Laninga's Travel Blog

Traverse Bay has been ranked as the #1 Foodie City in the USA.  There are a multitude of smaller restaurants with known chefs.  All of them try to cook innovative dishes, using primarily local grown produce.  One restaurant (where we had a terrific lunch) has a daily menu, which also lists the farms where the produce came from.

Two days ago, we drove up the Leelanau Peninsula, based on recommendations from some locals.  Our first stop was at the Ugly Tomato, where we not only got some fresh produce but for what they are really known for: cherry pie, made from local cherries.  I honestly believe this was the best cherry pie I’ve ever had.

Our next stop was at a local winery for tasting.  For the first time, I bought a bottle of cherry wine, it was that good.  I normally don’t like fruit wine, but this was special.   Then, we went up to Leland, MI to Fishers Happy Hour Tavern and had some really great broasted chicken.  Yumm!  We had enough leftovers to make two meals out of it, too.

Today we went to the Traverse Bay Commons.  Built in 1881 as an insane asylum, there are over 1,000,000 sq. ft. of building space.  It was closed in 1989, and in 2003 purchased by a developer who is slowly converting it into a first class shopping area.  I think is will be a great place to visit.  We bought stuff at the bakery, the winery, and had a super lunch at Trattoria Stella.  Tomorrow Chef Mario Batali will be here, cooking for 500 of his closest friends.  Interesting, but I think we’ll pass.

The RV Park we are staying is a luxury resort.  We’re in good company; there are some VERY expensive motor homes.  We walked the park today, I would guess the RVs parked here total well over $50MM.  But we still like ours.

The Ugly Tomato

Some of the fruit selection

One of the Asylum wings, waiting to be restored

At the wine tasting room, good wine, friendly people

Inside the Trattoria Stella, inside one of the restored Asylum buildings

Looking down one of the rows of Class A motorhomes