Small but mighty ! Go for the food, stay for the atmosphere, you will not be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marnie J
Hands down, the best meal we've ever had in Traverse.
Located on the outskirts of a lovely neighborhood, the atmosphere is warm and inviting (10 tables). Service is attentive, and the waitstaff is happy! Food...OUTSTANDING!!
We were a couple of 4 that shared everything. For appetizers, we ordered: mixed greens salad (so good that we wound up ordering a second one on the spot), roasted beets, smoked whitefish, gemelli pasta, and seared foie gras. For entrees, we ordered the lake trout and the NY steak: dessert (which we usually never order), crème brûlée. Everything was prepared perfectly, and there was nothing left on any of the shared plates.
Although I wanted to take photos of the restaurant and all of the food, I tried to respect the other patrons around us.
We will be back next year when we return to Traverse City.
Until then, I will be dreaming of the experience and the FOOD!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy Dunlea
We are foodie folks and I made a reservation here as soon as I knew we were planning a trip to Traverse City. There just happened to be one at 9pm on the Thursday we would be there. In the meantime, while watching the James Beard Awards, I noticed they were nominated within the same category as one of chef's from our hometown Cincinnati!
The place is actually a house, and we were seated right next to the kitchen. Our server, Dillon, was great. We were happy that we both didn't have to order the tasting menu, so I had it, and my wife ordered a la carte (this is the first place we have been to that you can actually order whatever way you would like, nice!) The wine list isn't huge, but it is nice that the glasses are all the same price. As other reviewers said, there is a lot of staff for the 25 seats in the place.
We were offered a pickled Amuse Bouche and a mushroom tea that we could have had every day. It was SO good.
Here is what we ordered and what we thought; Starter - Smoke whitefish salad- very good and the fish was delicate and fresh. Loved. Gemelli pasta- they were absolutely fine substituting other cheese for the goat cheese, which we don't care for. We had one with blue cheese and one with parmesan. Both were great and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. Whitefish with Tom Yum Vinaigrette - first time having whitefish and it was excellent. Flavors on point. Would order again and again.
5 course tasting - Cucumber Buttermilk Soup - light and earthy tasting, and very pretty! Gemelli pasta - see above New York Steak - didn't appear to be a strip. It was chewy and a little gamey. I had to pull gristle out of my mouth a lot. However, the chimichurri sauce was fantastic and the potatoes were buttery deliciousness. Grilled Turnips - unique flavors. I was getting full so I didn't eat all of it. Lemon Posset - perfect ending. Creamy and lovely.
We had the pleasure to talk to chef Calvin because we were right next to the kitchen. He specifically talked to us about what cheese we would prefer on the gemelli, and then when I asked where he likes to eat in town, he suggested a few places. He checked in on us regularly throughout our meal, which really made the experience intimate and personal. He also made some browned butter for our excellent bread because we didn't care for the goat butter...nice touch.
They are deserving of the kudos and award nominations they receive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Umansky
Amazing food, delightful experience, and very vegetarian friendly! Cannot recommend this place enough for a fun celebration of delicious food without the usual pretentious flair. Beware - the portions are big for a tasting menu and the food is exquisite, so come hungry!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leslie Bilbey
Everything is to love about this place -- the thoughtful menu, attention to detail, and the outstanding staff. Everyone made you feel that you were special and valued by being a guest--a cherished evening out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Felicia Maria Alba
From the food to the atmosphere to the staff, Cooks’ House excels at everything they do. They offer a warm yet elevated experience that’s well worth booking far in advance. I’m particularly grateful for the care they take with food allergies. The wine is also spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Renell T
We celebrated my birthday at this cozy and incredible restaurant. We really enjoyed the 7 course meal everything was perfect. Thanks for a wonderful experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jenn Levi
Absolutely incredible every time, menu changes, food is incredible service is incredible and friendly, can’t say enough good things about this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Kozyra
I cannot say enough good things about our entire evening at The Cooks’ House. From the perfect table next to the kitchen, to the attentive and wonderful weight staff, to the exceptional food, this was a 10 out of 10 dining experience. We cannot wait to come back and see what the chefs whip up next!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Kozyra
Such a unique and fun dining experience! We got to sit at the best table in the restaurant, right next to the kitchen window. Where we were able to see the action. The chefs talked to us about the food and the service was top notch! Excellent food too, wow! So fresh and perfectly cooked. I strongly recommend the 7-course meal so you get to try everything! And the cocktails were unmatched! Book now as they fill up for months and you will see why!
Had the 7 course experience and every course exceeded my expectations. Cocktails were well crafted, and service was attentive. What a great team they have. Will be back, looking forward to new menus!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jena Matzen
Stellar, beautiful food with wonderful hospitality. Wine pairings are phenomenal. Consistently excellent over the many years we’ve been going. It’s our absolute favorite place to celebrate special events, like we did for our 27th anniversary last night. As expected, Chefs and Staff did not disappoint and gave us a stunning experience. Thank you!!! 🙏🏻
TJ Estabrook
The Cook’s House is our favorite restaurant in Michigan. There is not a detail overlooked. We had the entire restaurant for our small wedding. Eric was amazing to work with. We had guests with extensive culinary experiences around the world that were in awe. What a treat to have such a gem in northern Michigan!
Angie Winn
Went here for a special occasion to see what all the hype was about. Honestly I was expecting more. I don’t mind throwing $300 at a restaurant but it needs to be worth that $300. I feel like they have the environment and the service down pat. The food needs work. It looks beautiful and very artsy but the flavors and quality not so much. I was hoping I would love it, but instead left disappointed and hungry.
Brian
10/10 food and service. My partner has a dairy allergy but we were interested in the 5 course meal for me. All we had to do is merely mention a dairy sensitivity and each course came out specifically altered for her without issue, allowing her to have an equally incredible experience. Fantastic service and accommodation. Worth every penny. Our server dylan is a king
Small but mighty ! Go for the food, stay for the atmosphere, you will not be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hands down, the best meal we've ever had in Traverse.
Located on the outskirts of a lovely neighborhood, the atmosphere is warm and inviting (10 tables). Service is attentive, and the waitstaff is happy! Food...OUTSTANDING!!
We were a couple of 4 that shared everything. For appetizers, we ordered: mixed greens salad (so good that we wound up ordering a second one on the spot), roasted beets, smoked whitefish, gemelli pasta, and seared foie gras. For entrees, we ordered the lake trout and the NY steak: dessert (which we usually never order), crème brûlée. Everything was prepared perfectly, and there was nothing left on any of the shared plates.
Although I wanted to take photos of the restaurant and all of the food, I tried to respect the other patrons around us.
We will be back next year when we return to Traverse City.
Until then, I will be dreaming of the experience and the FOOD!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are foodie folks and I made a reservation here as soon as I knew we were planning a trip to Traverse City. There just happened to be one at 9pm on the Thursday we would be there. In the meantime, while watching the James Beard Awards, I noticed they were nominated within the same category as one of chef's from our hometown Cincinnati!
The place is actually a house, and we were seated right next to the kitchen. Our server, Dillon, was great. We were happy that we both didn't have to order the tasting menu, so I had it, and my wife ordered a la carte (this is the first place we have been to that you can actually order whatever way you would like, nice!) The wine list isn't huge, but it is nice that the glasses are all the same price. As other reviewers said, there is a lot of staff for the 25 seats in the place.
We were offered a pickled Amuse Bouche and a mushroom tea that we could have had every day. It was SO good.
Here is what we ordered and what we thought;
Starter - Smoke whitefish salad- very good and the fish was delicate and fresh. Loved.
Gemelli pasta- they were absolutely fine substituting other cheese for the goat cheese, which we don't care for. We had one with blue cheese and one with parmesan. Both were great and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente.
Whitefish with Tom Yum Vinaigrette - first time having whitefish and it was excellent. Flavors on point. Would order again and again.
5 course tasting -
Cucumber Buttermilk Soup - light and earthy tasting, and very pretty!
Gemelli pasta - see above
New York Steak - didn't appear to be a strip. It was chewy and a little gamey. I had to pull gristle out of my mouth a lot. However, the chimichurri sauce was fantastic and the potatoes were buttery deliciousness.
Grilled Turnips - unique flavors. I was getting full so I didn't eat all of it.
Lemon Posset - perfect ending. Creamy and lovely.
We had the pleasure to talk to chef Calvin because we were right next to the kitchen. He specifically talked to us about what cheese we would prefer on the gemelli, and then when I asked where he likes to eat in town, he suggested a few places. He checked in on us regularly throughout our meal, which really made the experience intimate and personal. He also made some browned butter for our excellent bread because we didn't care for the goat butter...nice touch.
They are deserving of the kudos and award nominations they receive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food, delightful experience, and very vegetarian friendly! Cannot recommend this place enough for a fun celebration of delicious food without the usual pretentious flair. Beware - the portions are big for a tasting menu and the food is exquisite, so come hungry!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything is to love about this place -- the thoughtful menu, attention to detail, and the outstanding staff. Everyone made you feel that you were special and valued by being a guest--a cherished evening out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From the food to the atmosphere to the staff, Cooks’ House excels at everything they do. They offer a warm yet elevated experience that’s well worth booking far in advance. I’m particularly grateful for the care they take with food allergies. The wine is also spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We celebrated my birthday at this cozy and incredible restaurant. We really enjoyed the 7 course meal everything was perfect. Thanks for a wonderful experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely incredible every time, menu changes, food is incredible service is incredible and friendly, can’t say enough good things about this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I cannot say enough good things about our entire evening at The Cooks’ House. From the perfect table next to the kitchen, to the attentive and wonderful weight staff, to the exceptional food, this was a 10 out of 10 dining experience. We cannot wait to come back and see what the chefs whip up next!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a unique and fun dining experience! We got to sit at the best table in the restaurant, right next to the kitchen window. Where we were able to see the action. The chefs talked to us about the food and the service was top notch! Excellent food too, wow! So fresh and perfectly cooked. I strongly recommend the 7-course meal so you get to try everything! And the cocktails were unmatched! Book now as they fill up for months and you will see why!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Had the 7 course experience and every course exceeded my expectations. Cocktails were well crafted, and service was attentive. What a great team they have. Will be back, looking forward to new menus!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stellar, beautiful food with wonderful hospitality. Wine pairings are phenomenal. Consistently excellent over the many years we’ve been going. It’s our absolute favorite place to celebrate special events, like we did for our 27th anniversary last night. As expected, Chefs and Staff did not disappoint and gave us a stunning experience. Thank you!!! 🙏🏻
The Cook’s House is our favorite restaurant in Michigan. There is not a detail overlooked. We had the entire restaurant for our small wedding. Eric was amazing to work with. We had guests with extensive culinary experiences around the world that were in awe. What a treat to have such a gem in northern Michigan!
Went here for a special occasion to see what all the hype was about. Honestly I was expecting more. I don’t mind throwing $300 at a restaurant but it needs to be worth that $300. I feel like they have the environment and the service down pat. The food needs work. It looks beautiful and very artsy but the flavors and quality not so much. I was hoping I would love it, but instead left disappointed and hungry.
10/10 food and service. My partner has a dairy allergy but we were interested in the 5 course meal for me. All we had to do is merely mention a dairy sensitivity and each course came out specifically altered for her without issue, allowing her to have an equally incredible experience. Fantastic service and accommodation. Worth every penny. Our server dylan is a king
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