We were here for our honeymoon 5 years ago (it opened 7 years ago I think) when it was a 3 course tasting menu and went again for our anniversary this weekend for their 5 course tasting menu with wine pairing. Consistently so delicious and creative. I also like that they let us share (and gave two plates for us both). It was busy and they gave us a seat on the back porch after 20 min or so without previous reservations. We couldn't reach them by phone; so just went in person. Their soups are my favorite thing. I'd bathe in it. This time was celery root and 5 years ago was parsnip. They have the same base of garlic, onion, cream puréed and just know how to do it. Excellent service each time too! My husband loved the SALAD (which he had never said in his life before) as well as the wagyu steak dish and Butterscotch mousse w/ short bread cookie that was best we have ever had (the chefs step dads recipe). After that they gave an extra little snacky of peanut brittle and pop rock orange like candy. The kimchi fritters were my other favorite dish of the night. Very happy cool place. read more

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My partner and I dined at Wren for the first time at the recommendation of other patrons and truthfully, we were profoundly disappointed in our meal. We ordered a Brie and raclette plate with housemade crackers and a spicy ginger jam ($20), and two NY strip steaks with potatoes and greens ($48 per). We're not pretentious diners and we're no strangers to small portions with high price points, but our two narrow thumbs of steak served with three small half potatoes and a tablespoon or two of greens felt severely under-portioned for $48 per person. While we enjoyed the steak, the potatoes, greens, and appetizer were lackluster, which exacerbated our feeling robbed. Recapping our experience outside the restaurant, we found it curious that the portion sizes weren't indicated on the menu descriptions (it likely would've deterred us). But more interestingly, our waitress neither reviewed the menu and offered recommendations for how many plates to order, nor asked if we were enjoying our meal. For $150 (we tipped 20%), restaurant-goers have several other options available to them for mouth-watering, inventive foods with adequate portions. I can't recommend Wren. read more

Very disappointing, portions not equal to price. Wine list is overpriced. Will not be back. Too many restaurants in the area that are so much better. read more

Wren is a MUST stop when you're in Sutton's bay! It's a 5 star quality restaurant hidden in this cute little town! You won't be disappointed! read more

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While we try to get up here several times per year, haven't officially reviewed in a few years, so here's the latest experience: Chef Adam is a gifted and innovative chef, utilizing the freshest ingredients, most locally sourced, exquisitely! His staff (love you, Hannah!) and bartender are top notch and knowledgeable/welcoming. Ambiance warm and intimate. Our favorite dining spot...and we travel 6 hours to get here. Our starters and meal pictured below (pictures posted out of order but are labeled): 1) heirloom tomato soup w/chèvre, basil oil and toasted breadcrumb 2) beet fritters w/cabbage salad, kimchi, and black garlic aioli, 3) melon salad w/arugula, prosciutto, basil, honey, shaved melon, and bee pollen, 4) scallops w/oyster mushrooms, spinach, lobster cream, and apricot aigre-doux, and 5) kurobuta pork tenderloin, pumpkin puree, roasted tomato, gremolata, and leek powder. OUTSTANDING DINING ONCE AGAIN! Highly Recommend! read more

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We managed to score a last minute reservation on a Saturday evening and we are so happy that we did! This is a cute, cozy place! The food and serve are phenomenal; It was nice because they did not make all 3 of us do the tasting menu, so my husband and I opted for that and my daughter ordered the Rolls and the Waygu Steak. (she loved both). The tasting menu included celery root soup, Kimchi fritters with beet sauce and carrot salad, Tile fish or Waygu Steak (we ordered one of each) a Romaine Salad with fresh peas and a Butterscotch Pudding Cup. The kimchi fritters were the only thing we didn't love, just felt they were a little mushy on the inside and not a strong kimchi flavor. The steak came with this amazing homemade ranch dressing, shallots, bok chow and mustard. At first I was not sure about that ranch dressing but everything together was just a lovely umami bomb! The butterscotch dessert was so good, butterscotch just reminds me of being a kid but this was super elevated with a level of chocolate mouse in it and topped with whipped cream and some crunchy toffee like pieces. Before the meal, we were given an amuse bouche - sweet potato chip with mushroom foam. Even my daughter who isn't the most adventurous popped that into her mouth and loved it. Service was fabulous. We also felt that the pricing was great for such an amazing meal - to be honest they could cut the portions in half and I don't think anyone would complain! Would highly recommend. read more

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Been dinning at Wren a few times during the summer since they opened. This past weekend's visit was disappointing. Overall, a 3.5 experience. The Good: nice setting in an old building, server was pleasant, attentive, and a resource as we worked thru the menu. The Bad: The person/staff at the front when greeted us when we arrived didn't understand we were ready to be seated. We arrived a bit before our reservation and there were multiple tables ready to be seated. She had to "check" with someone. Same person delivered our desert, dropped it off, and didn't observe that we were without utensils. Entrees were most disappointing. My wife's whitefish ($40+) was small, a few slivers of shaved veggies, and that was it. My trout ($35+) was also very small, a few veggie slivers, nothing else. Both pieces of fish were overcooked. Overall, nice setting & server, disappointing and expensive meals. Such a let down from our previous experience, we wondered if something wrong is occurring and we both agreed not to return, considering the other fine dinning options in the Traverse City, Glen Arbor, and surrounding area. read more

Wren consistently pleases the senses. Service is impeccable. Love that they don't post a current menu; make a reservation and be happily surprised. Get out of your comfort zone. Plate presentation elevates the experience & Cocktails are on point, paired with a well curated wine selection. Almost didn't post this review bc I don't want competition for bar seats. read more

On a recent trip to the Leelanau Peninsula, my husband and I dined at Wren for the first time and were very impressed. This small, cozy restaurant has so much charm, from the historic building to the warm and friendly staff, we were made to feel right at home. Everything on the menu appealed to us, which made it very difficult to decide what to order. When we return, we will definitely try the tasting menu. We were very pleased with each course, but felt dessert came up a bit short. Our favorites included the octopus, beets and whitefish. Service at Wren was top-notch. Our server was helpful, prompt and friendly. Overall, we were so pleased to find a special restaurant to fill the hole that formed when Alliance closed several years ago. If you are in the Traverse City vicinity, the short drive up to Sutton's Bay will take you to one of the best dining experiences in the area! read more

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I can't say enough good things about Wren. The moment we walked in the hostess had us sat (we made reservations for inside) at a two top next to the bar. Our server was prompt asking if we wanted any drinks. We ordered a cocktail and a soda and she gave us time to peruse the menu. They offered a tasting menu with several courses, but we ultimately went for the Ala cart options. Started with the rolls that are fresh baked in a cast iron skillet to order. They were so yummy! The dill butter was very flavorful as well. My husband got the bone in pork chop and you could tell everything was highest quality. It was marbled with fat making the flavor out of this world. It sat on top of a zucchini puree and had roasted tomatoes on top. He said all of it together was a great bite. I went for the beef tenderloin cooked medium. It was melt in your mouth. It came with roast potatoes and milk weed pods. The milk weed had a shallot/mustard sauce on them that was so good, and the house made ranch it came with was divine. We were too full for dessert, but before leaving the server brought a few sweet treats. A chocolate almond, spicy pepita brittle, and lemon hard candy. It was the perfect end to the dinner. We loved sitting in the dining room, getting to hear the bartender describe drinks and food was fun, as well as the art gallery hanging on the wall behind the table. An enjoyable meal all around. read more

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Great food, not the best service or atmosphere. For the money did feel the overall experience matched, felt rush and mor of a nuisance

Wow what a feast. With their complementary appetizer of a delectable mushroom based creamy treat the eating began. Sat at the bar and were treated to conversation and special service by Megan. She brought in the sommelier to pick the right wines . She was a treat to talk with and enjoyed her Rxs. All that said - it's still all about the food. And the celery soup and mixed salad were delightful. My wife then feasted on a wagu steak while I went silent in bliss with a pork belly with a sunny side up egg over mashed potatoes. Food just doesn't get more taste. The olive oil cake melted in la Boca - they even served three tasty candies as an appertif. What a meal and evening says this dedicated gourmand . Thanks wren read more

My friend really wanted to go here during her bachelorette party, and I was nervous about going here as a vegetarian because there wasn't a vegetarian entree on the menu. The chef made a vegetarian entree for me from the veggies they had and it was really well seasoned and had a delicious sauce. The drinks and desert were also really delicious! I wanted to make sure to post a review for any other vegetarians who were nervous about going to this restaurant! read more

Wren - Butterscotch Pot de Crème - New American Near Me - Suttons Bay, Michigan

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The Wren has been on our list of farm to table restaurants in the TC area. The Wren is what I consider a dining experience! The restaurant is small with a warm, cozy atmosphere welcoming patrons. They offer a unique list of Cocktails, but when you're in wine country...go for the wine! A deep, red wine is always my favorite. After spending some time with the menu, the potato leek soup sounded divine, especially during the chilly Fall season. To be honest, there's nothing better than a warm bowl of soup to sooth the soul, I like to say. The Lamb Bolognese was a must try for me and Oh my...the flavor still lingers! Everything was fantastic! The service was great and I can't wait to come back during another season! read more

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Lovely farm to table restaurant in Northern Michigan, a short drive from Traverse City. Housed in a refurnished fire house, the decor is simple and clean. It suits the area as well as the food. There are not many interior tables, but they have a patio area as well. The menu is short, and as it is seasonally and product based, constantly changing. We came as a group of four for a Birthday dinner, so were able to try each other's orders. I'm not generally a huge fan of cauliflower, but I tried my friend's cauliflower soup and it was phenomenal, a standout. Perfectly creamy and full of complex flavor. I had the raw artichoke salad, which was fine, though a bit boring, too simple. I like that they wanted the product to be forward, but this dish was a bit too dull. I ordered the scallops, also wonderful. The scallops were just caramelized, and the sauce was flavorful with good accompany textures. My friend's steak was also excellent. A nice cut of beef, cooked perfectly. This was a lighter meal, if you are wanting to really leave full, it is going to come with a higher bill. At the end of the meal, we were brought complementary sweet bites (pictured). Since we came for a Birthday, we did order a couple of desserts. The key lime pie dessert was perfect, every note right. I'm glad it's far enough away as to not be temping. Wren is an example of upscale fare, not overly pretentious, but interesting and delicious. read more

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On a Friday three of us went to Wren for dinner and ordered lamb, scallops and white fish. Delicious. The asparagus soup was outrageous and memorable. As we enjoyed the atmosphere and cocktails a farmer came in with fresh produce in a satchel which the chef inspected and accepted. The farmer and his wife then were seated for dinner. It truly is farm to table. Inventive clever dishes with smart wait staff capable of expressing the beautiful culinary delights awaiting the lucky dinner guests. read more

One of our favorite meals in the Suttons Bay / Traverse City area. This feels like a high quality tasting menu you would find in a much bigger city, but this restaurant is nestled into downtown Sutton's Bay. Loved every dish but especially the dessert and the wine pairing. Chef's kiss! read more

Wren - Beets! - New American Near Me - Suttons Bay, Michigan

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Visited on a recent Wednesday... 15 minutes early for a 5:30 reservation. About half tables were occupied from 5 pm reservations. Was told that because this was a "fine dining experience" restaurant they could not seat anyone more than 5 minutes ahead of the reservation time. A unique response for sure. We knew it was "fine dining" from two other visits. Offered to simply sit at a table and wait out the time until 5:25 with no requests. Refused. And so, not an initially great way to start the evening. FYI we had been at The Cook's House the night before for another 5:30 reservation, another "fine dining experience" place although no one has ever felt the need to proclaim that. Arrived 10 minutes early. Warm greeting. Offered choice of any empty table. Entrees (scallops for one of us, white fish for the other) were excellent. As expected for "fine dining." Dessert was not so "fine" at all. A "seasonal crisp" fruit with no evidence of anything "crisp" about it. Wait person suggested this was supposed to be granola sprinkled somewhere but she had never tried this one. Perhaps a wee bit of granola was hiding under the ice cream scoop atop the fruit. Perhaps. Returned to sous-chef. Credit Wren for removing this from the bill. Chef Adam needs to ease up on that early greeting with empty tables available. They've been pleased in past when told that we compared Wren to Cook's House. Alas, not this time. read more

Wow! WOW! Just WOW! I had a last minute reservation at the bar. (This place books-up far in advance, plan early!) I wanted vegetarian in honor of Earth Day, but there weren't any vegetarian options on the menu. I asked the bartender, Joe, "The menu says no substitutions, but I want vegetarian. Is there a vegetarian option?". Joe said that "vegetarian" is not a substitution. It's an off-menu selection. He sent Hannah back to talk to Adam (the Chef). Hannah came back and described what they could do: Black lentil base, roasted root vegetables, kimchi, mushrooms, miso, and ... OMG! OMG!!!! OH MY GOD!!!! Lordy. Lordy! LORDY!!! Wow. Wow! WOW! WOW WOW WOW!!! I am so glad I asked! This is the best meal I've had in months! Herbivore, carnivore, omnivore... forget labels, it was transcendent! I could barely hold myself back from going face-down and licking the plate! Who needs meat when you have food like this?!!! Thank you. Thank you! THANK YOU! I am so glad I asked! This is my new favorite vegetarian restaurant!!! Adam (the chef) looked over what he had in the kitchen, and invented a mind-blowing masterpiece on the spot. -- That is culinary genius! -- That is why I trust Adam! Take it from me. Every single dish. Just go with it. Don't obsess on the ingredients: let go. Trust the Chef. Trust Adam. Close your eyes, open your mouth, blow your mind! I spend every weekend baking, cooking and entertaining. Normal restaurants can't compete, but Adam puts me in my place! I bow down to Adam. He is a pro. I am an amateur. If you want a vegetarian meal that is better than any carnivore meal you have ever had, make a reservation at the Wren. It will be different every time, but it will be epic! Everyone who works at the Wren is wonderful. Joe, Hannah and Alannah, are all incredible. Friendly, honest, genuine, attentive, present and just all around amazing. If you are in the area, and you care about good food, book a table here read more

Wow, what a great spot we "Yelped up" on our through Suttons Bay. They got us a table fir 4 right away (though I'd recommend reservations, I guess. It's not a huge place) and I was delighted to be treated to an amuse bouche after our bottle of wine was delivered to the table. Three of us had the scallops, prepared imaginatively and presented beautifully. Very artful and a nice depth of some herbal concoction (not remembering now exactly what it was, but it contained turmeric, which was jut lovely). My dad had the lamb with noodles and we had to stop him from licking the bowl clean (really). The service was friendly and professional, with several staff members tending to our needs promptly and graciously. We didn't expect this! Yelp lists it as $$ but it's really $$$ btw, but it was worth it. Don't know when we'll be back that way again, but when we are, we'll def stop in. read more

Fabulous food with daily menu. Everything we had including duck, branzino, tomatoes, etc was wonderful. Cocktails are pretty good. Custom Manhattan wax very sweet and Cosmo lacked vodka, well enough vodka! We were outside in the back, but that has the worst view I. The western world. Wines horrible over priced at 3X. read more

Wren - New American Near Me - Suttons Bay, Michigan

Had dinner tonight and my husband and I split everything we got because we're on vacation and eat all day the pumpkin soup was delicious and a good portion for $8. It wasn't your typical pumpkin soup that's on the sweeter side, it was acidic and we liked it the Brussels sprout dish was sooo good and different with pickled peppers on top and turnips. This extremely small dish was $12/$13 I was pretty disappointed with the size for the price but the flavor was amazing! We split the NY strip and it had a delicious crust but definitely not the medium rare we ordered. It was still yummy! Again, seemed a bit on the small side for $38! We're glad we went and tried it. The actual address has not been updated on yelp yet, their new location is in Sutton's bay read more

Wren - New American Near Me - Suttons Bay, Michigan

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Classy , intimate place to eat . Food was prepared nicely & presented with a smile . High end offerings with a very professional staff . The signature cocktails were a bonus . The ambiance bordered on romantic with the low lighting and intimate eating areas . All in all a good experience for myself and spouse . read more

Delicious spot! Excellent bar service with unique mock tails. Food was delicious. Staff was knowledgeable. It is on the pricier side but we were splurging for an anniversary dinner. Definitely a romantic spot with cozy seating. They have a tasting menu and we thought it was worth it! Would love to visit again if we have the chance. read more

Sutton Bay's lovely restaurant Wren, was a great place to dine. We chose the tasting menu. This was an excellent choice. Our table started with a "a little cloud of silk", Wren's Cauliflower soup and from there and throughout our dining experience we enjoyed the Chef's delights. Wren's menu changes frequently, but trust me, there is something for everyone's taste. The staff was very attentive and ready to please. Wren offers inside and outside dining. Off street parking is plentiful. read more

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Highly recommend the tasting menu- worth the money! Everything was perfectly prepared and presented in such a nice way. The flavors were insanely delicious! read more

Always the best!! From the bar to the table top, everything is perfect. The wait staff is a great team, the chef puts out food that is worth every delicious bite, and wine and cocktails are resplendently spot on. read more

Another outstanding meal at Wren. We both had the Wagyu Zabuton. Easily the best tasting piece of beef I've ever had. Better than the Steak Florentine we had in Florence or any steak in the US. The fritters and dessert (pistachio cake) were delicious. Service was excellent and friendly. Joey's cocktails were great. Wren is a cosy little place in Suttons Bay, and we love it. read more

The food was excellent and very creative. Service was perfect. Ambience is nice but the open door in the back made it a little chilly inside. Try it. You'll be pleased. Prices are reasonable read more

Omg!!!!!! Wonder service! Beautiful restaurant. Unbelievable food. My scallops ( I adore) were so good, I can't wait to go again next week. My husband ordered the menu pairings with a fish dish. He enjoyed every morsel. We both ordered dessert- again pure bliss- and just when we thought we were leaving a small try of tiny delectables was brought to our table. From start to finish everything was outstanding! We have 2 reservations coming up in August to share with our friends! Thank you for an amazing dinner experience, read more

Such good food! I ordered the fillet and it was great, as was the lemon zucchini cake. Not sure if they keep the same menu continuously. Service was leisurely paced but well worth it. read more

Wren - New American Near Me - Suttons Bay, Michigan

Service was wonderful Cauliflower soup outstanding Gazpacho delightful Entrees good But mine was totally unlike I thought it would be.. vegetables with coconut and curry They totally comped it Cosmo was the best Definitely would return read more

If I could give six , I would . This is how food should be prepared , this is how food and wine should be served , this is how menus should be constructed . Everything was incredible . Truly excellent . And not a ' considering it's in Sutton's Bay ' excellent . This restaurant would be outstanding in London , Shanghai , New York . Read the website . The chef, ( Adam ), is delivering against the mission he set out . I hope he continues to do so . Eat here . You will be happy . read more

Excellent menu, service and food. Bar/cocktail service a big plus. Great date night selection.

Food was excellent. The inside of the restaurant needs to be reconfigured as it's too small and jammed right at front door/hostess stand and bar is too big. It's quaint and probably most enjoyable to dine at the bar! read more

Came in last week as I was in town for a friend's wedding. I was a solo diner and was immediately made to feel at home by the entire waitstaff. Having read the superb reviews, I was excited to dine here and my mouth was immediately watering when the menu was laid in front of me. YESSSS they had the scallops! My server gave excellent recommendations and, with her guidance, I tried the chicken liver mousse. The brininess of the pickled veggies paired perfectly with the salty smooth liver. Impeccable. I practically inhaled the scallops and could have drank a vat of the sauce. (Did the bartender see me running my finger through the sauce on my plate?) How many times did I close my eyes to savor the complex flavors as they bounced around my mouth? Yes, I was THAT diner. I like to try local varietals when I travel, and my server gave yet another solid recommendation for a local red to pair with my entree. Of course I had dessert and if anyone was judging my appetite, they didn't show it. The pistachio cake was moist and the ratio of cake to frosting was perfect; I only hoped for a tiny bit more pistachio flavor. My other wish is that I lived closer so that I could frequent this gem of a restaurant more regularly. My meal ended only too soon and I was delighted when my server presented me with a little candle! I didn't fully hear what she said it was for, I was so taken aback by the thoughtfulness, but what a surprising, delightful gesture - it really made me feel special. This meal is memorable for all the reasons: seasonal food, flavor, ambience, staff, attention to detail. Thank you for taking such good care of all of us. read more

My wife and I are here back in April to celebrate our anniversary. It was far and away the BEST meal I've ever had in Michigan. The staff were very friendly and the food was out of this world. We did the pre-fixe wine pairing, and everything was incredibly delicious. I've recommended this to every local as a must go-to if they're in the TC area. read more

Great service Great food a very unique experience Will go again It's nice we are locals read more

If I could give Wren a 4.5, I would. Still, we had a very nice experience. When we planned our trip to Northern Michigan, we knew we wanted to try this place. It did not disappoint. I started with the cauliflower soup, which was quite tasty. We shared the cheese plate, which was spectacular. 3 different Jams, about 5 different cheeses (soft and hard), crackers that may have been homemade (yummy, in any case). When our crackers ran out, the server happily brought more. For our mains, the co-diner got the lamb kofta. On the side were sliced cucumbers, arranged in a flower-like pattern, with small bits of dill in the middle of the flower, and some actual edible flowers on the side. Nicest presentation we have seen outside of Europe. I ordered the Zabuton steak, made with Wagyu beef taken from the forequarter of the cow. (Nothing like looking up all these menu items on our smartphones while making our selections!). Wonderfully tender and flavorful. For our beverages, I got Gumball Head, a wheat beer from Three Floyds Brewing Company in Indiana, and the co-diner enjoyed an ale from Frankfort (MI). Keeping it as local as we can. No dessert, as we were more than satisfied. Service was top-notch. Atmosphere - elegant. Overall experience: Memorable. read more

We've been here a number of times and are aways impressed. After spending 2 weeks in France my wife had the whitefish and said that it was far better than any meal we had in France! Always an awesome place read more