Bluewater Bistro & Pizzeria

It's fine.

Kid-friendliness: yes

Wheelchair accessibility: yes

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Philly Steak and Cheese Sub Lunch, Pizza Sub, Caesar Salad, Blackened Whitefish

Unexpected gem!
After numerous times driving by this restaurant, located in small town Alden, we finally stopped in for dinner on a beautiful fall evening. We were pleasantly surprised by the modern feel yet cozy vibe. There was a bar tucked into a corner with plenty of seating and a fireplace. We didn’t get over to the pizzeria side but look forward to it in the near future. We arrived @4:30pm and were immediately seated. Even if we had to wait for a table, it would’ve been well worth it! We moved back to northern MI from Chicagoland and this restaurant ranks right up there with some of Chicago’s finest. Our table of four ordered two of the day’s specials—the butternut squash soup and the shrimp scampi, and both exceeded our expectations. The soup was a rich golden color and perfectly spiced so that the natural sweetness of the squash was followed by a slight peppery taste—delightful! The garlic shrimp scampi was served with the shrimp and pasta cooked just right with an incredible buttery smoothness—perfect! We also enjoyed the blackened panko Walleye with fingerling potatoes, panko encrusted Cod and grilled White fish with wild rice. All were excellently prepared, easily flaking onto our forks and each still retaining its unique flavor and texture. The Al-dente vegetable sides had beautiful color and served neat to complement the great flavors of the main dishes. The restaurant’s beverage list offers a wide variety of drinks and wines to pair with each dish. The desert menu offered two specials and two flavors of ice-cream. We were all stuffed by then as our dinner portions were huge but decided to indulge and ordered both specials to share. Wow! The deconstructed carrot cake served with the chef’s homemade cream cheese on the side and on an apple flavored “rue” was to die for! The double chocolate mousse cleverly served in a quirky cup was wicked smooth and light—a chocolate lover’s dream. We really enjoyed the desserts not being too sweet. Our friends know the co-owner/Chef Cliff and we were honored that he visited our table. We recognized him from a previous high-end restaurant in our beautiful village of Elk Rapids. His culinary skills,, attention to details and pride in ownership are evident in each dish. We are absolutely thrilled to add this bistro to our “go-to” list of restaurants with high caliber of great service and A+ food. Bravo Chef Cliff and wait staff! We’ll be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This was a lovely surprise in an unexpected location. The owner/chef obviously takes pride in their dishes going as far as making their own cream cheese for their cheesecake. The smoked salmon dip with everything bagel crackers was too good. We had to force ourselves to stop eating it or we would not be able to finish our dinner. My wife enjoyed the blackened whitefish with Cajun rice and veggies, all well-seasoned and cooked well. The portion was generous enough to take hone what remained after the meal.
My pork ribs, a dish I rarely order because so many times they are disappointing, were tender and meaty. They were covered in the chef's own BBQ sauce that was tangy and delicious if just a tad too sweet. I ate them all, so it's not like the sauce turned me off!
The deconstructed carrot cake came with a dollop of cream cheese frosting and spiced apple "sauce" which was more of a concentrate than the watery idea you think of when you hear "apple sauce." Let me tell you, it was fantastic! The cake was perfect, just carrot cake, no raisins or nuts and well balanced with a nice spice hit. The apple sauce added the touch of acid you want to complement the cream cheese frosting, which is so much better when you can control the amount you decide to put on your fork!
The service was very friendly and prompt. Our waiter knew each dish and answered all of our questions with ease. This was one of the highlights of our visit to the area, and we have already decided to return for another meal before we leave. This is one of the highest compliments I can give as I like to try different local restaurants when I travel and only return to those places I think are special.

Parking: The parking is on-site and was ample enough during my off-season visit.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Blackened Whitefish

Food was amazing ! Service was awesome !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food and qe sat on the patio. I should drop a star, we couldn't get pizza on the patio.....

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

To be honest, I was quite impressed with the food. I came there not expecting much so when the food came out good I was quite impressed. I would visit this place again when I’m up north.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Blackened Whitefish

Delicious food and amazing service!

The food is exceptional! We’ve eaten there three times in the last couple of months and each time it was excellent!

Had the whitefish and my friend had the steak. We also had wine and drinks with our meal. A great place to have a nice meal. Service, food and beverage are amazing top to bottom. Every part of our meal was perfect and we're still raving about it days later.
Thank you for a great night out!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Tenderloin Au Poivre, Blackened Whitefish

Ok Torch! Blue water is the real deal now! Service, food and atmosphere are outstanding. Only suggestion would be to arrange a table for 6 or more a bit better. Angled corner was a bit hard. That’s not to take Anything away from a great dinner. Katie, our server was great! Cocktails? Just ask. They can make it!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time back since new ownership! Bravo! The food, the service and the atmosphere was amazing! I had the Sticky Chicken and my friend had the pasta, both delicious and would
order again. Looking forward to going back on Friday with my husband and having some of their other fabulous entrees.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sticky Chicken

The bistro has awesome food and our waiter was so sweet. We also got a small pizza with pepperoni and bacon from the pizzeria. BEST PIZZA EVERR. we had it 3 times in a row on our week trip... thank you guys for blessing tastebuds.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great pizza quick service, we'll be back to try the dine in service.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free pizza was great.

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had the pleasure of eating dinner this past Saturday at BlueWater Bistro. We had 6 people and were told a short wait. Bartender was friendly and offered service while we waited. Our wait was short and we were seated at a comfortable table and nice chairs. I was told by a friend that it was under new Ownership and Chef. Menu was clearly thought out with offers for all. I was told Clam Chowder was homemade so 3 of us ordered. It was amazing, some of the best I’ve eaten. I can’t wait to have again. The next suggestion was BBQ ribs. This is not a bbq joint so I was intrigued by a 25 year recipe that did not disappoint. 3 of us ordered and each of us were all smiles and happy happy. Planko encrusted Walleye was also one of the best I’ve eaten anywhere. Clearly new owner and chefs have a winner here at blue water bistro. I asked if chef would come out so we could express our appreciation to his attention to detail. Food was amazing, service was amazing, preparation fresh and all plates arrived hot together. I spoke to both the owner and chef personally. We could not express how impressed and happy we were to be their guests this evening. Bartender(name I forget) son Cameron was our waiter. He was knowledgeable friendly and happy to serve us. Definitely staff here stood out and I couldn’t be happier. This meal and service was the best I’ve had in Michigan in a long long time. Salute to you all and thank you for a wonderful evening. A dinner that you will remember and miss immediately. Hope to see you very soon! David

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder, Panko Crusted Walleye

Great place. High end food. Very good but very expensive. Great service. We will be back. The ribs were very tender and the burre blanc sauce on the whitefish was heavenly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5