There are many fine restaurants in Lansing

There are many fine restaurants in Lansing
Where have you been eating, Mark?
By Rob Gifford

In his April 23 editorial, Mark Nixon of the Lansing State Journal commented that he could utter complaints about local restaurants as quickly as he could recite the Burger King jingle. Maybe that’s your problem, Mark … too much fast food.

How can you have lived and dined in the Lansing area for more than 30 years and missed some of the finest restaurants in Michigan?

In fact, the reality is that there are many award-winning, long-established restaurants with outstanding food and service. The Knight Cap, which is just a few blocks from the Lansing State Journal, has outstanding steaks. Christy’s Bistro in Lansing has wonderful filet mignon. The English Inn in Eaton Rapids, and Signature’s American Grill and Hershey’s Steaks and Seafood in East Lansing are all excellent restaurants as well.

The Golden Rose in Okemos has won more than a dozen state and national awards and honors since it opened, including first place in the Taste of Elegance, the largest restaurant competition in Michigan; Best Fine Dining Menu of Michigan by the Michigan Restaurant Association; and Best Caterer of Michigan by the Midwest Food Service Magazine.

The State Journal itself featured several of Lansing’s newer fine dining establishments including Troppo’s and the All Season Bistro in East Lansing, and the 621 Club in downtown Lansing.

These restaurants provide everything you mentioned you wanted: eating well, enjoying new tastes, and being entertained by the surroundings — a dining experience.

While your busy tooling down I-96 in an effort to escape your own hometown, remember that many out-of-towners are passing you on their way into some of these excellent restaurants.

We encourage you, Mark, to try restaurants such as the Red Cedar Grill in Williamston, the Evergreen Grill and Beggar’s Banquet in East Lansing, and Restaurant Villegas in Okemos. Then, see if you still hold the same opinion — that Lansing is behind the culinary curve.

I think you’ll find just the opposite, Mark. There is a wide selection of restaurants in Lansing that are bringing innovative items to the table.

There is also, as you mention, a wide variety of chain restaurants for those who enjoy them. But the Lansing restaurant industry is certainly not limited to those chain restaurants.

You have disappointed many Michigan restaurateurs by overlooking some of the finest restaurants in our region. If your goal is to encourage fine dining restaurants in Lansing, then please, also do your part in promoting these restaurants making the grade.

We’re not asking you to eat your words, Mark. But if you’re interested, there are several chefs in town who would be happy to serve them up to you.

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Rob Gifford is executive director of the Michigan Restaurant Association, which represents more than 3,500 eating and drinking establishments statewide.

Note: A picture of Rob Gifford is available by contacting Karen Newton at Rossman Martin & Associates at (517) 487-9320 or knewton@rossmanmartin.com, or by visiting www.rossmanmartin.com.