Traverse City native and owner of NuArt Sign and Graphic Systems, Mike Albaugh picks his best eats at Northern Michigan restaurants for 2013. Albaugh roams the planet designing signage for major airlines and savoring indigenous eats in the process. Mike loves the Traverse food scene and is a passionate cook himself.
Seared Sea Scallops
Siren Hall // 151 River Street // Elk Rapids 231.264.6062 Pearlescent diver scallops are seared and served alongside pork belly confit, Parmesan risotto, shaved Brussels sprouts and finished with truffle-infused veal demi-glace.
Poached Eggs Madrid
Centre Street Café // 1125 Centre Street // Traverse City 231.946.5872 Local yardbirds fight over whose eggs appear atop grilled polenta and jalapeño havarti with cilantro, avocado and, wait for it, chorizo pepper sauce. Olé.
Burlington Northern Pizza
Filling Station // 642 Railroad Place // Traverse City 231.946.8168 Mitigate your multiple pints with this filling flatbread festooned with roasted garlic, red onions, fresh pear, prosciutto, brie and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
Chicken Benedict
Towne Plaza // 202 East State Street // Traverse City 231.929.0900 Chicken or egg? You needn’t choose with Chicken Benedict, a delectable marriage of mashed potato, fried chicken, poached eggs, and smoky fontina cream. Now take your Lipitor and go build a barn.
Breakfast Bobby
Cousin Jenny’s // 129 South Union Street // Traverse City 231.941.7821 Yes, you can begin every day with a transcendental envelope of flakey pie pastry filled with eggs, cheeses, hash browns, breakfast meats and fresh vegetables, though you may have to go back to sleep after eating.
Wyandotte Chicken Breast
The Cooks’ House // 115 Wellington Street // Traverse City 231.946.8700 One delicious heritage breast and a garlic-stuffed leg in bed with chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms, edamame and dragon tongue beans artfully presented in true Cooks’ House fashion.
Pulled Pork Tacos
Roaming Harvest // 231.649.0523 Slow-roasted pig shoulder is pulled into tasty filaments and nested in a warm tortilla with purple cabbage slaw and chimichurri. Check the website to find out where TC’s hippest food truck will be parked.
Belgian Fries & Grilled Cheese
The Soup Cup // 620 Railroad Place // Traverse City 231.932.7687 Fresh potatoes are hand-cut every day, double-fried to uncommon crispness and piled beside gratuitously buttered slices of Old Mission bread filled with whatever melty fromage strikes your fancy.
Check out this video where Jenny Buechel visits some of the 2013 Best Eats locations and chats with chefs about techniques and secrets.
Hungry yet?
We were. And being conveniently located in downtown Traverse City, the MyNorth staff stepped out for a day of eating. Check out our video tour of 6 stops featured in Traverse Magazine‘s Best Eats 2013.
Have more!
Don’t miss the other 36 picks from local Northern Michigan foodies—including 8 from Chef Mario Batali:
Get the issue.
These 41 food finds are featured in the March 2013 issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine. Pick up your copy today at ShopMyNorth.com.