southwest michigan – Hillary Weller

Travel Eats documents my food adventures outside of Chicago.

Picking our own peaches at Crane Orchard in Fennville

Spending a gorgeous Saturday in southwest Michigan does present convincing evidence that the state is as magical as depicted in the “Pure Michigan” commercials, especially when it comes to food. From a picnic by the water in Saugatuck to picking peaches and apples in South Haven and tasting cider in Fennville, we fit in as many delicious summer activities as we could. I was impressed by the quality of everything we tried: excellent bottled cold brew coffee, mellow pear and blueberry fruit wines that would make excellent pairings, five nuanced styles of the Virtue Cider that’s already beloved in Chicago, and a lovely farm-to-table meal at Salt of the Earth, where I also drank the best lemonade I’ve had all summer (white whiskey, grilled lemon, and thyme add up to greatness).

Uncommon Grounds' bottled cold brew coffee in Saugatuck — Uncommon Coffee Roasters’ bottled cold brew coffee in Saugatuck

Nebraska wrap from Boardwalk Deli in Saugatuck

Tasting fruit wines at McIntosh Cellars in South Haven — Tasting fruit wines at McIntosh Wine Cellars in South Haven

Grilled lemonade with Journeyman white whiskey, lemon sour, thyme, and soda at Salt of the Earth in Fennville

Feta and herb pizza at Salt of the Earth in Fennvile

Eating apple pie from Crane's Pie Pantry by moonlight — Eating apple pie from Crane’s Pie Pantry by moonlight

The details: Uncommon Coffee Roasters, 127 Hoffman St., Saugatuck; Boardwalk Deli, 311 Water St., Saugatuck; McIntosh Wine Cellars, 6431 107th Ave., South Haven; Virtue Farms, 2170 62nd St. (122nd Ave.), Fennville; Crane’s Pie Pantry, 6054 124th Ave. (M-89), Fennville; Salt of the Earth, 144 E Main St., Fennville.