Breaks the axiom that a restaurant with a great view can't have great food. Gourmet dining doesn't get much finer than Blu. The venison comes from a local hunting lodge. Talk about lean, clean protein! I recommend "rare". So delicious! read more

Trout, chicken, mushroom risotto, soup and salads ... Everything was fantastic. Way better risotto than at Union League Cafe (a French Restaurant in New Haven, CT where I've hoped for great risotto at least three times). Six of us ate here and ordered off the "early-bird" fixed price menu ($29) each, which helped immensely because the regular menu can easily run $50-70 a person. read more

What a wonderful experience Blu was for my wife and me to celebrate our anniversary. When we walked in we were astounded by how small the dining room was. It probably has a capacity for 40 to 50 people, but it made the experience intimate and everyone had a wonderful view out of Blu's glass paneled walls looking over the beach and Lake Michigan. During our dinner we saw a colorful sunset as an ore freighter slowly made its way across the horizon with the Manitou Islands in the misty distance. We had been on the Leelanau wine-tasting circuit all day so we did not order wine but their list was pretty impressive. Our meal started with a surprise amuse bouche that was a muskmelon puree over a gazpacho base. Not something I would have ever ordered but absolutely delicious. We then shared their signature appetizer of blue crab puffs, the best we have ever had. My entree was grilled salmon on a vegetable stew mix and with breaded oysters (all were wonderful) and my wife had a very tasty cod with generous but somewhat bland scallops (the only disappointment of our meal.) For dessert we shared a banana cream and blackberry "pie" which was a layered affair of crust, whipped cream, huge blueberries and banana cream filling. There was none left even though we were really getting filled up. It was a unique and lip-licking end to a truly memorable meal. I saw some other comments in this app denigrate the hostesses and waitstaff but ours were great. We were greeted warmly with a smile and our waiter and the other attendants were so attentive. Chef Randy came to our table to ask if we were enjoying ourselves and even delivered our dessert personally. And no, they did not know this was a special occasion for us. One warning is that parking is only available on the street (unless you are a guest at the resort). We were lucky, as a spot opened up as we were driving in but I saw some people walking a few blocks. So yes, it was expensive and not something most would do for a routine meal. But if you want a special dining experience I would certainly recommend Chef Randy at Blu. read more

Absolutely phenomenal not enough to be said about this place I will tell you worth every penny best meal I've had in ages highly recommend if they had six*I would give it read more

This is the best restaurant in the Traverse City area. Blu competes with the best of Chicago, New York and New Orleans. I've eaten here a dozen times and never a bad meal. The intimate setting, unmatched view of Lake Michigan, engaging owners and relaxed ambiance only add to the experience. Traverse City has become a foodie destination and has some really great restaurants, but the 30 minute drive to Glen Arbor is well worth the experience any time of year. read more

Excellent food and ambience. Restaurant is right by the water with an excellent view of the lake. The service was spot on and everyone was very accommodating of our 2 year old daughter as well read more

Sorry, not happy with blu, was really looking forward to the dinner that night as I had a guest from Chicago. So dissatisfied and disappointed. We spent well over $250 for the two of us, don't mind if the food is great. Will not recommend but may try again myself. Fish dry, edges like jerky!!! Lamb mediocre. Sides cold. Salad good. Appetizer ok. Please step it up. I want our restaurants to be great!! read more

Overpriced for what you get. Recommend many others and walk to beach in 5 minutes from downtown with the same view and much better value!

I am not a social media guy AT ALL but felt compelled to put a review here specifically because of the people, the food and the environment at Blu. My wife and I had our small wedding and reception here four plus years ago and that day, and ALL of our visits to Blu have been simply fantastic. Randy and Mari are wonderful hosts and very talented people-warm, caring and generous. On our big day, Ed (our server) essentially appointed himself our valet and literally catered to our every need (i still owe him a huge thanks and some beverages when our paths cross again!). We have sent many people there over the years and our friends and family STILL describe the experience with great fondness. Do yourself a favor and skip the hype and the crowds in TC and come to the BEST restaurant in Northern Michigan. The restaurant is closed at the time of this review for some well-deserved time off, but we cannot wait for you to open your doors for another season of hospitality at its finest. read more

Fish was fresh and seasoned well. I have to say the dessert was top notch as we got the sorbet and creme brûlée. Also, the view of the lake from your seats at sunset is hard to beat read more

What a wonderful and unexpected experience we had at Blu this evening. A chance encounter from a local art dealer ( Wanda) referred us to Blu and we are so glad we heeded her advise. The service is impeccable to the extent that a young lady Maddy, who noticed at one point we were adding ice from our water glasses to our wine glass and of her own volition brought us a glass of ice cubes. The food is amazing!! Literally , everything we had was heavenly and that is not something I saw often, honestly maybe never. A few examples, strawberry gazpacho and the whitefish. To top it all off a stunning view. We will be back! read more

Great place in Glen Arbor. When we head up north from Chicago, it's the one place we go without the kids! Food is great. The couple who owns the joint are friendly and provide great service. Definitely a treat!! read more

My fiancé and I went to Blu last night for her bday dinner with her cousin and his wife. Between the 4 of us, we tried a good portion of the menu from apps to entrees to dessert. There wasn't a thing we ate that could've been prepared any more expertly. On top of the great food, the service was impeccable! The perfect mixture of attentiveness and absence so we could carry on our convos, uninterrupted. And, Blu has the best view in Glen Arbor to watch the sunset as you enjoy your dining experience. At the close of our meal, Chef Randy Chamberlain came out to ensure the food was up to expectations, and then made his way around to a few more tables to chat as well. All in all, we had a fantastic experience and we will be back every year during our annual Glen Arbor vacation! read more

Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. Dined inside and enjoyed a drink on the patio with a nice sunset.

I guess after many, many years of traveling to northern Michigan just to go to Tapawingo's in Ellsworth, I have become a food snob. Since it's recent closing, I am having a difficult time finding any fine dining establishment even similar to their outstanding, creative cuisine. Our anniversary dinner at Blu was disappointing. The appetizer fruit and cheese plate and salad were pretty good, but my duck confit tasted more like pulled pork; very tender, but lacked flavor. My husband had filet and quail; filet overcooked and tasteless too. When asked about our meal, we did not complain --- too polite I guess. Great view though, even if it was a rainy day. read more

We heard about Blu through the many Glen Arbor townspeople who had nothing but good things to say about the head chef, who donated food after the August 2nd storm. We decided to give it a try, even though it was a little pricey. We took full advantage of the early bird special for $28 per person. It was great! We could choose from a soup/salad, one of three entrees, and one of two desserts. The food was cooked to perfection. We tried the crab puff and they were excellent. The waitress was attentive and constantly filled our water glasses - a huge plus. We ate outside. The only negative was that if it rained they wouldn't have anything to shield us, but we were warned on the phone about that possibility. Would go again! read more

The setting is gorgeous, of course. The food was okay, nothing blew me away, as I expected from the hype. Grilled scallops had such a hard char all delicate flavor was lost. The real reason I will never return; We were there for a birthday celebration, party of 5. One guest was late. We were not "allowed" to order any appetizers until all were present. Unacceptable. read more

We are repeat customers, and had a late reservation last night at 9:00 pm. We were seated right away, and the server came right to our table to take drink orders. The cocktails were very good, as were the appetizers that we ordered. I ordered blue crab puffs, and my girlfriend had the fried green tomatoes, and both were fantastic. Things started going wrong when we ordered our entrees. I ordered the Black Pearl salmon, and my girlfriend ordered the chicken confit. My salmon was good, but the chicken looked pink when it came out. My girlfriend asked the server if this was normal, and the server assured us that the confit was cooked at the perfect temperature and that as a darker meat, sometimes it looked pink. She wasn't very convinced and picked at her food for a couple more minutes before a spider scurried out from the garnish! It was very off-putting, and we called the server over to show her the spider. The server brushed the spider away, but by that point we had lost our appetites. They took her plate away, but didn't offer to remake the plate or any discount for the spider. We spoke to the chef as well, but little to no effort was made to improve our experience. We will not be returning anytime soon. read more

For the first time our family decided to forego the normal Thanksgiving meal dine out. We have gone to Blu many times. The food and service has always been great. So we had our Thanksgivings dinner at Blu. We were not disappointed. Thank you for making our holiday great. read more

Had dinner here a week or so ago while on vacation in Michigan . Excellent food and service . Really enjoyed their escargot . A great dinning experience if you are in the area . read more

Came for the early bird special, 3 course prix fixe menu with 2 choices for each course. There was also a vegetarian option available. The dining room was empty except for us on a blustery evening, and the service was impeccable. No competing for staff attention, but they made us feel welcome. The ginger and lemon cocktail was refreshing. An amuse bouche of beet flavored cheese on toast began the meal. Both the squash bisque garnished with pistachio and the mixed salad were lovely. The pano crusted sole was wonderful, as was the duck confit. And the accompanying vegetables were amazing! There were small portions of 3-5 separate but wonderful morsels. Dessert was a bread pudding or an orange curd, which were fine. Great dining room to sit in before sunset, with the view of Lake Michigan. We hope to return on our next visit north. read more

Great food and great service. The view of Lake Michigan was incredible. The food was 5 star as well as the service. They were a bit in the pricey size, but worth it! read more

The view and location are great. The staff was very average. The food was quite average. The price was very expensive. I would have been fine with the cost if the food was great, but the crab cakes were soggy and the fish I had was just "acceptable". Don't go here unless you like to overpay for average food with small portions. I am not sure how most of the reviews are so positive. If the food was half the price it would be 3.5 stars tops. As is, a poor value. read more

Excellent experience all around. I booked the full dining room (max 50 people) for my rehearsal dinner the night before my wedding. The service was very professional and the food was fantastic. The staff made last minute accommodations to our party size with no problem. They chose the bottles of wine for our meal which were reasonably priced and very delicious. Can't imagine that there could be a better restaurant in the area! read more

Been coming here for years, and this place NEVER disappoints. One of the finest restaurants I've ever eaten at, and always an exceptional experience in all ways-- beautiful setting, great wine list, professional waitstaff, and glorious food. The meal we had tonight made me weep. What else can I say? read more

I am soooo sad to give this restaurant 3 stars. We were here a year ago and loved! Mahi mahi under seasoned and overdone. Short rib (special) was actually very bad. Very very bad. Some parts completely underdone (how?!) and not tender at all. Two portions served to the table, and both bad so not a fluke. Duck was delicious. Appetizers good. Ordered crab puffs, risotto, and mushroom. Drinks were well made. Overall, for a 500$ meal, I expect more than half of the meal to be good. Bummer!! read more

I can't speak highly enough of the amazing staff, the relaxing ambiance, the delectable food and of course, the breathtaking views! Dining at Blu is truly an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. read more

We've had several meals at Blu over the years but our most recent meal this month wasn't one of them. First we had to wait for our table (no big deal). Then we waited 30 minutes for our appetizers (too long) and another 25 minutes for our salads. My husband's steak - the chef's special - was so fatty and devoid of flavor (strange combination, I know) that it was all but inedible. We live in New York City and so are accustomed to high prices - but Blu doesn't deliver on either the food or the service end of things, especially at this price level. read more

Went September 24th. The sunset was gorgeous over Lake Michigan as we ate our scrumptious hors d'oeuvres. First time at Blu for my three gal pals, and they loved it. Two had Walley, I had the sea scallops, and the birthday gal had the lamb chops. Many wonderful local vegetables accompanied the entrees. I indulged the the flourless cake, which met my greatest expectations. The service was excellent. This is a MUST to visit in Northern Michigan. Bring your wallet. It is not cheap, but it is worth every last dime! You won't be disappointed with anything, from the minute you drive up until you leave. What a treasure in Leelanau County!! read more

Terrible service!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We made reservations and said that we had a baby in our party, we got there and there was no seat for the child. They were Very unfriendly and unapologetic. Will NEVER go there again! read more

We were first time customers at Blu and were blown away. The wait staff and chefs outdid themselves on presentation, flavor, and service. The small and elegant setting complemented the beautiful views at sunset. We would highly recommend this restaurant, and look forward to visiting in the future. read more

Not sure why I have to drive over 4 hours for the best meal we've had in at least three years but this place is not to be missed! Here's a roadmap for an exceptional dining experience: 1. fabulous table along the wall looking out to Lake Michigan (this is a small place so most tables have a view. If you want outdoor seating, which is very limited, make sure to request it when you make your reservation). 2. Coho Pinot Noir - never had it before, recommended by the owner - DElicious! 3. Fried green tomatoes appetizer with tomato and goat cheese sauces. The tomatoes came out hot and crunchy, perfectly prepared. 4. Duck Confit entree - rich and flavorful like others but super crispy and superb. 5. Seared scallop special with black truffles and creamy mushroom risotto 6. Share, share, share! 7. Ask to be seated in the empty two-top on the patio to watch the sunset up close (check out sunset times before you make reservations) 8. Can't remember my husband's desert (he liked it) since I was absorbed in my yummy glass of Caymus 40th Anniversary Cabernet reasonably priced at $19. Oh, and service was excellent! read more

Blu was really good. Service was excellent, food was elegantly prepared and the view was top notch. Make a reservation, go near sunset and have a great time. We had the vegetarian risotto and the lamb chops. Absolutely the best chops ever. The cocktails were good, too. I recommend the fried green tomatoes as an app. Worth a visit while in Glen Arbor. read more

Blu is a great destination for a special occasion dinner. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou islands, excellent, friendly service and quality food. Make sure you try the crab cake appetizer and the turtle soup. There were also a number of appealing main entrees on the menu that make we want to return for another great meal in a unique setting. If you are looking for a special dining experience, you will not be disappointed by Blu. read more

Disappointing! We made reservations, arranged for a babysitter, and were all set for a special family dinner only to have the restaurant call and cancel our reservations. In over 20 years of fine dining this is the first time this has ever happened. Needless to say I won't ever be patronizing this restaurant! read more

We always have incredible meals here. Very professional staff and an amazing view. If you want fine dining in Glen Arbor this place is a must. read more

You cannot find a better or closer view to the water, a great way to celebrate my birthday. No, spectacular!! Our server was great, we got a plum window table, and we even had personalized menus that said "happy birthday" at the top. The fried green tomato app was delicious, but I was over the moon about the octopus terrine. Our entrees didn't quite live up to the appetizer round. My whitefish was very, very sweet from the strawberry sauce on it, as was the black rice under it. Too much sweet for an entree that could have lived on the savory side to balance the sauce. My husband's meal was a mixed bag; the swordfish was quite firm, but very tasty. Unfortunately, the lobster was fairly chewy. We finished with a creme brulee to share, which was plated spectacularly and was exquisitely creamy. Vanilla bean seeds dotted the custard, lending both taste and fragrance to the dessert. We'll definitely return to give other dishes a try. read more

Beautiful sunset, not impressed with food or service, for the money I can think of many local restaurants that are much better. Go to the Riverside much better than this, worse anniversary celebration my husband, and I ever had. read more

Highly over rated for anyone familiar with true fine dining! We experienced the worst piece of Wagyu beef imaginable. Dry, tough, flavorless and that was at a MR temp. One end was not seasoned and the other end had too much salt and was topped with salty blue cheese marrow compound. The accompanying sauce was so sour that it tasted more like a vinaigrette. When i told the server about the issues she said i'll let the kitchen know. Nothing was done. My dessert was a new item for the week, a salted carmel bread pudding. All started well until i had a bite of the raw, uncooked center. I stopped and told the server. She acted way put out again and sighed and said i'll tell the kitchen. When i waited another 20 minutes for the check, i went directly to the host station. The server then said i guess the kitchen said the will "comp"the dessert. I asked about the steak and she said no!!! What? really? I've complained about 5 meals in the last 10 years ( we dine out about 6 times per month) and have never been met with such attitude. Sorry not so special!!!!! When traveling to Glen Arbor area, try some of the small local supper clubs, you will meet with better care and service. I have eaten at the best restaurants in the country and even had our wedding dinner in the private dining room at the French Laundry! Blu may have attitude but is NOT fine dining! read more

After reading reviews and listening to locals, the decision to have a dinner at Blu far exceeded our expectations. We were happy to get reservations for a patio table. Our order of scallop appetizer, mixed green salad, and entree of halibut had been placed and greatly anticipated when an amazing storm began to form over the waters and move in our direction. Blu is a small restaurant and unfortunately had no table inside to seat us. The thought of getting our food in a "to go" box was not what we had planned. The chef came out and offered to literally move our patio table inside the dining room! The staff were so accommodating. First class service. And the food was among our favorite meals ever! The scallops were perfectly cooked and the halibut had a crispy crust like none we had ever tasted. Treat yourself to a dining experience as it should be if you are in this area. The over the top hospitality went even more over the top when an unexpected dessert arrived, on the house. THANK YOU for your generous spirit! read more