Doesn't open until 4:30, we had to kill some time strolling around Charlevoix, which was not the least bit torturous, loved checking out the shops. We started with a couple of drinks, the dessert martini I ordered was "powerful," but delicious. Next we ordered the fried oysters appetizer, which was served with a sauce of mayo, whole grain mustard and maybe tarragon? Either way, they were lightly breaded with cornmeal and they were delightful! The sauce was addictive too, I even put it on some of the little slices of small warm loaf of bread we received. For my main course, I had a hard time deciding what to order, especially after reading previous reviews, but finally decided on the Chicken and Shrimp Curry with coconut and raisins, which is a specialty of the house and recommended highly by our server. My friend ordered the Clam Linguini with tomatoes, and a white wine & lemon sauce, something she had ordered before and loved. We both really enjoyed our dinners. I tried hers, since I have never tried clam linguini before and it was very delicious, something I will now have to order the next time I see it on a menu. My curry was not spicy at all, but very flavorful, full of big and fresh tasting shrimp, a couple nice pieces of tender chicken and veggies in a heavy cream based curry sauce, dusted with coconut. I don't remember the raisins, but regardless, it was very good. I brought some leftovers home and added dried Traverse City cherries from Benjamin Twiggs to the reheated curry and it was excellent, even the next day! For dessert, we shared the Molten Lava cake, which was "ok," but a little dry, nothing special. The service was very good, our server checked on us often enough, but not too often. We were very happy when we left and I would definitely dine at Whitney's again.
Review Source:We ate at Whitney's last night and it was just okay. My husband ordered the bone in ribeye and it was one quarter fat. Â Three diners got baked potatoes and all three were undercooked and rock like. Â The fish tacos were pretty good but not enough to make up for the fatty meat and undercooked potatoes. We did mention the food issues to our server who apologized but that was the end of it. Â We sat on the second floor and it was quite hot. Â Not a place I would visit again.
Review Source:This review is only for the top-level bar, not the restaurant or food or anything else.
It seems to be a "scene" of sorts during summer. It's crowded. It can be hot (for being breezy and outside). You're touchin' butts with everyone else in there. Some people are getting smashed. It's like a frat party for 25-30 year olds.
Canned beer only upstairs...$3 a piece...when you factor in tip, you start thinking hard about the fact that you could have purchased a 12-pack of cans after only two beers. If I'm in the area again, I'll probably do that instead.
We've been going there consistently for about 6 years. I often order the salmon, which is delicious! The kids always get their quesadilla, which they never get tired of, and my husband tries it all and hasn't had a bad meal yet. The service is friendly and prompt. I highly recommend Whitney's for dinner and drinks!
Review Source:Fun Atmosphere and great view of the marina! I have been here many times and usually have the yummy whitefish sandwich and coleslaw. Â Most of the food is very good. Â I'm not sure what the reason is, but I was nauseous after eating one of the oysters. Â 2 of my friends agreed that they also had a bad experience with the oysters at different times. (not tasting right, etc.) so although it's called an oyster bar, I would not recommend ordering them. Â Maybe it was me, maybe it was the cook - don't know for sure. Â Just sayin. Â Â Order the whitefish.
Review Source:Decided to give it a try on a Thursday night with the fam.  First floor was somewhat busy, so we opted for the second floor  We were the only table up there at 5:30pm, and still we had to flag down the waitress twice to get service. After we ordered, others were seated and offered the specials menu - our server completely whiffed on offering us the specials.  Tried the Bloody Mary, which came with a pickle and a shrimp - really good!  Beer list was passable, but oddly lacked any selections from Holland Michigan.
Ordered the Oysters Rock - not baked in salt but very tasty!
Whitefish sandwich was pretty good. Â The pickle was dried out and nearly room temp - a no no if you are advertising a deli pickle. You have a choice between kettle chips, or cole slaw. Â I opted for both the cole slaw AND the kettle chips. Don't waste your time on the chips - they are Lays and come in a small snack bag. Â Big whip!
Angus burger: meh. Â The bun was plastic in consistency, the meat bland.
Potato encrusted walleye was supposed to come with a tomato sauce with capers. Had to go ask the waitress where the sauce and capers were, as neither were on the plate. Â The answer, "Oh, it says that on the menu. I can bring it as a side if you like.". She did, and it too was bland. How do you achieve bland with capers?
Chicken and shrimp curry was so bland that you had to wait for a moment to get any taste of curry. The color was there, but it was as if the chef (?) used old, off the shelf curry that had been sitting around for years. Â
Definitely a good place for drinks, even appetizers, but save your hard earned dollars for somewhere else for entrees. Â Not even on the outskirts of Flavortown.
Of course I found myself hungry in Charlevoix pretty late and Whitney's was the only choice. BUT man on man was I happy that it was. It was my first time there (after coming to Charlevoix every summer for the last 26 years) and it did not disappoint. When I arrived, I needed to use the restroom where there was an older lady who was not feeling well (I did not know her). I went to the bar to ask for some ginger ale for her and the bar tender was so accommodating. He gave me a glass of ginger ale and even asked if there was anything else I needed. Where I live now in Miami, I probably would have been charged $4.50 for this. After being a good samaritan we took a seat on the first floor. The waiter was awesome and helped us select the filet and pulled pork quesadillas. They were both AWESOME. I do wish however that they had a larger filet but it ended up being enough with the order of quesadillas. The drinks looked really good but we stuck with beer. After dinner we went upstairs to the third floor. It was really fun and everyone was very friendly. We did have oysters however and they were not good. Funny, since it is an "oyster bar". I would reorder what we got but skip the oysters next time.
Review Source:Open late, so pretty much the only night life in Charlevoix. Karaoke night is fun.
During the day, the food is pretty good. I'm a vegetarian, so to start out, I get the bar cheese (it's the horseradish-y cheddar kind you can get at the grocery in those little tubs) without the bacon to split with some friends, it goes quite a long way. Then I get their spiral pasta with vegetables and marinara. SO GOOD and rich! Some of the best pasta I've ever had at a restaurant. The noodles aren't over cooked. With a little salt and ground pepper? Just perfect. The flat noodle pastas aren't quite as good, so go for the spirals!
Most people get the seafood. Oysters, shrimp based dishes, fish. And from what I hear it's all pretty good!
I'm not quite sure about the reviews claiming that their sub par beer selection. I've been into Whitney's both times that I've been in Charlevoix. I haven't had a bad experience personally at this place (although I did see locals harassing tourists to the point of fist fighting once).
Are their cheaper places around town to eat and drink? Yes, there are. I had a burger here and it was actually really good. After reading reviews, I was expecting a solid line up of PBR, Miller Lite, and Busch. I was surprised to find a few of the bigger MI breweries (Founder's, Shorts, Bells) as well as a full bar. Any bar that supports MI breweries gets my approval. Aside from the food and drinks, they have a bunch of old paintings/pictures related to boats that are pretty unique and interesting. Plus, they're open later than most places in the area from what I found. Definitely worth checking out.
Fiance and I stopped by here for dinner on a Wednesday night and all floors of this place looked busy. Â I got the "indecisive" soup which is a mix of the clam chowder and seafood chowder and it's very good! Â I'd definitely go back and get that again or just a bowl of either soup. Â The price is great for $5 for a serving that fills you up! Â I tried perch for the first time which was good but I probably wouldn't get again, I just wanted to try it, not a huge fan of fish. Â Loved the corn on the cob that came with it! Â I don't even think there was butter brushed on, just some herbs and it was steamed, but the corn was so fresh, it didn't need butter at all! Â Fiance got one of the specials which was a shrimp and sausage creole dish which was good (he let me try some). Â Not spicy like the description said but I am used to wickedspicy foods so that's not saying much. Â I'd love to back again! Â It's a place I would go on a special occasion or during vacation, not on a regular basis.
Review Source:There really should be half star ratings, as I would probably say Whitney is above average (3 1/2 stars) - sometimes. Rowdy atmosphere without being too much, on par food and drinks. All the hip locals work here, or used to, I might say...
Live music right on bridge street and multiple stories to get your summer dining on.
One star for the third-floor open-air bar, and one star for serving pinot noir (even if it was Fat Cat). Beer selection sucks although many in our party got to slum in style with their PBR tallboys. Prices are ridiculous, but man, you're in Charlevoix, you have to expect to fork it over.
Review Source:I'm only giving it 3 stars, just because I didn't eat here. Â But the first reviewer is right, there isn't many bars to choose from in downtown Charlevoix. Â I happen to like the 3rd floor though! Pretty much party central. Â The windows open in the summer, getting a nice cross breeze from Lake Michigan. Â There's a DJ spinning some records, nice lighting. Â Good for a few drinks...
Review Source:As really the only bar option in downtown Charlevoix you don't have any other choices. The beer selection isn't great (possibly b/c it might be hard to get shipments up there) and the prices were a little more than expected for a small town bar. The interior is alright with the first floor housing the bar and an upstairs with more seating. I didn't order any of the food, so no idea if that's good, but the complimentary oyster crackers were pretty great.
Review Source:
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