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| Phil's Bar & Grille |
For our July dining adventure, the Divas chose Phil’s Bar
& Grille in Saugatuck, accompanied by Sharon’s granddaughters,
Megan (16 years) and Katherine (14 years). The two girls were in town visiting from South Lyon, Michigan, and were anxious to spend a few days of fun with “Nons” in West Michigan. Since they love to shop and had not been to Saugatuck, Sharon thought this would be a memorable adventure. Plus, we thought, the girls (who love good food!) were well-poised to provide a teen perspective on menu items for readers.
We also invited Kim Advent to join us. A lovely, well-informed and very dedicated professional woman, Kim is Founder/President of Avanti Wellness with CMI Abasto in Argentina.
Phil’s doesn’t take reservations, so Sharon arrived early to reserve a table since we were a party of six. From the outside looking in, Phil’s appears small with a tiny patio filled with diners. When we walked in, Bari was reminded of the opening line of “Big Spender” from the musical Sweet Charity: “The minute I walked in the joint . . . . “ While Phil’s definitely isn’t a “joint,” it’s a small, dimly lit, crowded, noisy place with people dining both inside and outside, and waiting at and around the bar – which was where we found Sharon.
We gathered in the bar area, waiting for our table – or tables (plural), as it turned out. One of the things we couldn’t help but notice in the frenzy of a busy Thursday night, was the hostess’s lack of enthusiasm as she interacted with us. (Yes, it was busy… but heck! This is Saugatuck and it’s summertime!)
We had a lot of fun looking over the menu and discussing everyone’s dining interests while trying to make up our minds. Of course, our server – who was very pleasant and engaging – said that everything was good. We ordered an appetizer to share that was yummy – the Goat Cheese Croquette ($10), which the menu describes as “Warm goat cheese, Romesco sauce, toasted almonds and scallions, served w/toast points and drizzled with truffle oil.” We all loved it!! Nice combo of flavors!!
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| Sharon Bedford |
Sharon arrived at 5:30 p.m. to try and secure a table. She greeted us with a smile and a Moscow Mule in a chilled copper mug. Her two granddaughters were out shopping until our tables were ready.
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| Kelle Lynn (left) & Kim Advent |
As founder/President of Avanti, Kim with her partner Luis, spend several months a year in Holland, MI, representing CMI Abasto, a wellness center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
When Kelle Lynn made a trip to Buenos Aires a few years ago to write a three-story series on young adults from Holland who were being treated for heroin addiction at CMI Abasto, she met Kim, and had the opportunity to tour their center.
While CMI Abasto isn't a rehabilitation center, it has a very unique treatment program for substance abuse, depression, and other disorders. Through their combined medical and philosophical approach, the staff and coaches, respectively, use an individualized method that is completely tailored to each person.
With opioid addiction becoming a nationwide epidemic, taking the lives of so many young people today, we are glad to know the center is making a positive difference. It is their belief that many people suffer with addiction issues based on having low self-esteem or no vision for their life.
The staff there believe addiction is treatable - not a disease, and a consequence of ones own bad choices. Once deep rooted issues are dealt with, a path to a happy and successful life can begin.
The staff there believe addiction is treatable - not a disease, and a consequence of ones own bad choices. Once deep rooted issues are dealt with, a path to a happy and successful life can begin.
Because this program has gained popularity in the past few years, Brent Ashcroft of "WZZM TV-13" has produced three documentaries on the young adults who have completed the treatment at CMI Abasto and returned to living successful lives without the use of drugs. He had just completed a production about a young Holland woman's recovery from an almost fatal descent into heroin addiction, so we were lucky to steal Kim away for an update and to enjoy a meal!
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Sharon: "My granddaughters love to shop and had not been to Saugatuck, so I thought this would be a perfect outing for them. The Diva Review had been planned for that evening in Saugatuck at Phil's for some time and knowing how much my girls love good food, I decided it would be fun to get a teen perspective on a few menu items. I cannot believe how they took right to it and did a beautiful job of writing reviews about their salads and entrees! And they were seated separately, which I'm certain they loved!
In addition, I really enjoyed meeting Kim, our guest for the evening. She kept me on the edge of my chair telling about their work in Argentina with their wellness center. A lovely, dedicated and well informed lady!
The Lake Perch ($22) was both perfectly sized and cooked absolutely beautifully...lightly dusted and flash fried. Although it was served with (very tasty!) redskin mashed potatoes, I think I might have preferred a few crispy French fries on the side. The house-made, well-seasoned tartar sauce was a delicious addition to the perch. I also enjoyed a perfectly mixed Moscow Mule in a chilled copper mug at the bar before dinner, and beautiful Pinot Gris with dinner."
The Lake Perch ($22) was both perfectly sized and cooked absolutely beautifully...lightly dusted and flash fried. Although it was served with (very tasty!) redskin mashed potatoes, I think I might have preferred a few crispy French fries on the side. The house-made, well-seasoned tartar sauce was a delicious addition to the perch. I also enjoyed a perfectly mixed Moscow Mule in a chilled copper mug at the bar before dinner, and beautiful Pinot Gris with dinner."
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Kelle: "I've never been to Phil's Bar & Grille and was looking forward to being in Saugatuck with all the fun summer energy. The streets were packed and we felt fortunate to find a fairly close parking spot. I guess there are more "early diners" than we expected since we thought Sharon's early arrival time would secure us a nice table right away. However, I didn't think the wait was too bad, but the hostess said it would have been a lot longer had we tried to seat all six of us together.
In my opinion, the appetizer was the best part of the whole meal! I read the menu over several times and finally decided on the Lobster Cobb Salad ($18) with lobster tail meat, crumbled gorgonzola, fresh avocado, bacon, tomatoes and hard-boiled egg served atop of mixed greens with your choice of dressing. The salad was satisfying, but a bit of a let-down at the same time. I anticipated a bigger salad and a lot more lobster meat for the entree price. As always, we enjoyed our evening and especially everything we learned from our Guest."
In my opinion, the appetizer was the best part of the whole meal! I read the menu over several times and finally decided on the Lobster Cobb Salad ($18) with lobster tail meat, crumbled gorgonzola, fresh avocado, bacon, tomatoes and hard-boiled egg served atop of mixed greens with your choice of dressing. The salad was satisfying, but a bit of a let-down at the same time. I anticipated a bigger salad and a lot more lobster meat for the entree price. As always, we enjoyed our evening and especially everything we learned from our Guest."
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Bari: "I ordered a dirty vodka martini up w/ extra olives. (I was celebrating the good news of the healing of my broken arm and I wasn’t driving!) The martini was good, even without the extra olives. I don’t recall the price… maybe $9?
Unfortunately, as we were being seated, my umbrella knocked over my barely touched martini! Yikes! What a mess getting everything on the table wet and then needing to be replaced. The surprise for me was there was no offer of replacing my martini,so I went to the bar myself to reorder one. When asked about the cost, the bartender said it would be on my bill, which it was (in contrast to my experience in the past when a spilled drink has been comped).
My entrée choice was Fish Tacos, described as follows: “Beer battered and flash fried Cod filets wrapped in your choice of corn or flour tortillas (my choice) with avocado, cabbage and our home made fresh salsa topped a light lime-yogurt sauce. Served with tortilla chips. $10.50. Substitute Spiced Rubbed Ahi Tuna (Seared Rare) (my choice)... $17.50.” To my surprise, the plate arrived without anything being wrapped in the tortillas. (Nowhere did it say I needed to be the taco assembler.) When put together, the tacos were definitely tasty, particularly served with the tuna and the yogurt sauce. The salsa was ok, as were the chips (nothing special). I’m a red wine fan so I ordered the Force of Nature Zinfandel ($12.50), which was very nice. We didn’t order dessert to share, for a change. However, we were “treated” to a plate with three cups of animal cookies on it. Cute!"
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Kim: "I'm very grateful for the opportunity to enjoy an evening out with the Dining Divas. Kelle and I have known each other for a few years and I was happy to meet the other Divas. When I heard we were going to Phil's, I remembered a few of my Holland friends telling me that Phil's was known for their chicken. However, when I asked the server about it, she said she wasn't aware of that. Well, I ordered the broasted chicken that comes with 2 pieces for $9.00 served with a tiny portion of coleslaw and potato wedges. I'd go back again, but there are a few other places in Saugatuck I'd like to try, too.
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| Complimentary animal crackers for dessert! |
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| Katherine & Megan |
Katherine: "The menu was a little deceiving when it came to this dish. It was advertised as "chicken, bacon, corn and roasted tomatoes, sautéed with almond-asparagus pesto and chicken stock tossed with rigatoni pasta, finished with Parmesan cheese and spicy red pepper flakes." The actual sauce did not remind me of a pesto; instead, it was very acidic with strong notes of white wine and lemon. The pasta, however, was cooked beautifully to a perfect al dente texture! So, while it was portrayed on the menu as a hearty pesto dish, it was actually quite light and lemony. Although I probably wouldn’t order it again (a little too acidic), the wait staff was extremely kind and helpful."
Megan: "As one of only two vegetarian entrees on the menu, I had high hopes for the scallop pad Thai made without scallops (which drops the price from $27 to $16). After a very short period of waiting, I received a fairly small portion. This dish included rice noodles that were slightly chewy but not too limp, along with shiitake mushrooms and broccolini. Although fresh, the broccolini was somewhat oily and tasted as though it had been cooked separately. The dish had a side of spicy, finely chopped peanuts that were very salty and complimented it well, along with a lime wedge. I ordered mine without roasted red pepper and egg, as well. Overall, this dish possessed a classic pad Thai taste with a modern, fresh addition of broccolini. And the Divas greatly enjoyed the vibrant flavors of the lime and broccolini.
I ordered a house salad, expecting a typical side dish: a simple mix of iceberg, romaine, and a few leafy greens added in. However, I was served a heaping pile of fresh spinach, arugula, and dark greens! This salad was incredibly fresh and the perfect starter, and was also a reasonably large size. The garbanzo beans, which didn’t taste as though they had been scooped out of a can and onto the plate, along with salted sunflower seeds and tomato were a perfect addition to the crisp and fresh leaves. The balsamic vinaigrette was also very flavorful and not too acidic or overpowering. Overall, for only $4 (or $3.50 added to an entree), this salad was bursting with freshness and satisfying flavor and the dish was quickly empty.
The service was excellent and very quick. The wait staff was remarkably friendly and engaging, as well as quick on their feet,despite the restaurant's small size."
Phil's Bar & Grille
215 Butler Street
Saugatuck, MI
(269) 857.1555
The Divas want it to be noted, with all due respect, that the views and opinions shared in this venue do not represent those of the Grand Haven Tribune and are entirely based on each individual dining experience we encounter. Perhaps on any other occasion, they may differ. Our dining experience is entirely at our own expense and not covered by the Grand Haven Tribune or any dining establishment.
Follow us on Facebook:
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The Divas want it to be noted, with all due respect, that the views and opinions shared in this venue do not represent those of the Grand Haven Tribune and are entirely based on each individual dining experience we encounter. Perhaps on any other occasion, they may differ. Our dining experience is entirely at our own expense and not covered by the Grand Haven Tribune or any dining establishment.
Follow us on Facebook:
hppt://www.facebook.com/westmichdiningdivas
