Rocks Landing

Our family dined here the last two summers. Wonderful evenings both. Food was great and the service was friendly and very professional. Always a good combo. I would say they could use a few more choices on the menu but can also understand that when you focus on fewer dishes you do get better results! Table seating is in twos and fours except for one table indoors with no view. We had tried to have 6 the first year and had to skip asking my parents to come along and we didn't see the table arrangement had changed our second year. Seems accommodations could be made but...alas

We finally were able to enjoy a dinner at Rock's Landing recently. We live about an hour south and saw this quaint spot on our frequent M22 trips. The menu looked spectacular and the wine list too.....oh, and the setting! Our server was amazing. A little quick to move us along, but not bad. I guess we'd prefer quick service to slow... Started with a couple apps....the crispy brussel sprouts and garlic shrimp. The brussel sprouts were divine, best we have ever had. Crispy exterior, nice soft center, sauce borderline too salty but very very tasty. The shrimp were nearly inedible. Rubbery, overcooked and sauce had a bitter overly garlicky ( not good garlicky ) flavor. Needless to say, we fought over the sprouts. Entrees we ordered were the halibut ( one of my favorite fish ) and the scallops. Scallops were absolutely superbly prepared....great sear, centers soft, not overdone. However....every bite had sand in it. Every bite. Some bites quite a bit of sand. Pea puree was excellent. Halibut....overcooked and ( hard to believe ) tough. The dish was one note texturally.....all soft. Fingerling potatoes...soft. Fish ( even though tough to eat ) soft. Leek confit....soft. So many opportunities to add texture either in the roast on the potatoes or possibly the leeks could be crispy.... Now, the vichyssoise sauce was excellent. On to dessert....probably the best lime pie we've had in the north. We live in the Keys in the Winter and have amazing lime pie there. This rivaled some of the better pies we've had down there. Wine list is awesome. Great selections. Atmosphere is great....on the shore of beautiful Crystal Lake. Probably expected it to be more on point because of price point.......

Fantastic Location on Crystal Lake. Be aware finding a parking place can be a challenge, but it is well worth the effort. We had a table on the covered deck right on the water. Service was great! And the food was as well. We shared the roasted brussels with soy and siracha, very good and not too hot. My wife had the halibut with roasted leeks and fingerling potatoes with beurre blanc – very good. I had the steak frites with chimichurri. They make a steak out of the cap of the ribeye, I know right!!the BEST part. It was very good, great flavor, very tender and a great chimichurri. We ended the meal with a great cup of coffee and an outstanding carrot cake.

This place was great. Small, quaint, with delicious food and wonderful relaxing atmosphere. We drove nearly an hour to try it out. We had steak and scallop. They were prepared to perfection and topped it off with Carrot Cake. The drink menu was good and the bourbon poor was hardy. The staff were helpful on suggestions. We walked around the lawn, sat on the swing and enjoyed the lake view.

Most restaurants have one or two things going for them. Maybe food or maybe location or maybe service. Rarely is there a restaurant that excels at all three. Rocks landing is one of these rare gems. The location and view of Crystal Lake are amazing. The small menu has something to offer everyone. And the best part was the service. The hostess was welcoming, Gabe, our waiter was charming and friendly. And the manager (owner?) came out to check on us at the culmination of the meal. This type of humble Midwest hospitality was deeply appreciated. And I hope it remains forever so. As for our meal, we enjoyed the Michigan cheese board for an appetizer. My wife and I split the striped bass which we ordered because it reminded me of fishing off the coast of Maine. My first choice for fish is raw (a.k.a. sushi), however, when it is cooked it must be served hot. In this regard, Rocks Landing did not disappoint. The meal was delicious. Parking is a little tight so we wondered if they might put in a dock some day to allow people to arrive by boat. Of course, it would be important for this not to effect the view. If you time it right, Point Betsy is five minutes away so you can stop there for sunset afterwards. Thank you, Rocks Landing for a great experience :-)

I came across this place by googling restaurants near by Pointe Betsie Lighthouse. Make reservations in advance. My husband, brother in law, and I happened to get lucky and were able to get seated without having a reservation. We arrived around 8p.m. and left around 8:50p.m. The food, atmosphere, staff were amazing.