was enough for two, amazing flavors, fresh berries and fresh whipped cream. Mom had the Maine Eggs Benedict, lobster was cooked well enough but the hollandaise was so lemony it drowned out the taste of everything else on the plate. I ordered the asparagus and morel omelette. It was supposed to have a bernaise sauce which would have been lovely but they decided to put the lemony hollandaise on it...I couldn't taste a morel from egg, blah. $85 for 3 for brunch is extreme, but it was a lovely day and the view was beautiful. I'll go back if I can get another 50% off certificate but since it's in the neighborhood, I'll probably end up at the Jolly Pumpkin. For Sunday brunch I'll stick to Bubba's in town.
(3)Maggie H.
Years ago we stumbled upon the boat house after a wine tasting event. The head chef was at a winery tasting his bisque with truffle oil and we were hooked into dinner instantly. We went to dinner that evening and have gone back every time we go to our condo in traverse. The American Kobe beef steaks are amazing along with the Kobe Carpaccio. My husband likes the escargot, however they use anise which I have never appreciated. We have also had the tempura asparagus and morels, which were great. Get the apple beet salad (amazing). Every time we have been to the Boathouse our service has been wonderful not only by the staff but from management and the Chef. Almost every time we have eaten there the Chef has come out and personally spoken to us about meal selections and how our experience was. Plus, excuse the brief hippie-esque rant, the Boat House's view on sustainable farming, local produce, and co-op raised meats is admirable and something that my family and I believe in strongly. If you are in Traverse and are looking for an upscale experience I highly recommend the Boat House. Over multiple trips we have always been satisfied and happy to go back.
(5)Erin D.
This is our yearly lunch stop while hitting up the mission wineries. Lunch/Brunch prices are extremely reasonable; run anywhere from $10-$20, depending what you order. You can't beat the view! Get a window seat inside or enjoy the patio for a slightly more casual lunch. They serve breakfast until dinner menu. Last visit table ordered: Bruscetta-6 pieces with tomato, artichoke hearts, capers, topped with mozzarella and a balsamic drizzle. Crab sandwich-crab cake topped with soft shell crab served w housemade potato chips. Very LG portion. The 3 who ordered took half home. Burger- on a great roll, topped with a crisp onion ring. Eggs Benedict-perfectly poached with crisp Canadian Bacon. Fingerling potatoes, onions and fresh fruit. Also very large portion.
(5)Greg B.
This place is awesome. Fresh seafood and local meats. The staff is friendly and the view is excellent!
(5)Michael E.
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(3)Heather L.
Love the Boathouse...easily one of my Northern Michigan favorites! Whenever we are in the area my husband I at least try to sneak away for a cheese platter and glass of wine on the patio (overlooking the bay-beautiful!). Last time we were fortunate to arrive early enough for brunch-his morel omelette and my creme brulee french toast were TO DIE FOR. I have had dinner here too (during Traverse City restaurant week) and again AWESOME.
(5)Brittany A.
Fabulous. Fabulous sunset views, great wine selection. The waygu filet (obviously not actual waygu but... that's what they call it) was fabulous, but small. They offer it with the shrimp or lobster or crab cake which is a delicious accompaniment. The waygu strip steak was a surprise. By far the best strip steak I've ever had. It was a generous portion and grilled to perfection. They recommended the lamb over the steak but we disagreed. It was still very good and substantially cheaper but not what I prefer. Finally the calamari was good but a smaller portion than anticipated and the lobster mac and cheese was good but you must like truffle oil.
(5)Paula H.
Wow! The food, the service, and the view were incomparable . Do not let the $$$ scare you off. You more than get your monies worth! We had French toast, salads, a cheese board, and burgers and everybody in our party raved about their meal.
(5)Hamilton A.
This place was really hyped - so we tried it.....we're sorry we did. The whitefish was very BLAND. We had just ordered whitefish in 3 other restaurants in Traverse City and it was outstanding - so we were sure this place could match the others....we were wrong. For $20 (lunch) we wish we had gone to the other restaurant on that peninsula - which we went to a couple of years ago and we loved their food. I believe this place has a great view but the whitefish didn't match the view.
(3)Ender W.
I have tried this place several times, including an extremely disappointing wine dinner. Each time, the portions have been small and the prices exhorbitant. On my last visit, I tried to suggest some improvements and was basically told they didn't need my business since I obviously could not afford it.
(1)Martha V.
My husband and I had dinner here during a mid-week visit to the Traverse City area. The food was very good (we both had filet). The service was good. The wine list was really nice. The view of the sunset over the bay was tremendous. The restaurant is really dark - I ordered my filet medium (I know, I know) and I'm pretty sure it came out a lot closer to medium rare, but I couldn't see well enough to be sure. It was an excellent filet, and I did enjoy it. We had a very nice charcuterie/cheese selection to start. Had a good salad. Enjoyed some nice Californian wine. And we finished with dessert - a nice slice of cheese cake we split. We really enjoyed dinner here. If you are looking for an excellent steak or filet in NW Michigan, this is your place. We made reservations for a Tuesday night at 7pm (in September) but I'm not sure we really needed to as the restaurant wasn't full. I would absolutely recommend it.
(4)Charlie B.
This is a tricky one. I went here for dinner to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We had a great time, but there for this price, things should be pretty close to perfect! So, we started by ordering a round of drinks. We ended up with drinks being spilled, not just on the table but all over one of us! There were apologies, but nobody asked if clothes were OK (they weren't and a purse had red wine stains). We were good sports and moved to a new table. When we got the bill, the drinks weren't taken off the total, which would be least that someone could do. As for the food, there were some really good things. Scallops were wonderful and cooked perfect. Mushroom bisque was so great. Fish was cooked well. But, they tout the steaks they serve. For being very expense steaks, they were served at room temp and overdone. A real letdown for that high price. The setting is stellar and the place is in a beautiful spot. I wanted to love it here, but the service could be better and for this price the food should be perfect. Pull it together Boathouse! For over $100/person, you should be doing much, much better!
(2)Ron P.
Wonderful! A must place to dine when visiting. Wife and I celebrated our anniversary here after many recommendations and all I can say after having the elk and filet is WOW!! Complements to the chef Jim who came out to say happy anniversary! Just wonderful! Thanks to all at the Boat House! All the staff were great and friendly! Now go and indulge yourself!!
(5)Nancy K.
This is an exceptional, albeit out of the way, spot. I've dined here twice, soup to nuts, and everything has been perfect from the moment we arrived until we left. The steak is the star here and even if you're craving seafood it's best to do a surf and turf combination. And do not skimp on the steak - go with the ultra-super-prime Kobe. I love the tempura asparagus appetizer and the wedge salad. The beet salad is also fantastic. Both the au poirve and bernaise are perfect accompaniments to the steak. If you can, try the parsnip purée. We never order sides because the entrees are perfectly dressed and it allows a little room for dessert, which is a must here. Go with their creme brûlée, anything chocolate or traditional desserts like cheesecake. Unless they have the ice cream sandwich with salted caramel ice cream - freaking amazing! The service and setting make this a must on your Traverse City eating list.
(5)Dean K.
OK, so this is not going to be much of a review since i did not eat a meal. i just had the whitefish pate and a couple cocktails on the deck. actually, just makers mark over ice. i don't do cocktails. but the gorgeous day and the view made it an experience to remember. i will most definitely be back with an appetite.
(5)Bruno S.
Kobe Tartare, New Zealand Lamb Rack, Heritage Pork Trio, and Great Lakes Whitefish we all enjoyed by our group. The lamb was the very best one in our group had ever enjoyed. Exceptional view over the bay at sunset. Great meal in a fabulous location. Service was very knowledgable and quite efficient. Relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Mark W.
Amazing meal and location. Definitely a gem.
(5)Jennifer G.
This has always been one of our favorite places. However this year visiting it twice we found it to be way overpriced and the food not up to standards. We took a large family there, all the steaks were cooked wrong. My medium well steak was cold and red inside. When we asked for a second roll/bread we were told it was one to a customer. Mind you the filet is nearly $100. per person! There was nothing about it except the view that was even remotely worth the price. The rest of our stay in Traverse City we went to Apache Trout Grill. We found it to be about 1/5 of the price, great staff and food cooked to order. I would never eat at the Boat House again even though in the past it was a wonderful experience and we loved the chef from New York.
(1)Michelle H.
Beautiful location and ambiance. The food was excellent, and the service was perfect.
(5)Ginny F.
My husband and I had dinner there last Monday and everything was excellent. We each had escargot followed with a filet and both were exceptional. The service was excellent. What surprised me was that the restaurant was packed on a Monday evening and I was very great flu we had reservations. I would highly recommend this place for any occasion. Of course the view is so beautiful. What a gem!
(5)Gina D.
I love that this restaurant is right on the water. The view is beautiful, and has outdoor seating. We came here for lunch on a late summer afternoon, based on a recommendation. We both ordered the mushroom soup and at $ 13 each, that is very pricey for soup for lunch or even dinner, and the amount you receive is not a lot of soup. I then ordered the pancko breaded walleye and husband ordered a salad with wild salmon. When I received my entree, it looked deep fried and over breaded. I stay away from fried foods and I did not have a good feeling about this. My husband liked his entree. Mine came with lobster ravioli. The breading overwhelmed the walleye, more breading than seafood. There was a tomato cream sauce which was good, but not much sauce. For the price that we paid for lunch, no bread basket was given with our meals? We never asked, but you would think they would give you bread like the majority of restaurants. Unfortunately, I did not feel well after my walleye entree, and I would not recommend this restaurant. I am sure there are a lot better for the price.
(1)Karie M.
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. It sits right on the water on Old Mission Peninsula. There are large windows so the view is gorgeous or there is a patio that you can sit and eat outside. I went there very early (around 5 pm) because I had my two year old son with me. I was dining with a group four other adults, myself and my son. Every single member of the staff was incredibly friendly and nice. Our waiter was excellent. They have a very reasonably priced kids menu. The kid's dishes come with fruit with whipped cream on top. The whipped cream is real and it's delicious. They were super nice to my son. He had a grilled cheese. I would say that the place is fine for kids. But, I would recommend going early. We finished dinner around 7 / 7:30 and the restaurant was getting considerably more crowded and it was definitely an adult atmosphere. The wine selection is amazing and the wine is excellent. I really couldn't choose between a soup or salad to start. I wanted to try the morel mushroom bisque but the boathouse salad looked so good too. I ended up going with the boathouse salad but my mom got the bisque. Both were simply awesome. The bisque is rich but you get just the perfect portion and it's absolutely divine. The boathouse salad has a perfect blend of ingredients. I had the scallops for dinner. It was a special. They were phenomenal!!! If they are on the menu - get them. My mom had the dover sole. That was good too and I almost ordered it too. I'm definitely happy I went with the scallops though - they were better than the sole. Two other members of my party got the Kobe queen filet. I am not a meat eater, but apparently they were really good. My aunt got veal, which really turns me off, so I'm going to refrain from commenting on it. This is definitely the kind of place that you order desert. So we did. One member of our party got the crème brule. It looked so good and came with the cutest piece of cotton candy on top. My grandma ordered bread pudding and I guess that was good too. I got some kind of sinful chocolate cake and every bite was amazing. One more thing to mention, whoever was working the raw bar that night was super cool to my son, who was fascinated with the raw bar. Just a really really top notch dining experience.
(5)Steve M.
There were 7 of us and the best thing about the Boathouse was it's location. Food was good, but a bit over-priced. Server was very nice, but food came out at all different times and mistakes were made--could be kitchen related. The manager that night was rude and very "bullish" on himself. I recently bought a house on Old Mission Peninsula and was looking forward to having an upscale restaurant nearby... I doubt we'll ever return to the Boathouse.
(2)Greg H.
Big, consistent fan of this restaurant. Combine a great setting, open seating and great food & service and you get a fantastic experience. There were 7 of us, and they performed beautifully. Everyone had something different and all servings were well presented and great tasting. We asked for a special dessert combination and we got it!....plus a visit from the chef himself, Eric Nittolo. Will definitely visit again the next time we're fortunate enough to get out of the Texas heat. Enjoy!
(4)Kurt S.
Well I will start off by saying it was not our intention to even go out to dinner on Friday, but we were out for a drive and it was such a beautiful night we stopped at The Boathouse and were seated at a wonderful table out on the deck. We got there early..5:30 ish We had a great waitress named Kim and an awesome hard working busboy named Kyle... We started with a few appetizers, Tempura Asparagus and Shrimp Cocktail. The shrimp were big, firm and meaty!! The asparagus tempura was almost too light and flaky...it tasted like they were deep friend in old oil, or bacon rendering...not sure...shrimp cocktail great..asparagus tempura gets a 4.. Boathouse salad was good. My wife had the Lobster Bisque...it was good, could have had just a bit more lobster meat in it, but tasty nonetheless. We wanted to try the Kobe Beef, but neither of us were super hungry and did not feel like spending 100.00 for a 10oz filet, so we went with the 12 oz Kobe NY Strip. This is the headscratcher...I would think that you would grill a 12 oz NY strip to retain its flavor and tenderness, but our meat was pan seared and then finished in the oven. The pan searing made the outside tough and almost crunchy...finishing it in the oven gave it a "pot roast" texture. Maybe that is the way they prepare in Kobe...if so, I'll take a good old American Grilling anytime. Chocolate Bliss Cake for desert....awesome To sum it up....beautiful view, good service, food was ok but in my mind overpriced. * This is just one person's impression from one visit...do not let it discourage you from checking this place out.
(2)Paul W.
Yep, it's got a darn nice location (if it's light outside) and pretty decent staff. BUT ... Extremely overpriced for the quality. I don't understand the New York City prices. I honestly think it wants to be a douchey Birmingham restaurant (and caters to those types from downstate and Chicago). Well it's TC guys; we live or visit here for a reason. And can you add a least something locally-sourced to the menu? Isn't TC a foodie-paradise? (which is probably why The Boathouse never gets a mention in any local foodie review.) I had the wagyu steak, which arrived cold like the sides. It was $50. My soup was $18. My entire party's meal was cold; too bad because flavors were good. And again, the price at least $100 per person. Ouch. I left embarrassed that I hauled my out-of-town guests there and we spent so much for a "just" OK meal when so many other better restaurants are in town (but we had the view -- haha - it was dark.)
(1)Lori P.
It's true...The view at this restaurant is beautiful... but I don't know what has happened to the food. (The new chef? The owner trying to gouge his/her patrons because of the short season?) We've come here in the past whenever we're in Traverse City and, previously, have been happy with the food, staff and ambiance, even though the price is on the high side. This time, we brought friends, raving to them about the restaurant, and ended up embarrassed that we brought them. The food was mediocre at best, and so far overpriced for the amount and quality that it became a joke at the table to see what would happen next. Beet salad included 3 slices of beets and a few goat cheese crumbles on top of some ribbons of lettuce. I ordered lamb, which came as two fatty mini chops on top of a sliced fingerling potato. The "family sized portion" of creamed spinach was a total of 3 tablespoons. The rest of the table had similar experiences. We won't be back.
(1)Rebecca B.
This place is spectacular!! It has a lovely waterfront setting, though we weren't able to see it from our table.. I called early in the day to make a reservation and was told the only available reservation was for 9:30!! Well, we just can't wait that long to eat!! The hostess did tell me they might have some no shows and we could show up and try to get in. After the reviews I had read, I really wanted to eat here, so we gambled and walked in. They have a couple of tables near the front door in sort of a side vestibule that are basically first come, first serve tables.. not the greatest location, but at least we got a table.. Everything on the menu is a la carte. Everything is also very expensive, but hey we're on vacation, let's splurge for that $17 bowl of bisque!! My boyfriend and I ordered the Kobe fillet which melted in our mouths. This meat was so tender and delicous!! It was topped with an equally delish crab cake - bonus!! I like my steak rare, but can rarely get it that way - it's as if people are afraid.. this was cooked perfectly rare..perfect!!! I will have to admit my Long Island Iced Tea left a little bit to be desired, but was was good.. I'm just super fussy when it comes to my cocktails.. My boyfriends daughter was with and recently decided she's not going to eat meat anymore, well there wasn't really anything for her other than salad. They had a lobster macaroni on the menu, the waiter suggested that minus the lobster - it was the best macaroni she's ever had! I think our bill was just under $300 for the three of us, pretty pricey, but the experience was well worth it!! Next time I'm in town, I'll call for reservations earlier..
(5)Christin R.
The food is amazing and the view is incredible. I highly recommend!
(5)Blake J.
This is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever been too. A great place for a romantic dinner. The establishment is beautiful, and if you go around sunset, the view is amazing. Everything visually is outstanding. The only reason I didn't give it a five star is the price. It is very expensive. Seafood in a place nowhere near the sea, although they do serve local fish. Which is cool. The waiter was really cool, and he was very helpful. But all in all this place is a winner.
(4)Geoff S.
Last night I finally dined at this epicurean delight. I shared the sea scallops as an appetizer which was fantastic. The price was a bit high but I already knew what to expect. The scallops were finished with a yam purée accompanied by a saffron butter some prosciutto and a morel mushroom. The appetizer was great but I'm not a huge fan of morel mushrooms in February. I had the Ribeye special from the restaurant week menu for dinner which was cooked to a perfect rare like I requested but the "potato pancake" was really just hash browns. The salad prior to the beef was a wedge of iceberg lettuce, and although I enjoyed the variation with the full slice of bacon, it still couldn't replicate a true lettuce wedge from Modes. Dessert was both creme brûlée and chocolate mousse which were fine but not remarkable. How was the service? Ashley, our server, was attentive, personable, friendly, and was never pushy yet there exactly when needed, exceptional young lady. The highlight was the overly flamboyant male server who cracked me up every time he threw a princess fit when things weren't going his was. I will totally be coming back.
(5)Alison B.
Our experience at this restaurant was not good. While the food was good and the scenery is very pretty, the service from the manager was terrible and portions are exceptionally small. The manager was not friendly and not accommodating to say the least. For the prices that this restaurant charges, food and service should be top notch. Overall - not satisfied and we will not be returning.
(2)Karen J.
Great scallop appetizer and great apple beet salad. Awful lobster bisque, tasted burnt and greasy appearence. Beef tenderloin flavorless and lobster was not cooked correctly, raw. Service very pretenseious . Left hungry and dis-satisfied.
(1)Laura M.
The food was great until 6 of our party of 9 were up all night with major FOOD POISONING! The chef blamed it on the 'rich food'...ridiculous, what kind of rich food causes vomit, diarrhea, and fever?! I just hope the elderly couples that were dinning near us are OK.
(1)Jeri J.
You start out with driving up the Peninsula with a gorgeous view of the bay and the wineries. You end at the cutest boathouse with an awesome view of the lake right outside the deck. We were really fortunate to get seated outside, the best view I've ever had at a restaurant even trumps California restaurants! My fiance had the Surf and Turf....1 1/2 lb. lobster and 4 oz. Kobe Beef filet. He was in heaven! He likes took every piece of meat possible in the lobster. I had the Chilean sea bass with hazelnut risotto. The best risotto I've ever had and the sea bass was delicious! We couldn't have asked for a better place to celebrate our new engagement!
(5)Gali B.
Excellent food, beautiful view, wonderfully cozy ambiance, excellent service. They didn't have French fries but they had potatoes so the chef made them for my two year old! Amazing! The Hawaiian sushi app was amazing. For dinner we had a Dover sole, a sea bass, and the filet - all of which were heaven!
(5)