Red Spire Brunch House — Restaurant in Traverse City

TLDR: a nice breakfast place in a kitschy, cute atmosphere.

I’m leaving 5 stars because overall everything was great, but the service was very slow and the server was not entirely attentive. I am aware that Sunday brunch is exceptionally busy, but the business needs to account for that with the proper amount of working staff. We sat outside of the restaurant at tables in the hallway, which was slightly uncomfortable as people would walk by with their large shopping bags, bonking into my friend. We didn’t realize that agreeing to sit outside meant sitting inside in the bustling traffic.

Apart from that, we had a lovely brunch!

I started with a delicious APEROL SPRITZ (A refreshing combo of Prosecco and Aperol appertivo. Topped off with sparkling water) - one of my favorite drinks, especially at brunch, and this one did not disappoint. Also ordered were the MIMOSA (House bubbles and fresh squeezed OJ) and COFFEE (organic blend from Higher Grounds). Since I’m extra 🥲, I also ordered a KICKSTARTER (Higher Grounds coffee, Kahlua, Irish Cream topped with whipped cream) which was mega tasty!

We ordered the GRANOLA WITH YOGURT (was said to be “perfect”) along with side orders of BACON / SAUSAGE / TURKEY SAUSAGE.

I, again being extra, ordered the CRAB BENEDICT (homemade crab cakes, poached eggs, hollandaise) and added smoked salmon to it because I couldn’t decide between the two types of Benedicts, and just decided to get both!😅

Also ordered were the MONTE CRISTO (ham, turkey, swiss on battered toast, cherry preserves) -which came with chips and pickles- and the CLASSIC (2 eggs - ham, sausage - hashbrowns - toast).

I enjoyed the food and the fewer choices on the menu, as it allows for quick selection and less overwhelm, but again I think I would’ve liked eating inside the restaurant, as eating “outside” is still eating inside, but with randoms elbowing you in...

I was not impressed.

I ordered the blueberry pancakes first. I forgot to tell the server that I didn't want butter (I'm one of those weirdos that hates butter) and when the plate arrived, with a pancake no larger than 6" in diameter garnished with five blueberries and a dollop of whipped butter, I asked her to return it to the kitchen and have the butter removed. I apologized for not mentioning it when I ordered.

The server assured me that it was whipped cream, but butter, and said she wasn't even allowed to eat butter. I told her that in my opinion she wasn't missing anything.

I dug in to a bite without the "whipped cream" and was disappointed to say the least. The pancake was so heavy it seemed to be a single cake, and contained no berries, though the syrup was real maple syrup. I was surprised it wasn't warmed. I tried another bite. Still no berries. This was awful, and the price was $7.00.

I tried a bite with the "whipped cream," which was actually butter. At that point, I called a server over and returned the pancake. The original server actually argued with me about the fact that there were no berries in the pancake, which didn't endear me to the establishment, though it came very highly recommended.

I had planned to have the crab and gruyere omelet, but was skittish about another breakfast dish and so I tried the Monte Cristo. Had I been feeling better (I was at the hospital for tests), I would have left and gone somewhere else.

The Monte Cristo tasted delicious but was not the deep-fried delicacy I was hoping for.

I probably should have...

Undeservedly pretentious. Pushes reservations to eat inside (from the walkway) but does not honor them. Sat over 20 minutes after our reservation in a table in the walkway area. The unfriendly host that makes everyone feel unworthy if they do not have a reservation told us they were just waiting for table to leave after they paid. Instead of letting that table know someone had their table reserved, they made us wait over 20 minutes. She then gave us an already empty table in the hallway! Really?? It was already empty! I asked why we were waiting for this non-reservation table and the snotty hostess said it was “technically” inside. That is contrary to what we were previously told and I heard her tell others at this visit. Their soda is a stupidly expensive can of regular soda. No refills of course but the service wouldn’t afford you a refill anyway since it was limited to take your order, get your food and payment. Sip sparingly so you avoid drinking all of your beverage before the eternity before your food and/or bill arrives. Had a couple omelets, baked oatmeal, pancakes and eggs. Egg dishes were pretty overcooked- rubbery and hard. One piece of toast for one dish but two for others?? For the price and reviews it would seem they should know how to cook eggs. Everything is expensive but for what? It is just okay and not different from what you get at other places with better prices, service and atmosphere. Again, undeservedly...