Piper Restaurant

Update: Looks like they are now permanently closing. No surprise.
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The restaurant was open. I called to place a takeout order. The GM said they were «too busy» and hung up. Twice. That’s all I really need to write but I’ll expand…
The person who represented herself as the general manager is unable to effectively take a takeout order…“our kitchen is overflowing, sorry” click (hang up). Maybe I missed something… we are staying a few hundred yards away… let’s try again. Call… answered…“Yes…I am the general manager… Our kitchen is overflowing, not taking your order”, click hang-​up. This is a Tuesday night. This so-​called GM doesn’t understand the basics of food service or how a food line works. We would have waited over an hour to pickup but she didn’t even think of offering that option. She just hung up. Surreal. She was totally panicked and unable to «generally manage» the most basic of situations. Why have takeout menus at the register? Thankfully, the new Black Sheep restaurant (
) up the street was ready, willing and able to deliver. The owners of Piper clearly don’t know how to hire or train their staff. And if the GM is an owner, this management won’t get any better.

Made our annual trip to enjoy dinner at the lake. We arrived at 5 p.m. amd were seated at a lovely table by the window. Enjoyed Caesar bowl, chili prawns, & split steak hash with husband. Loved the fresh approach in combining sweet potatoes, sweet corn, blue cheese crumbles& steak. The flavors combined nicely and we left feeling full. Our service was attentive and timely. We enjoy the view almost as much as the delicious food.
As for the parking issue noted, I’d assume that the posted signs apply to marina parking, not Piper parking. Strange. Never had a problem as the marina closes up at 5pm.

This was on our GO TO list but after reading the reviews not

Our food was good, our service was HORRIBLE.
We came on opening day of Tulip weekend. We were prepared for a busy restaurant. We called ahead and reserved a table. We were excited to be told we’d have a table on the «upper deck» in about an hour. When we arrived at our reserved time (7:30) the sun was setting. On the upper deck that equaled a blinding reflection off the water and bright flickering from the ceiling fan. Upper deck isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I also felt sorry for the wait staff having to haul up our food in 3 trips. (Piper, maybe install a dumbwaiter??)
As for the timing of our service. It was AWFUL. i got the impression our waiter was new so at first I gave her the benefit of the doubt. We ordered and WELL over an hour later we were still waiting. She came and apologized. The manager came and apologized siting a problem with their computer ordering system. They comped a KIDS meal from our bill ($ 5!!) and offered us free deserts. At this point we’d been there for nearly 2 hours and we wanted get somewhere by 10 pm. We ordered desserts to go, including a Brûlée (which isn’t something we order often). We got a visit from another waitress after who warned us if we wanted that they wouldn’t be «able to make it pretty». Wasn’t really sure what that meant, would have been nice if when she said «pretty» she would have said the Brûlée will be in a box *RAW*. It wasn’t edible.

Great location, outdoor seating is minimal, less than 10 tables. The décor inside the restaurant is clean, but dated, something your grandmother would love, however. There are strange, slightly tacky, vinyl shades over the windows which they open once the sun goes down. Attire is more of a dressy casual. Noise level is the murmur from the patrons. I heard music, but it sounded like it came from the first floor.
The food is the best part, as it should be. Every detail and taste combination has been carefully thought out. I had the summer lasagna and it was one of the best vegetarian dishes I’ve experienced in a restaurant. My whole table loved each bite of their dishes as well.
My rating of the restaurant would be much higher if the atmosphere was better, and if the décor looked like it matched the prices

Love, love, LOVE this restaurant.
While on vacation, we selected the Piper restaurant for a romantic evening meal. We found the restaurant using the Find Me Gluten Free app. They are GIG certified and allergy friendly. And, they do it right. I tried several dishes from appetizers to desserts and had no problems, whatsoever.
The food was outstanding! Fresh, whole food, cooked to perfection allowing the true flavor of the food to shine. The caramel flan with sea salt and raspberries was to die for.
We dined on a Saturday night so the place was pretty packed. After a 20 minute wait, we were seated near the bar. It wasn’t the best view in the place but there really isn’t a bad seat. The dining room is set up in a semi-​circle. The floor has «bleacher-​type» risers so each table is raised slightly higher than the table in front of it allowing each table to have a view of the gorgeous bay.
Being that the restaurant is right on the bay, the dress is casual. However, if you feel like dressing up a bit, you can do that without feeling like you stick out.
If you take full advantage of the menu the meal can get a bit pricy but the food is worth it. Also, on a busy night it can get a bit loud but that just guarantees the eavesdroppers at the next table won’t be able to hear your conversation.
The only downside to the Piper is the bathroom placement. To get there you have to walk down stairs, through a long corridor, buy a bus ticket, and take a canoe ride. Just not convenient. I’ll suffer through though– it’s worth it. We’ll be going back.

Gumbo gets a C+. Couldnt find the jumbo prawns in it. Caesar salad a B. Scallops and tuna were very small and not worth the price. See my picture. Tuna was raw. I had to send back. The waitress said they serve it rare to medium rare. There is difference between medium rare and raw.
Upon being seated i asked for the table outside that someone was leaving. I was told it was promised to a couple in the bar. I was told they would get me when one opened up. I got up in the middle of the meal and saw that table and 3 others empty. I complained to the manager and she assumed i didnt want to move because others were cold. I moved and am writing this outside looking at boats on the lake. They had to bring me extra scallops because the cook thought they were small. Seriously you didnt notice when you started cooking!
View gets 5 stars. Menu gets 3.5 stars. They have lots of pizza and limited seafood to be known as a seafood restaurant. Service gets 5 stars. Presentation is nice but on the high price end for main dishes. Sides including soup and salads were more reasonable. Thank you for the excellent chocolate mousse dessert because of the issues. I have been told by the hotel that this place gets crowded so do call ahead seating.

I was given a task when we were at the Ottawa beach: Finding a restaurant with a nice view. Piper was the second one I called and kindly arranged our reservation on a busy labor day weekend night.
It was a beautiful Marina view when we got there. The window seats were gone so we were seated at the loft, basically right on top of the bar area. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable on what they are offering.
The appetizers were duck tacos and blackened scallop. The scallop was excellent. Duck tacos were fine.
Kids had the BYO pizza and they were very happy with those. My husband and I kind of shared Choptle Port chop and Pan grilled Trout. Get the pork! There were two thick chunk in the plate. It was still a bit pink inside. It was marinated just right to get the meat a great flavor then grilled to perfection. It was tender and juicy. Definitely the best pork chop I have had for a very long time.
Among the fish we ordered, Fried Walleye, Trout, and whatever Jack, fried Walleye tasted the best despite I usually is not a fan for fried food. I also had a bite of the steak which was tasty and tender too.
We were content in the end when it was one hour passed there 9pm closing time when there were still quite a few tables eating.
Friendly services, Delicious food, and a great view. What else would we ask for. It is a perfect place for a nice romantic dinner.
Just a note that if you are at the Ottawa beach, you will have drive more than 20 minutes to get to this side of the Lake Macatawa unless you have a boat.

The Piper gave us the single best meal of our recent Michigan vacation. We walked in, and were seated immediately at a window table. We requested the food-​sensitivity menu for Therese H., who ordered:
*gluten-​free Lobster Spuds,
*a Salad with 4-​oz of Bistro Steak, and
*a glass of wine.
I came in ready for fish, but the Roast Pork Loin Special sounded so good that I changed my mind, and I’m glad I did. It was one of the best pork dishes I’ve ever had — can’t find the description any more — but
*the pork loin was especially tender,
*it was served with (I think) red grapes, leeks, squash, and pureed sweet potato,
*I paired the plate with Founders All Day IPA … delicious!
On its own, the food was very good, but add the context — window seat overlooking the marina, summer sunshine illuminating our food but not shining in our eyes — and we were basking in the glow of fine-​dining heaven. These days, there are several good restaurant options in the Holland area, but it’s difficult to believe that any can offer you a better view and value than the Piper.