I have to say early May in Michigan is a beautiful time of year. The weather is usually mild and the trees and flowers are in bloom. Over in Holland Mi its tulip time.
This year the Holland Tulip Festival is May 2 - May 9. It is important to keep these dates because as a couple of our friends found out a few years back, if you get there late you will have to settle for the stem festival. I am betting that wasn't anywhere close to as beautiful. A little south of Holland on U.S. 31 is South Haven.
South Haven sits on the shores of Lake Michigan. In the town of South Haven is a restaurant called Clementine's.
Clementine's is located in what used to be the Citizen's bank building. The inside is very interesting. You are greeted by antiques, pictures of the town from way back,and it looks like you stepped back in the 1890's.
The food might not be the greatest that you have ever tasted, but it is pretty good.
They have everything from sandwiches on varied bread to entrees like steaks, fish, and even a wet burrito. Perhaps the thing you hear most about is their peg of golden brown onion rings. The rings come in on a 6 inch or 12 inch peg. According to their web site,they sold 6 miles last year, and we were responsible for 6 inches of that!
Clementine's is definately worth a visit. It's up to you if you decide to visit the Tulip Festival or the Stem Festival. I hear that the stem Festival is way less crowded. Clementine's is located at 500 Phoenix St in South Haven. They do not accept reservations, and I hear there can be lines at times. You can find out more about them at http://www.ohmydarling.com
2 comments:
A good post, thanks a lot.
Not trying to pick, but I moved there in 1939, 5 years old, and never heard it referred to as "Citizens Bank Building", always "Citizens' State Bank". Kitty corner was the First State Bank, now some branch of the Intergalactic Bank and Bailout Prospect or whatever.
After WWII the site became even more famous as McKimmies' Sporting Goods - equipment for every sport you could think of. What a hangout for guys. The adjoining McKimmies Mens wear (502 Phoenix), and McKimmies shoes (405 Center) was traversed by every woman and girl in South Haven at least once every time they went 'downtown' (all clerks were either men or high school boys.)
Some years back the Chicago Tribune ran a series of articles by their top travel writer (can't place his name) looking for the best little town in the midwest (by which he meant MI, IN, IL WI and MN.) He finally picked Bayfield WI, but a long concluding article listed maybe a hundred other 'bests' he found: Best plate of fried perch? Clementine's in South Haven. I think I wrote him a note complimenting him on the choice, but pointing they were tied w/ the Freighter Lounge at the Soo Locks on fried perch.
Arn Nelson
fosterbeachchicago.blogspot.com
The way they set up those onion rings looks pretty cool!
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