The Toledo City Paper depends on readers like you! Become a friend today. See membership options
Blissfield bistro’s new game livens an old favorite
For generations, Toledo area diners drove over the border to take in the Hathway House, a charming dining experience set out on the old David Carpenter estate, about a dozen miles north of Sylvania on U.S. 223, in Blissfield, MI.
The property is now occupied by the nonprofit American Farm Museum and Education Center, a museum showcasing the Charles and Barbara Burkholder Farm Toy Collection—more than 13,000 farm toys plus approximately 350 pedal tractors, only part will be exhibited at one time, with displays rotated periodically. AFMEC envisions an interactive agricultural education center explaining farming and food production with hands-on exhibits and educational programming.
Adjacent to the Hathaway House, in a former carriage house, The Main Street Stable & Tavern, closed its doors about 5 years ago. But you can’t keep a good thing down—just ask the ghosts that reputedly haunt the bistro.
Back in the saddle
Weathered wood and campy decor adorn The Stables, staying in line with a shabby chic theme. Many items from Main Street Stable & Tavern’s classic menu have carried over to this new incarnation, including the cocktail menu.
The adult beverages are worth a clink, with many liquid concoctions paying tribute to Blissfield’s storied history. For example, the Triple Bridges Martini gets its name from the three historic bridges that traverse the River Raisin in Blissfield’s downtown. Hervey’s Old Fashioned, a classic cocktail, is named after Blissfield’s first postmaster, Hervey Bliss. And a drink named after a ghost in the building—Lucinda’s Spritz; “named for the ghost next door who never cashed out”.
Local flavor
The term “from farm to table” gets thrown around a lot, but The Stables gets the formula right. Operated by the American Farm Museum and Education Center, the eatery sources its ingredients directly from regional farms.
Our dining party ordered Buffalo Blue Deviled Eggs (Above) as an appetizer, which was truly love at first bite —the blue cheese offsets the mustard mixed with the yolk, doing a great job of waking up taste buds.
We also ordered Short Rib Potato Cakes, made with braised short rib, charred corn, horseradish garlic cream and pickled onions atop a smoked cheddar and chive potato cake. Packed with a variety of jazzy flavors, and concluding with a satisfying crunch, these lovely latkes linger on your palate.
Turning to the main course, I was looking for comfort food and decided on the Up North Grilled Cheese, made with butter-toasted sourdough bread, aged white cheddar, smoked gouda and something called “Vernor’s Onions,” ( I never did get an explanation about them
from our server). From the crunch of well toasted sourdough to concluding with an oh-so-satisfying mingling of melted cheese, the Up North delivers the goods.
One of my dining compatriots ordered the Rueben, offered with a choice of corned beef or turkey, served with Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing and slaw, on marbled rye. Ordered with thin sliced corned beef, the sandwich made for an occasionally messy, but wonderfully delicious, meal.
We were all too pleasantly stuffed after dinner, so we declined the offer of strawberry shortcake or bread pudding for dessert. Maybe next time. We en- joyed our time at this reborn restaurant that brings back happy memories.
The Stable | 116 N. Main Street | Blissfield.
Reservations required. 517-682-1515
Weds-Thurs 3-9 pm.
Fri-Sat 3-10pm.
Sun 11am-6pm.
thestableblissfield.com
