There’s a port on a northwestern bay, and it serves hundreds of folks a day. Sounds a bit like the Looking Glass song called Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl). Indeed, it’s Brandy’s Harbortown and, yes, the new restaurant/bar was named after the catchy 1972 song about a port on a western bay. You might not meet a Brandy here, but you will meet friendly waitstaff and your tastebuds will be introduced to some seriously memorable fare.
The spot that was once known as Knot Just a Bar — a longtime Lake Michigan destination in Bay Harbor, west of Petoskey — is, as of this past May, called Brandy’s Harbortown. Patrons can enjoy a tropical beverage at the new 20- by 40-foot cabana, sit in a yellow Adirondack chair around a fire pit and sip on the popular Painkiller (the rum and fresh nutmeg make this a truly a tasty concoction), or watch waterfront activity all while indulging in selections from crab cakes to the popular lobster enchilada, German brats, and stuffed portobello sandwiches.
Gorgeous sunsets are enjoyed throughout the year, thanks to new windows and doors that provide stunning views of Bay Harbor Lake Marina and beyond.
The Morrison family, including Bryant and his wife, Jamie, and Bryant’s twin brother, Philip, and his wife, Laura, has created a water’s-edge paradise where Jimmy Buffet would likely have felt right at home.
“The cabana is the draw,” says Philip, who adds that it’s open May through October, weather-permitting.
The family, which runs two sister restaurants, including the nearby NOMAD and Maple + Batter, was approached by Rick Iceberg last fall to partner on the new project and assume the lease of the former Knot Just a Bar facility. Iceberg is a Michigan-based entertainment entrepreneur. (Read about NOMAD in the winter 2023 issue of BLUE.)
The Morrisons agreed, and the rest is destination-eatery history. The fab-four family members, who live in the Petoskey area, each bring different talents regarding business acumen. Jamie is responsible for social media and photography, and has a keen eye for design, while Laura has a hospitality degree from Michigan State University and oversees events.
Bryant and Philip, who are also Spartans, focused on accounting, information systems, supply chain, and finance while at college.
“The four of us came together and brought our ideas and design creativity,” Laura says. “While NOMAD is romantic and moody, this is all about bright and light.” Adds Philip: “We thought a lot about what this space needed to be to serve a large patio. Having four individual kitchens was key, so we wouldn’t get overwhelmed with the magnitude of the volume coming in.”
The Morrisons decided to extend the layout to include a patio and cabana (replete with a white pine ceiling and rattan light fixtures) on what was formerly a large lawn that, Philip says, “wasn’t used for much in the past.” Two fire pits (60 and 48 inches) also were installed.
On the patio, pretty umbrellas in jaunty turquoise and yellow-green tones mingle with cheerful pale-yellow Adirondack chairs and white chairs and tables. “Everything pops,” Laura says. The palette complements the blue-green waters of Little Traverse Bay and the Bay Harbor Marina, which offers deep-water access for mega yachts that are fun to ogle while enjoying Brandy’s offerings.
“Brandy’s welcomes families, babies, pets; pull up your boat or get out of the pool, and stop for lunch. It’s as casual and inviting as possible,” Bryant says, adding that patrons include guests at the Bay Harbor Inn, boaters, locals, and travelers.
“We took the facility down to the studs,” Bryant recalls. To capture what they call a “beachy-coastal” vibe indoors, they added a beadboard ceiling, gold accent lighting, a fluted wood bar, double French doors with huge windows (so when you’re inside, you feel like you’re outside), and the four separate kitchens with themed offerings. “It’s clean-lined and casual,” Philip says.
The overhaul included partnering with several Michigan companies: All countertops are from the Grand Rapids area’s Counterpoint, while Pro Image Design of Traverse City oversaw all signage. In addition, a lot of the products served at the restaurant are sourced from Michigan, including the micro greens, which come from Higher Love Farms in Gaylord, and wines from Mawby Vineyards and Winery in Suttons Bay.
“It’s a very social atmosphere here. People are interacting, talking about the menu, there’s a lot of movement and activity,” Bryant says.
Colorful tiles are used to designate each kitchen. For example, there’s green for the Heirloom space and blue for the Fresh Catch section.
The Heirloom Kitchen specializes in healthy options such as grain bowls and salads that can be made as wraps. “We have quite a few gluten-free and vegan options. We want it welcoming to all,” Philip says.
The Wings + Beer area cooks up traditional-style baked wings and serves them with house-made sauces. There are two types of beer at this station.
In Brandy’s Kitchen, selections include the special Smash Burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, and Brandy’s Best Wurst, dripping with sauerkraut and curry catsup tucked into a brioche bun. “Brandy’s Kitchen is all-American bar fare,” Philip says. “It also offers small bites such as Reuben egg rolls and fried pickles.”
The lobster quesadilla, with its poached lobster and smoked gouda, rules at the Fresh Catch Kitchen. Other popular selections include a lobster roll, served cold or warm, and fish tacos. If you’re a chip lover (aren’t we all?), try the Old Bay chips, which are house-made potato chips featuring a sprinkling of Old Bay seasoning.
If you’re at Brandy’s when live music is playing, it’s even more fun. “This is a come-as-you-are kind of place — flip-flops and bathing suits are welcome. With the cabana bar, and to be this close to the water, there’s nothing like this in northern Michigan,” Philip says.
Brandy’s Harbortown is open seven days a week, year-round. Call ahead to find out which nights feature live entertainment.
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Brandy’s Harbortown
brandysharbortown.com
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