Laid-Back Michigan Vacation
Destination
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There are a
handful of other fun things to do in the area. You can make the 20-minute
drive to Fenn Valley Winery, which has been producing award-winning wines
since 1973 - the Dry Riesling and Capriccio (a red wine) are particularly
well-regarded. Outside the tasting room, there's a lovely garden patio to
while away an afternoon sampling wine. In downtown Saugatuck, the Mason
Street Warehouse theater produces first-rate musicals and plays, a total
of five each season. And if you're in an outdoorsy mood, consider paddling
around town in a kayak - Running Rivers Kayak Rentals can provide guided
tours, instruction, and rentals. For a little more exercise, climb the 282
steps to the top of the area's highest sand dune, Mt. Baldhead, from which
you'll enjoy stunning views of Lake Michigan.
Although plenty of trendy dining options have sprung up in the area, don't
overlook one of the longtime favorites, Toulouse, which serves some of the
finest French food in the state. Parisian show posters line the walls of
the candlelit, antiques-filled dining room. The food at this Saugatuck
institution sings, from the cassoulet of white beans, duck confit, smoked
pork, and sausage, to Thai-style curry-baked sweet potatoes with coconut
milk, cilantro, and cashew butter. Festive Chequers could pass for a pub
in England's Cotswolds - it's warmly lighted and filled with bric-a-brac.
A big crowd quaffs pints of imported ales and stouts. The kitchen serves
up fish-and-chips, shepherd's pie, and bangers and mash as well as salads
and sandwiches.
As coffeehouses go, Uncommon Grounds is one of your best options. It's a
good place to pick up an over-stuffed sandwich, smoothie, light breakfast,
or delicious carrot cake, in addition to the usual java drinks. The sunny
deck out front is nice for ogling passers-by. If you're in the mood for
some serious snacking, drop by Cookies on Call for a
white-chocolate-and-caramel or dark-chocolate-and-dried-blueberry cookie.
In downtown Douglas, the outstanding Everyday People Cafe looks like a
cheerful down-home diner, but serves such ambitious standouts as
pan-seared ahi tuna with a lemon-ginger beurre blanc, and lump crab cakes
with a smoked-corn relish. There's a great wine list, too. Chaps is one of
the most consistently good restaurants in the area, serving creative
American fare, from light sandwiches and salads in the bar to more
substantial offerings in the attractive dining room. Sauteed pheasant with
shiitake mushrooms and a citrus-butter sauce ranks among the best dishes
here. Blue Moon is a beautiful space with a fireplace, long banquettes
layered with throw pillows, and inventive but inexpensive food, such as
barbecue-duck quesadillas, soba noodles with Asian-marinated steak, and
juicy half-pound burgers. Continue to page
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The Hunk
