Left Foot Charley

My mixed impressions of this place have been basically confirmed by the reviews here. My guy and I wandered in after dinner at Trattoria Stella - full, but interested in a glass of wine to wash down the rich food. We both opted for the $5 tasting - 6 samples each, which works out to a pretty good deal! Of the 8 wines we tried in total, we were really impressed by one wine, enjoyed the second, and were 'eh' on the rest. The ciders were enjoyable but nothing to write home about, though we agreed that the Cinnamon Girl might be good at Christmastime.

The first server who helped us seemed to be more familiar with LFC's wines than with wines in general, but gave us little information beyond what was printed on the menus that we were given when we were seated. The second server was charming, friendly, and personable, and made an effort to engage us in the tasting, which I appreciated. We stuck around for a glass of wine on the patio - I would tell you which one, but their website doesn't list any of their wines (hmm), and I'd hate to steer you in the wrong direction.

The wines are adequate, but the location is wonderful, and there are many worse ways to spend a pretty summer evening than drinking an adequate white on a beautiful patio.

A harsh critic of Michigan wines is taken to the woodshed.
I heard LFC was trying to put out a Sauvignon Blanc.  Really?  In Michigan??  I mean, one of life's most simple and perfect pleasures is a bottle of good Sav Blanc, some rustic bread and fresh goat cheese.  In Traverse City it is pretty easy to get the last two, but Michigan just doesn't grow this grape.

Until now.

We were visiting the Saturday Farmer's Market and stopped across the street at Left Foot Charley's for a snack.  Preparing for disappointment, I order a glass of their Sav Blanc to go with the aforementioned bread/cheese.  Honestly, it was lovely.  The wine was nice, not over the top, reminiscent of a entry level French blend.  Nothing Parker would be over excited about, but a nice glass worth the price.  HOWEVER, then Brian brought me a little sample of what they were doing with the current SB harvest.  WOW.  Although still a way to go yet, this wine was already on par with some of the $20+ bottles of New Zealand Sav Blanc we frequently enjoy.  The grass is in there as well as the sharpness.  Wonderful.  Perhaps, just perhaps, there is hope for SB in Michigan yet.

Left Foot Charley's is always worth a stop.  Eclectic setting, friendly staff, yummy snacks and good (potentially great) wine.

Oh Charley, in the words of Olivia Newton John "I honestly love you". Your hard cider makes me so very happy. I filled 2 growlers with 2 ciders I haven't tried before now - but loved the free samples I tried prior to my purchase.

The wines I have purchased in the past I have also loved. Basically I haven't met a drink here that I didn't like!

The people working are always friendly too! Love this place!!