Fast service. We dined here with our 9 month old and they were great (seated us appropriately and several staff members couldn't stop entertainig him). We decided to go here because my husband loves fish however I'm allergic and so we hardly ever go somewhere with fish. My husband said his walleye was outstanding. My chicken was good (but not great) because I thought some flavors were strong an left the dish unbalanced. But their bread was great and served piping hot. Overall great experience and we will patronize this business again in the future!
(4)
kim d.
We had high hopes when we walked into the fish. It is a cute little place and is decorated very whimisical and artsy. I just loved it walking in. That being said, I had the second worst meal I've ever ordered in a restaurant (the first was in London and would be impossible to beat). I ordered the Tuna au Poive. It consisted of 4 slices of gristly tuna. There were no cracked peppercorns on the tuna, but they did top it with RAW garlic and olive oil. The tuna sat atop a gummy solution of overcooked risotto. The vegetable side was asparagus-but not the long spears-no. What they served me were the woody end pieces that you would break off at home and THROW AWAY while cleaning the aspargus. I actually had to spit it out into their fancy blue napkin. The salad and bread were pretty good but hey, I could have made that at home for a few bucks. Service was also pretty bad. We were not given a kids menu, so I asked our server if the restaurant had one. She said yes, and started rattling off choices. But, the items she rattled off were from the main menu and were not priced any differently, they were just items she thought kids would like-beware. Then, I ordered a bottle of wine for my husband and myself, and she turned to my husband and asked what he would like to drink. Hello. Seriously, don't bother with this place. We would have been so much better off at home with a bowl of cereal.
(1)
Lauren B.
This was definitely a mixed bag. ATMOSPHERE (4/5): Pretty cute set-up here: someone has put some thought into the atmosphere, with lots of fish-shaped decor and nicely strung lights. SERVICE (1/5): The wait was an absurd hour and 1/2 given the relative dearth of customers, and the (cute and otherwise friendly) server didn't apologize or even acknowledge the wait, which was odd. We also saw 3 tables who sat after us get served first which was also weird. I think the server must have been new to the biz, she also didn't clear away any plates until we asked. FOOD (3/5): I enjoyed my filet mignon with mashed potatoes and veggies, altho it had evidently sat under the warmer for some amount of time, as the mashed potatoes had a crispy skin and my butter pat was reduced to a melty froth. My brother's tuna was also so overcooked it had to be sent back, so that was a drag after the long wait, but the new cut was evidently tasty when it came out. It was still a pleasant evening since it was good food and nice company, but definitely not a place I'd run to return to.
(3)
LIsa W.
Eclectic fish inspired artistic decor is fun and staff is great! Definitely understand customer service! Food is wonderful. Out of the way location is worth the drive- our favorite nice restaurant up north. Need to just hand out a flyer of the specials and add music as the waitresses yelling out the long list of specials with no music at all to every customer ruins the ambiance.
(5)
Gary G.
Came here while vacationing, based on prior reviews and recommendations of locals. Calamari, duck and arctic char were prepared excellently without coaching. If in the area, take the time to wander up. You will be pleased you did.
(5)
Susie L.
Nice ambiance. Pleasant meal out with my sweet family. Server started out fine: drinks quick, apps and salad in decent amount of time. But the wait for main course was 45 min too long, and that's probably being forgiving.
(2)
Tracy C.
On vacation and The Fish was recommended from a local in Harbor Springs. Started out great! Nice ambiance. Seated right away, greeted, and drinks ordered and delivered quickly. First thing we noticed was there was not a lot of variety on the menu and nothing for kids. Ordered 4 dinners; 2 filet mignon;1 medium rare and and 1 medium well, scallops, and king crab. Salads, soup, and bread served at the right time and were delicious, although quite small. Unfortunately the New England chowder soup was all potatoes :(. Waited a long time for dinner to arrive. Scallops were good. Crab legs were cold, and cut in half vertically. They stuck to the shell, and were not fresh. Medium rare steak was perfect. Medium well was medium at best, guest couldn't eat it, only around the edges. Didn't care for the sunset potatoes served with dinner but the veggies were fresh and tasty. Nice wine and beer selection. Service was okay. Dinner bill $165 before tip and was probably not worth it. Wanted to love it, but for that price I'm pretty sure we won't be back :(
(3)
Kirstin B.
We had no idea what to expect when walking into the Fish - and wow were we pleasantly surprised! The place is out in the middle of nowhere - you walk into the front door and are transported. The decor is funky yet welcoming, not at all over the top. The employees are amazing - every single person we encountered were friendly and helpful. (And keep in mind, we were there for dinner on a Saturday night with a 2 year old...!) The menu selections were fantastic, as well as the wine list. Salads were yummy, bread was hot and mouthwateringly good. We all had a different dinner (all fish, walleye was one of the specialties) - and all were delighted with our meals. (The two year old loved her mac and cheese as well - thanks to the chef!). It is a haul to get there, but definitely worth the trip if you are in town for more than a few days and are OK taking a scenic route to dinner!
(4)
Aaron W.
We heard about this restaurant after attending the annual Taste of Harbor Springs event held each fall (to which I recommend anyone to attend). My wife tried out some of their samples, and very much enjoyed what she had tried. So we went to the place for a visit. We were a bit surprised with the decor. It struck us as tacky -- as if they were attempting a contemporary feel, but ended up feeling more like we were stuck in the 70s. We had ordered an appetizer platter, which had some good samples as part of it. We both enjoyed that, but once we got to the main course, we felt that our meals didn't have the flavor that we found in the appetizer. On top of that, the dishes are fairly expensive, considering what you end up with. If there were more taste, or better service at the restaurant (the place was pretty much empty, maybe two or three other tables at the time -- the staff wasn't particularly friendly), then I would not have minded so much. The following year, we attended the next Taste of Harbor Springs, and we noticed that "The Fish" was not around -- at least, not from what we saw. We also overheard the couples in front of us, and they made the same observations about the price and decor. The place was okay, but considering the cost, and the service, there wasn't enough to make us want to go back. Not particularly suitable for a romantic evening out either. It is a better place to go with a group of people who all enjoy seafood and conversation.
(3)
Rachel R.
A rock solid 5 based on the food alone; this restaurant was a hidden treasure. Located in Harbor Springs, Michigan on the coast of Lake Michigan, a very green and scenic place. This was the first time I had a real lobster tail at an expensive restaurant. The last time I can remember having lobster tail in a restaurant was for my 9th birthday at Red Lobster and I would hardly call that good, but at 9 I was also impressed by the tall stack at IHOP. This place was very cute, looked like a renovated old school house and the interior was entirely painted blue with large Styrofoam fish hanging from the ceiling. I think the place sat 50-60 people total. Also, a small bar was cornered off by hanging sheets...simple yet effective in making this tiny 1 room place look more like a restaurant. The staff was friendly and attentative. I was with my friend and her parents who are very generous. I split the monstrous sized lobster with her dad. We got the last one, since the restaurant only ordered eight of these monster-sized insects. The best for last we thought. The tail was succulent and didn't even need the butter sauce. The mashed potatoes and veggies were barely touched since the calamari appetizers, wine and bread filled me up. The calamari were also the best I've had. Usually, the calamari I've had are rubbery, over battered and overly seasoned. These were so good, tender and lightly battered so the true flavor would shine through. I truly felt wealthy if it were only for one dinner, thanks to my friend's parents! Being wealthy surely does has its benefits.
(5)
Bob P.
I give The Fish a 5 because when we left for the evening, would could not find a thing that could have been better. The service was attentive, professional, and gave you the feeling that you belong. All of our dining options were perfectly prepared. For starters we has the Shrimp Tempura and Mussels, both easily could have been the stand out dish of the evening. The ponzu dipping sauce for the Shrimp could be packaged and sold by the gallon. The Spinach Salad was simple yet memorable. The dressing combined with the smoked Gouda was a home run. For our main dishes we had the Duck and Whitefish. Both perfectly prepared and chef allowed the protein to be the star without having sauces overpower the dish. My understanding is they plan to put on a deck for outside dining. Can't think of a better place to enjoy a wonderful meal while experiencing a wonderful Northern a Michigan evening.
(5)
Liz T.
A-MAZ-ING. Get the bowl of mussels and dip your bread in the juices. No matter what you choose to eat from the menu, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Jenny E.
A group from Texas staying in the area really enjoyed dining at this warm and friendly restaurant. Loved the decor and blue neon light fish bar. All of the entrees were delicious especially the whitefish and walleye! The chef came to each table and asked how our meal was, which was a nice touch. Will definitely be back when in the area.
(5)
Joe Q.
We went to try out the restaurant. Arrived shortly after 5 seated immediately. Place was pretty empty but full when we left. Wife ordered the char was very good. I had the Mediterranean Sea base with Greek pasta special. Fish was good but the pasta was bland...as in no flavor. It had "some" feta cheese but not enough got more salty flavor from the capers. Green olives? Ok if they were cracked green olives but these tasted like green olives sans pimentos. Shrimp and veggie tempura appetizer was good. Molly our waitress was awesome.
(3)
Chuck G.
Fun, kitschy, very good food. Get in at 6 PM and ask for the booth with the hummingbird feeder in the window. Full bar. Painted deep-sea blue with dozens of large fish cut outs hanging from the ceiling. Entrees are $20-$30 including soup or salad. I had seared ahi tuna au poivre, wife had walleye, both were very good. Staff was very friendly, happy and competent, but the real treat was the owner; he visited each table personally, and was involved in every operation. For me, that's always a good sign. About 8 minutes west of Boyne Highlands, about 10 minutes north of Harbor Springs, 10 minutes from Trout Creek condos, at the corner of Stutsmanville Rd. and South State Rd.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Emily V.
Fast service. We dined here with our 9 month old and they were great (seated us appropriately and several staff members couldn't stop entertainig him). We decided to go here because my husband loves fish however I'm allergic and so we hardly ever go somewhere with fish. My husband said his walleye was outstanding. My chicken was good (but not great) because I thought some flavors were strong an left the dish unbalanced. But their bread was great and served piping hot. Overall great experience and we will patronize this business again in the future!
(4)kim d.
We had high hopes when we walked into the fish. It is a cute little place and is decorated very whimisical and artsy. I just loved it walking in. That being said, I had the second worst meal I've ever ordered in a restaurant (the first was in London and would be impossible to beat). I ordered the Tuna au Poive. It consisted of 4 slices of gristly tuna. There were no cracked peppercorns on the tuna, but they did top it with RAW garlic and olive oil. The tuna sat atop a gummy solution of overcooked risotto. The vegetable side was asparagus-but not the long spears-no. What they served me were the woody end pieces that you would break off at home and THROW AWAY while cleaning the aspargus. I actually had to spit it out into their fancy blue napkin. The salad and bread were pretty good but hey, I could have made that at home for a few bucks. Service was also pretty bad. We were not given a kids menu, so I asked our server if the restaurant had one. She said yes, and started rattling off choices. But, the items she rattled off were from the main menu and were not priced any differently, they were just items she thought kids would like-beware. Then, I ordered a bottle of wine for my husband and myself, and she turned to my husband and asked what he would like to drink. Hello. Seriously, don't bother with this place. We would have been so much better off at home with a bowl of cereal.
(1)Lauren B.
This was definitely a mixed bag. ATMOSPHERE (4/5): Pretty cute set-up here: someone has put some thought into the atmosphere, with lots of fish-shaped decor and nicely strung lights. SERVICE (1/5): The wait was an absurd hour and 1/2 given the relative dearth of customers, and the (cute and otherwise friendly) server didn't apologize or even acknowledge the wait, which was odd. We also saw 3 tables who sat after us get served first which was also weird. I think the server must have been new to the biz, she also didn't clear away any plates until we asked. FOOD (3/5): I enjoyed my filet mignon with mashed potatoes and veggies, altho it had evidently sat under the warmer for some amount of time, as the mashed potatoes had a crispy skin and my butter pat was reduced to a melty froth. My brother's tuna was also so overcooked it had to be sent back, so that was a drag after the long wait, but the new cut was evidently tasty when it came out. It was still a pleasant evening since it was good food and nice company, but definitely not a place I'd run to return to.
(3)LIsa W.
Eclectic fish inspired artistic decor is fun and staff is great! Definitely understand customer service! Food is wonderful. Out of the way location is worth the drive- our favorite nice restaurant up north. Need to just hand out a flyer of the specials and add music as the waitresses yelling out the long list of specials with no music at all to every customer ruins the ambiance.
(5)Gary G.
Came here while vacationing, based on prior reviews and recommendations of locals. Calamari, duck and arctic char were prepared excellently without coaching. If in the area, take the time to wander up. You will be pleased you did.
(5)Susie L.
Nice ambiance. Pleasant meal out with my sweet family. Server started out fine: drinks quick, apps and salad in decent amount of time. But the wait for main course was 45 min too long, and that's probably being forgiving.
(2)Tracy C.
On vacation and The Fish was recommended from a local in Harbor Springs. Started out great! Nice ambiance. Seated right away, greeted, and drinks ordered and delivered quickly. First thing we noticed was there was not a lot of variety on the menu and nothing for kids. Ordered 4 dinners; 2 filet mignon;1 medium rare and and 1 medium well, scallops, and king crab. Salads, soup, and bread served at the right time and were delicious, although quite small. Unfortunately the New England chowder soup was all potatoes :(. Waited a long time for dinner to arrive. Scallops were good. Crab legs were cold, and cut in half vertically. They stuck to the shell, and were not fresh. Medium rare steak was perfect. Medium well was medium at best, guest couldn't eat it, only around the edges. Didn't care for the sunset potatoes served with dinner but the veggies were fresh and tasty. Nice wine and beer selection. Service was okay. Dinner bill $165 before tip and was probably not worth it. Wanted to love it, but for that price I'm pretty sure we won't be back :(
(3)Kirstin B.
We had no idea what to expect when walking into the Fish - and wow were we pleasantly surprised! The place is out in the middle of nowhere - you walk into the front door and are transported. The decor is funky yet welcoming, not at all over the top. The employees are amazing - every single person we encountered were friendly and helpful. (And keep in mind, we were there for dinner on a Saturday night with a 2 year old...!) The menu selections were fantastic, as well as the wine list. Salads were yummy, bread was hot and mouthwateringly good. We all had a different dinner (all fish, walleye was one of the specialties) - and all were delighted with our meals. (The two year old loved her mac and cheese as well - thanks to the chef!). It is a haul to get there, but definitely worth the trip if you are in town for more than a few days and are OK taking a scenic route to dinner!
(4)Aaron W.
We heard about this restaurant after attending the annual Taste of Harbor Springs event held each fall (to which I recommend anyone to attend). My wife tried out some of their samples, and very much enjoyed what she had tried. So we went to the place for a visit. We were a bit surprised with the decor. It struck us as tacky -- as if they were attempting a contemporary feel, but ended up feeling more like we were stuck in the 70s. We had ordered an appetizer platter, which had some good samples as part of it. We both enjoyed that, but once we got to the main course, we felt that our meals didn't have the flavor that we found in the appetizer. On top of that, the dishes are fairly expensive, considering what you end up with. If there were more taste, or better service at the restaurant (the place was pretty much empty, maybe two or three other tables at the time -- the staff wasn't particularly friendly), then I would not have minded so much. The following year, we attended the next Taste of Harbor Springs, and we noticed that "The Fish" was not around -- at least, not from what we saw. We also overheard the couples in front of us, and they made the same observations about the price and decor. The place was okay, but considering the cost, and the service, there wasn't enough to make us want to go back. Not particularly suitable for a romantic evening out either. It is a better place to go with a group of people who all enjoy seafood and conversation.
(3)Rachel R.
A rock solid 5 based on the food alone; this restaurant was a hidden treasure. Located in Harbor Springs, Michigan on the coast of Lake Michigan, a very green and scenic place. This was the first time I had a real lobster tail at an expensive restaurant. The last time I can remember having lobster tail in a restaurant was for my 9th birthday at Red Lobster and I would hardly call that good, but at 9 I was also impressed by the tall stack at IHOP. This place was very cute, looked like a renovated old school house and the interior was entirely painted blue with large Styrofoam fish hanging from the ceiling. I think the place sat 50-60 people total. Also, a small bar was cornered off by hanging sheets...simple yet effective in making this tiny 1 room place look more like a restaurant. The staff was friendly and attentative. I was with my friend and her parents who are very generous. I split the monstrous sized lobster with her dad. We got the last one, since the restaurant only ordered eight of these monster-sized insects. The best for last we thought. The tail was succulent and didn't even need the butter sauce. The mashed potatoes and veggies were barely touched since the calamari appetizers, wine and bread filled me up. The calamari were also the best I've had. Usually, the calamari I've had are rubbery, over battered and overly seasoned. These were so good, tender and lightly battered so the true flavor would shine through. I truly felt wealthy if it were only for one dinner, thanks to my friend's parents! Being wealthy surely does has its benefits.
(5)Bob P.
I give The Fish a 5 because when we left for the evening, would could not find a thing that could have been better. The service was attentive, professional, and gave you the feeling that you belong. All of our dining options were perfectly prepared. For starters we has the Shrimp Tempura and Mussels, both easily could have been the stand out dish of the evening. The ponzu dipping sauce for the Shrimp could be packaged and sold by the gallon. The Spinach Salad was simple yet memorable. The dressing combined with the smoked Gouda was a home run. For our main dishes we had the Duck and Whitefish. Both perfectly prepared and chef allowed the protein to be the star without having sauces overpower the dish. My understanding is they plan to put on a deck for outside dining. Can't think of a better place to enjoy a wonderful meal while experiencing a wonderful Northern a Michigan evening.
(5)Liz T.
A-MAZ-ING. Get the bowl of mussels and dip your bread in the juices. No matter what you choose to eat from the menu, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Jenny E.
A group from Texas staying in the area really enjoyed dining at this warm and friendly restaurant. Loved the decor and blue neon light fish bar. All of the entrees were delicious especially the whitefish and walleye! The chef came to each table and asked how our meal was, which was a nice touch. Will definitely be back when in the area.
(5)Joe Q.
We went to try out the restaurant. Arrived shortly after 5 seated immediately. Place was pretty empty but full when we left. Wife ordered the char was very good. I had the Mediterranean Sea base with Greek pasta special. Fish was good but the pasta was bland...as in no flavor. It had "some" feta cheese but not enough got more salty flavor from the capers. Green olives? Ok if they were cracked green olives but these tasted like green olives sans pimentos. Shrimp and veggie tempura appetizer was good. Molly our waitress was awesome.
(3)Chuck G.
Fun, kitschy, very good food. Get in at 6 PM and ask for the booth with the hummingbird feeder in the window. Full bar. Painted deep-sea blue with dozens of large fish cut outs hanging from the ceiling. Entrees are $20-$30 including soup or salad. I had seared ahi tuna au poivre, wife had walleye, both were very good. Staff was very friendly, happy and competent, but the real treat was the owner; he visited each table personally, and was involved in every operation. For me, that's always a good sign. About 8 minutes west of Boyne Highlands, about 10 minutes north of Harbor Springs, 10 minutes from Trout Creek condos, at the corner of Stutsmanville Rd. and South State Rd.
(5)Brian T.
I've been coming to the Fish for many years now, and I think of it as a hidden gem. The location could generously be called "out of the way," but the food has never ceased to amaze me. The atmosphere can only be described as charming; my favorite decor being a school of fish silhouettes hanging from the ceiling. There's also a quaint little bar, which appears to be fairly well stocked. The menu is short, and a bit expensive, but nothing outrageous. The waitstaff has always been kind, and more than willing to suggest their favorite plate. Once on my cousin's birthday, our waitress overheard that we were celebrating, and passed it on to the chef, who came out to present a flaming creme brûlée at the end of the meal. I have never ordered something I found displeasing, and I've tried many of the plates (maybe all). The clam chowder is delicious. It is not the typical thick and creamy chowder, but rather one that uses a seasoned broth. It's difficult to narrow down a favorite entrée; the walleye, perch, and tuna are spectacular. My brother always orders the filet, and devours it before I can ask for a sample. Needless to say, he has never had a complaint. If you still have room for desert, the creme brûlée and the chocolate bread pudding are both the ideal answer to a sweet tooth. Personally, I prefer the chocolate bread pudding. The texture combined with the rich taste of warm chocolate is almost too much for a recovering chocoholic like myself. I lack the experience needed to critique the wine list, but my parents both are big wine people. From what they've told me and I've learned for myself, the wine list is pretty decent, with something for everyone.
(4)Louise A.
Excellent and well prepared meals. Fresh Whitefish and Perch were excellent . Suggest reservations! Opens at 5:00 PM.
(4)