Traverse City

the Menu

A living document. Oysters and tinned fish are always on; the rest turns with the season and the market.

Food Drinks

Six oysters on the half shell over crushed ice on a silver tray, with lemon wedges and two squeeze bottles of sauce
Oysters on ice
Scallops and Speck: seared scallops with speck, charred peaches, green beans and corn butter on a grey plate
Scallops & Speck

Photos by Lindsey Mak

Now Serving Dinner

Thursday–Monday · 4:30–9:30pm

We’re tiny: 25 seats at the bar indoors, with low chairs so everyone fits, plus a patio when the weather cooperates. Reservations by text for parties of 2–5. Six or more is seated on the patio, first come, first served, and a private dining space is in the works. We always hold at least a third of our indoor seats for walk-ins, and the patio is first come, first served too. Carryout case-by-case, just text us.

Text a Human to Reserve → (231) 944-2797
on the half shell

Oysters

$46 a dozen. Mix East and West Coast however you like; the list turns with what’s coming in.

West Coast

Carr Inlet WashingtonSmall/medium size, full body, low salinity, hint of brine, meaty soft texture, veggie finish.
Henderson Bay WashingtonPuget Sound. Small/medium size, full body, low salinity, savory bouillon finish.
Chelsea Sapphire WashingtonEld Inlet. Small size, medium body, light salinity, light brine, melon.
Chelsea Gems WashingtonEld Inlet. Small/medium size, full body, high salinity, sweet cream finish.
Baywater Indigo WashingtonHood Canal. Small/medium size, full bodied, mild salinity, mild brine, buttery, sweet coconut.
Oishi WashingtonSkagit Bay. Small size, full bodied, low salinity, mild brine, a touch of sweetness, clean cucumber finish.

East Coast

Bad Boy Nova ScotiaSmall size, light body, medium salinity, high brine, clean refreshing finish.
Le Petite Barachois Prince Edward IslandSmall size, medium bodied, silky texture, medium salinity, olive brine finish.
Bay Breeze Prince Edward IslandStanhope. Small size, medium, low salinity, low brine, sweet savory finish.
St. Simon New BrunswickShippagan. Small-medium size, light bodied, lots of brine, medium salinity, clean & savory finish.
East Bay Beach Rhode IslandNinigret Pond, Charlestown. Medium size, medium body, high salinity, low brine, short but sweet seaweed finish.
Love Shuck MaineDamariscotta River. Small size, light body, high salinity, medium brine, savory.
Fund Golds MaineBrunswick. Medium size, medium body, high salinity, low brine, roasted turkey finish, firm texture.
Fog Horn MassachusettsCape Cod. Medium size, light body, medium salinity, medium brine, silky finish.

Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

from the pantry

Tinned Fish

Served with toasted house made bread, seasoned saltines, pickles, oyster cream cheese, & hard boiled egg.

Fangst Torske Lever Norway16Cod liver smoked over beech wood.
Patagonia Provisions Sardines Bay of Biscay21Dressed in black beans and corn salsa.
Les Mouettes d’Arvor Mackerel in Mustard28Rich, velvety sauce with crème fraîche.
La Narval Cockles in Brine30Tiny, plump shellfish packed in their own brine.
ABC+ Carapaus Bravos Spain32Horse mackerel in spicy tomato based sauce.
Fangst Faroe Islands Salmon Norway32With sea buckthorn and lemon verbena.
ABC+ Trout Fillets Portugal38Packed in a creamy, aromatic, Indian inspired curry sauce.
Island Creek Scallops in Vieira Sauce Spain40Savory, full-bodied sauce, floral jasmine tea notes.
Ekone Oyster Co. Smoked Oysters Washington41Plump, gently smoked, packed in oil.
Island Creek Razor Clams Spain42Buttery, briny and sweet, packed in an olive oil + chile bath.
Wildfish Cannery King Salmon Alaska49Rich, buttery, smoked over natural alderwood.
ABC+ Polvo Caldeirada Portugal54Tender tentacles, stew of tomato, garlic, and aromatic spices.
Güeyu Mar Chargrilled Hake Cheeks Spain83Wild hake, chargrilled, arbequina olive oil, silky.
Güeyu Mar Chargrilled Espardeña Spain99.99Sea cucumbers, yep. Preserved in oil, incredible.
Row 7 USA · vegetarian27Garlic-leek hybrid, confit tomatoes, or marinated beets.
by the gram

Caviar

Served with blini, chives, crème fraîche, grated egg yolk. Priced 12g | 30g.

Caviamur Golden Kaluga China51 | 120Kaluga hybrid sturgeon, full-bodied, nutty, clean finish.
Osetra Platinum Holland · 30g only130A. gueldenstaedtii, 10+ year sturgeon, savory, firm pearls.
Belgian Platinum Belgium69 | 165A. guelden-baerii, large firm pearls, sweet sturgeon flavor.
Osetra Grandeur Holland90 | 190A. gueldenstaedtii, 18+ year sturgeon, parmesan, exceptional.
chef’s table

Prix-Fixe

$95 per person.

Optional add-onMargarita18Fresh lime, Luna Azul, Combier — we like it dry.
FirstTiraditoSpicy aji amarillo, sweet potato, choclo.
SecondMaitake QuesadillaHuitlacoche, queso Chihuahua, sikil pak, jalapeno salsa.
ThirdTlacoyoRed kuri squash, lump crab, Maine uni, local tomatillo.
FourthClam ChochoyotesHouse made chorizo, manila clams, white beans.
FinishChocolate AtoleVarious petit fours for dippn’ and sippin’.
Optional add-onJimmy Nardello Ice Cream8Roasted pepper ice cream, corn crumble, just do it.
a little more

Dishes

Roasted Bone Marrow22Pate choux, onion jam, breadcrumb herbs.
Tomato & Burrata16Marinated tomatoes, boquerones, olives, brown butter crouton, basil.
Kabocha Squash16Mild coconut curry, peanuts, basil.
Crispy “Sugar Toads”24Four pieces. Lightly dredged, spicy remoulade.
Prawns “Cocktail”28Hot tomato sauce, horseradish, preserved lemon aioli.
The Lobster Roll38House steamed bun, chile jam, brown butter, shallot, chive, served with chips.
Scallops & Speck55U10 scallops, corn butter, charred peaches, serrano dressing.
Dry Aged Ribeye85Smashed potatoes, caper-onion jam, miso butter.
all michigan

Wine

Entirely Michigan grown and produced wine, minimal intervention. Natural, food-friendly wines. Priced glass / bottle.

Left Foot Charley Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir20/80Crémant sparkling perfection.
Achrimere 1971 Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay · OMP98Unoaked, dry, apple, lively bubbles.
Loose Cannon Pinot Noir, Vignoles, Chardonnay, Saperavi · OMP18/72Summer berries, rich & balanced.
Amoritas Pinot Blanc · Leelanau16/64Bright acidity, stone fruit and mineral finish.
Modales Sauvignon Blanc · LMS68Passion fruit, guava, flint, bright & balanced.
Stranger Wine Co. Pinot Gris · LMS80Peach, bright acidity, subtle tannins.
Filkins Vineyards Fumé Blanc · LMS84White flowers, passion fruit, sweet oak and citrus.
Left Foot Charley Auxerrois · OMP18/76Pear, melon, floral aromas, smooth as silk.
Tom A Riesling · Leelanau88Peach skin, candied pineapple, green tea, bright and dry.
Bos Wine Pinot Gris · Leelanau20/80Textured, skin contact, layered fruit, gentle tannins, rounded finish.
Achrimere Symposium Rosé Pinot Gris · OMP76Ripe stonefruit & light minerality, harmony in a glass.
Shady Lane Rosé Pinot Noir · Leelanau18/72Fresh strawberries, mandarin, creamy texture.
Three Trees Gamay Noir · Leelanau23/98Red plum, wild strawberry, black pepper, soft tannins.
Problem Child Blaufränkisch Pét-Nat · Antrim County64Dark red fruit, beautiful bubbles, served chilled.
Modales El Suelo Red Blend · Fennville68Black plum, cardamom, violet, black cherry.
Left Foot Charley Saperavi · OMP18/76Dark inky fruit, balanced and incredibly food friendly.
from our friends

Beers, Cider & Seltzers

Mostly Michigan beers, and some other stuff too — produced by our friends.

Short’s Local’s Light 3.2% · 12oz6Crisp and refreshing American lager.
Farm Club Farmhouse Ale 4.7% · 12oz8Wild yeast, hopped with Michigan Comet & Centennial hops.
Earthen Small Fry 4.6% · 16oz10Blonde ale for the fishing boat.
Earthen Juniper Rye-PA 6.3% · 12oz8Brewed with juniper, piney dry finish.
Earthen A2-IPA 7.3% · 12oz8Malt & hops in perfect harmony.
Transient Contranym 4.5% · 16oz10Czech style dark pilsner.
Florian East Bramble 5.3% · 12oz10Berries and botanicals seltzer.
Folklor Another Shore Heirloom Cider 6.0% · 12oz8Crisp & delicious.
Left Foot Charley Fortis Maelum Cider 8.6% · 5oz17Full bodied heritage cider.
Farm Club Cider 7.8% · 5oz16Dabinett + red fleshed heirloom cider, bottle conditioned.
no & low

Non-Alcoholic

Agua de Piedra822 oz. mineral water.
Winnie Walzer6House brewed black tea & lemonade.
NA Superclásico Spritz11Italian-style aperitivo.

Menu rotates with the season — ask your server about today’s oysters and specials.