Sweet Water Cafe

So, Valentine's evening, we decided to try something new, somewhere we have not been before. While trying every restaurant from Marquette to Ishpeming is on my bucket list, we have a long way to go. So I let Tony pick out where to eat. He chose the Sweet Water Cafe. We had no clue what to expect. We had heard, or read somewhere, that they use organic foods and such, which is fine. We walked in and it seemed like a nice cozy place. I actually did not know they served dinner. CAFE makes me think of a small diner or cafe, coffee and tea or something - so I learned something. We got seated, the service was very very good.

The menu, to us, was not too big. There was not a lot of variety of stuff that we would have chosen. Tony ended up just getting a sandwich because none of the entrees looked appealing to him. I got one of the specials - Chicken cooked in saffron with a tomato/maple syrup compote, veggies and rice pilaf. So I had no clue what Saffron was but I do know what maple syrup is and anything with maple in it is usually good!!! So the chicken was amazing. The tomato and maple compote was actually really really good! saffron, as it turns out, is part of the Crocus flower and give the food a nice purple coloring. So the veggies we got, thin slices of carrots, zucchini and beets, were crisp tender - not the crisp tender I liked, they were actually too hard, almost raw so we ate the zucchini, the softest of them all, I shared. We left the rest. The rice pilaf was too crunchy for me but I shared again and Tony ate it. He also really liked his sandwich. We did also have the Chocolate Heart Cake for 2 - Chocolate cake - chocolate layers, chocolate frosting and drizzle. It was delish, we ate it all. So we were pleased with the entree but not the sides that came with it and maybe that is how they were supposed to be and we are just not used to that. We gave the whole experience a 7 out of 10. We probably won't go back, and not because it's bad or anything, it just is not for us. It is a great place if you are looking for something different - if you like organic foods and need the gluten free or Vegan choices, they are your place! Oh, I did have an Apple Crisp drink and a Cranberry and Vodka and they were both absolutely scrumscious! Kudos to the bartender!!

Ok that was our Valentine's treat! :-) I wonder what they next restaurant will be? I am looking forward to Hudson's, Das Steinhaus, and the ChopHouse.

Oh, I did eat at the Piedmont at the Landmark during a meeting there. This counts as a restaurant off my list! We had a lunch buffet which included salad, about 5 choices of sandwiches or wraps, soup, chips, cookies - and it was AMAZING. Oh and Italian pasta. I loved it. I ate too much! I will for sure be using them again for the meeting! The staff was excellent and the food yum yum yum. I would give them a 9-10. I am no restaurant critic but you know, I can rate them on my own personal scale.

What are my faves? Still the Vierling, Port Side, and of course, Coco's. I can't get enough of their maple dip for their sweet potato fries and their French Dip sammie. OMG. And they are by the lake. Big bonus. Honey when are we going back to Coco's?

:-) Have a great Thursday! Thirsty Thursday! Maybe another bucket list should be all of the bars...oh boy....I may need to recruit reinforcements for that list!!! :-)