I think that everyone has their own Cheers bar, and without a doubt, Red Haven Farm to Table is ours.
Red Haven is not only one of the most inventive places to eat in mid-Michigan, it is also the finest and most welcoming. When we visit, we feel like members of the family.
And I dare say that their current menu is one of the best they’ve had in their five-plus years of being open. I’ve been trying to tell everyone I know about it.
Here’s a peek at some of their current dishes, including a duck dish that is now in my All-Time Top 5 Favorite Red Haven Dishes. All photos shared with permission of Red Haven.
For those who are unfamiliar, Red Haven employs a farm to table concept that supports and promotes local farmers and products. The small plates-style menu changes every few weeks to reflect the changing seasons and availability of ingredients. Menu items consist of shareable sides and appetizers, as well as entrees appropriately sized for individual diners.
Our family has a history with Red Haven.
I first met owners Nina Santucci (also manager) and Tony Maiale (also executive chef) when they opened their food truck, The Purple Carrot Truck, in 2011. My husband Zack and I (and our friends) became such fans of their food that we visited the truck for breakfasts at our local farmers market and midweek lunches wherever they set up shop around town.
Zack and I got to know the names of the staff and fellow frequency card carrying members of the Purple Carrot fan club. We would tell Nina that if and whenever they decided to open a restaurant, we’d want to be a part of it. We had that very opportunity when Nina and Tony purchased restaurant space in a new development at Hagadorn and Mt. Hope. Along with my mom and our cousin Brian, we made an investment.
In the fall of 2012, Nina and Tony opened Red Haven Farm to Table in Okemos. For the last several years, Red Haven has been the place where we’ve celebrated our birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and fun nights out just because.
I love that Red Haven is equally a special occasion place and somewhere we can drop in for a casual yet delicious dinner. It’s perfect for a holiday, a dinner before a Wharton Center show, and a happy hour gathering with friends.
They had only been open for a few months when they let us use their space for the baby shower given by my in laws in 2013:
Red Haven was also the first place we went out to dinner after Stella was born. She slept through the whole thing:
And celebrated Valentine’s Day as a family of three:
And celebrated Stella’s second birthday with a lunchtime birthday cake dessert:
And celebrated my 30th birthday later that same year. Red Haven also catered my 30th birthday party:
And celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary with a cooking class:
And went on a lunch date when Margot was two weeks old (we obviously became braver about leaving the house with a newborn the second time around):
So it’s safe to say that Red Haven holds a special place in my heart.
We consider Nina and Tony such nice friends, and are happy to have become friends with many of the staff members there, especially Jeff and Braden, whom we’ve known since the early truck days.
The food is unlike anything in our area, and I credit Tony and Nina with opening up my culinary world and introducing me to delicious things like stuffed squash blossoms, strawberry soup, and lardo.
While there’s nothing like a cozy winter night at Red Haven, especially with their current menu, I’m already dreaming of summertime on the patio:
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. For an afternoon or evening of delicious food and wonderful service, Red Haven is beyond peachy keen.
Red Haven Farm to Table is open for lunch Tuesday-Friday, 11:30am-2:00pm, and dinner Tuesday-Thursday 5:00-9:00pm, Friday and Saturday 5:00-10:00pm, and Sunday 5:00-8:30pm.
The restaurant is located at 4480 S. Hagadorn Road in Okemos, right at the corner of Hagadorn and Mt. Hope.
I loved every second of reading this blog! Thank you for being such an awesome family and our favorite customer/friends at Red Haven! It is people like you who make us love our job. It’s been so awesome to watch your family grow. We love the Pohl family!