Monday, June 20, 2011

A Picture Perfect Father's Day Brunch at Blue Water Grill


I couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting for Father's Day - a sunny day, a riverfront table, amazing food, refreshing sangria, my wife and kids. My kids gave me the option to select the restaurant for our annual father's day brunch. Okay, my youngest really wanted Bombay Cuisine. My oldest daughter was craving the mac-n-cheese at Green
Well. My son (who is the hardest to please and could probably eat at GP Sports, Bombay Cuisine and BW3 everyday) was thankfully in the East Coast for his class trip. My wife would prefer to take a nice drive somewhere. 

Dads, you know the drill. Find a compromise even though "it's your day."

Just like my son, I could eat Indian food everyday. However, I wanted to be sensible with my meal because I could literally pig out on jalfrazi, rogan josh and naan. So I made the call for our favorite alfresco dining spot that doesn't require an hour drive - The Blue Water Grill.

Sheila, one of the servers recognized me from my blog and welcomed us like family. We weren't in her section but she made a point to connect, and to her credit, she made a lasting impression.

With the sun beating down on our table, the house sangria was the refresher we needed to cool us down. Three appetizers arrived first - the flash fried Calamari Hoops ($10.75), the Big Bowl of Mussels ($11.95) and the Tomato Bruschetta ($9.55).  All were presented like a Gourmet Magazine cover. The Calamari was crispy and perfectly seasoned. The Prince Edward Island (PEI) mussels with root vegetables and garlic-butter broth danced in my mouth as smoothly as a figure skater's extended one foot glide across the rink. But the show stopper was the Bruschetta. The bread was grilled to perfection and topped with off-the -ine tomatoes and sweet basil pesto (this part sealed the deal for me). That is the best bruschetta I have ever tasted in Michigan. Absolutely a stunning dish.

Francesca devoured the French Toast with a berry and maple syrup compote. Margaux got her wish with the four-cheese Mac and Cheese ($12.95). Elena enjoyed the Tuna Salad on a bed of organic greens, red onions, mango, avocado, sweet soy and a cilantro-ginger vinaigrette ($13.49) A side of mango sorbet accompanied the dish to refresh the palette. I had the Grilled Atlantic Salmon with cous cous, corn-tomato relish and arugula. Other than the arugula lacking any dressing, the salmon is exactly what I was craving.

As much as I go out to eat, this Father's Day meal is worth noting. We will definitely return to Blue Water Grill before the leaves turn to its autumn colors and the parade of kayaks and boats on the Grand river slowly disappear into the West Michigan horizon.











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