Hello dear
Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar, located in the picturesque Saugatuck, MI, offers diners an exceptional elevated dining experience. Renowned for its innovative tasting menus, featuring 6 or 9 courses, this restaurant artfully blends unique flavors, showcasing delightful dishes like burrata cheese and asparagus, lamb loin, and exquisite desserts such as chocolate mousse and crème brûlée. The intimate coastal decor and attentive service create a relaxing atmosphere that enhances each meal. Guests rave about the creative menu options and the chef's personal touch, making Coast 236 a must-visit for food lovers seeking culinary perfection in a charming setting.
About
Step into a culinary haven at Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar, where the charm of Saugatuck, MI, meets refined dining. Located at 236 Culver St., this establishment offers a unique dining experience that rivals even the finest New York or Chicago eateries. With a commitment to exquisite flavors and exceptional service, Coast 236 is a destination for food lovers seeking an elevated atmosphere.
One of the standout features of Coast 236 is its thoughtfully curated tasting menus. Guests can indulge in either a six or nine-course offering, designed to surprise and delight with each dish. Patrons rave about the burrata cheese and asparagus appetizer, the perfectly cooked lamb loin, and the decadent chocolate cake dessert, all thoughtfully prepared to take your palate on a remarkable journey.
Dining here is not just about the food; it's about the entire experience. The ambiance, with its modern coastal decor, provides a relaxing backdrop that sets the stage for memorable evenings. The attentive staff, often highlighted by guests, ensure that every need is met with warmth and professionalism. As one guest noted, despite initial uncertainties about the menu, the team's knowledgeable and upbeat approach made the entire evening enjoyable.
For seafood enthusiasts, be sure to try the warm water lobster tail, drenched in a tantalizing tomato saffron broth. It's a dish that some diners declare a standout based on both its taste and innovative combinations. Equally compelling is the tuna crudo, a refreshing starter that bursts with flavors—a true representation of the creativity that Coast 236 consistently delivers.
The desserts don't take a backseat either, with the creme brulee earning rave reviews and prompting second orders from satisfied diners. With a menu that changes to showcase seasonal ingredients, guests will always find something new to explore while enjoying the best of what the area has to offer.
Overall, Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar is a must-visit for those seeking a meal that encapsulates both artistry and flavor. Whether you choose to savor a multi-course tasting experience or select dishes a la carte, this restaurant promises to be a highlight of your dining journey in Saugatuck. Make your reservations and prepare for a truly delightful experience at Coast 236—you won’t be disappointed.
“ We had the burrata cheese and asparagus appetizer, the lamb loin, and the chocolate cake dessert. All were delicious. Derek was our server and he was fabulous. ”
“ Absolutely fantastic, improbable fine dining establishment you would expect in NYC or Chicago, but all the more unique to find it in quaint, idyllic Saugatuck. We had the 9 course tasting menu and every dish was outstanding. The staff were amazing and the chef came out to greet us during our meal. We will certainly be back! ”
“ We tried this place to experience a variety of items at one sitting. They have 6 or 9 course tasting options and each has slightly different menu options. They also have a la cart, where you can order a single item for a meal. Being the first time we were there, the tasting courses seemed like a good way to go, so we could experience a wider range of options. It is on the pricey side for an every day meal, but I will say that the food was very well prepared, presented and filled with delicious combinations of flavors. I will say that you should ask about things being raw as they have a lot of dishes that are. So if you are not into raw, they are very easy to work with to get the right thing in front of you. The service was excellent and our waiter was AMAZING! He was very accommodating and made us feel very welcome. His attention and patience with us while we determined what we wanted was very much appreciated. The other staff and chef were very accommodating and we appreciated every moment. The ambiance was nice, modern and clean. They have seating both inside and outside. We chose inside after attempting an outside seating but the wind and cold made us think otherwise. Place has a very relaxing atmosphere and the staff work hard to make you feel comfortable. It might not be an every night place to eat, but it's definitely worth it for special occasions. ”
“ Our group had planned to dine elsewhere when a power outage in South Haven had us googling for another location for dinner. What luck that it led us to Coast 236! From the moment we walked in, the coastal decor washed away the stress of the change of plans and our server was AMAZING! I'm sorry I don't remember if his name (Jim/James/something like that) as he made the evening even more enjoyable with his attention to detail, ability to describe menu options, and overall good cheer. Our group of four has lots of questions about the chef's tasting menu and ala carte menu and he was wonderful in explaining everything. There were some really unusual offerings and we tried several. The mushroom toast appetizer was such a delight of flavor and textures! When it came to selecting wine our server brought us a splash of two to try so we could make the best decision for our palette. We each tried a different main course so we could sample the menu. Each main course offering was flavorful, cooked perfectly, and provide unique flavor profiles. Desserts were very good as well with the chocolate peanut mousse dessert winning the day! This restaurant is a must for those seeking an elevated dining experience, with excellent service, unique menu options, and was by far the best restaurant we have dined at in the area. We visit the area a few times a year from Indianapolis and Coast 236 will be on our list each time. ”
“ TLDR: A lovely atmosphere in an intimate setting with an interesting, constantly changing menu accompanied by a nice variety of wines and cocktails, and the best creme brulee ever! We visited in March (yes, I’m late on the review, and hence the snow in the pictures) and were excited to experience the Coast 236 “experience” We started off with wine- LOIMER GRUNER VELTLINER NIEDEROSTERREICH, AUSTRIA lime zest • sugar snap pea • white pepper. We loved it! Perfect for seafood! We decided that we were too picky to eat the full 6 or 9 course menu (I’m a pescatarian and he doesn’t like fois gras, scallops or mushrooms), so we ordered off the regular menu. For the starter, we got the TUNA CRUDO - He couldn’t get past the “wetness” of the fish, (it was very wet to the point where it almost looked unappetizing) but I absolutely LOVED it! The grapefruit and capers paired beautifully with the texture of the tuna, and the micro cilantro, shallot and smoked maldon salt dissolved delectably on the tongue. I’m currently salivating whilst reliving the memory... We both decided to order the same entree: WARM WATER LOBSTER TAIL - 9-oz butter-poached lobster, tomato saffron broth, butter-roasted radish, parisienne gnocchi, smoked trout roe. I almost started singing “These are a few of my favorite things” while reminiscing on the ingredients of this fabulous dish! I’d never thought of eating Smoked trout roe and gnocchi in the same dish, but holy deliciousness, Batman! The lobster was fantastically tender and tasty. We ordered the creme brulee for dessert, and it was the loveliest creme brulee I’ve ever tasted... so we ordered a second one to go . Our server informed us of another dessert that we didn’t want to try, but we were intrigued by the liqueur-soaked apples that garnished it, and she brought us some to try. They were fantastic, and I only wish I could remember what they were soaked in ... We finished with a small bottle of LINDEMANS LAMBIC FRAMBOISE- a dessert favorite. Overall, this was a very enjoyable experience for me, however, portion sizes are a bit small, even in comparison to other restaurants of this level. I did enjoy the creativity of the dishes and would potentially be interested in revisiting should we be back in the area. ”
“ The food is delicious and unique. Our lamb chops are out of this world and the tuna credo was melt in your mouth tasty. Our server, Jim, was the best waiter I have ever encountered. It was a special night for us and he went out of his way to make sure we felt special. We were a party of four and every one of us would highly recommend this restaurant. ”
“ Top notch dining experience from start to finish. We celebrated our 10th anniversary at Coast 236 and everything was perfect from start to finish. Patrick was our server and was knowledgeable, warm, and professional. The chef came to our table which was such a nice gesture. The atmosphere is just casual enough to not be uptight but still a high end feeling and the food is PHENOMENAL! Don't hesitate to make a reservation here! ”
“ What a fabulous evening of spectacular food, wonderful service & welcoming atmosphere!! Executive Chef Rick & team have created an excellent menu, incredible layers of flavor & texture!! We chose the tasting menu and loved it!! Our server, Jim, is simply the best....professional, knowledgeable & fun!! We highly recommend Coast 236! ”