I physically spend most of my time in metro Detroit, but my heart is usually in northern Michigan.
So, when it's not possible to head Up North for a burger and beer, one of our favorite places to go for a little taste of Up North is The Moose Preserve Bar and Grill, about 10 miles north of Detroit in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
The Moose Preserve, established in 1990, is the flagship location of a small group of independent restaurants in metro Detroit that includes Camp Ticonderoga in Troy (opened in 1996), Deadwood Bar & Grill in Northville (opened in 1999) and Beaver Creek Tackle & Beer in Westland (opened in 1986).
Each of the restaurants boasts hunting lodge-themed decor and a menu stuffed with half-pound burgers, campfire-style fish dishes and comfort food favorites like macaroni and cheese, shepherd's pie and game meat like venison sausage, buffalo meatloaf and duck tenders.
The Moose definitely appeals to the carnivores, and huge servings mean many diners could easily share a dish or be prepared to take a good bit of their meals home with them to enjoy the next day for lunch.
As much fun as the food is at The Moose, I especially enjoy the relaxed vibe and friendly service. We've eaten many times at The Moose over the years (and a few times out at the Deadwood Grill on the way out to Plymouth Whalers' hockey games), and found the service to be mostly friendly and efficient.
The knotty pine and stone walls, the antler chandelier, log furniture, mounted game heads and vintage photos of miners and workers who built some greatest landmarks of Michigan's Upper Peninsula during the 1930s give The Moose the feeling of an "Up North" sports bar, without veering into truly cheesy territory.
There are plenty of televisions scattered throughout the restaurant, making it a great place to meet with friends to watch one of Detroit's great professional sports teams play
I particularly like heading up The Moose to eat a meal on the outdoor patio, where it's possible to forget that you're in suburban Detroit on an always busy Woodward Avenue. You can eat out on the heated and covered deck, tucked behind the building and well shielded from the parking lot and Woodward, quite late into the fall.
Other fun touches that make The Moose seem particularly homey include warm chocolate chip cookies (usually sold by the platter, but diners often get a free cookie with their meals at Sunday dinner), frequent offers of a free dog bone for the asking that you can take home to your best friend, and the restaurant's Dog Wall, which features fun photos of customers' dogs.
Bottom line-Great food in a fun atmosphere. Come prepared to eat, stay to enjoy a bit of "Up North" downstate.
© Dominique King 2012 All rights reserved
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