Harrington’s By the Bay
13890 S West-Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City, MI, 49684
Harrington’s By the Bay Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
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.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
13890 S West-Bay Shore Dr
Traverse City, MI, 49684 - Phone (231) 421-9393
- Website https://www.harringtonsbythebay.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Natalia B.
I have gave this restaurant a 4 star only because we recv'd our bread, appetizers, salad, and entrees within 2 mins of each other. Timing was very bad. As a matter of a fact, we weren't sure where they thought they were going to put the entree plates so we gave back the appetizer before we could even touch it. Mgr took care of problem. It wouldn't hold us back from coming back. Great food, great service, definitely a must try. B
(4)Lauren H.
We were on vacation and I wanted fish at least once.using Yelp, we found this place. It was a great choice. I got the Parmesan Whitefish and it was pretty good. It wasn't fried, but kind of tasted like it. My husband got the pan seared perch. It was really good. We actually switched halfway through. Our server was great too.
(4)Rachel H.
I went here with my husband and my parents for dinner a couple days ago and it was a very nice dining experience. The restaurant had a nice rustic atmosphere and was a perfect temperature. The waiters were friendly and knew the menu well. My husband and I both had the prime rib dip, his plain with Swiss cheese, and mine with onions, mushrooms, and pepper jack; they were both excellent and mine had just the right amount of spicy heat. We also had a dungeness crab on the side, the meat was very tender, moist, and sweet. My parents got the filet mignon and the duck special of the day which they also really enjoyed. For desert, my parents got the peanut butter cake and my husband and I split the strawberry cheesecake; the portions were smaller than we would have expected, but they ended up being just the right size. I am very particular about cheesecake and this was baked to a perfect firm texture. Overall it is a great restaurant and I would definitely eat here again next time I find myself in Traverse City.
(4)Jenny J.
My family and I went here for dinner. We had reservations at 5:30. When we walked in the host was not friendly. We were seated in the smallest area. We couldn't even fit in the seat and had to ask to be moved. Once we got our seats we weren't greeted for about ten minutes. ( this is when we should have left) Our waitress was sweet but not good at her job. We had the lettuce wraps for an appetizer. It was really good. It had an interesting taste of different species but it took forever to get to the table. The waitress didn't return to our table for about a half hour. I order the almond salad. Totally not worth the time or money. There's about 7 almonds in the salad. Nothing special! And then we just waited ... And waited.. And waited. An hour later we finally got our steaks and baked potatoes. The steaks were delicious and green beans were under cooked. We also ordered a side on green beans for our 15 month old... Which never came to the table. Our waitress never checked in with us so we had to just cancelled the order. I would not recommend this restaurant if you have children and if you want good service. The food was ok, but if you're in Traverse City, I would recommend going to another one of the amazing restaurants with great service.
(2)Zeke T.
I have to admit, the food I tasted was quite good: the bacon-wrapped shrimp, the smoked whitefish pate, and the battered cod. That said, service was really slow (maybe they were short-staffed?), and the menu seemed a bit standard (though maybe it's just what people like). The atmosphere was so-so. The beer list was awful; for someone so close to so many local breweries, I was highly disappointed. And when they told me they were out of crab cakes (I see no excuse for this as a restaurant), I knew I wouldn't be giving Harrington's a good review. Like I said, though, the food I had was quite tasty.
(3)Susan S.
We ate at Harrington's By the Bay this week with a large group. Mixed reviews but overall good. There was a variety of food chosen from steaks to fish. Our waitress was very good overall but slow to be waited on initially. One of the people in our group ordered a medium rare steak that was medium well and the waitress very quickly and professionally handled the situation. The seafood chowder was very good. Those with steak liked their meals, the walleye not as much.
(3)Mackenzee V.
Great salads! Portobella fries are amazing!
(5)Caroline S.
I love their food. We had my birthday dinner here and I had the stuffed chicken. No joke, I would have licked the plate.
(4)Kim W.
Really disappointing... Started out feeling pretty lucky - great table on the patio with a nice view of the bay. Strike one: server began tending to the large party prior to serving my beer - a local flavor I was game to try. Ultimately forgot to the point salads were served and well, enthusiasm waning. Strike two: his was supposed to have the baked potato, not the Brussels sprouts. (He won't speak up and it took me a minute to realize.) Strike three: my mid-rare $32 steak was @ least medium if not closer to mid-well and not very flavorful. (Took 2/3's "home".) Strike four: server didn't check back after the meals were served. Strike five: his soda sat empty way too long. Overall, Harrington's... turned out to be a bummer of an experience. The table was nice, the Caesar was really good as was his fish. My steak s*ck*d (did I mention it was a 32 DOLLAR wasteofmoney?!). The server, while a somewhat friendly gal, might just have been allergic both to building more rapport with those of us likely contributing to her rent, and to moving with a purpose. Dunno. She wasn't really around enough to make a solid determination.
(2)Laura H.
We came here for lunch the other day and were rather disappointed. The restaurant itself is really nice, and you can sit outside of the patio to enjoy a wonderful view of the lake (if your party is less then four people). We had a party of six people so we unfortunately had to sit inside even though the patio was basically empty. This was fine but something to keep in mind if you have a large group and want to sit outside. We ordered a variety of appetizers and would recommend the lettuce wraps. They had a nice flavor and while not amazing were everything's favorite appetizer. The calamari and chicken wings both lacked flavor and were average at best. For entrees the fish tacos were very good, but everything else was a huge disappointment. The salmon was so over cooked and dry it wasn't even edible. The strip steak was average but not worth ordering. The french dip was also very dry and rubbery even though the meat had large amounts of fat on it. Other sandwiches were also dry and people only finished their meals because we were starving. This place may be better at dinner time but for a lunch time restaurant I would probably try one of the many other options in the area.
(2)Naomi D.
Incredible!!!!!! My BF and I randomly stopped in for lunch on July 4th and we could not believe how AMAZING the food tasted!!! I had a lunch special: Jerk swordfish sandwich with cilantro and I think a mango salsa and the BF had their three cheese grilled cheese and clam chowder. Truly, is was soooooooo delicious!!! I am a foodie so trust me when I say the flavor, texture and quality was incredible. We were in shock to stumble upon such a great food experience. Wow- I'm having a flash back right now. : ) Enjoy!
(5)Terrence G.
First trip to Harrington's. Food was quite good (potato skins and the prime rib dip). Really surprised that they had no Michigan red wine by the glass. Go figure. They had five Michigan white wines. Service was good but not spectacular.
(4)Kara W.
I feel like only 3 stars may be a tad harsh, but I just couldn't justify anymore. Food wise- it was good. I cannot complain about my meat, filet mignon. It came with complimentary shrimp since it was the weekend. My husband enjoyed his sea bass, although hated the mushroom risotto, which is odd since 2 of his favorite things are mushrooms and risotto lol. Service was fine. Nothing AWESOME but no complaints. Over all decor was nice - very northern Michigan-feeling. Great view. A tad dark. The low point was the drinks. The wine menu had an incredibly limited Michigan selection, which was a huge disappointment considering how TC is so proud of their wine country. I ordered a simple lemon drop and immediately sent it back - tasted like straight up rubbing alcohol. Awful. Also, I took off a star because while the food was good, I found it overpriced. We had come for our anniversary, and I was disappointed because I knew we could have tried one of the nice new places in town for the same price or less. We didn't have dessert and that one drink was deducted from the tab, but we still spent about $90 :/
(3)Stan D.
Started out okay, then went down hill fast. Appetizers were good. We had crab cakes, shrimp & mushrooms. Then the entrees were served. Steaks were not cooked correctly, items left of the plate. Hamburger burned, my tuna was rare, ask for it to be medium and on and on. Serve keep forgetting things. At these prices should be a lot better.
(2)Colleen C.
A perfectly lovely meal with my dad and 10 month old son. Special thanks to Laura, our lovely server, who was not only sweet and beyond competent but accommodating with both my dad's lack of hearing (whaaat?) and my son's love of soup crackers. She never batted an eye and earned the adoration of both, and obviously me. Formerly Freshwater Lodge...and for those of you who go way back and need a TC trivia answer, Schweitzer's (If you remember good old Schweitzer's and their infamous salad bar and soup you're a real TC native!) -- Harrington's has a piece of very prime real estate on M-22, with an unencumbered view of the beautiful Bay from almost any seat in the house. It's an upgrade in service and food from its predecessor -- the menu has a certain "oomph" it did not have before. We started with the whitefish pate and crackers (again, everyone was a fan), my dad had a great looking burger and I had a really fresh, flavorful salad. I was impressed with the quality, taste and portion sizes. Gone are the drab grill plates and tired "log cabin" decor from days of yore, this place has gotten a facelift and it feels comfortable and worthwhile to be there. A bonus! I'd not had a real reason to go here until this particular day -- we needed a spot for a casual lunch between shopping and our home in Suttons Bay, and this fit the bill location-wise. Hat tip to pops on the choice...should listen to him more often, even if he can't hear me half the time! :)
(4)Chris D.
There are several restaurants that we go to when we go to Traverse City. This place is one of those places that I make sure to visit. Pecan crusted white fish is the best. Also had the locally brewed Dragons Milk and it was the perfect combo. Great view as well. Check this place out if you are in the area.
(5)W. John R.
Yelp did not steer me wrong. I was in Traverse City visiting with my family and we picked this place based on reviews and location (with a view of the bay). The appetizer that others recommended (beef-wrapped asparagus) was amazing. Although she loved her dinner entree, my mom is convinced that if she ever finds herself in Traverse City again, she will make a point of coming back here and getting that as her dinner. The server convinced us to also try the bacon-wrapped shrimp, which were also delicious, although they could have been cooked a minute less. The main course was phenomenal. I had the walleye, and at my request, the server substituted a delicious garlic spinach side for the asparagus (since we had already tasted the asparagus with the appetizer). Their walleye was breathtakingly amazing. My companions had the lake perch, and two of them had the goat cheese and spinach crusted chicken. The lake perch was so smooth it was almost like butter. The chicken was tender and delicious, with complex flavors hard to find in the Midwest. Our server was also part of the reason this is a five star review. He was funny, interesting, and helpful with offering recommendations. A solid server turns a three star experience into a five star experience, and this gentleman was no exception. I only wish we had room for dessert. Anyone coming from out of town should check out Harrington's. The food was among the best meals I've had in the past five years, the view was spectacular, and the service was impeccable. This is one well-managed restaurant and deserves your every bit of attention.
(5)Marla R.
Not impressed. My water had a dirty coffee stain on the rim, and my friends soup had a hair in it.
(2)Mari H.
This place has amazing burgers! Very tasty fries and good kids menu. The service was great also.
(5)Sarah B.
The salmon is stellar. Great atmosphere, excellent location with gorgeous views. I sat outside, when I usually don't, just because of the beautiful scenery. The white fish is also very flaky and is something special as well. You can't go wrong with any of the seafood.
(4)Casey H.
Terrible food. We ended up complaining and getting the food comped. The steak as awful. No flavor and charred. We had two people get it. The perch wasn't good and the French dip was ok. They are so expensive not worth it. The salads were good and bacon wrapped shrimp good. We won't be back.
(2)Michele H.
I don't like to give bad reviews. But gosh darn it, don't make my parents feel unwelcome. It started when we asked the hostess if we could sit on the patio. A guy with a white apron appeared. Not saying anything (to us), he took menus and started walking-I had to ask the hostess if we should follow him, because no one really addressed us. Awkward. Next, he started to seat me, my 8 year old, and my two older parents at a table with two benches-do we seat people clearly in their 70's, at benches? when there are two tables with chairs available? So, my old moms asks for one of the other two available tables (both had chairs). One was dirty but that was the table he wanted us at. Awkwardly we stood while he wiped it down. After all that I hoped it would get better. But the rest of our time there, he was present, and not in a good way. Not sure what his role is, maybe a manager? but wow, what an unfriendly fella. The food wasn't great either. The wine list and view of the bay are great. But not enough to make up for feeling like a bother.
(2)Thomas H.
I had dinner here with my son and his girlfriend. The bacon wrapped shrimp we had for an appetizer was delicious, and the main course was above average. Overall, it's a nice setting but not something to rave about.
(4)Susan J.
Delicious! Followed the recommendations on Yelp and were pleased! We ordered the beef & asparagus rolls for an appetizer, the kitchen sent it out with our entrees. No problem; it was still delicious! One of ordered walleye, I ordered whitefish. Both were prepared perfectly the walleye came out less than hot and had to go back...that never gives the food the best flavor. Still it was flavorful and well plated. The whitefish was hot and crunchy, served on a bed of risotto with asparagus. We both agreed that the kitchen seemed to have rushed the food; had they taken more time it would have been great! We ordered the cherry crisp for dessert and started to worry that it took a while to bring it to the table...but they actually baked it right in a little skillet before bringing it to the table with a separate dish of creamy vanilla ice cream. It made up for the test of the meal. Hot and slightly tart with a crunchy topping, I'm glad we split it, it was huge! This finished off a good meal and brought it up a couple of notches!
(4)Ross A.
The steaks were highly recommended by the waitress, so I went with a ribeye medium rare. It came very charcoaled on the outside and very rare. That's okay, I can do that so I didn't send it back. The steak was just okay, not tender, not tough. No added seasoning except the very strong char taste. Definitely not prime but I knew that by the price. Came on a bed of mushy green something (broccoli and Brussels sprouts?) with old school baked potato. Meh. My wife's whitefish sandwich was quite good. She was happy with it. I had the house margarita and it was not drinkable. A pint glass full of sickly sweet commercial mix. They should be embarrassed to serve that swill. My wife's vodka cranberry was also terrible. Not sure how that could be so bad. They definitely need a real bartender. The guy behind the bar was obviously not a pro so maybe that's a temporary problem. I will not likely go back to Harringtons with so many excellent alternatives in TC. The place needs to up its game. It's a restaurant reality makeover show waiting to happen.
(3)Alyssa R.
If their clam chowder is an indication, then Harrington's by the Bay serves good seafood- but since I went there for happy hour I can't vouch for this. I was pulled in by their all day happy hour prices, a good idea for an expensive restaurant that I might otherwise never make it to. My first irritation was that the prices and menu online didn't match the menu inside- not great business practice, since most new customers read up before visiting nowadays. Actually, it wasn't just an irritation as it is a peev. If you boast that you have a $5 bites happy hour menu and then you make it there specifically for that and realize it's a range of 5-8 dollar bites with only 4 of the 11 items actually being $5 it's a huge let down. I don't mind paying more money, but I specifically chose them to eat at for their online menu. They also didn't have some of the items they advertised such as the mushroom tempura and the nachos. However, everything was ... hot? I would say they were relatively well prepared. The beef/ asparagus rolls with hollandaise sauce was tasty (needed a shake of both salt and pepper!) and the burger was cooked as I ordered- pink inside, though a little dry on the edges, but that may be what happens when you get a steak burger (filet, ribeye, and NY strip)? The clam chowder, while it didn't surpass my favorite Red Coat Tavern in Royal Oak, had a sweet, slightly spicy and creamy profile. I'm just going to toss this out there... because I love fries... everything else was the Kelly Knowles to the Beyonce which were the fries. Nothing spectacular, but super crispy. They were a combination of a slimmer steak fry and the curly seasoned fry. Uh... yeah. How could that not be good? All of the dishes made for a satisfactory lunch experience. Their biggest problem is how AWESOME and unique Traverse City is getting- there is so much great food of all kinds around, and at lower prices. Harrison's by the Bay did a decent job, but definitely caters to a more established, "old school Traverse money" crowd. Not much there for TC hipsters or vacationing families there, though I don't mean to sell it's normal menu short since I haven't had it yet. You can tell a lot about a place based on its happy hour, and Harrington's showed me decent food at a slightly higher price point than it needed to be. Maybe I'll stop in to try some seafood, but I'm really looking for better than average and I'm not sure Harrington's can deliver.
(3)Craig P.
Great atmosphere, view of the harbor and outside seating, log cabin rustic styling create a welcoming environment. The food was delightful and the servers were well informed and helpful. I enjoyed the crusted wallie, it was brilliantly presented and full of flavor. I was sad to see very limited offerings of local red wines, no local reds offered by the glass - tragic as the community is chalked full of local wineries. We brought our two boys with us, both under 10 years of age. Kids menu options were good and the restaurant was friendly for the kiddos.
(4)Nancy K.
A surprisingly good find in TC. I will admit that I've passed over this place, preferring better looking spots but my boss planned a dinner here so here I found myself. And I'm glad! Service is friendly and attentive and gets everything right, even with a huge party like ours ordering off the menu. While there were about 35 of us, I was at a table of four. We started with soup and salad and all were excellent even my wedge salad which appeared to be too huge. Since I'd had steak the night before I got the Mediterranean Chicken Pasta (sans artichokes) and it was fantastic. My colleagues had two different steaks: two tried the Gorgonzola strip while the other went with the filet. Rave reviews from everyone on every dish. Only one person had dessert (key lime pie) and loved it. I had coffee after dinner and it was great. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Grace S.
A coworker and I had dinner on a Monday night. The weather was gorgeous so we sat on the porch. It was a bit loud with the road between us and the bay. I had the almond crusted white fish with cherry butter on feta risotto. It was phenomenal and very filling! The Risotto was cooked perfectly! The service was awesome our waitress had lots of good recommendations and was very knowledgeable about all their dishes. She kept us in water and beer/cider and was not super pushy!
(5)Kelly J.
They are really expensive $$$. The food wasn't over the top, service was great though. Avoid the fish tacos at all cost. Extremely fishy!!!
(3)Richard F.
What an amazing place with a warm atmosphere even with the cool breeze coming from the lake. The service was to die for, she really working for this guys tip. Couldn't be happier after this pleasureful meal. Steak was a little pink in the middle, very nice pink color, just how I like it. YUM!Give her a whirl if your in the area.
(4)Angel P.
The ribeye was good! But they did not have any steak sauce to go with it... What's a good steak without steak sauce? But overall the service and good was yummy!! My boyfriend is very picky with his steaks and he says this place is good! Just missing some A1 to complete it. The baked potato was delicious!! Most places make theirs dry, but hands down the best baked potato, the French fries are to die for also!
(4)Jack L.
Finding this restaurant was a happy accident thanks to Yelp. We were looking for a seafood place that would be good for kids and up popped Harrington's. The reviews listed before mine were positive and our family of 7 decided to give it a shot. My wife called to make reservations and we headed to the restaurant right on time. However, we were met with a 15-20 minute wait because some of the tables weren't turning over as expected. Their bills were paid but they were still sitting at the tables. There was absolutely nothing the manager could do about it - I'm very understanding about stuff like this after having grown up in my Dad's restaurants - but he still went the extra mile and offered us a free appetizer when we were seated. My father-in-law had a drink at the bar while we waited for our table and the manager brought out chocolate milk for my daughters as they waited up front. Eventually, we were seated and we were quite hungry after the unplanned wait. Thankfully, our server brought out our complimentary appetizer of the meat and cheese board in very short order averting a near meltdown of my kids! This was a real crowd pleaser. For my entree, I went with the pecan crusted whitefish and truffle fries. WOW! This was completely unexpected - a very large portion that was delicious from beginning to end. The others at my table were also very pleased with their choices. Thanks to Yelp we found a real gem in Traverse City. The food and service were both remarkable - highly recommend this place!
(5)Cyndi K.
Great servers and a gorgeous outside setting made this good meal even better. There was some confusion over how the two steaks should be ordered and the sides ended up on the wrong plates but the steaks were tender and delicious.
(4)Brandon U.
My mother and I ate here while on vacation. The atmosphere was real nice bright and open. I got the salmon salad and my mom got some like Egg Plant Parm app. Now my salad was real good very fresh greens which is hard to get now days my only complaint was the size of the piece of salmon it was real small :( but tasty non the less. My mom's Eggplant Parm dish was really delicious for an Italian dish at a steak and seafood place!?! All the ingredients tasted fresh coffee was good and so was our service. I would like to give it a 4 1/2 just because of the size of the piece of salmon but I definitely would eat there again!
(5)Maria P.
We have been to Harrington's By the Bay three times over the last few months. While I was disappointed on our last visit to find out they took Prime Rib off the menu, I got over it and ordered the Ribeye, which was outstanding! Perfectly cooked and seasoned with one of the best baked potatoes I've had in a while. We had the Asparagus beef rolls as an appetizer and I had to fight with my daughter to share the last piece! Servers have been friendly, quick and knowledgeable every time. The view of the Bay is a hug bonus and we sat near the fireplace yesterday, which was toasty on a cold day. Hubby did not love the Ahi tuna asian salad, but it was good, just did not compare to my steak!, We all loved the lettuce wraps. The eggplant with smoked mozzarella and tomato sauce appetizer is excellent, which I ordered the second time we were there. The house Cabernet was also a nice surprise. Unfortunately, my husband didn't love what he ordered on our last visit either, but I have been thrilled every time, so four stars.
(4)Tim B.
Ate at Harrington's last night for our anniversary. From the moment we walked in, the hostess greeted us warmly and showed us to a bayside booth. When my wife asked for a gluten-free menu, it was brought right away. Our server, Floyd, was polite and knowledgable. He explained the evening special very well and took our order very efficiently. Our salads came out shortly and were good. The cherry vinaigrette dressing was great...maybe a little too sweet, but good. My wife got the gluten-free walleye encrusted in potatoes, which we have had and previously loved. Not at all disappointing. No fishy taste, and this was on a Monday. I got the special, a 6-oz beef filet served with a sunny side up egg inside an onion ring, all over a bed of shredded cooked brussels sprouts and a béarnaise sauce. Unbelievable! No room for desert, we paid our bill and left, sure to return.
(5)D H.
Still VERY happy with the service and quality of food - We are so THANKFUL we live in an area of many UNCHAINED restaurants- If you gave this place less than 3 stars - try it again and if you are unhappy tell them - they will do their best to make it right!
(5)Becky O.
Disappointed by the very poor service today. We went for breakfast after lunch hour. Food was great as always, however our server was cold, less than accommodating to my senior dad with hearing and sight challenges. She never came back to our table, and we had to ask more than once for a coffee refill.
(1)John R.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. I asked at the front desk for a good seafood restaurant and this place got glowing recommendations, especially for the fresh whitefish. Maybe I should have stuck with that recommendation. Unfortunately, this is a family restaurant. It's not romantic; it's not quiet; it's not a good place to go to "get away from it all." It's a FAMILY restaurant. I wish I had known. The first clue should have been the waiter who remarked that as a table for 1 I'd be in and out quickly. What?!? That was quickly followed by the cacophony of multiple infants at several tables and what looked like a speed-dating for seniors event at the other end of the room. No ambiance here. I did order a cocktail (they're cheap! Order several, you may need them.) only to have my salad arrive after 1 or 2 sips. So much for enjoying my cocktail. He had me on a deadline, after all. Unfortunately, I took the waiter's suggestion for the walleye, not the whitefish. Not sure I should have. It was covered with 2 different sauces and--despite the waiter's insistence that everything was made fresh to order--I swear, frozen hash potatoes, that I really couldn't taste the fish. My whitefish burger at a roadside stand that afternoon had more taste. As the mothers at the nearby tables actually got up to confer with each other while their crying infants wailed away at their tables, even my second cocktail--which arrived after my entree--couldn't save the evening. Bummer.
(2)Laurie T.
Excellent service, food outstanding especially the bacon/shrimp appetizer, lobster Mac-n-cheese and the pecan crusted whitefish Loved it all - will recommend to anyone headed to traverse city
(5)Kristin F.
Another neighborhood favorite. I've been here for both lunch and dinner over and over and I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this yet. Alas, here we go. Burgers and salads are solid lunch options, though I've recently gone (semi) vegan. Okay, I still eat seafood and some dairy. Anyway, I love the crab cake appetizer and the fish specials are ALWAYS delicious- opted for the mahi mahi when on a dinner date with my gal pal, which had an amazing pineapple rice and salsa to accompany it. Yummmm! I ventured back for dinner a couple weeks ago and sat outside since it was such a lovely little evening- until it started raining. No problem, though- the outside dining area is covered! It was fun eating while watching the rain come down on the bay, though I was pretty sure I had left my sun roof open down the street. We got the scallops (ummm, the entree) for an appetizer- haha- and I selected the swordfish special (yes, delicious) while he got the salmon. Both were superb, and I'll definitely be back soon. Great service, familiar faces each time I go- they're doing something right.
(4)Suzanne M.
I was back on 1-4-2013 with two friends--dinners were delicious, service was excellent. I lost my house keys and returned to the restaurant to look for them--manager could not have been more helpful, thoughtful or kind! I drive by this place twice every day going back and forth to work but for some reason, tend not to think of it when selecting a place for dinner . . . that habit will most assuredly STOP! Everything a diner could want . . . great food, excellent service, varied menu, reasonable prices!
(5)Jennifer H.
We grew up in the area and lived here for a few years, but this is a new place for us. We saw the great Yelp reviews so picked it for our Splurge Dinner on vacation...and were very happy. Our six-top (including two kids) shared the scallop appetizer (I could have eaten the dinner portion they were so good) and the calamari--both delicious. My Filet Oscar was REALLY good--cooked perfectly medium rare. My husband liked (didn't love) his whitefish entree--though maybe he just liked mine more. :) Our two guests liked their shrimp and steak entrees as well. The service was excellent and they readily took care of some additional requests due to having the kids with us. We'd definitely go back and have recommended it to our family who still live in the area.
(5)Bridjet S.
I am not sure how to rate this restaurant since I have been here three times and have very mixed reviews. My husband and I went here once a few years ago with three of our adult children. We had trouble being seated because they were crowded. We ended up sitting outside which we didn't really mind at all. The food then was ok, but nothing special. A few months ago, my husband and I ended up here again and we had a bad experience with the food and the service. We ordered steak and neither of ours was cooked correctly. We said we would not come back again. However, a few weeks ago some friends of ours said they loved the place and we agreed to eat there with them. This time around our server was fantastic, with a nice sense of humor, and was every helpful. We all enjoyed our food very much and had a great time. We may end up here again. I would definitely order the fish tacos or the fish and chips. I would stay away from the steaks even though they are a steak house.
(3)Dion S.
Always have had great food and service...
(5)Leah S.
The service here was flawless, the owner was very accommodating and friendly and the food was spectacular. My friends and I went here before a marathon so we all ate pasta and everyone loved theirs. The bread was very good as well. Trying the desserts is a must. The peanut butter pie was incredible. I don't know if there are words to describe the perfection of it. The cherry cobbler was also fantastic - so good that I kept eating long after I was full.
(5)Cyndi J.
Place was dead as dead. Everyone I think was at Apache Trout Grill -their wait was 2 hours! Waiter was nice and was working best he could. Took awhile initially to get our drinks and order taken. My scallops were good. It came with a cheezy risotto that was sub par. Not sure I would come back for food maybe for drinks.
(2)Mike K.
My wife and I dined at Harrington's for the first time this evening and if you had six stars I would rate it a 6. We were greeted promptly at the door by one of the owners, asked for and got a booth by the window looking out to the bay. The place is nicely decorated, comfortable not kitschy but warm and friendly. I started with a cup of seafood chowder to die for. Chunks of fish and potatoes in a buttery, creamy, thick, great tasting dish. Our salads were excellent, my wife's was the spinach with a outstanding dressing, mine was the romaine with bleu cheese dressing. Again the dressing was very good with chunks of bleu in it and real bacon bits for a garnish. Our main courses were pecan crusted whitefish, as good as we've had anywhere, and a rotisserie 1/2 chicken that was juicy, flavorful and meat that fell off the bones. Their truffle oil fries were a tasty addition. Portions were generous and nicely presented. Service was courteous, prompt, and our server Floyd checked back twice to see that all was well. Our bill was $57 with no drinks but well worth it. We'll go again.....
(5)Laura C.
On our last day of a mini getaway to TC, we stopped by Harrington's for lunch. As you walk in, you notice the handcrafted wood benches and then a beautiful sugar maple bar top. It's decorated in a nautical theme with boats hanging from the ceiling and random fish on the walls. A little Red Lobster-esque, but with a gorgeous view of the bay. We were happily greeted by the hostess who doubled as our server - who brings this review from three stars to four. Her witty comments and genuine kindness while looking after our group was enough to make me want to come back, despite the good, but not great, food. We started with the beef and asparagus rolls, which were a shining example of the Michigan stalks with a tasty beef slice. Next up were the tempura portobello fingers. Served alongside a peanut dipping sauce, these were a table favorite. A little darker than a typical tempura batter, these could have used a shorter dip in the fryer. The French onion soup was served piping hot with a cheesy brown , but a bit salty for me. We also tried the chicken caesar salad. It was a healthy portion with shaved parmesan and slightly dry chicken. My group enjoyed their sandwiches which were served with truffle fries. The few I tasted barely had a hint of truffle. I mentioned this to our server who brought out some truffle oil for us to dip our fries. I held back my suggestion to use truffle salt instead of oil. The tiramisu cake was a perfect end to the meal.
(4)Kristen N.
Harrington's has been open for a few years now. Last night was the first time going there because of all the bad reviews and comments I have heard since it has opened. Hoping they had worked out all of the kinks since opening, I decided to give it a chance with a good friend of mine. Since I have heard the steaks are horrible here, I got the mahi tacos instead ($14), mainly because I love fish tacos and they had cabbage on them (where not many places in TC do). They were very bland!! One taco had only one piece of mahi and a large pile of cabbage, while the other taco had two pieces and another large pile of cabbage, with a minimal amount of some white sauce on top. I could barely taste the mahi and white sauce, probably because of the two taco shells and mound of cabbage in each taco. Sadly, probably the worst fish tacos I have ever had! My friend got the seafood pasta dish. He was super excited for it because of the variety of seafood in the dish that was listed on the menu. As soon as he saw the plate come out, he looked at me, very disappointed!! For $22, I have never seen a plate of pasta so small before! He, no joke, ate his dinner in 6 bits! And it wasn't even good!! Because of the disappointed and disgusted look on his face, I tried a couple noodle and it was extremely bland - the sauce seemed watered down! My friend also said it had no flavor and was missing half of the seafood the menu had mentioned. For someone who is 6'6" and will eat anything, he went from being excited about his meal to never wanting to go back to Harrington's, and leaving still hungry! For $22, it was definitely not worth it! ... Forgot to mention that we ordered calamari as an appetizer because we were so hungry. It was pretty good actually. Probably the biggest calamari pieces I have ever seen before, but seemed under cooked. The Asian sauce that comes with it was tasty though! Someone else mentioned on Yelp that the drink prices are cheap - so untrue!! Martinis are $10 for a small martini! If it wasn't for the large company Christmas party that was going on last night, there would have only been a handful of tabled occupied. Also, our waiter was nothing special. Harrington's is way over priced for the small entree portions and tasteless food! This TC local will not be going back!
(1)Patrick T.
We were planning on dinner at the Apache Trout Grill, but the place was mobbed and we were not in any mood to wait, so we headed down the street to Harrington's. Their Yelp profile said they were new to the TC scene and their Facebook page didn't have a menu yet so Harrington's was a bit of a mystery, but it turned out to be a highly enjoyable dining experience. It was very busy but without any wait at all we were escorted to a window table overlooking the bay and almost immediately our server Hillary was table side taking our drink order. We started with the tenderloin wrapped asparagus before moving on to seafood chowder and a baby romaine wedge with bleu cheese and bacon. For our entrees my partner chose the pork involtini (pork medallions wrapped around asparagus and mozzarella) and I went for the 7 oz. beef filet. Both were accompanied by asparagus (our choice from a list of available sides). Yes, lots of asparagus in this meal, but that's our doing. What can I say... We love asparagus! Hillary brought us some warm herb bread and whipped butter while we waited for our appetizer, and while munching on that I spent a few minutes taking in the decor. Beautiful wood abounds, the kitchen is open, and large windows face the bay. The main room is spacious, but keeps a cozy feel. A large stone fireplace occupies on wall. When the appetizer arrived we immediately realized that we were in for a real treat. Each course was fresh and bursting with flavor. The beef/asparagus appetizer was tender with a light Béarnaise sauce. The seafood chowder savory with large chunks of fish, crab, shrimp, potato and celery. I skipped the oyster crackers so ensure that I tasted every flavor the chowder offered. The romaine wedge was super fresh and crisp with some of the best bleu cheese I've ever had and plenty of real bacon. The entrees were better than expected, and by this point our expectations were running high. My beef filet was char-grilled to perfection, so tender that it melted in my mouth, and the sauce with capers added a deep rich flavor. My partner's pork was tender and the buttery cheesy sauce complemented it nicely. We finished our meal with a piece of peanut butter pie and coffee. The rich creaminess of the pie nicely balanced the rich savory flavors of the meal. Matching the quality of the food was the service. Each course was served with precision; nothing was brought to the table too quickly and never did we wait for anything. Hillary checked on us at exactly the right moments, never interrupting the conversation. It was near the end of the meal when we asked how long Harrington's had been in business and learned that they are only in their fourth week! Some restaurants take months to perfect the timing between the waitstaff and the kitchen, but Harrington's seems to have mastered it almost out of the gate. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and recommend that you give it a try.
(5)Ashley H.
We ate here as part of Traverse City Restaurant Week. The lobster-stuffed mushrooms were mediocre. Our creme brulee dessert was not the best I've ever had. The star of the show was their steak! My fiance and I both had the filet. It was so tender, cooked to perfection, and full of amazing flavor!
(3)Dave W.
Searched for some place good to eat dinner on a busy summer Saturday, and stumbled across this place when the place across the road had a two hour wait. We saw the "no wait" sign and were hooked. We were pleasantly surprised when there was an open table outside with a view of the bay. We were a bit put off when the host told us there we had to be done with our table by a certain time due to a reservation later. It was plenty of time for us to eat - I just thought it was kind of tacky to say that to us. The waiter gave us a good description of the menu, although he was really dogging a couple of the items, which made it sort of uncomfortable when my wife ordered one of the items that he had been slamming. We ordered a couple of appetizers and our entrees. We were a bit surprised when a table that came in long after us received their appetizers before us, but ours came shortly after that. Unfortunately, we had just taken our first bite of our appetizers...and they brought out out entrees! Not impressive! I had a stuffer solve and scallops special and it was quite good. My wife got the Parmesan crusted whitefish. She thought it was OK, but the waiters review of it was probably accurate. In short, the location is good, the prices are high, the service was unimpressive, but the location is great. I'd be willing to give it another shot next time we're in town.
(4)Rikki W.
We were a group of 6 and were impressed by the atmosphere and service of this place. The waiter was very attentive, the decor is nice, and the water is right across the street. However, I have to say the food here was not impressive by any means. I think the food is the most important thing when dining out and this place was not very good. I had the $28 Halibut and it was a small piece of fish that was very dry with some sauce on it that was very bland in flavor along with about half a cup of brown rice. I'm sorry, but that is way overpriced in my opinion. Salad was not even included in the entree price. My fellow diners were not very impressed with their meals either. We ended up having a bill of about $160 for six people. Not outrageous, but when you are charging $20 and up a plate, I feel the restaurant should hold its chef's to higher standards. We left there disappointed with the meal and felt ripped off. I will not be returning here.
(1)S K.
I was very disappointed by this restaurant compared to all the other reviews. We found this place from yelp and really looked forward to it. Our main problem was that the service was downright terrible. We made a reservation so we could sit outside an showed up a little early. We got our waters right away but the hostess gave us two dinner menus and a lunch menu. So after the waiter took our orders (15 mins later) we still needed bread and the drink menu. We got our bread after we had already ate the appetizer (30 mins after we arrived). My martini had ice chunks in it and he delivered it saying "wow this is a hot mess" with the drink spilling everywhere, so then dont serve it?? The waiter was way too casual with us, telling us what was not good there (the pink lady drink, the tropical drink, and all desserts are frozen) nor did he ever come by to ask us how our meal was after we recieved it. Our food was fine but $5-$10 overpriced; for example we got the bacon wrapped scallops appetizer, you get TWO scallops for $12. There is no way each scallop was worth $6! The rest of the food was edible but not upscale. Now I will give slight credit to the waiter- he insisted on removing the drink from the charge and I insisted on paying since I didn't send it back. When we received our check a man came up to us and asked us how our meal was. I thought... who are you and why do you care? well turns out he's the owner. We were frank and he insisted on either adjusting the bill or offering another meal elsewhere which we firmly refused as we weren't looking for a free meal. I did appreciate that he insisted on making things right but again, we know that some diners are scammers and we just wanted a nice meal. Should have gone to Jolly Pumpkin!!
(1)GAD C.
On a recent visit with another couple, Harrington's made what could have been a bad experience into an enjoyable evening. The wine we ordered was not available, so they substituted a different year of the same vintage but did not mention it. Not a big deal but something that should have been mentioned given it was an expensive bottle. I suspect our waiter didn't even realize. When our food arrived, my steak, which was ordered medium, showed up well done. When I mentioned this to our waiter, he quickly whisked it away - no questions asked. In a few minutes, a replacement arrived cooked to perfection delivered by the manager along with sincere apologies. When we received our bill, they had removed the charges for my meal. While I certainly did not expect that, it shows how Harrington's values customer service. As for the food, three of ordered steaks and one ordered halibut. All of the food was well prepared and enjoyable. Our service was excellent. One of the better dining experiences we've had in TC.
(4)Jamie A.
This place used to be Freshwater Lodge and it used to be amazing! But I had heard Harrington's is owned by the same people that own Apache Trout Grill right down the street so I was encouraged. I had gone for lunch and the wait staff was very friendly and the ambiance of being across from West Bay is pretty cool. Now on to the food, the lunch menu was very small and nothing too exciting on it but just salad sandwiches and burgers. I had the pulled pork sandwich and everything about it was good except for the pork! Very dry and I didn't care for the sauce either but the bread it was on was good and the fries it came with were outstanding. The person I was with had a Cobb salad and said that it was the best they had had in a long time. I have a feeling that their dinner menu is much better or at least I hope it is because I didn't really see what is going to set this place apart from Apache which is FANTASTIC and only a stones throw away from Harrington's. It was disappointing to see Fresh Water Lodge was no longer here and I hope Harrington's doesn't have the same fate.
(3)Jack K.
Service was very good and the food was decent. Much of the fish comes fried. I had a whitefish crusted in Parmesan and it was pretty thickly fried.
(3)Judith L.
I've eaten here several times for lunch and dinner. I really like the battered fish and chips. I did notice a marked decline in service recently...hope their new downtown restaurant doesn't detract from the quality if this one.... Try the Asian lettuce wraps for a light and delicious lunch.
(4)Dana P.
The food and service were out standing. I had the 10oz filet with asparagus and my husband had the prime rib dip. My filet was outstanding; it was done to a perfect medium and the sauce was delicious. I am from Texas and we know our steaks. This was very good beef. The bread on my husband's prime rib sandwich was home made and very good. He commented that the French fries were the "best I have ever had." The service was awesome and even though they were pretty full, we did not have to wait. One of the best things about it is the dining room had a great view of the bay. Very pleasant dinner in all aspects.
(5)Su Y.
Awesome burger with Truffle fries
(5)Dave M.
Well, our first trip to the new restaurant in town was truly a pleasant surprise! The menu didn't look very interesting but it did have a good variety of entrees and prices. A more than decent wine list. Serving some Right Brain brew too. Service was terrific. They even brought me a glass of ice water with my beer without asking. Soooo--the food: My beef tenderloin (10oz--$29--most expensive thing on the menu?) was thee best piece of meat I have ever eaten in TC (I've eaten at all of TC's high end restaurants). It was served with a peppercorn sauce and some fresh mushrooms. Every bite was an ultimate bite. So tender. So flavorful with just the right subtle crunch from the searing. The caesar was served with a non-creamy dressing---nice change and nice salad! The bread was awesome--perfect crust, chewy bread and flavorful. The table couldn't get enough of it. The kids had some good grilled cheeses and some fresh cut waffle fries--they were delighted. Somebody had a hamburger and said it was darn good too! Glad to have another option in town for some good eats! Welcome Harrington's! We did not have dessert from the restaurant but brought in some Simply Cupcakes for a birthday celebration and the staff graciously help us serve them. :-) Update--(7/12/13) We've enjoyed Harrington's more than a dozen times since they opened and every experience has been top notch. Had a "Rack of Pork" on a bed of risotto tonight that was wonderful. Kids menu is the best in town---fresh melt in your mouth cod with hand-cut fries for $6. This is our kind of family restaurant! :-)
(5)Chris M.
Visited Harrington's on a recent trip to Traverse City and enjoyed it very much. The service was excellent, the beef dishes deliciously prepared and presented, and the prices very reasonable for the quality. We sat outside and enjoyed the views of the west bay; the noise from traffic was less instrusive than that from other diners at most restaurants.
(4)Emmalee T.
Their appetizer of asparagus rolled in steak is amazing and their prime rib is some of the best I have had. Other than that I have not been impressed by anything else on their menu. Their Sunday brunch which they recently added is one of the best in town thus far. It's very reasonably priced and kids eat free which is a total plus! Their waffles and pancakes were super delicious and their eggs benedict was quite tasty. I honestly didn't dislike any of their brunch offerings. Everything was hot and fresh. Their omlette station was amazing, best omlette station at a brunch buffet in town and I've tried them all. I worry that because they did just start offering brunch that it will eventually decline in quality but I sure hope not. It's so affordable and so far not nearly as busy as Apache Trout Grill which is just down the road from them and its leaps and bounds better than Apache's brunch. The view is nice, the ambiance is what you would expect of a nautical style restaurant in Michigan and the service is always good. Definitely worth checking out but it's not a place I frequent for dinner.
(3)Lentz B.
I thought this was a fine dining want to be. THe only thing fine dining was the white dishes and the high prices. I got the filet oscar which was a 7 oz filet with two crunchy asparagus strips across the top with luke warm crab meat on the top and a tiny bit of sauce. It came with broccoli and cauliflower that were also lukewarm and they didn't do anything to them. They weren't seasoned or maybe a little olive oil would of made them tastier. This dish was 32.00. My husband got the cod with fries which he could of got at any fish and chips place. Probably won't go back. Fresh Water Lodge was much better.
(2)Geoff S.
Had dinner here tonight with my 5 year old daughter. She ordered the fish sticks which actually tasted like they were NOT a Gordon's or Sysco product which I though was a nice touch. I got upsold when I asked the waitresses opinion between the pecan crusted whitefish and beef. She led me to the filet and of course I ordered the 10 oz cooked rare with a baked potato. The beef was a perfect rare and was full of flavor, in fact the peppercorn sauce detracted from the beef in my opinion. Service was good, not great, but worth coming back to. As a suggestion, if there are no specials please don't have the waitstaff come to the table and start by telling me there are no specials, immediately all I wanted was a special. Overall it was good but the experience was short of memorable, a solid 4 stars
(4)Tracy B.
It was sketchy at first because on our last 2 visits, both entailed asking for things they didn't have. We ordered the Ferrari-Carrano Chardonnay and AGAIN they didn't have it. Then we ordered a Malbec that they didn't have but management really went above and beyond giving us a wonderful Malbec that was pricier but charged us the cost of the one we ordered. My daughter's fish and chips was exceptional and our 2 apps were good. The lettuce wraps are a definite yes! The diver scallops should have been described as 2 scallops. For $12 I'd like to know I'm only getting 2 scallops wrapped in bacon that are about 1.5 inches by .75"...just sayin. I know they're about $10/lb. but really...2? The bread is fantastic and the service was also exceptional, especially for a fireworks night. We'll go back next year and if they read this, I'd like to see the clams and mussels app put back on the menu as well as the shrimp. The menu seems to be getting shorter as we visit...mayhap they're keeping their best? I hope so...best of luck to them, they're in a great location.
(3)kelly f.
Stumbled upon this place while honey nooning in tc. Food was very good. Got the 10 oz strip and added the lobster tail. Steak was slightly over cooked, ordered it med rare but it was seasoned beautifully and I don't know if it's the 40 days they dry aged but it was wonderful. Seafood chowder soup was also excellent. Nice wine list and our server, Floyd I believe was very attentive and knowledgeable. The owner/manager checked in on us twice to be sure everything was ok. Price was also very reasonable.
(4)Brian S.
We've eaten here twice now, and both times were OK. The service is fine and the atmosphere is excellent. The prices are quite high for the quality of the food though. The food is fine, not great. They are really touting the steaks now and I tried the porterhouse. It was ok, nothing to write home about, there are better in town for less. My veg was ice cold, and that was a shame because the idea of roasted parsnips and carrots sounded good. When I told the manager, who happened to ask, I didn't seek him out, I was given an oh well shrug. My wife had the filet and she was satisfied with it, but didn't rave. Again, this place is fine, but we paid well over a $100.00 for the three of us and I left feeling like we could of gone to one of the better higher end restaurants in town and had a better experience. Oh by the way, if you have one of those band discount cards the kids sell (we do but didn't realise that they were on it til days later) you get 10% off which would put it closer to where it neeeds to be. I just galnced over and noticed another review that said their potato was not cooked and cold. Sounds like they need to work on side prep.
(3)Mary Jean R.
Disappointing. Found long hair in my salad. Too grossed out to eat anything more.
(1)Dwight G.
Overall a nice experience. Great view of the lake. Meal was enjoyable. First time here and I would recommend this to friends and family. I will return.
(4)Michelle R.
This restaurant has only been open 3 weeks, so at peak dining time on a Saturday night we were seated immediately. The interior looks much like it did when it was Freshwater Lodge, but I didn't care for the smell of the fryer near the kitchen/bar area. We sat on the deck and enjoyed the view of W. Bay, albeit with traffic driving by and pulling into the parking lot. We were able to get a table along the side of the building, so we were somewhat removed from the road. Their wine list includes quite a few local wines, and a variety of wines by the glass. Entrees come with one side (potato or vegetable of the day). Side salads are extra for $2.99 - $3.99. The Caesar salad dressing was homemade and we could taste the anchovy (in a good way), so I felt it was worth the splurge. The waitress recommended any of the steaks on the menu, and the NY Strip and Filet were delicious and the asparagus was perfectly cooked. My son enjoyed the perch and truffle fries (french fries with truffle oil). With the wine, the bill was a little pricey, but we were paying for the view. Without drinks you'll probably spend $25-$30. I will definitely try this place again to see if their food remains consistently good.
(4)