Still hungry? We’re wrapping up our Restaurant Month coverage by heading down the shoreline to the beachside communities of Bridgman, Sawyer and Harbert. Most of the restaurants featured here are less than two years old, and all are worth a visit to southwest Berrien County:
Bridgman
After a two-year closing, Lake Street Eats re-opened in April of 2022 to much local excitement – and less than a year later, doubled-down on that excitement by literally doubling its size. With its airy interior featuring a dining room on one side and a sports bar in the newer half, Lake Street Eats is a great place to meet up for a cocktail with a friend, enjoy date night, or take the kids to dinner (my 14-year-old daughter loves the LSE Poutine!) The menu is diverse and offers a variety of dishes to make any group happy, including a nice number of gluten-free options. Try the Lollipop Lamb Chops, Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts, Grilled Caesar Salad, Blackened Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos, or Crispy Sea Bass.
Another relative newcomer to Bridgman’s food scene, Molly’s opened last spring at the corner of Lake Street and Red Arrow Highway, just a stone’s throw from Weko Beach. Open for breakfast and lunch, with classic diner options like omelettes, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and a variety of soups and sandwiches. The space is clean, colorful, and cute, with a tucked-away feeling that makes you want to linger over a cup of coffee and stay a while. Try the Molly’s Scramble or Wake Up! breakfast sandwich for breakfast, or the French Dip sandwich or Gyro salad at lunch.
Sawyer
While Susan’s may not technically qualify as a “newer” restaurant (it opened in late 2019), being shuttered by a global pandemic just a few months after opening its doors is likely to slow down a restaurant’s early growth. Susan’s was “new to me” when I started venturing out after the early lockdowns, and I was impressed by its ambience: it has the look and feel of an upscale-casual restaurant in a much bigger city, only situated on an unassuming corner in downtown Sawyer. From there, the experience only got better. Susan’s patrons are in for a culinary treat, with a large selection of wine, beer, and craft cocktails plus a diverse and seasonally-inspired menu featuring unexpected dishes like Tarbais bean ragout and Japanese sweet potato with honey butter. The menu rotates often, so head into Susan’s Sawyer for culinary inspiration!
Harbert
Opening in early 2022, Gather All Day is situated in a bright, contemporary space on Red Arrow Highway and describes itself as a “casual, modern lounge.” A unique ordering process means that all orders are placed by the guest at the table using a QR code, (no substitutions allowed) which allows you to pace yourself by ordering dishes individually rather than feeling pressured to place a large order all at once. The food itself is incredible, with a nice variety of both small plates and larger dishes for sharing plus a selection of wine, beer, and craft cocktails including some thoughtful non-alcoholic options. Try the crispy smashed potatoes or smashed patatas bravas – you really can’t go wrong there – as well as the black sea bass, pappardelle bolognese, beef tenderloin – and, of course, the homemade focaccia.
While Restaurant Month may be wrapping up for 2023, any month is a great time to head out and experience a quality dining opportunity in Berrien County. Looking for more culinary inspiration? Read all of our Restaurant Month articles.
