I could not categorize The Cooks' House as anything less than the place to enjoy an excellent, multi-course meal in the Grand Traverse Bay area. The service was splendid, and very attentive. The atmosphere is perhaps u[nspectacular, but is small, cozy and light.The real treat, of course, is the food. With both five and seven course tasting menus that change frequently with locally obtained ingredients, The Cooks' House will have something new for each visit. Wine pairings from TC's excellent wine region accentuate the courses just right, and were perfectly paired when I visited. The prices are also beyond reasonable for a fare of this level.Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Campbell Shaw
I grew up in this town but left in 1985. I’ve lived in California since and have eaten at a lot of great restaurants including the Laundry, Chez Panisse, Slanted Door and Mr Chows to name a few. This without a doubt rank's right there. I honestly never thought I’d have a decent thing to eat in this town other than bar food but now I know exactly where it is. If you’re hungry for something exceptional look no further. I have never liked mushrooms, but the mushroom toast was my favorite dish. I can’t believe I’m saying it.Thank you Jen and to the staff for a great eveningLooking forward to going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andres Gonzalez
The 7 course meal was amazing!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Campbell Shaw
I grew up in this town but left in 1985. I’ve lived in California since and have eaten at a lot of great restaurants including the Laundry, Chez Panisse, Slanted Door and Mr Chows to name a few. This without a doubt rank's right there. I honestly never thought I’d have a decent thing to eat in this town other than bar food but now I know exactly where it is. If you’re hungry for something exceptional look no further. I have never liked mushrooms, but the mushroom toast was my favorite dish. I can’t believe I’m saying it.
Thank you Jen and to the staff for a great evening
Looking forward to going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel Wright
Hands down one of the best meals I've ever had. We get the 7 course wine pairing dinner. Each dish is thoughtful, and the wine is paired perfectly. I will be coming here for a long time to try all of the new creations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: With Wine Pairing
Peri Stone-Palmquist
What a special night out for our family. We were so looking forward to this dinner and it did not disappoint. We were greeted with hot wash clothes (I think every Michigan restaurant should immediately implement in the winter) and a warm vegetal broth tea. This quickly made us feel comfortable and cozy after the briskly cold walk over. Standouts in our meals included the turnip soup (I know, right?), the kale salad, all of the mains, and apple maple tart. Excellent service. The pacing was a good lesson in patience for our teen son but allowed the food to settle. We will be back! A very special night we won't forget.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Woods
Great dining experience in TC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Walleye, 5 Course Tasting Menu, With Wine Pairing, New York Steak
Rachel Laing
Had the most wonderful meal! We did the 7 course & the wine pairing with it. Probably one of the most worthwhile and exciting wine pairings we’ve experienced! Every detail was fantastic, all the staff were exceptional, knowledgeable, and above & beyond kind. The food was delicious and so thoughtfully conceptualized. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrea Stalf
What a gem! This restaurant was recommended as the best little, quiet place for dinner in tc and wow! so true.The menu is varied but focused. Service is attentive but not intrusive. The food quality is top notch.
My wife and I came here for her birthday, after returning from a winter in Spain. Prior to returning to TC, we enjoyed an exceptional meal at a Michelin starred restaurant in Valencia. I knew that I could not expect anything in TC to compare, but I had at least hoped it would be decent. Each course that arrived was incredibly underwhelming. It is not as if the food was bad, it was just boring and not at all worth what they are charging. To make things worse, the wine pairing consisted of a selection that did not pair well (perhaps it was the fault of the boring food) and the pour was similar to what you would get at a grocery store tasting. Additionally, they pack this place in so densely that you should expect to be rubbing elbows with people in the table next to you. Finally, the staff is really unfriendly. It is always so sad to see people in TC trying to act like pretentious city people, but even more depressing when they have nothing to base it upon. To summarize, the service is poor, the food is mediocre at best, the wine pours are stingy, and the environment is just awful. For the price, you are better off driving to Grand Rapids for a better meal at a fraction of the price.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
T Bard
Dinner last night was PERFECTION! Been going to Cooks' House for the last 13+ years and it is always a culinary treat! Had six different dishes between the two of us and there was not a miss in any of them! Wine parings were fun and worked very well. Got dessert to go but it was also perfect! Keep up the excellent work, team! You are THE BEST!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Walleye, With Wine Pairing, Mushroom Tea
Tory Sparks
The food was very good, the staff were absolute sweethearts, every one of them. Really really nice people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: With Wine Pairing
Signs & More
Our evening at the Cooks’ House was an awesome experience. It was unbelievable and a total surprise. The food was off the charts! Every person there was wonderful. There was so much pride, fun and energy in the place. We really felt special! Thank you for such a wonderful evening. We didn’t take any silverware! We promise! Can’t wait to see you again!! Molly Smith, Connie McCormick and Kathy Banchiu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Juan W
The Cooks' House was the main reason we came to visit TC. The ambiance is welcoming and comfortable. You feel like you're at your friends home. The staff are extremely pleasant and attentive, and the main star is obviously the food. Absolutely a delight, everything we had was great. It came out at perfect times. Truly a must visit when in town, make sure to reserve ahead of time
I could not categorize The Cooks' House as anything less than the place to enjoy an excellent, multi-course meal in the Grand Traverse Bay area. The service was splendid, and very attentive. The atmosphere is perhaps u[nspectacular, but is small, cozy and light.The real treat, of course, is the food. With both five and seven course tasting menus that change frequently with locally obtained ingredients, The Cooks' House will have something new for each visit. Wine pairings from TC's excellent wine region accentuate the courses just right, and were perfectly paired when I visited. The prices are also beyond reasonable for a fare of this level.Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I grew up in this town but left in 1985. I’ve lived in California since and have eaten at a lot of great restaurants including the Laundry, Chez Panisse, Slanted Door and Mr Chows to name a few. This without a doubt rank's right there. I honestly never thought I’d have a decent thing to eat in this town other than bar food but now I know exactly where it is. If you’re hungry for something exceptional look no further. I have never liked mushrooms, but the mushroom toast was my favorite dish. I can’t believe I’m saying it.Thank you Jen and to the staff for a great eveningLooking forward to going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The 7 course meal was amazing!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I grew up in this town but left in 1985. I’ve lived in California since and have eaten at a lot of great restaurants including the Laundry, Chez Panisse, Slanted Door and Mr Chows to name a few. This without a doubt rank's right there. I honestly never thought I’d have a decent thing to eat in this town other than bar food but now I know exactly where it is. If you’re hungry for something exceptional look no further. I have never liked mushrooms, but the mushroom toast was my favorite dish. I can’t believe I’m saying it. Thank you Jen and to the staff for a great evening Looking forward to going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hands down one of the best meals I've ever had. We get the 7 course wine pairing dinner. Each dish is thoughtful, and the wine is paired perfectly. I will be coming here for a long time to try all of the new creations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: With Wine Pairing
What a special night out for our family. We were so looking forward to this dinner and it did not disappoint. We were greeted with hot wash clothes (I think every Michigan restaurant should immediately implement in the winter) and a warm vegetal broth tea. This quickly made us feel comfortable and cozy after the briskly cold walk over. Standouts in our meals included the turnip soup (I know, right?), the kale salad, all of the mains, and apple maple tart. Excellent service. The pacing was a good lesson in patience for our teen son but allowed the food to settle. We will be back! A very special night we won't forget.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great dining experience in TC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Walleye, 5 Course Tasting Menu, With Wine Pairing, New York Steak
Had the most wonderful meal! We did the 7 course & the wine pairing with it. Probably one of the most worthwhile and exciting wine pairings we’ve experienced! Every detail was fantastic, all the staff were exceptional, knowledgeable, and above & beyond kind. The food was delicious and so thoughtfully conceptualized. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a gem! This restaurant was recommended as the best little, quiet place for dinner in tc and wow! so true.The menu is varied but focused. Service is attentive but not intrusive. The food quality is top notch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 5 Course Tasting Menu, Gazpacho
The servers, atmosphere, and drinks were great! The food is unfortunately lacking in flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife and I came here for her birthday, after returning from a winter in Spain. Prior to returning to TC, we enjoyed an exceptional meal at a Michelin starred restaurant in Valencia. I knew that I could not expect anything in TC to compare, but I had at least hoped it would be decent. Each course that arrived was incredibly underwhelming. It is not as if the food was bad, it was just boring and not at all worth what they are charging. To make things worse, the wine pairing consisted of a selection that did not pair well (perhaps it was the fault of the boring food) and the pour was similar to what you would get at a grocery store tasting. Additionally, they pack this place in so densely that you should expect to be rubbing elbows with people in the table next to you. Finally, the staff is really unfriendly. It is always so sad to see people in TC trying to act like pretentious city people, but even more depressing when they have nothing to base it upon. To summarize, the service is poor, the food is mediocre at best, the wine pours are stingy, and the environment is just awful. For the price, you are better off driving to Grand Rapids for a better meal at a fraction of the price.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dinner last night was PERFECTION! Been going to Cooks' House for the last 13+ years and it is always a culinary treat! Had six different dishes between the two of us and there was not a miss in any of them! Wine parings were fun and worked very well. Got dessert to go but it was also perfect! Keep up the excellent work, team! You are THE BEST!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Walleye, With Wine Pairing, Mushroom Tea
The food was very good, the staff were absolute sweethearts, every one of them. Really really nice people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: With Wine Pairing
Our evening at the Cooks’ House was an awesome experience. It was unbelievable and a total surprise. The food was off the charts! Every person there was wonderful. There was so much pride, fun and energy in the place. We really felt special! Thank you for such a wonderful evening. We didn’t take any silverware! We promise! Can’t wait to see you again!! Molly Smith, Connie McCormick and Kathy Banchiu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Cooks' House was the main reason we came to visit TC. The ambiance is welcoming and comfortable. You feel like you're at your friends home. The staff are extremely pleasant and attentive, and the main star is obviously the food. Absolutely a delight, everything we had was great. It came out at perfect times. Truly a must visit when in town, make sure to reserve ahead of time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5