Grand Hotel Opens New Gate House Restaurant With Varney Touch
By Bernie Nguyen

Manager Andrew Doud and employee Eric Swaby stand in the dining room of Grand Hotel's newest restaurant, The Gate House.

The familiar face of French Outpost has given way to a new look, one that will be easily recognized by fans of Carleton Varney, a renowned New York decorator who has also decorated much of Grand Hotel. The restaurant retains some familiar features, such as the fireplace and bar, even the famous Trapper Burger, but it has been completely redecorated and refurbished for its new role as The Gate House, Grand Hotel's newest restaurant.

The new restaurant is decorated in a similar style to much of Grand Hotel's most well-known areas, with bright colors and bold patterns that create an upbeat, energetic atmosphere. The lively tangerine doors and walls and the patterned teal chairs and drapes are bound with a wide-patterned black-and-white-striped ceiling.

Interwoven with the colorful interior is a nautical theme, with a ship's wheel over the fireplace and photographs of ships on the walls.

Manager Andrew Doud said The Gate House is a new way to experience the elegance of Grand Hotel in a more casual and economical atmosphere.

"We're shooting for a restaurant that appeals to everyone in every way," he said. "It's a restaurant that provides everything with a nice, Grand Hotel twist at a reasonable price for everyone."

Grand Hotel President Dan Musser III emphasizes that The Gate House will offer a new restaurant environment for visitors to the Island.

"It's an option for our guests we haven't had before," he said. "We hope that during the day it's very family friendly."

By keeping the prices low and raising the quality of the menu, The Gate House presents itself as a good option for dining on the Island, he added.

The restaurant also has a large bar and is furnished with television sets that broadcast everything from the daily news to basketball games, designed to attract a night crowd.

"We're trying to be Mackinac Island's premier late night and sporting event venue, as far as entertainment goes," said Mr. Doud, who added that live entertainment and theme nights, such as Sunday's Jamaican Jam, will spice up the restaurant's appeal.

Mr. Musser concurs.

"In the evening," he said, "it's a lively spot, and a younger crowd than we've normally had at any of our other outlets."

The restaurant's wine list is chosen by Grand Hotel's sommelier, Ron Edwards, and its kitchen is under the supervision of Grand Hotel's executive chef Hans Burtschuer.

The menu includes staples such as French Outpost's Trapper Burger and Trapper Chicken sandwich. Salads, sandwiches, and more classic fare such as rack of lamb and prime rib round out the restaurant's offerings. Mr. Doud said that the menu would basically remain the same for the rest of the year, and that the restaurant's servers and bartenders are all experienced.

The Gate House officially opened on Friday, April 21.

"We've gotten really good feedback," Mr. Doud said. "We had a really successful opening weekend."

The restaurant is also in the process of providing a convenient way for its bicycling guests to park their bicycles while dining with a bicycle parking lot adjacent to the patio, designed to keep bicycles off of the street, a traffic-friendly alternative to parked bicycles spilling into the

roadway. Plans also include two flagpoles. Foundation Restored