Archive for the ‘General’ Category

And though I rank restaurants according to a star system, that doesn’t necessarily predict where I’ll want to eat on any given night. Stars reflect a restaurant’s ambitions and how well it fulfills them. A great hamburger or pizza joint is certainly something to celebrate for doing one thing perfectly. But neither can be compared to a top restaurant with a highly trained staff putting out an ambitious menu made with the very best ingredients and executed with skill. I never write about where restaurants rank on my star system, but I can tell you this, I only write about the ones that rank the highest. That being said, last night I ate at one of the best restaurants around. I’m talking about Teddy Griffins Road House. If you have dinned there before you know what I am talking about, and if not, you must check it out. Owner, and operator for 22 years, Joe Griffin has created a menu with a vast variety of chicken, pork, veal, seafood, pasta, award winning prime rib, and steaks using the highest quality aged Black Angus beef. There are several appetizers to choose from like, Oysters Rockefellers $11, Maryland crab cakes $10.50, Teddy style frog legs $10 and several more. House made soups and numerous salads are available.

For entrées just to name a few, Chicken Marsala or Chicken Madagascar sauted breasts in garlic, artichokes and mushrooms finished of with demi glace $20. If pork or veal is your thing they have lots to offer. Try the local favorite Baby back Ribs, tender Chicago pork ribs slow roasted then slathered with house made hickory BBQ sauce ½ rack $17. Another local favorite is the great lakes perch, and If you can’t decide between the two, the Road House offers a perch and rib combination at $23.00.

Teddy Griffins has a very inviting atmosphere. Comfortable padded wood wraparound chairs, a huge stone fireplace, red tablecloths with a complementary basket of crackers, and house made cheese spread, and top notch service sets the stage for a great dinning experience. We ordered the Atlantic salmon, and the 18oz T-bone black angus steak. Started out with a couple salads, a nice blend of mixed greens topped with one of the best house made blue cheese dressings I’ve had in a long time, with some fresh, soft bread right out of the oven. The Salmon was a generous portion, broiled to perfection, moist and flaky, covered with a light spinach dill cream sauce accompanied with a baked and veggies $21. The T-bone was completely off the chart. At $29 it was a deal. This 18oz cut was cooked to a perfect medium rare, tender and juicy it was so good I was tempted to gnaw on the bone. The veggies were a blend of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. For dessert, they tempt you with quadruple chocolate mousse divine at $5.50 or Irish cream Baileys cheese cake $4.25 and a few other selections. (Hot tip) Early bird special two entries for $25.

Smooth move Joe bringing in areas best mixologist, Ken Fowler who is also the bar manager of their large full service bar offering a huge selection of liqueurs and spirits. A wildly eclectic and exciting new world wine list with over 340 different labels, and a seven time wine spectator award of excellence notched in their belt.

Joe’s dad Teddy Griffin was the inspiration of the Road House and a huge hockey buff. He left his mark with a massive collection of hockey memorabilia scattered throughout for all his customers to enjoy. Take it from me, visit Teddy Griffin’s at 50 Highland Pike Road, just off of Pleasant View in Harbor Springs.

Raving compliments to Executive Chef, Gregory Tanner, and staff for an awesome dinning experience.