ENCORE FIVE FAVES
Five Faves
The area's coziest fireplaces to cuddle by BY DAN CUNNINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN K. POWERS
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s the days get colder and brisk winter winds blow the last crunchy leaves from the trees, some Michiganders greet winter with enthusiasm, hitting slopes, ice rinks and cross-country trails the second the first snowflake appears. Others don flannel and disappear under heavy blankets in their toasty dens, not to be seen outdoors until the grass is green. Whether Michigan winters spark joy in you or not, there's one thing we can agree on: There's nothing like warming up by a roaring fire. In the dead of winter a few years back, my spouse and I mapped out a fireplace restaurant tour, sipping and snacking our way around the area's coziest restaurant fireplaces, and it’s been a tradition for us every winter since. Here are our favorite spots:
Cove Lakeside Bistro 9110 Portage Road, Portage
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verlooking West Lake, the Cove offers delicious seafood and steaks along with unobscured waterfront and sunset views through its west-facing wall of windows. The juxtaposition of the frozen snow-covered lake and the fire burning in the long, modern glass fireplace makes you feel like you're fooling Mother Nature as you warm your bones by the flickering embers. Few things can top a cozy seat by the lake and by a warm fire except maybe the Cove’s hot, bubbling Lobster Fondue and a steamy bowl of Hampton Clam Chowder. But beware, you will be thinking about this comfort food for days afterward. For more information or to make reservations, call 350-5380 or visit covewestlake.com. The restaurant currently closes at 9 p.m.
The Dock at Bayview 12504 East D Ave., Richland
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alking into The Dock feels like walking into your best friend's living room. Its laid-back vibe is just as warm and welcoming as its toasty fireplace. The restaurant/ bar, set on a hilltop overlooking the east end of Gull Lake, offers a casual atmosphere, plus live music on weekends. The food is great, the service is friendly, and there’s always plenty of room near the fire. There’s a second circular fireplace in The Dock's banquet room, reserved for larger parties. The Dock is also home to one of the biggest and most unusually stocked Bloody Mary bars in the state. I have watched people roll by with all kinds of things sticking straight out of a big Bloody Mary mug, including ham and cheese roll-ups, pickles, olives, hot peppers, grilled vegetable skewers, peel ‘n’ eat shrimp, chicken wings and mini pork sliders. You can watch the Bloody Mary parade from the fireplace from noon–3 p.m. every Sunday. It’s a first-class buffet in a glass. For more information, call 731-4911 or visit thedockatbayview.com. The restaurant closes at 11 p.m. Monday–Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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