On a recent trip, we decided to try Spring and Porter for Happy Hour. What a great decision!…read more The atmosphere is upscale but cozy, and since we were enjoying happy hour, we sat at the bar. We tried quite a few cocktails, all of which were delicious, but the cosmo and Paloma were our favorites. To eat, I tried the "fried chicken" which was amazing. So much flavor and plenty of food for an appetizer. My partner had the seafood "chowder" - super yummy too. Overall, we loved the experience and will add it to our northern Michigan rot

I'll start by saying that the food is good…read more BUT... the experience unfortunately left an extremely bad taste behind for our group. As a person with a disability that is protected under the ADA, reasonable accomodation was not given to our party. The server was also combative when asked for the ADA concession and even went to the kitchen and loudly discussed the disability with coworkers (so loud the entire restaurant could hear the disability being discussed). Really unfortunate experience. Our entire party agreed that we would not dine here again. Funny because a simple concession could have made longtime patrons of our group. Instead, over a rather small issue that was disproportionately blown up and blatantly thrown back at us with belittling comments. I believe our server had a choice to be accommodating and instead chose to make the situation extremely uncomfortable and unprofessional. As well established community members, we will not be suggesting this establishment to anyone in the future.

Best experience. Loved our waitress. Would come again sad to see not a better rating. I had the…read morespaghetti and it was the best I've ever had.

The front of the restaurant was cool, but they were not using it the night we were there. They had…read morea huge fireplace in the back, but they said no one knew how to lite it. It was a cold night, and a fire would have been nice. I ordered the sampler and it was very good. I asked if they had complementary bread and they said no. I joked with the waitress about it not being a real Italian Restaurant if they did not have complementary bread. 5 minutes later she came out with a basket of bread sticks. They were very good and I was very happy until I received my bill and realized that they charged me $10 for what I thought was complementary bread. I am not sure if the food and atmosphere warrants another trip.

5 star!!! Food/service/ambience. From start to finish a top notch experience in Northern Michigan.read more

The food was good and the setting is beautiful. But they double charged our debit card, seemed…read morestrange, maybe it was an error?? We've called, left messages, sent email and contact form from their website....crickets....So, either they're incompetent or dishonest or both. We won't be going back. If you go, use a credit card that will protect you against any double charges.

Made a reservation months in advance and delighted that we took the time. We were greeted by one…read moreof the owners (Susan) as soon as we entered the restaurant. Her warmth and friendliness was matched by the staff who made our dining experience so comfortable. We were promptly seated and received outstanding service. Portions were large and meals come with bread and a house antipasto salad. Our meals were exceptional. My wife had Chicken Saltimbocca and I tried Linguine with Salmon. Chicken was flavorful; salmon was perfect; the pasta was 4 star. The food was so good that we even ventured into a dessert (rare for us). We tried a lemon cake with glaze and VERY fresh strawberries; it was wonderful. A small restaurant that is a gem and well worth it. An outstanding dining experience. Exceptional food; the service and atmosphere were amazing.

I was able to eat here on a Monday since my flight that was supposed to leave got canceled so I had…read morean extra day to spend in Michigan since my friend's family managed to add me to their reservation. This restaurant is definitely on the smaller side but it has such the cutest charm! I ordered the Salmon Piccata with a side of Caesar salad, and pasta with oil, garlic, and butter. The Salmon Piccata was perfectly cooked; however, I wish it had a tad more seasoning (maybe a tad more salt or simply lemon juice) since I truly had to rely on the capers for any acidity. The Caesar salad has to be one of the best I've ever had--it honestly had the punch of lemony boquerones. If you truly love anchovies, I highly recommend ordering it with some extra anchovies! Lastly, the pasta was just as expected, but it was still delicious! Pro tip if you order the salmon piccata: dip the pasta in the lemon and white wine sauce--you'll thank me later!

So great! Service was prompt and professional. Menu changes daily and is exquisite. I enjoyed the…read moreseafood tasting appetizer which was amazing, fresh lettuce cups, perfect bitter crunch, fresh shrimp. I did catch a few shrimp shells but otherwise perfect. I did add a bit of lime juice and salt for flavor. The bread was delicious! I met a new friend at the bar and she and I enjoyed splitting the Wagyu beef 8 ounce with risotto. This was delicious and perfectly prepared rare with a chat. The risotto gravy was a bit rich for me. I would have loved a steak sauce but enjoyed adding lemon butter. Wonderful all around night before my asylum tour.

My favorite Traverse City restaurant hands- down. We make it a point to come here every trip up…read morenorth and they are always incredibly kind. Last night, my son's flight was delayed and despite being packed, they were gracious enough to shift our reservations am hour later. And the food!!!! Always spectacular, and I get excited, to try their daily specials. We go nuts over their sweet breads or veal brains. None of these was on the menu last night. Instead, we had foie gras,, tuna carpacio, that was somehow unique, and the best we'd ever had, wagyu bavarette, octopus, and tiramisu. All set in the former TC asylum, with burrows and stone walls-- lots of nooks that make the busy place still feel intimate. Can't wait for the next visit!

What do you call a place where you can go and have food that not only looks like Leonardo DiVinci…read morepainted it to look amazing, and tastes even more amazing? Well we call it the finest food in Michigan. Matt the owner has created a once in a lifetime experience in this roadside unassuming place that takes me back to when Napa Valley was not commercialized. Thank God we don't have a railroad running through here. Service is excellent and training is an on going thing here, as Matt wants his team to make it look like SOP. If they ever paved the way the parking lot, I'm going to protest, because it makes me know I'm up north. Make reservations folks, or spin the wheel, but I don't gamble so I always make reservations. The scallops are off of the new menu this week by the way. June 5, 2026

Update! Bella Vita made everything right!…read moreParents came in for some walleye and ended up using the gift certificate. Not only was dinner comped, but the entire bill was taken care of - this is how you do it! Parents weren't expecting anything more than the value of the gift certificate but were blown away by the service and graciousness of Bella Vita"s staff. 5 stars!! Thank you, BV!!

Perch on the Porch at the Crow's Nest was a fun throwback dining experience - yum! Server was…read moresuper friendly and the place was busy, so they're obviously doing things right!

A fun excursion up the road, on the road, in an older roadhouse setting. My wife experienced their…read morecatering at an event and loved the perch, so off we went a few days later. They have a fish & chicken buffet, but based on other Yelpers' reviews, we decided to order off the menu. My daughter & I both enjoyed our blacked whitefish - HUGE appertain with medium spicy blackening. My wife and daughter's boyfriend both got the perch and also felt it was pretty good, albeit a tad rubbery on this night. White wine, gin & tonic were all decent, but not outstanding. Service was "nice," but nothing special. Very nice people in a quiet setting. Will likely return but not necessarily race back.

The Pier has changed their time trusted menu. Great fish sandwich gone, great chicken salad,…read moreescargot in a plate with cheese galore. The escargot is is shells unremovable, no cheese. No fish sandwich. It has been a major downturn in appeal. Please go back to the old menu. The server was great, ambience fine. You were a landmark.

Monica our server was awesome!! Food was incredible…read more Wine choice was great. Thank you!