Scott's Harbor Grill - Traverse City, MI

Posted By Michael Stern on June 5, 2002 4:04 AM

A polite restaurant with a full menu that ranges from tapas to brownie turtle hot fudge sundaes, Scott’s Harbor Grill is worth putting in the little black book for its excellent lake fish. Lemon pepper whitefish, which the menu says is procured in Naubinway, Michigan, is soft-fleshed, pure white, perfectly complemented by the butter and wine and lemon-pepper dressing in which it’s cooked. We are especially fond of the Canadian walleye this kitchen makes. Nothing could be simpler: a big hunk of char-broiled filet seasoned with only lemon and butter. Its meat is dense, moist, and ineffably flavorful with a delicacy that is a world apart from the seafaring taste of ocean fish.

We were less impressed by a large-size but small-flavored sirloin steak in a nest of potato straws; nor did we much like the rough-grained baguette set down on the table at the beginning of the meal in a white paper bag to keep it warm. The presentation might be a good idea; the bread itself, although warm and crusty, has no character.

For dessert, there is fine peach pie served with cinnamon ice cream and there is an item called Joel’s Flight North, which is massive amounts of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and kahlua … served with two spoons. The ice cream is excellent: locally-made Moomer’s brand.

In addition to that good fish and ice cream, Scott’s is known for its extensive wine list and for a bar that expertly concocts adult libations ranging from martinis to sex on the beach. The setting is charming to the nth degree; the enclosed dining room and open-air deck overlook the boat slips of the Harbor West Yacht Club and, beyond that, the jewel-blue waters of West Grand Traverse Bay.

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Posted By Bob Walker on January 2, 2011 8:17 AM

Despite what I've read in one of the older reviews of Scott's, we like this place. We've been here 2-3 times and I've always had the fish tacos, tasty and a reasonable price performer. Staff was pleasant and responsive to us. Get a table overlooking the harbor and West Bay for an even more pleasurable experience. Somewhat out of the usual way, if you're not otherwise headed up the Leelanau Peninsula, but worth a 5-10 mile detour, in our opinion. Good experience!

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fish tacos

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Posted By Scott P McNamara on September 27, 2007 12:45 AM

My wife and I drove to Michigan for a vacation, and my brother's wedding, in late July through early August. My brother and his fiance decided that our family, some of whom flew in from California, should dine at Scott's Harbor Grill to celebrate our getting together for the first time in over a year. Everything was awesome and the views were spectacular. Then dinner was served.

I ordered the fried walleye, something I had never tasted it and was looking forward to. It came with fries and coleslaw. I had one bite of the walleye, then a bite of coleslaw when I noticed something funny in my mouth. It turned out to be a seven-inch piece of plastic from the bag of cabbage used to make the coleslaw. We informed the waitress who at first made excuses, then after listening to our complaints finally apologized. My brother and I asked to speak with the manager. The manager refused to speak with us and claimed he was too busy, and offered $1.00 off of my dinner for the coleslaw!

We left appalled and in dismay. The staff needs to be trained better to deal with these types of situations, in my opinion. I can assure you my brother and his new wife won't be recommending Scott's Harbor Grill to their friends and relatives in the future.

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