From the 'hoods to the woods
Greetings and welcome to Mannsiding Cove! I’m a classically French-trained chef, husband, parent, grandparent and all around bon vivant. I’ve lived on the east coast my entire life, growing up in New Jersey, then to Boston for college and then New York City for the past decade. I’m a city guy through and through; restaurants, fashion, theater, and subways were my forté... but now I am living in rural Michigan on a lake surrounded by acres and acres of red pines and native forest.
Cheers! - read more -
Beautiful Blues
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Season Opener!
From Memorial Day weekend onward, we wholeheartedly welcome the “opening of the season” at Mannsiding Cove. The pontoon goes in, the Adirondack chairs come out, and friends return to their summer homes and the lake comes alive.
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This time of year, is an absolute favorite. In the past week, I think we’ve hosted five dinners and a brunch and we cherish the friends that visit us and the neighbors that return to the lake for the summer. From sunset cruises on the lake to camp fires and cocktails, there’s always the sound of laughter, lawn mowers and the smack of screen doors echoing across the lawn.
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I am always cooking, with a full heart and a big smile–food is my love language. A few weeks back we foraged for ramps and morels and the anticipation of shopping at our local farm stand is mounting. Hopefully in the next two weeks we will be able to support our local farmers and have access to the freshest vegetables and fruits.
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I’ve made a dozen Panzanella salads with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette in the past couple of weeks – it’s an absolute favorite. We grill, we cocktail and we celebrate each and every day because we intrinsically know the season moves fast and we want to enjoy every minute.
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Each morning the lake showcases its beauty, from early sunrises to rainy days–we embrace all the nuances with a cup of freshly brewed Peet’s coffee with “House Blend” being our favorite.
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The lake season opener is more than a time to eat, drink and laugh—it’s a feeling. A feeling of connection, warmth, and the joy of entertaining. It’s a special time of year and we welcome all of our loved ones to Mannsiding Cove with open arms and full plates.
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