Cozy Winter Dining in Northern Michigan!
The igloo village at Hop Lot - so magical!!
Pre-Covid, we had never hosted an outdoor winter event. I loathe being cold. I know, Michigan is an odd choice for me. But, ya know…family. That said, do you know what we value more than warm fingers and toes? Seeing our friends and family in person! Humans are social creatures, and nothing epitomizes this concept more than a couple of friends braving below freezing temperatures just to enjoy a drink or meal together.
Our backyard ❤️❄️
And because of this...I am grateful to the many businesses that are finding ways to make al fresco dining a little less ‘al frigid.’ Recently, we visited three establishments that each have their own unique spin on this outdoor dining trend.
Hop Lot Brewing Company in Suttons Bay, Michigan has been in the igloo game long before Covid struck. Not only do they have the most charming igloo village - complete with hanging cafe lights, multiple fire pits and an outdoor bar - but they also have mastered the system of providing quick and efficient service. With the clock running on our hour-long igloo reservation, we had beers and amazing food within minutes. If you’re interested, make a reservation soon. Their igloos book up weeks in advance!
The boys running off to find our igloo.
Things to know:
Each igloo can accommodate up to six people (currently, you do not need to be from the same household).
All reservations are made online here, and the igloo is yours for one hour.
Once inside, you scan a QR code to view the menu and order everything from your phone. Drinks are placed outside your igloo, you grab the food from a window.
All igloos are heated with furnaces and allow you to control your heat setting. If you’re the first reservation of the day, it’s probably going to be a little chilly, so dress appropriately.
The food was ready fast!
The interior of the igloos aren’t fancy (presswood floor and patio furniture), but I have to say that I have a ton of admiration for the efficiency of their system, and the village they have created is truly magical. We were there for lunch, and I’m dying to get back to experience the glow and charm of the village with the fires roaring and twinkle lights glowing against the night sky. Oh, and the spicy chicken sandwich is AMAZING!
Order the chicken sandwich! And the pretzels!!!
Farm Club, also located on Leelanau Peninsula, is a farm, restaurant, brewery, bakery and marketplace located seven miles northwest of Traverse City. With the recent re-opening of indoor dining, they do have a few indoor tables up for grabs near their marketplace. However, for a unique, private outdoor dining experience book their Shepherd's Tent.
The Shepherd’s Tent at Farm Club
Things to Know:
The canvas tent is heated with a wood stove, wool blankets are on each chair and there are two fur-covered benches. The space can accommodate 4-8 people.
The pre-fixe menu is locally sourced and offers five courses ($50 per adult and $25 per child).
They did have some additional offerings for children (think organic, house-made buttered noodles) if you would like to order a la carte for your child. Or, you could grab some food from their indoor market and bring it back to the tent.
They did not have a corkage fee! Bring along a bottle of your favorite vino, or choose from a handful of beers and wine on the menu.
This is leisurely dining. There was no time limit and the courses were not rushed. Plan to be here for a couple hours.
They do alter the menu to accommodate food restrictions! Yay!! So leave a note when you make the reservation or give them a call with your dietary restrictions.
*Parent Tip: If you bring the kiddos along, grab a deck of cards or some paper and pencils to keep them entertained. This is slow food dining with a lot of time between courses.
Loving the farm-to-table food!
**The menu changes based on what’s in season, but here are the courses we were served and the food was phenomenal (our friends brought that amazing bottle of wine).
Our final destination, Pond Hill Farm, is located just northwest of Harbor Springs. If you happen to be skiing at Boyne Highlands or Nubs Nob it’s a quick 15-20 minute drive west. I have no idea how it took us so long to find this place, but it will definitely be a post-ski stop for years to come.
In addition to the farm, Pond Hill has a market, winery, brewery, sledding hill AND a woodland gnome home hunt! Oh! And goats!!! Your children will love this place as much as you do. You can enjoy a beer inside a heated tent while your kids make a few runs down the sledding hill (sleds provided, or feel free to bring your own) and chase chickens around the tables.
Having a little chicken with our beer and appetizer🍺 🐓.
And. The. Foooood!!! There are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options - including vegan pizza on a cauliflower crust! If you’re cringing, there are plenty of meat-heavy, dairy-laden options as well, so don’t stress.
Order inside at the counter and wait in the heated tent out back for your food to arrive. There are many picnic tables under the tent, so no limit on your party size.
The shared tent has a tall propane heater near each table.
Not hungry? Flights of beer and wine are available, as well as many speciality hot cocoa options for the kids!
Dress warmly because you will most likely be heading in and out of heated spaces to enjoy some of the farm activities.
***Every Saturday night is Pizza & Sledding night on the farm!
Photo cred to Pond Hill Farm
If there are any other Michigan outdoor dining experiences that you’ve loved, please drop a comment below! Cheers!