5 of us went to Grey Gables on Tuesday 7/15/2014 for a 7:00 pm res. We arrived at 7:00 and were seated right away. 3 out if 5 of us are what I'd consider regulars at this place. A few of us were planning on getting a lamb dish. Unfortunately they'd taken it off their menu. It was however still on their website and it's really something they're known for. Two of us got the ribs, one the walleye, another the chicken and one the salmon. The chicken dish was very good, the rest was just ok. Definitely not worth driving 45 minutes for. We called over the manager and complained about the lamb. He said it was taken off the menu for summer because it's a heavy dish and didn't really sell well last summer. He also told us it's the web hosting company's fault that it's still on the website. One excuse after another. Prime rib and BBQ ribs must not be heavy meals. They're still on the menu, and it's summer. The food wasn't up to the usual standards. I hope they were having a bad night. Our meals should have been better.
(2)
Michael P.
Unbelievable! Yes, I had eaten here twice before, in the summer of 2013 and found it exceptional. On Friday 1-17-2014, I went to have a dinner with my girlfriend and her sister and her brother-in-law. The bread was awesome, the mushroom soup was incredible and the salmon was delicious! We all found our meals beyond exceptional. We enjoyed the food so much, we returned the following evening! I had the prime rib and several side dishes. This is now my favorite restuarant ever! The chef could make a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich taste out of this world.
(5)
Erin L.
Wow, I was really disappointed with this place after all the great Yelp reviews. I was expecting some fine dining, but this was barely even supper club passable. I suspect this is due to the restaurant being in an old expensive neighborhood where the old people like to have things exactly the way they've been for the last 100 years. Our hotel had informed me that they have a great bar selection, so when I asked for a martini, I was suprised when the bartender handed me a list of all kinds of frou-frou drinks (think Apple-tini, Flir-tini, etc.) I asked if they had Hendricks gin, but he gave me a quizzicle look and said they had Sapphire and Tanqueray. The bar is basically rail drinks and what I refer to as rail-plus-one. As for food, each entree came with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was obvious that the beans were previously frozen, not fresh. I ordered the hanger steak, medium rare, since I'd read all these great reviews about it. It came out well done and I had to send it back, which came with a whole other slew of annoyances that I won't go into here. My husband I were glad to be done, pay, and leave without bothering with dessert. I was disappointed because this could have been so much better. They could even keep the menu, but use fresh and local food (which is in abundance in this area). The bar needs an upgrade. The service, while friendly, was not knowledgable or professional.
(1)
North Girl M.
Have lived in this area for 18 months and was thinking this would be the same old $19 salad with dried cherries, vegetables soaked in butter kinda place. How pleasantly surprised was I! A menu that stretches, interesting ingredients, lovely atmosphere. Our server cara was knowledgeable, friendly and lovely. The fish was perfectly cooked, the drink menu wide and the salads were perfect. Try this for your special occasions and they stay open all year. Quite a feat in this area. Go here!
(4)
Kendra and Tracy K.
I was very unimpressed with this restaurant, especially because I heard such great things about it and had high expectations. The decor and feel of this restaurant is charming; complete with old-fashioned molding and chandeliers, a roaring fireplace, high-backed, circular bar booths, etc. But that's where the charm ends... We ordered a spicy tuna roll as an appetizer. Sushi rice should be slightly sticky with hints of rice vinegar and sugar. The rice on these rolls had zero taste and texture and the fish just tasted old. The pickled ginger was the color of the rice. We also ordered a dry-aged, NY strip steak (medium-rare), which was unevenly cooked and very tough. So tough that it was difficult to chew it enough to swallow. It was coated with so much pepper that my eyes watered. I don't think the potatoes that came on the side were even real potatoes. They were very gluey. I did love the side of sauteed spinach that I ordered. It was hot and garlicky and not-watery. I think our dinner was supposed to come with bread. All the other tables had bread. We weren't offered any. My water glass stayed empty until I had to ask to have it filled. The beer selection was small. The wine selection was decent. We didn't stay for desert, even though we had planned to. I've heard such great things, that perhaps we really just got unlucky with our menu picks and ordered the worst food, maybe we should have gone with the Dungeness crab or pot roast, but unfortunately I will never come back to find out.
(2)
Nancy B.
Maybe it's because I'm on vacation when I'm there. Maybe it's the proximity to Lake Michigan, where we always stroll after dinner. Or maybe it's the incredible early bird special they have that includes a bottle of wine and dessert. This place is a hidden gem Up North. The waitstaff always seems highly trained and very polite/attentive. Love how the owner/chef stops by to see that all is well and to talk about the restaurant's former life as a private home, boarding house, etc. I've had two delicious meals there and truly enjoyed the quiet, quaint, "old school" atmosphere.
(4)
Johanna B.
We have been eating here for years whenever we are in town, about once a month or so. It has always been a good, solid choice. The prime rib and whitefish are dependably good. I've also enjoyed the hangar steak, scallops, and butternut squash ravioli (not on the current menu). About a year ago they started shaking things up, with more inventive dishes and local foods -- a big improvement. The dessert menu needs a bit more imagination as it's gotten somewhat tired, although I will say the bread pudding is stellar. As other reviewers have mentioned, the place is very charming. We have never experienced anything other than great service.
(4)
Jane R.
A couple of years ago my husband and I had a very nice experience here, so we were hosting another couple to this area and decided to take them there...wish we hadn't. The food was adequate, I had soft shell crab and should have known better, it was ok, but after having this in Florida I now realize how much better it is where they are caught. Other dishes at the table were filet mignon, walleye, and salmon. The only one really happy with their choice was my husband who got the salmon. The service was deplorable. Our waitress took our order without writing it down and forgot half of it. When we reminded her she got a bit huffy, brought the food, but out of sequence so we were getting soup and sides long after the main entree. Not much of an apology and to make it worse she was training someone. Also, we were there for an hour before we got our entrees. We had made reservations the night before.
(2)
Andy G.
The Grey Gables is simply phenomenal. I've not found any better dining experience in Michigan. The service is good and friendly, with the local flair you can only find in smaller towns where people know people and there is a certain energy in the place. Every person I've encountered at GG has displayed uncommon expertise and helpfulness. The wait staff know the menu well. However, the true genius of GG clearly resides in the kitchen, where some of the best tasting and most inventive dishes I've ever seen are created from fresh ingredients. I've tried a few items from the extensive menu, including fish, beef, and sushi. Everything has blown me away. Kudos to the chef. I only wish I lived in Northern Michigan so I could return more often and explore the whole menu!
(5)
Mary Beth C.
My husband and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner tonight. We shared the beet salad with feta cheese and balsamic vinagrette. Great flavors. We wished the the lettuces had been chopped into smaller pieces as we were making a mess on the table when we used knife and fork to cut. We each ordered the caramelized sea scallops over parmesan polenta and Plath's bacon chutney. OMG! It was one of those meals that I didn't want to finish because it would make me sad that it was over. The Chefs are Culinary Institute of America trained, so we were not surprised at the caliber of our meal. Our server, James, was very professional and attentive. Our only complaint was the sloppiness of the servers' attire of tee shirts and khakis of varying lengths. Although the clientele's attire wasn't much better, I believe the food quality, ambience, and loveliness of the restaurant deserves more respect from those who make it all happen.
(4)
John C.
Sweet setting (old mansion), good food (though Prime Rib not available) albeit a bit pricey. Worth a try.
(3)
Paul H.
I wasn't sure what to expect because the yelper's reviews were all over the place and not very current. We went on a Thursday evening, not very busy. Decor is interestingly varied from room to room. We got a quiet table at the window. My wife and I both were drawn to the prime rib special. Our server advised that it was fresh and delicious. He was RIGHT! The rub was very flavorful- done perfectly...served with nicely seasoned roasted potatoes and vegetables. My wife had a beet salad which she loved, as did I my Caeser. The warm bread and scones were delightful. We overheard others nearby raving over their meals as well. I'd like to go back this summer and try the whitefish!! Highly recommended.
(5)
Casey R.
I work in the wedding industry, so I've had the catering menu probably 50 times and it's always perfect. This was my first time at the actual restaurant and it didn't disappoint. I was in a party of 10 and everyone left very satisfied. The waitress did a great job explaining the specials and even offered tips on what she recommended. After dinner, we made our way to the lounge where they had a pianist/singer. It was a perfect environment to enjoy some of our favorite craft cocktails and local craft brews on tap.
(5)
David B.
Grey Gables has a special place for my wife's family, her father's family would stay there over the summer when he was growing up in the 40's and 50's. The house that's now the restaurant was the original boarding house. Unfortunately, the food and service was probably better then that is has been in a long time. We went with a group of 10, including a five year old. We had such a hard time getting the waiters attention, my father-in-law got up and went to the manager to find out why we haven't been served anything for over 30 minutes after our waiter took our order. We were ready to walk out. Unfortunately, the manager wasn't much better. He first told us the bread is just finishing up in the oven. Huh? the place is full and you've run out of bread? Then the salads came out, a wilted mess of lettuce and a Kraft dressing. The main course wasn't much better. I had a chicken dish that felt like it was made yesterday. It feels like they've given up. I've been coming there for the last ten years and have noticed a gradual decline in the quality of the food and service. I can remember better experiences when we sat in the original house, this time we were in the big dining room in the back. Is that the farm league for the waitstaff before you move them into the main house?
(1)
Colleen D.
Not bad but not super memorable. The Grey Cables is in an older house just outside of downtown and is easy to walk to. The bar menu was, frankly, more interesting than the restaurant menu. There was a special truffle pizza starter that did not taste of truffles. My fish was alright -- a bit overdone. Husband liked his lamb shank. Visiting Northern Michigan in January offers its challenges and finding fine dining is one. Take my advice -- eat in their bar.
(3)
Ann S.
My family had our second meal together at the Grey Gables Inn and the meal was fabulous. My father ordered the salmon, which he says was the best salmon he has ever had (and he eats fish all the time). I ordered the chicken with crab and hollandaise sauce and it was absolutely delicious. We scheduled a late meal, and the place was very crowded (and very loud due to a few large parties), but overall we had a great meal. I would recommend this restaurant if you are spending some time in Charlevoix this summer!
(4)
Jim B.
Fantastic meals by CIA trained husband and wife team. Hanger steak (onglet) is out of the park! Had several meals here and not a one that wasn't amazing. Bar is comfortable and offers entree service if you don't want to wait for a seat in the main dining area. This is the place to eat in Charlevoix.
(5)
Sheri T.
Grey Gables may have been the place to eat 100 years ago but save the trip today!...It's filled with 80 year olds and they always have some woman singing old show tunes and it's always way too loud. It's hard to carry on a converstion. We went there, party of 4 and waited 2 HOURS to even get a salad. The meal took 3 hours total. I would guess most of the customers in there at the time had forgotten what they were even there for...lol The manager apologized to us and said there making up more salads and the wait staff was obviousy disgusted with the manager, as we were also. He was of no value and offered us no discount, a free drink, nothing. Just a 3 hour wait sitting in a old folks home with some elderly lady screeming into a Mr. Microphone! That is my opinion of Grey Gables. To top everything off, the food was cold when we finally did get it!!...COLD!....we will not be back..Take a drive to Bay Harbor and eat some good food from a well run business. This place reminds me of a Junior Achievement Project!!
(1)
Wally K.
Each year the Grey Gables (GG) does a better job with its food. The ambience is typical up norh MI ambience, a old house, small rooms, casual attire, etc. We like that but even if you aren't keen on redos of old houses as restaurants I recommend that you go here. This year they've added a bistro menu for those who either aren't real hungry or those who want to spend a little less to eat out but don't want to go to a fast food place. But, they also have their regular menu -- they do a great job with white fish and they have the best mushroom bisque soup I've ever had!! Last fall, after the season had ended, they instituted a two for one dinner menu which also was terrific. This place is definitely a hit with the locals as well as the resorters.
(4)
Elaine C.
We made reservations so were seated immediately. We both had pecan encrusted whitefish that was excellent. Service was good but slow. Would definitely come again. It was my birthday and the waitress comped my dessert.
(4)
Glenn W.
We've always had great food and service here. Also, the bar serves great cocktails...
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
B A.
5 of us went to Grey Gables on Tuesday 7/15/2014 for a 7:00 pm res. We arrived at 7:00 and were seated right away. 3 out if 5 of us are what I'd consider regulars at this place. A few of us were planning on getting a lamb dish. Unfortunately they'd taken it off their menu. It was however still on their website and it's really something they're known for. Two of us got the ribs, one the walleye, another the chicken and one the salmon. The chicken dish was very good, the rest was just ok. Definitely not worth driving 45 minutes for. We called over the manager and complained about the lamb. He said it was taken off the menu for summer because it's a heavy dish and didn't really sell well last summer. He also told us it's the web hosting company's fault that it's still on the website. One excuse after another. Prime rib and BBQ ribs must not be heavy meals. They're still on the menu, and it's summer. The food wasn't up to the usual standards. I hope they were having a bad night. Our meals should have been better.
(2)Michael P.
Unbelievable! Yes, I had eaten here twice before, in the summer of 2013 and found it exceptional. On Friday 1-17-2014, I went to have a dinner with my girlfriend and her sister and her brother-in-law. The bread was awesome, the mushroom soup was incredible and the salmon was delicious! We all found our meals beyond exceptional. We enjoyed the food so much, we returned the following evening! I had the prime rib and several side dishes. This is now my favorite restuarant ever! The chef could make a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich taste out of this world.
(5)Erin L.
Wow, I was really disappointed with this place after all the great Yelp reviews. I was expecting some fine dining, but this was barely even supper club passable. I suspect this is due to the restaurant being in an old expensive neighborhood where the old people like to have things exactly the way they've been for the last 100 years. Our hotel had informed me that they have a great bar selection, so when I asked for a martini, I was suprised when the bartender handed me a list of all kinds of frou-frou drinks (think Apple-tini, Flir-tini, etc.) I asked if they had Hendricks gin, but he gave me a quizzicle look and said they had Sapphire and Tanqueray. The bar is basically rail drinks and what I refer to as rail-plus-one. As for food, each entree came with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was obvious that the beans were previously frozen, not fresh. I ordered the hanger steak, medium rare, since I'd read all these great reviews about it. It came out well done and I had to send it back, which came with a whole other slew of annoyances that I won't go into here. My husband I were glad to be done, pay, and leave without bothering with dessert. I was disappointed because this could have been so much better. They could even keep the menu, but use fresh and local food (which is in abundance in this area). The bar needs an upgrade. The service, while friendly, was not knowledgable or professional.
(1)North Girl M.
Have lived in this area for 18 months and was thinking this would be the same old $19 salad with dried cherries, vegetables soaked in butter kinda place. How pleasantly surprised was I! A menu that stretches, interesting ingredients, lovely atmosphere. Our server cara was knowledgeable, friendly and lovely. The fish was perfectly cooked, the drink menu wide and the salads were perfect. Try this for your special occasions and they stay open all year. Quite a feat in this area. Go here!
(4)Kendra and Tracy K.
I was very unimpressed with this restaurant, especially because I heard such great things about it and had high expectations. The decor and feel of this restaurant is charming; complete with old-fashioned molding and chandeliers, a roaring fireplace, high-backed, circular bar booths, etc. But that's where the charm ends... We ordered a spicy tuna roll as an appetizer. Sushi rice should be slightly sticky with hints of rice vinegar and sugar. The rice on these rolls had zero taste and texture and the fish just tasted old. The pickled ginger was the color of the rice. We also ordered a dry-aged, NY strip steak (medium-rare), which was unevenly cooked and very tough. So tough that it was difficult to chew it enough to swallow. It was coated with so much pepper that my eyes watered. I don't think the potatoes that came on the side were even real potatoes. They were very gluey. I did love the side of sauteed spinach that I ordered. It was hot and garlicky and not-watery. I think our dinner was supposed to come with bread. All the other tables had bread. We weren't offered any. My water glass stayed empty until I had to ask to have it filled. The beer selection was small. The wine selection was decent. We didn't stay for desert, even though we had planned to. I've heard such great things, that perhaps we really just got unlucky with our menu picks and ordered the worst food, maybe we should have gone with the Dungeness crab or pot roast, but unfortunately I will never come back to find out.
(2)Nancy B.
Maybe it's because I'm on vacation when I'm there. Maybe it's the proximity to Lake Michigan, where we always stroll after dinner. Or maybe it's the incredible early bird special they have that includes a bottle of wine and dessert. This place is a hidden gem Up North. The waitstaff always seems highly trained and very polite/attentive. Love how the owner/chef stops by to see that all is well and to talk about the restaurant's former life as a private home, boarding house, etc. I've had two delicious meals there and truly enjoyed the quiet, quaint, "old school" atmosphere.
(4)Johanna B.
We have been eating here for years whenever we are in town, about once a month or so. It has always been a good, solid choice. The prime rib and whitefish are dependably good. I've also enjoyed the hangar steak, scallops, and butternut squash ravioli (not on the current menu). About a year ago they started shaking things up, with more inventive dishes and local foods -- a big improvement. The dessert menu needs a bit more imagination as it's gotten somewhat tired, although I will say the bread pudding is stellar. As other reviewers have mentioned, the place is very charming. We have never experienced anything other than great service.
(4)Jane R.
A couple of years ago my husband and I had a very nice experience here, so we were hosting another couple to this area and decided to take them there...wish we hadn't. The food was adequate, I had soft shell crab and should have known better, it was ok, but after having this in Florida I now realize how much better it is where they are caught. Other dishes at the table were filet mignon, walleye, and salmon. The only one really happy with their choice was my husband who got the salmon. The service was deplorable. Our waitress took our order without writing it down and forgot half of it. When we reminded her she got a bit huffy, brought the food, but out of sequence so we were getting soup and sides long after the main entree. Not much of an apology and to make it worse she was training someone. Also, we were there for an hour before we got our entrees. We had made reservations the night before.
(2)Andy G.
The Grey Gables is simply phenomenal. I've not found any better dining experience in Michigan. The service is good and friendly, with the local flair you can only find in smaller towns where people know people and there is a certain energy in the place. Every person I've encountered at GG has displayed uncommon expertise and helpfulness. The wait staff know the menu well. However, the true genius of GG clearly resides in the kitchen, where some of the best tasting and most inventive dishes I've ever seen are created from fresh ingredients. I've tried a few items from the extensive menu, including fish, beef, and sushi. Everything has blown me away. Kudos to the chef. I only wish I lived in Northern Michigan so I could return more often and explore the whole menu!
(5)Mary Beth C.
My husband and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner tonight. We shared the beet salad with feta cheese and balsamic vinagrette. Great flavors. We wished the the lettuces had been chopped into smaller pieces as we were making a mess on the table when we used knife and fork to cut. We each ordered the caramelized sea scallops over parmesan polenta and Plath's bacon chutney. OMG! It was one of those meals that I didn't want to finish because it would make me sad that it was over. The Chefs are Culinary Institute of America trained, so we were not surprised at the caliber of our meal. Our server, James, was very professional and attentive. Our only complaint was the sloppiness of the servers' attire of tee shirts and khakis of varying lengths. Although the clientele's attire wasn't much better, I believe the food quality, ambience, and loveliness of the restaurant deserves more respect from those who make it all happen.
(4)John C.
Sweet setting (old mansion), good food (though Prime Rib not available) albeit a bit pricey. Worth a try.
(3)Paul H.
I wasn't sure what to expect because the yelper's reviews were all over the place and not very current. We went on a Thursday evening, not very busy. Decor is interestingly varied from room to room. We got a quiet table at the window. My wife and I both were drawn to the prime rib special. Our server advised that it was fresh and delicious. He was RIGHT! The rub was very flavorful- done perfectly...served with nicely seasoned roasted potatoes and vegetables. My wife had a beet salad which she loved, as did I my Caeser. The warm bread and scones were delightful. We overheard others nearby raving over their meals as well. I'd like to go back this summer and try the whitefish!! Highly recommended.
(5)Casey R.
I work in the wedding industry, so I've had the catering menu probably 50 times and it's always perfect. This was my first time at the actual restaurant and it didn't disappoint. I was in a party of 10 and everyone left very satisfied. The waitress did a great job explaining the specials and even offered tips on what she recommended. After dinner, we made our way to the lounge where they had a pianist/singer. It was a perfect environment to enjoy some of our favorite craft cocktails and local craft brews on tap.
(5)David B.
Grey Gables has a special place for my wife's family, her father's family would stay there over the summer when he was growing up in the 40's and 50's. The house that's now the restaurant was the original boarding house. Unfortunately, the food and service was probably better then that is has been in a long time. We went with a group of 10, including a five year old. We had such a hard time getting the waiters attention, my father-in-law got up and went to the manager to find out why we haven't been served anything for over 30 minutes after our waiter took our order. We were ready to walk out. Unfortunately, the manager wasn't much better. He first told us the bread is just finishing up in the oven. Huh? the place is full and you've run out of bread? Then the salads came out, a wilted mess of lettuce and a Kraft dressing. The main course wasn't much better. I had a chicken dish that felt like it was made yesterday. It feels like they've given up. I've been coming there for the last ten years and have noticed a gradual decline in the quality of the food and service. I can remember better experiences when we sat in the original house, this time we were in the big dining room in the back. Is that the farm league for the waitstaff before you move them into the main house?
(1)Colleen D.
Not bad but not super memorable. The Grey Cables is in an older house just outside of downtown and is easy to walk to. The bar menu was, frankly, more interesting than the restaurant menu. There was a special truffle pizza starter that did not taste of truffles. My fish was alright -- a bit overdone. Husband liked his lamb shank. Visiting Northern Michigan in January offers its challenges and finding fine dining is one. Take my advice -- eat in their bar.
(3)Ann S.
My family had our second meal together at the Grey Gables Inn and the meal was fabulous. My father ordered the salmon, which he says was the best salmon he has ever had (and he eats fish all the time). I ordered the chicken with crab and hollandaise sauce and it was absolutely delicious. We scheduled a late meal, and the place was very crowded (and very loud due to a few large parties), but overall we had a great meal. I would recommend this restaurant if you are spending some time in Charlevoix this summer!
(4)Jim B.
Fantastic meals by CIA trained husband and wife team. Hanger steak (onglet) is out of the park! Had several meals here and not a one that wasn't amazing. Bar is comfortable and offers entree service if you don't want to wait for a seat in the main dining area. This is the place to eat in Charlevoix.
(5)Sheri T.
Grey Gables may have been the place to eat 100 years ago but save the trip today!...It's filled with 80 year olds and they always have some woman singing old show tunes and it's always way too loud. It's hard to carry on a converstion. We went there, party of 4 and waited 2 HOURS to even get a salad. The meal took 3 hours total. I would guess most of the customers in there at the time had forgotten what they were even there for...lol The manager apologized to us and said there making up more salads and the wait staff was obviousy disgusted with the manager, as we were also. He was of no value and offered us no discount, a free drink, nothing. Just a 3 hour wait sitting in a old folks home with some elderly lady screeming into a Mr. Microphone! That is my opinion of Grey Gables. To top everything off, the food was cold when we finally did get it!!...COLD!....we will not be back..Take a drive to Bay Harbor and eat some good food from a well run business. This place reminds me of a Junior Achievement Project!!
(1)Wally K.
Each year the Grey Gables (GG) does a better job with its food. The ambience is typical up norh MI ambience, a old house, small rooms, casual attire, etc. We like that but even if you aren't keen on redos of old houses as restaurants I recommend that you go here. This year they've added a bistro menu for those who either aren't real hungry or those who want to spend a little less to eat out but don't want to go to a fast food place. But, they also have their regular menu -- they do a great job with white fish and they have the best mushroom bisque soup I've ever had!! Last fall, after the season had ended, they instituted a two for one dinner menu which also was terrific. This place is definitely a hit with the locals as well as the resorters.
(4)Elaine C.
We made reservations so were seated immediately. We both had pecan encrusted whitefish that was excellent. Service was good but slow. Would definitely come again. It was my birthday and the waitress comped my dessert.
(4)Glenn W.
We've always had great food and service here. Also, the bar serves great cocktails...
(4)