Eldred Preserve Restaurant

My good memories of Eldred Preserve restaurant were shattered last night by a very "so-so" meal. First of all, cross off the Troutlings, probably their best and most popular item. They are no longer available. (did managment change recently?) The rolls were STALE! No other way to describe them. All 4 of us had trout ...eh. Just so so. 3 had Almondine and I had the topping with capers. "Toppings" were good, but the trout was without flavor. No longer does it have bones, but it seemed to us that method of cooking had destroyed some of the flavor. I actually now live 3,000 miles away and was looking forward to getting back to the Eldred Preserve for the first time in many years. It sure was a disappointment! more

The company owns thousands of acres, areas that were allocated for gas exploration is a good distance from the resort and away from any of their beautiful lakes and ponds. Gas drilling is dead, leases are up. more

The owners of Eldred Preserve just signed a lease with a gas drilling company. So in the near future, you can expect the following to accompany your meal: deafening drilling noise, day and night, noxious odors and air pollution, heavy truck traffic. And you might want to steer clear of the fish here, too... the water will likely be contaminated with hazardous chemicals. more

Fortunately it's a privilege. But if I lived close enough to eat there more often I'd be loathe to share this treasure. First time I ate there at a friends recommendation, he said he'd make the reservations. I thought he was pulling my leg. Who makes 'reservations' on a Monday night out in the middle of nowhere?? Well, nowhere is where you might wind up if you don't use a phone, to be on the safe side. I've eaten in Morton's, Ruth Chris, and various locations of the former Chuck Muer's chain of seafood restaurants located on the Eastern U.S. from Michigan to Florida and Washington D.C. I've dined on fresh lobster in Boston and Halifax, Nova Scotia and herring doesn't get any fresher than Amsterdam, Holland. I've been 'ambianced', styled and charactered til my wallet screamed from the extortion of the 'view' while my taste buds revolted from what was going in my mouth just for the 'looks'. The Preserve is a total package hunting/fishing resort with its own trout ponds. What the restaurant does with its trout recipes makes the trout that get caught pray they're going into the kitchen and not home with some day fisherman. To be part of that evenings food service is the karmic completion of their life cycle's highest attainment to the next step in the reincarnation cycle of existence. Yah, this place is 'that' good. It takes a lot for me to travel over 600 miles from Mich. to Eldred; like, great scenery, good people, comfortable accommodations, visiting friends and/or family--forget all that; I'd make the trip just for the food. Go to the web site and check out the menu. Your meal will be inadequate until you sample the 'Troutlings' appetizer. Rather than recommend anything else I can only say I've never found anything I'd reject. Believe me I've tried! You can spend more; I have, but you'll be hard pressed to find better. sigh, It's only a nine and a half hour drive from me, if I leave now........ Pros: Too many to list but there isn't a bad view seat in the place. Cons: I live too far away; it is in a bit of a remote area. more

This place has unbelievable trout dishes. If you visit you have to try the Troutlings! They are absolutely fantastic. Great rustic setting overlooking their trout ponds where we even saw an Eagle fly down and grab a trout from their stocked trout pond. If you're ever in the area, you have to try this place. Pros: Awesome food, Ambience, Service Cons: None more