Pennyroyal Café & Provisions In Saugatuck, Michigan
Saugatuck’s Newest Farm To Table Restaurant!
The Pennyroyal Café & Provisions restaurant is right next door to Roan & Black Gallery on Blue Star Highway. Just like we watch and eagerly await all signs of spring, we also keep an eye on the openings of Saugatuck’s new foodie hotspots. And, Pennyroyal is officially open! Their focus is Seasonal American Food highlighting Great Lakes products and local farm bounty. Many of the ingredients come directly from the owners’ farm, Starflower, in Saugatuck Township.
“As for the garden of mint, the very smell of it alone recovers and refreshes our spirits”
~ Pliny the Elder
Within the first official week of their Saugatuck opening, we visited several times … we can’t help ourselves, it’s all so good!
Sometimes, we just pop in for an oat milk latte and a sweet treat. Madcap coffee makes the espresso extra smooth, and Bryan Kemp’s pastry talents are tasted in every perfect bite of cookie or croissant. We can’t decide which cookie is our favorite. The Chocolate Florentine is so perfectly crisp with just the right amount of rich dark chocolate filling. The Adult Chocolate Chip with oats and pecans makes us smile every time. And, the Brown Butter Sugar has just the right amount of caramel flavor. Okay, yes, let’s take one of each.
The croissants at Pennyroyal, chocolate or original, are crisp and flaky and so, so satisfying.
For breakfast or lunch, the selections are mouthwatering! The Eat Your Beets Salad has Roasted Beets, Burrata, Pea Shoots and Sunflower Seeds. Maybe you order the Veggie Skillet and a Duck Confit Sandwich with Cherry Mostarda, Arugula and Chèvre. Equally delicious were the Veggie Pot Pie, the Pasty with braised beef, rutabega and potato, plus the Grilled Cheese with Onion Jam.
Despite the owner’s crazy schedule and long hours while opening her new restaurant in Saugatuck, we grabbed a few moments with her. Executive Chef Missy Corey shared a bit more about Pennyroyal with us.
What kind of foods do you serve at Pennyroyal?
Pennyroyal Café focuses on seasonal American food, highlighting Great Lakes products and local farm bounty. Like the famed “all-day” cafes of France, we intend to serve a range of diners. Some guests’ interests are in eating organically and seasonally. Others look for a simple meal of coffee and pancakes, or roast chicken with fries. An important part of the concept is a menu of daily specials. This keeps regulars interested in returning. And house favorites remain consistent and enjoyed anytime. Our outdoor courtyard invites guests to enjoy a replete dining experience. The serene outdoor space has lush vegetation and beautiful surroundings.
More about Missy’s food background from her official bio:
She worked for 3 James Beard award-winning chefs between Maine and Chicago. Missy Corey’s cooking focuses on the use of seasonal produce and classic technique. James Beard Award winners Sam Hayward (Fore Street) and Rob Evans (Hugo’s/Duckfat) taught Missy the value of product and how to work with farmers. Evans was a defining mentor for her. He eventually pushed her towards the Food Network show “Chopped,” where Missy competed and won.
While working at Publican Quality Meats in Chicago, Missy worked as a butcher. She eventually took over as Chef de Cuisine. Working closely with Executive chef Paul Kahan, Missy continued exploring inventive seasonal cuisine and animal butchery. She hopes to train future eaters how to cook with the fruitful abundance that Southwest Michigan offers.
What are your “foodie dreams” for the future of Pennyroyal?
We see the restaurant as a relaxing and accessible place where people eat well and eat responsibly. We want them excited about the produce grown and enjoyed here in Southwest Michigan!
What do you love about opening in your new Saugatuck location?
We love our new location because many of the ingredients for the dishes come directly from our farm, Starflower, in Saugatuck Township. We also have The Little White Barn that is a space to highlight the produce and flowers from the farm during the day. And, it’s available for private dining events/parties in the evenings.
Tell us why the restaurant is named after an herb?
“For centuries, herbs have been prized for their beauty and utility in the garden, kitchen and apothecary. Pennyroyal is a historic mint plant once used by the ancient Greeks and as a staple in the early Native American healing tradition. Like many herbs that were once widely useful and abundant, Pennyroyal is now overlooked as a weed. Herbs uniquely represent the overlap in the past of food and medicine. Pennyroyal’s style of cooking reflects this idea. Start with humble ingredients and enhance them by utilizing historic recipes with a tasteful, cultivated touch.”
Right on.
Taste Our Delicious Life In Saugatuck
Pennyroyal is just a 3 minute drive from Wickwood Inn. It’s the perfect spot for brunch, a mid-afternoon snack, a midday pick-me-up, or any other time you just want something delicious. Plan your getaway to Saugatuck, Michigan and taste our delicious life at the Wickwood Inn and at Pennyroyal Café & Provisions!