There I was, indulging on the signature butter cake — a custard-soaked sponge delight with salted caramel gelato, hot fudge sauce, and whipped cream — after just sampling a classic warm popover on which a smidgeon of cinnamon butter melted onto the crusty exterior. And believe it or not, I was already anticipating tomorrow’s to-go lunch, a Maurice salad.
The dinner I recently enjoyed at The Continental at Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores was heavenly, to be sure. My main course was roasted airline chicken, a citrus-brined, oven-roasted, super-tender delicacy with Michigan cherry and asparagus risotto and a mushroom Diane sauce. Wow. You can be sure there wasn’t a single bite left.
My dining partner ordered the halibut (a catch of the day), and proclaimed it to be remarkably tender and oh-so-good. He nibbled on just-baked, still-warm, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
We paired our meals with the establishment’s signature wines from Heron Hill Winery, founded by the Ford family in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
Undoubtedly, The Continental promises a unique outing and is an ultra-special experience, as you’re just steps from the Ford mansion (located on Gaukler Pointe), which showcases Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s prized possessions in the home’s jaw-dropping interiors. (The historic family home of Edsel Ford, the only son of Henry Ford, and his wife, Eleanor, is a 1928 National Historic Landmark where visitors can learn about a special piece of the American automotive story in metro Detroit.)
The Continental is located inside the Ford House visitors center, which includes a museum on this branch of the Ford family and a special-event space.
Surrounded by flower-filled gardens, a spacious patio (where we dined), birdsongs, and the beauty of Lake St. Clair, not much could top the experience, especially if you’re a nature lover or are fond of classic dishes.
On a short stroll before dinner, and while dining, we spotted kingbirds and Baltimore orioles amid a patch of purple-topped chives. We also saw Eastern bluestar, woodland sage, puffy peonies, red columbine, chamomile, blue false indigo, and lupin. On Bird Island’s cedar-chipped trails, we saw lots of cormorants flying and resting amid sweet-smelling honeysuckle. Occasionally, a sailboat or fishing boat would cruise by, adding to the serenity of the scene.
Just before taking our seats at the restaurant, we ran into Kevin Drotos, the property’s landscape and natural areas manager. He was excited about our bird sightings, and told me that he and his team are in the throes of planting a native garden that’s just starting to look good.
Knowing that we’d be able to stroll the home’s rose gardens and explore the lawns beyond after dinner, my companion and I didn’t feel too guilty about savoring our desserts. In fact, thousands of steps later, we returned to our car with happy, exercised hearts.
But back to the food. The restaurant is run by Gretchen Meeuws, Continental Services’ general manager of food and beverage operations. She provided us with some insight into the menu’s pure Detroit offerings, such as the Maurice salad, a protein-packed combo of smoked, julienned ham and turkey, Swiss cheese, green olives, sweet relish, fresh lettuce, and a dressing that’s been described by many as kind of tartar sauce-meets-Thousand-Island, but much lighter.
The Maurice, which we also took home as a carry-out option for lunch the next day, and the aforementioned popovers (they were great warmed up in the microwave oven), pay homage to Hudson’s Department Store, founded by Eleanor Ford’s famous uncle, J.L. Hudson. “We prepare both the Maurice and the popovers just as they were made at Hudson’s restaurants decades ago,” Meeuws says.
The most popular items and staples, according to Meeuws, are the shrimp and grits (next time, we’re trying this — think Andouille sausage, shrimp, and applewood cheddar grits, in a creole sauce!), the Maurice salad, and the popovers.
She shares that the menu changes with the seasons, but the Continental burger, filet, salmon, Monte Cristo, charcuterie, black bean burger, pot pie, and crab cakes are year-round offerings (perfect fare before or after a stroll or tour).
Some of Meeuws’ favorites include the butter cake (“It’s delish. The hot fudge is what takes it over the top.”), while she also loves the burger for casual dining. “The filet and salmon dishes are favorites for dinner,” she adds. She says you can’t go wrong with the fresh catch, which is always expertly cooked.
Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely lunch, an intimate dinner, or a weekend brunch, the menu is sure to be memorable, thanks to dishes crafted from seasonal, local ingredients. There’s entertainment on select evenings and guests can order food to enjoy while exploring the historic site.
Dining at The Continental is more than enjoying a good meal; plan to stroll the gardens and grounds along Lake St. Clair before and/or after dinner. Get there even earlier and you can take a tour of the home, participate in a class, or watch a concert. And don’t miss the gift shop — a gardener’s delight full of botanical-themed items, Ford House memorabilia, locally made jewelry, and more.
Plan It!
The Continental at Ford House
fordhouse.org
