The owners of Tapawingo, the star of Northern Michigan dining recently announced their decision to close due to the downward trend of the economy over the past two years. They wanted to go out on a high note without sacrificing their superb style and quality. Nevertheless, their choice makes us sad.

For twenty five years they led the way in Farm-to-Table dining in Northern Michigan even before the trend had a name. From a tiny town called Ellsworth, they were innovative leaders in culinary creativity and became known as a "destination" restaurant where people from all over the country visited to experience the restaurant.

Tapawingohelped bring a more sophisticated clientele to Northern Michigan and a new restaurant scene along Lake Michigan's coast took hold. New sophisticated visitors wanted more. Other creative chefsand talented entreprenuers began starting restaurants along the Lake Michigan shore. These newly createdrestaurants rival any in the country and include:

RedGinger, a chic asian restaurant with a CIA trained chef and owner whocaptivates our taste buds with his unique flavors of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese creations.

The exoticTrattoria Stella, with a beautiful old world ambiance in an amazing historic district, serving a fresh Italian menu with outstanding wine selections - a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner.

Mia & Grace, a new concept in casual dining with an amazing "five star quality" menu and a hip vibe in Muskegon.

JW Marriott's hip and sophisticated six.one.six along the Grand River in GrandRapids with the trendy JDeck including spectacular river views and the downtown cityscape.

The Greenwell, one of the first LEED certified restaurants in the region is a gastro pub with farm-to-plate culinary philosophy.

San Chez Bistro, with great ambiance, a sizzling setting, and an amazing tapas Spanish inspired menu uses organic and locally sourced foods and maintains a commitment to "green" management in all areas of operation.

There are many restaurants that have emerged since Tapawingo first began. The excitement is brewing along the Lake Michigan shore where produce and meats are grown on local farms and where people are discovering the joie de vive of the culinary arts. All along Lake Michigan's shore there are unique quality wineries, microbreweries, farmers markets, fruit and vegetable stands, great places to stay, as well as outstanding places to eat.

Tapawingo did Michigan a service by focusing the eyes of the world on a little place in Northern Michigan. The fruits of the land are plentiful and simple elegance prevails surrounded by natural beauty.

"Ponder well this point: the pleasant hours of our life are all connected by a more or less tangible link with some memory of the table"Quote from the menu ofTapawingo 2009

Enjoy making your own memories in the years to come in the great restaurants along Lake Michigan's shore.

Bon Appetit!

Sally