Information on Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding Northwest Michigan area

07/18/2006

Let's Do Lunch

Scott's Harbor Grill

by doug davenport
For more restaurant profiles, see our Let's Do Lunch page

Scott's Harbor Grill on West Bayshore Drive in Traverse City offers a panoramic view of the Harbor West Marina.

Restaurant: Scott's Harbor Grill

Address: 12917 S. West Bayshore Dr., Traverse City (GET MAP)

Phone: 922-2114

Web site: www.scottsharborgrill.com

Atmosphere: The modest entrance to Scott's Harbor Grill, located on M-22 at the intersection of Cherry Bend Road, disguises the panoramic view of the Harbor West Marina that awaits when you step inside. The comfortable indoor dining room is marked by the blend of light natural woods, wine-toned leather and fabric, and large windows overlooking the harbor. On a warm summer evening, sit outside on the lanai-style patio, surrounded by greenery and overlooking the array of watercraft moored at their slips. The Grill is a casual place for pleasant conversation by the water, where the service is prompt and cheerful and the atmosphere is seaside easy.

Cuisine/Price Points: Specializing in seafood and ribs. Scott's carries full lunch and dinner menus, mostly the same dishes in different sized portions. Burgers are served only with the lunch selections.

Appetizers ($7-8) of coconut shrimp, Maryland crab cakes, smoked whitefish pate, buffalo chicken fingers, or onion straws ($5) get you started, along with a favorite libation from the bar or interesting wine list.

Featured dinner salads ($9-11) include a Mixed Mediterranean, which serves up greens, humus and artichokes, the grilled raspberry chicken with cashews, and a Cancun salad of greens and refried beans served on a warm tortilla.

Seafood dinner plates ($14-18) offer choices such as pineapple mahi mahi, sesame seared Ahi tuna, Louisiana shrimp pasta, and potato crusted walleye. From the grill, choose baby back ribs with garlic smashed potatoes, a generous NY steak sandwich, or pan roasted duck.

Leave room for desserts ($4-$5) like molten lava chocolate cake, strawberry tiramisu, a turtle brownie sundae, or carrot cake & Moomers ice cream.

My Selection: We dined on the outdoor patio, where our friendly and attentive waitress, Lauren, helped us with a few favorite recommendations. When the wine I selected was not available, she suggested Phillips Toasted Head Chardonnay from California. It was delightful. For an appetizer she pointed to the Saganaki — bubbling kasseri cheese in a brandy lemon sauce, served with crusty bread.

"It's a favorite with a lot of customers", she said.

I also went with her dinner pick of the Louisiana shrimp pasta.

"Not overly hot, but a little bit spicy", Lauren said.

The parmesan-crusted shrimp were served atop linguine and covered in a Bayou cream sauce that was fired by small amounts of jalapeno. My wife enjoyed a delicious pesto vegetarian selection from the flatbreads — melted mozzarella, artichoke hearts and olives on sun-dried tomato-basil flatbread. We succumbed to Lauren's final temptation of dessert and split a molten chocolate lava cake as evening shadows fell over the harbor.