For Die-Hard Foodies

I mentioned the amazing meals to be at the Grand Hotel. They have three menus that they rotate. We were there two nights. We had menu two and three.

Menu 2

Appetizers

Sparkling Michigan Apple Juice

House Cured Salmon and Buckwheat Crepes

Vodka Creme Fraiche

Watermelon, Papaya, and Green Tea Parfait

Prosciutto and Vidalia Onion Tart

Sweet Pepper Succotash

Soups

Golden Beet and Squash Soup

Chorizo Sausage, Rye Croutons

Beef Broth with Summer Vegetables*

Truffle Quenelles

Artichoke, Fennel, and Lobster Gazpacho

Caviar Creme Fraiche

Salad

Chopped Vegetable Salad with Beans and Mozzarella

Roasted Shallot-Garlic Vinaigrette

Entrees

Baked Filet of Michigan Whitefish

with Crabmeat and Shrimp Ragout

Lemongrass Cream

Beef Medallion and Braised Beef Short Ribs

Velvet Chile-Madeira Sauce

Mango-Chipotle Barbecued Pork Tenderloin

and Sweet Potato Mash

Lemon Aioli

Hazelnut Crusted Chicken Breast with Wild Mushrooms

White Port Jus

Grilled Asparagus and Parmesan Polenta

Tomato-Onion Jam

Menu 3

Appetizers

Sparkling Michigan White Grape Juice

Jumbo Shrimp and Diver Scallops

Wasabi Remoulade

Pineapple Martini

Tequila Sabayon

Braised Pork and Vegetable Spring Roll

Soups

Creamy Smoked Chicken Soup*

Gruyere Spatzle

Michigan Whitefish Bisque

Vanilla Oil

Molokai Sweet Potato and Yogurt Soup

Crispy Pancetta

Salad

Spinach, Strawberries, Sweet Pecans, and Boursin Cheese

Thyme-Honey Dressing

Entrees

Almond-Macadamia Crusted Trout

Champagne Choucroute

Lamb Chops with White Bean Cassoulet

Pomeganate Molasses

Pepper-Coffee Rubbed Black Angus Prime Rib

with Chanterelle Stew

Jack Daniels Jus

Herb Crusted Organic Breast of Chicken and Spicy Shrimp

Cilantro-Black Bean Sauce

Wild Mushroom Ravioli and Tomato Tartin

Curried Chickpeas

Dessert Menu

Grand Pecan Ball

Fudge Sauce

Strawberry Chocolate Martini

Cheesecake Trio

Kumquat and Blood Orange Coulis

Raspberry Panna Cotta with Filo Crisp

Pink Champagne Sauce

Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee

Vanilla Bean Madeleine

Warm Banana and Pecan Bread Pudding

Bourbon Creme Anglaise

Ice Cream

Cappuccino, Double Dutch Chocolate, Lemon Buttermilk,

Tart Cherry, Vanilla Honey

Sorbet

Green Apple, Tequila Lime Cilantro

Jim's Choices

Magi's Choices

*Sera loves soup, so I chose the ones I thought she'd like best

Our meals were great. They didn't quite reach the heights of my memories from our honeymoon, but that was probably my fault. I'd taken those memories to a height that couldn't be met. My pork was amazing. The chicken was just okay. I never order chicken, so I don't know what came over me. It was between that and the lamb chops. I should have gone with the lamb chops.

Jim had the creme brulee for dessert our first night. It was so good, we both had it the second night. Sera was sitting on my lap when our dessert came, and I gave her a bite. Her eyes literally rolled, she tucked her head into my neck, and looked back at me with an expression I've never seen on her face before. "Mommy, that's nummy." And then we devoured every last bite.

If you're still reading this, here's the one we didn't get.

Menu 1

Appetizers

Sparkling Michigan Raspberry Juice

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Lime Cocktail Sauce, Horseradish Foam

Minted Melon Balls

Coconut Ricotta

Escargot Parmgiano

Tuscan Bean Puree

Soups

Wild Mushroom Bisque

Tarragon Cream

Spanish Onion Soup

Jerez Sherry

Green Apple and Asian Pear Soup

Candied Walnuts

Salad

Yukon Gold Potatoes, Cucumbers, and Pear Tomatoes

Sweet Mustard and Peppercorn Dressing

Entrees

Miso Glaced Filet of Salmon

Hoisin Sauce, Thai Julienne Salad

Cornish Game Hen with Crabmeat and Truffles

Bourbon Cream

Roasted Prime Rib of Beef

Garlic Jus, Crispy Tobacco Onions

Grilled Veal Scallopini and Sweetbreads

Shiitake-Chianti Sauce

Roasted Root Vegetables and Plantain Patties

Cucumber Raita, Kafir Dressing