Menominee

SCHLOEGEL'S BAYVIEW RESTAURANT (906) 863-7888- Casual and family-oriented, Schloegel's is a local institution, a gathering place for service clubs, a kaffe klatsch, a big after-church crowd, and the first stop for many summer visitors heading north. (It's pronounced "SHLAY-gulls.") Window-walls right on Green Bay put customers in touch with the beauty of the water, birds, sky, and weather. Other draws are fresh local whitefish, and an in-house bakery with breads, rolls, and pies (made with fresh fruit in season, around $2.50/slice). These are also for sale at the bakery counter. Breakfast is served any time, except that specials are over at 11 a.m. Schloegel's has a big menu with changing daily specials for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The idea is to stay with comfort foods infused with trends and optional bolder flavors and sauces — say, fresh whitefish with Key West seasonings; or ancho chili sauce on the best-selling Reuben; wraps and rollups, and fresh fruit salads with vinaigrettes. Still, traditional items like a wurst dinner with German potato salad and sweet-and-sour red cabbage will likely be around forever. Schloegel's iis especially known for its Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and grilled ham (around $6.50 at breakfast); locally famous raisin bread (often shipped as a gift; search "Schloegel's Bayview" online);good New England clam chowder; potato pancakes, and liver and onions. Schloegel's soup and sandwich menu is offered any time. Lunches are mostly $5 to $8, dinners generally $8 to $12. Dinner includes salad, roll, appropriate starch, and vegetable. Prices go up ever so slowly; ribeye steak tops the menu at around $16. Special diets are accommodated by request. No smoking. The asphalt path and benches along the bay behind the restaurant are open to all. On the north side of Menominee at 2720 10th St./U.S. 41 on Green Bay, just south of the AmericInn and Econo Lodge. Open daily year-round except Christmas and Thanksgiving, Mon-Sat 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Central Time, to 8:30 in summer. Wheelchair-accessible. Children's menu. No alcohol.

SERVING SPOON CAFE (906) 863-7770- European bistros were the inspiration for this very popular café and espresso bar in Menominee's downtown historic waterfront district. Its front porch and deck overlook the park and marina. The original owners, two former Lutheran ministers, have moved on. Today's owner, Tammy Nelson, has made even more of their format of fresh, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee drinks, and desserts in a congenial, smoke-free meeting place. Vegetarians can eat well here; so can hamburger eaters. No deep-fried fare, however. The signature item is a portobello mushroom sandwich with sundried tomato pesto on a sundried tomato focaccia roll ($7). Another favorite, especially in summer, is chicken salad with almonds and dried cranberries on a croissant ($6 with blue chips) or as a salad with muffin ($7). A breakfast standout is a Greek omelet with fresh spinach and toast (around $6). 1821 First St. in downtown Menominee. (906) 863-7770. Open daily except holidays, year-round, from 7 a.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. Sat & Sun. Closes at 3 p.m. Sun & Mon. Other days open evenings to 8, to 9 in summer. Wheelchair-accessible. No alcohol.

THE LANDING (906) 863-8034 The Landing is the perfect combination of reliably excellent food food and a great setting. It’s in a historic building in downtown Menominee. Big windows overlook the harbor, the lighthouse, and an island. Ron Berg is the second-generation owner-chef. Specialties include a thick New York strip steak with garlic-bourbon sauce ($22) and many kinds of seafood. The menu features steak, chicken, veal, and seafood, often prepared the continental way, but a vegetarian could also be quite happy here, too. Childen’s menu available. Most dinners are from $12 to $22. No smoking in dining room. Reservations recommended, especially in summer.- Downtown Menominee at 450 First St. Open Mon-Thurs 5-9 Central Time, Fri & Sat to 10, Sun 5-8. Wheelchair-accessible. Family-friendly. Full bar with extensive wine list.

LAUERMAN HOUSE BAKERY AND COFFEE SHOPPE/LAUERMAN HOUSE B&B (715) 732-7800 In early 2005 Jean Moore-Mallory, proprietor of the M&M Victorian Inn, purchased the Lauerman House B&B for multiple use as a retail bakery, lunch spot, banquet facility, and an overnight inn. It's on Riverside Avenue, a street of impressive homes overlooking the Menominee River – close to downtown and good for walking. The house, dating from 1910, is a grand affair, with two-story columns. Coffee-drinkers can cozy up to the fireplace in the parlor and enjoy delicious croissants, tartes and other pastries, cookies, and such – prepared the French way, with few short cuts. Starbucks is the coffee of choice here. This is the third location for Jean's bakery, which retails the same soup-salad-sandwich format. No smoking on the premises. Rooms at the inn are air-conditioned, with TV and internet access. Weekend rates are from $70 for a small room to $165 for a suite. Weekdays are less. B&B guests might want to inquire about banquets taking place during their stay. 1975 Riverside Avenue, about 2 blocks west of downtown between Hattie Court and Hattie Street. Restaurant hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call to confirm. Not wheelchair-accessible. Well-behaved children welcome. Handicap access: at least 5 steps in front. Call.