We made reservations for two for Thanksgiving as we had been wanting to try this restaurant out. As it turned out we could have skipped the reservation as we were seated without confirmation. The cozy restaurant is in the country near a lake, has several acres of bird trails which we checked out after dinner, and gets good reviews. The good reviews were obviously not for the holiday buffet which consisted of two small serving stations - one for salad and one for main course items. The salad table was very basic with very limited items. We skipped a few things that appeared to be commercial macaroni/coleslaw salads with unknown ingredients and just stuck with the few fresh standards, a little grated cheese, and the single dressing offered (ranch? blue cheese?). The main table items were boring standards: potatoes, tasteless chopped turkey and ham slices, pre-sliced overdone beef swimming in something, nondescript gravy (from a jar?), mac and cheese, green bean casserole hot dish and cold, dried out deep fried fish and shrimp. Far and away the best part of our dinner were the desserts which were not included in the price of the buffet. The dinner, with wine, for two was over $125. We are guessing a meal from the menu on some other day might be better as the inn seems to be popular. However on this day the area around the buffet and reception areas were gridlock with elbow to elbow dinners. We laughed afterward that we could have had better food and variety at much less cost at somewhere like County Buffet or a simular chain. read more

Holy moly. Went for the "supper club" aka lunch and lecture today. I paid 17.95 for The "famous" salad bar. What a joke. The salad bar is two rows but only one section was open. Most of the spaces were taken up by the lettuce and dressings. Not a bacon bit or boiled egg or a meaty protein on the bar. General selection of sliced onions, shredded cheese, radishes and wrinkled grape tomatoes. Some prepared salads too. Some looked to be weird 1970s recipes with carrots and beans while the standard favorites were also represented; potato salad and macaron salad. No breads. Just an assortment of packaged crackers and cracker sticks called "bread sticks." A pepper mill and some croutons. I can't believe I paid 17.95 for this. Everything was fresh (cept those grape tomatoes I just mentioned) but honestly. Where do they get off charging almost $20 for a dinner salad I had to make myself??? Beer was reasonably priced for the size and the service was cordial and friendly. Guest speaker was interesting but nothing to write home about. I'm gonna have to pass on this place. It's way over priced for the quality and quantity. read more

Came in on a Saturday evening. The server was slow taking our order. She took orders for several tables that were seated after us. We ordered the shrimp cocktail which had almost zero taste. I had the sea scallops with were marginal, he had ribeye. He liked his steak. Desert was tiramisu which was still frozen in the center. The best part of the dinner was the salad bar. The bill came to $179 with a couple of beers and wine. Definitely will not be back not recommend. read more

We have dined here many times but are always in the dining area. Last night, we sat at the bar and ordered burgers (which were very good, btw). There were two servers in the dining room. One, an older gal who was friendly and charming. And a gal from Columbia who has been our server many times and was just delightful. IN THE DINING ROOM. My husband and I retired from the F&B industry after owning our own restaurant for 30 years. The disrespect that the server showed to the bartender was the worst I have ever witnessed. No please. No thank you. Just barking orders and handing out criticism. And it wasn't isolated. It was ever order. We both felt so uncomfortable and heartsick for the bartender. We used to request this server when we came here but never again. She was the most rude and two-faced individual we have ever witnessed. A true bully. read more

I thought my great aunt was taking us out into the middle of the woods to leave us... so far off the beaten path, but we came around the curve to find this little gem. Everything is made from scratch and the fresh vegetables still have a crunch. Whatever you do, save room for dessert. read more

They pay their customers very poorly and work them really hard also the food isnt very good

Last time here I had the buffet and I have never been sicker from food poisoning!!!! Drinks are not very strong, service can suck!!

Wonderful dining experience. Excellent atmosphere, great food and picturesque setting. The hummingbirds are an added treat. read more

River Lake Inn Trails & Gardens - Flower garden - Diners Near Me - Colon, Michigan

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Our family enjoys dining at this restaurant. It is a little like going back in time and, it just so happens, to remind us of an old friend who first took us here. The food is good, the deserts are amazing and the grounds are just lovely. We enjoy it and it's a nice drive. Recommend for something different and a feeling of going back in time. read more

Some of the worst food we've had. Nothing was fresh except the salads. The food tastes like highly processed canned or frozen then microwaved. A decade ago it was much better but they've gone downhill. The restaurant is decorated with fake fruit that is covered in dust. Unappetizing. Walking around the grounds is nice though read more

We went to River Lake Inn last night to eat their Wed/Thursday special of Prime Rib, potato salad bar and a small sundae for 25.95 The waitress looked at the ad I brought with me...and said Oh that's the small one? It doesn't say that in ad??? But we ordered....the Salad bar was nice, the Prime rib came...floating in the au jus, no little dish.....LOTS of Fat on the piece...it was not even hot.....does not look like the picture in the ad at all...!!!! VERY DISAPPOINTING....I THINK THIS RESTURANT HAS RUN ITS COURSE... Must be the cook was at the end of the prime rib and said...who cares ???? I will cut off these fatty skinny pieces and pour the au jus over the top and no body will say anything..???? We do not recommend... this place ANYMORE ....the old couple that own it ...are just in it for the money..!!!! read more

Love this place! Food excellent, service great and atmosphere peaceful.

This restaurant is a classic Diamond in the Rough..... great high end menu with a strong wine selection. The staff has been there since I can remember, very friendly and welcoming. Service can be a bit slow (if your not coming on a buffet night), but just wonder through the gardens while you wait or have another glass of wine. I will definitely be back soon. read more

We ate at the Inn on Easter Sunday and had the Buffet. It was wonderful...delicious, eye-appealing and filling. The salad bar had a great variety and everything I tasted made me want more. The dinner bar was even better and offered several meat choices. I couldn't have asked for more. Our waitress was more than attentive, friendly and efficient. She made us feel at home...didn't hurry us but was right there if we needed anything. Can't wait to return. read more

Vintage late 1980s decor, beautifully maintained but a little dated. Reminds me of higher end country resort area restaurants I visited with my family when I was in my "ahem" younger years. We went there on a Sunday afternoon and the waitstaff was very pleasant and helpful. The wine and drinks menu was higher end. I had the hummingbird riesling and my wife had a mai tai. Both excellent preparation and presentation. We opted for the buffet which was fresh, very well prepared and with a limited but quality sampling of fish, chicken and meat dishes. The prepared cold salads were also excellent. The little alcove where it is placed is a little cramped but overall very pleased. Pricing is higher but the quality of the food and the butterfly/hummingbird garden make it worth the cost if you are there for both the food and the setting. This establishment is for diners looking for something special and a little out of the way in a beautiful country setting. read more

Been here multiple times and our service is exceptional and the food is always delicious and hot. They are a little pricey but in my opinion worth it. read more

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of dining at the River Lake Inn restaurant. I have the opportunity to eat here about once a year, and I'm never disappointed. Their seafood selection, as well as the steak selection, is delightful. I was especially pleased with the perch which was complemented with the cheesy potatoes and the endless salad bar. My server was equally delightful and could not of been more accommodating. I truly look forward to my next opportunity to dine at the River Lake Inn. read more

High prices for mediocre food. Seafood buffet was sparse with a hefty price tag. Salad buffet was not fresh. Prime rib was good but overpriced. Dessert was small and also overpriced. We dine out often and were excited about visiting River Lake... disappointed with what we experienced. read more

Great food quality and friendly service in the natural setting of butterflies, humming birds around flower gardens. I will return for the Orange Roughy but I did sample the baby-back ribs that were tender with a tasty sauce. The dinner room(s) were quite and comfortable for conversation. No loud background noises. The lite stroll on the grounds after dinner really is a positive experience, instead of the chain of parking lots at Corperate restaurants. read more

My wife and I were staying in the area at a B&B which gave us a few names of restaurants. We chose to go to the place that sounded like it was mid-range of the three. We first met Marv, the owner, who was a very nice gentleman and 3rd generation in the restaurant. I am guessing 4th generation must be getting close due to age. He gave us a very nice seat in the corner and near windows to view the hummingbirds which is a highlight of this restaurant, along with the gardens and fountains. Our waitress was named Summer and she did a fine job serving our table. The music was easy listening and the salad bar was good in my opinion, but lacking according to my wife. The bread at the beginning of our meal was DRY. I would skip that. Just tell them to take it back to the kitchen. There was a seafood and meat buffet which I thought looked good enough if that is what you want to do. My wife and I were just looking for a nice meal served, rather tan taking trips to a buffet. My orange roughy and wife's scallops and shrimp were good. Asparagus was good, but I think I should have gone with the broccoli rather than potato au gratin which we didn't find as good as we could make at home from a box. We don't normally eat dessert, but found we had plenty of room after our modest meal was completed. The peanut-butter pie and creme brulee were okay, not what we expected from "homemade". The creme brulee was a little runny, rather than stiffer to stay on your utensil. We, personally, wouldn't eat there again if we were in the area. I would suggest you give it a shot and decide for yourself. I saw some good meals at other tables perhaps worth trying. The portions we received and quality seemed a bit pricey. I don't think there are many options for dining in the area so they can price what they do, I guess. read more

We've eaten here 6 times and have never been disappointed. The lamb chops were the best I've ever had. We just went there for their Valentine's Day special. I had the filet mignon and lobster. Both were delicious. Hubby had the walleye, and being a picky eater, loved it. Both Anita and Marv are great, personable people. Loved watching the deer. Experience couldn't have been better. BTW, Anita's homemade tiramisu was fantastic. We'll definitely be coming back. read more

15 of us ate at a reserved table. Ambiance is nice - humming birds and butterflies and lots of flowers. Unless the Seafood buffet was chosen, service was very slow and somewhat abrupt. Those that chose the buffet seemed pleased. I chose the prime rib, medium rare. By the time I was served, the rest of my party (who chose the seafood buffet) were finished. Presentation was bleak. Salad bar had only Iceberg for lettuce which was without colour. Price high and 20% tip was arbitrarily added to the bill. I will try again if in the area. read more

Very Disappointed, Will Not Return I should have been worried when I tried to call and make reservations earlier in the week and was told I needed to call someone at home or call back the next evening. We planned on taking my Father for Father's Day and their 21.95 per person Buffet (drink and dessert not included) When we arrived, much to my surprise, no table was reserved for us as we thought. There was no one greeting people, it was our first time there and we had no clue where we were supposed to be going. Some guy walked up and walked away. Then returned a few minutes later to ask how many in our party. When I said we had reservations, he looked around and decided to seat us in a back corner of the bar where the TV and some over flow tables were. What a lovely meal, every few minutes the blur of the bartender crushing ice was our background for our meal. The buffet was 2 carts. One was all cold and salads, one for hot. It was in a very small dining alcove and no route of traffic, so you couldn't get in to get food without having to beg a exit from someone also trying to get their food. The quality of the food was OK, nothing out of the ordinary. I would have probably paid 12.95 per person, but it was absolutely not worth 21.95. When we tried to get food, several of the dishes were empty. Things like no cocktail sauce for the shrimp. Instant mashed potatoes (plenty of those). empty pan of chicken, out of fried shrimp. Very sad, it was our first time there and we really do like to support local small business, but not when they just want me to spend my hard earned money on food that is below quality and way over priced. read more

This is a humingbird santuary that has a restaurant on the grounds. It is over priced. I had the barbequed salmon for 19 bucks. It was a piece of salmon with barbeque sauce on it. The humingbirds are worth the trip. Go for dessert. read more

We dined here last night when visiting Battle Creek. My brother and sister-in-law go here frequently and gave high praise. We were not disappointed. The food was superb. I got the Neptunes Trio which consisted of broiled shrimp, orange roughy and melt in your mouth scallops. Hub got land and sea buffet and he raved about how good the shrimp, scallops, crab legs and prime rib were. He must have really enjoyed it cause he made six trips!!! Hehehe the salad bar that comes with every meal was fresh and delicious. Only four stars because its very hard to navigate the salad bar/buffet area. Definitely looking forward to return visits. read more

A little pricey and not a huge selection. Dessert is extra. I had a reservation that was confirmed four days ago and they didn't have a table for us when we got there. They ended up putting eleven people at a table for 8-10 and it was crowded. Created a stressful environment. read more

Went with friends. It was a buffet. Way over priced for buffet food. For the price we should have had plated meals. Poor quality, drab atmosphere. Very dated. read more

The food was fantastic. When you come here, don't be in a rush. The service is very slow but its nice go through dinner slowly. Come here expecting to be here at least 2 hours. read more

We love River Lake Inn. It is different and has some unique features outdoors. The hummingbirds in the summer and early fall are amazing. There is a butterfly garden that our granddaughters love to walk through. The food is good and the waitresses are like having your family serve you. Unique. We drive 25 minutes at least once a month to go to this hidden gem read more

I visited this quaint restaurant, River Lake Inn this past weekend. My first time in Colon, Michigan and my first time at River Lake Inn. We were greeted by the owner...a very sweet lady by the name of Anita. I would class this Restaurant as a lovely old fashion fine dining place. With grounds completely manicured, famous for their gardens and the humming birds that visit there. LOTS of humming birds! The food was VERY good and a very good selection of what I would class "fancy" and "non-fancy" items to choose from. We all ordered from the nights specials, I ordered a Shrimp Trio and it was YUM! The food was SO hot when it was delivered to our table we couldn't eat it right away. Prior to our dinner we also were able to enjoy the plentiful salad bars...delish! I am told by my friend that visits the River Lakes Inn that they have never had a bad meal there and it's always a wonderful retreat to visit for fine dining. NOW...during our time at the River Lake Inn we had the privilege of talking to Ms. Anita about the Restaurant history and also about its future. I was very sad to here that this gem, this family owned, this community feature may be closed in the near future due to lack of business. If this lovely, amazing and unique family business owned restaurant goes under it would be terrible. SO, please tell your friends that live in the area. Tell your friends that have home up state and they can stop by on there way through Colon. Tell your neighbors and have them tell their neighbors. We can all visit chain restaurants any day of the week...River Lake Inn is special and the people that own and run it are truly a piece of the history in the area and deserve success! Tell someone you read this today....please! read more

Great food! Wait staff is very attentive and friendly. Go to yp.com to get a 10% coupon.

I have been a visitor to the River Lake Inn since the late 80's. Just returned there last night and was extremely disappointed. The prices are outrageous and the food was mediocre at best. I have always fancied the Land and Sea Buffet, but was sorely disappointed in it last night. Had the food been great, I could see paying the outrageous price for the special. The place was clean and neat, but other than the actual service of our waitress, our entire group (10 of us) felt very uncomfortable because of the staff. After our meal we enjoyed some talk and laughter (there were still plenty of tables left for other potential guests), but the staff kept walking past us, as if they wanted us to get up and leave. When they quit offering refills on our drinks, we took that as a hint. Here's my personal rating. Atmosphere: C- Cleanliness: A Service of Waitress: B+ Menu Choices: C Taste of Meal: D Prices: F Friendliness of Staff: C- Overall: C- read more

I used to live in Colon many years ago and River Lake was my favorite restaurant. I thought it'd be fun to take my grown son there. I was struck by how expensive everything was. We came for the buffet which turned out to be $33.00/person. We ordered off the menu. My son had pasta primavera which was average. I got ribs which were all dried out and the asparagus was mushy. I told the owner and declined to order anything else. Rather than refund my dinner, she said she'd give me $5.00 off! When I objected, she said I had to at least pay for the salad bar--almost $12.00! (This for an unimaginative salad bar with tomatoes and radishes that had gone bad). Plus she didn't have the decency to talk to me herself but kept telling the waitress what to tell me. Way overpriced and much ado about nothing. I guess the customer's always wrong there. Just bad business practice. read more

The last time I visited this place was a year ago. But, my history of this establishment goes back to the mid sixties when it was the River Lake Pub. At that time, it was in the hands of the original owner, a guy named Lee who lived across the road. My dad (Bill Howell) also lived across the road, and I used to eat there very often. At the time, the only other immediate business was Leonard's which rented fish boats and sold bait for those fishing on River Lake. The River Lake Pub was the local watering hole, and as a kid, I had many fond memories of the place. It was more of a drinking establishment back then that served hamburgers and other fried food. They used to be open 'til 2 or 3am. I used to shoot pool there with my brother and the drunks. Lee, the owner 'til 1965, died while on a supposed deer-hunting trip to the U.P. when he had a heart attack while visiting a house of ill-repute (verified by my dad). Sometime between 1967 and 1982, the River Lake Pub changed from being a local bar to being the local yuppie hangout. Too bad, because it was a much more interesting place back in the 1960's than it is today. Mark Howell, filmmaker, Venice, CA BUILDING THE MIGHTY MAC EDISON read more

The River Lake Inn is in a lovely setting with well-prepared food that brings people from many miles away. There is a buffet on weekends, but I prefer the freshly prepared steaks, prime rib, fish, chicken, and pasta. There is a wide variety of homemade desserts, but I seldom have room for them. There is a very nice wine list. read more

Please Read and Take Caution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had I have been writing this before yesterday I would have been singing the praises of "The River Lake Inn". Unfortunately this establishment folded under pressure last night and now every opportunity I have to influence another to AVOID this place will be sought out! Where do I begin: My husband made dinner reservations for Saturday, May 12th, 2012, 7:00p.m. He placed the call with a week advance notice. It was supposed to be a Mother's Day surprise, I had to work May 13, so he planned to celebrate this day with our mothers and me, on the 12th. Our party arrived for our 7:00 reservation at 6:50, only to find that the establishment had not held our table and we were given a beeper, and informed, sorry, they were busy, we were asked to wait. The manager pointed to a doorway within the restaurant and informed us we could enjoy the hummingbird trails outside while we waited. While attempting to exit the door we had to inadvertently interrupt a table of two in order to pass through, this lady was very upset we had to ask her to slide her chair in to get to the exit door, this was awkward at best, and not how we foresaw our special evening beginning. We brushed it off...we spent the next thirty minutes outside and at approximately 7:25 PM our beeper was blinking and we headed indoors. We were lead to a table and seated. We all made small talk (party of 9, my mother/father/sister/brother-in-law, my husbands mother/father and his daughter), after 15 mins, we had as of yet to even see our waitperson. Several more minutes passed when I finally went to find someone. I found the manager and notified him we hadn't even received WATER yet and could he please find someone to take care of this and bring some menus, he informed me "they were very busy". Again we waited, without menus or water. Finally the bus boy gave us water. During this time several small tables were seated and they seemed to be getting fairly good service. Our waitperson finally arrived and took our drink and appetizer orders, we asked for menus and she said if we planned on ordering from the menu it would take awhile, I said, um....okay. Can we please see some menus! 8:15 and we still did NOT have our drinks, only the water,what the hell! Seriously? A couple tea's, a couple cokes, one Shirley temple and one fruity white zin, nothing fancy. When the bus boy brought bread to our table we asked about our drinks and could he please find our waitperson. Our waitperson returned to tell us they had a new bartender and she was sorry it was taking so long. I pointed out the obvious, which was other tables had received their drinks and it really wasn't a difficult order, I insisted she return to the bar to retrieve our order, we had been waiting for our drinks for well over 40 mins and this was unacceptable. She took our dinner order at this time. We all got up to go to the salad bar, while we were taking care of this our appetizer arrived to our table, mind you we still had NO drinks!!! We had absolutely no service. We did contemplate leaving, but now with the lateness of the hour and no other reservations and our location, we were stuck! Finally our drinks arrived after we had finished our salads and appetizer. The cokes and ice tea were watered down from the ice melting as I guess they were waiting at the bar for a considerable amount of time to be so far into the melt cycle. When my father in-law requested some additional bread, TWO ROLLS WERE BROUGHT STICKING OFF THE END OF A SERRATED KNIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING! The manager was summoned to our table, I held back my temper and explained the nights happenings, I told him we were long time customers and stated all of our issues. The manager told me again, they were busy and there was nothing he could do. I informed him, our reservations were made over a week ago and if he could not accommodate our party we should have been informed and would have made our reservation elsewhere, I told him if he didn't do something we would not only NOT return but would inform everyone we know of the events which were unfolding. The manager shrugged his shoulders and said, "like you know alot of people". My husband and I looked at each other and decided we'd had enough, Burger King was better than this. As we were readying to leave at 8:55 our meals came. We ate and left..........the waitperson did inform us prior to our paying for our meal that the management didn't care about the patrons they only cared about the, as she put it, rubbing her fingers together, the money...........well, that was apparent. The management did not offer a discounts or a gift certificate in an attempt to better this situation........... DO NOT GO TO THIS ESTABLISHMENT, UNLESS YOU ENJOY BEING TREATED IN THE ABOVE FASHION read more

Last night was my husband & my first time visiting River Lake Inn. The service & food were excellent. The staff was fast, friendly & efficient. We started w/oysters on the half shell & the coconut shrimp for appetizers. They arrived quickly & were both delicious. My husband ordered the prime rib which was top notch. The buffet was delicious & something you won't find in at any other restaurant, complete w/prime rib, crab legs, shrimp. We finished w/a wonderful piece of peanut butter pie & tiramisu. We each had a drink & coffee w/our dessert. For the food, service & atmosphere the price was right in line. A restaurant that accommodates couples for a quiet night out or special occasion, small family dinner or large groups. It was worth the 40 min. drive for us w/no problem finding it. We were very pleased & will definitely return w/our children. read more