Shine and Dine - Five Lakes Grill, Milford, MI

By Dave Burton

New member Brian Polcyn, shown in the first two picutres below, wanted to meet some of his fellow SEM members and see a neat group of Porsches outside his Milford restaurant.  Brian secured a parade permit and the municipal parking lot behind his restaurant and then invited us to join he and his staff at Five Lakes Grill for a special Sunday Porsche Club dinner.  He priced it as a loss leader to boot!

Brian got his wish.  To paraphrase Kevin Costner and Field of Dreams, “If you do it, they will come.”  Reservations sold out at one hundred.  Over sixty Porsches filled the parking lot despite the cold, overcast and threatening weather.  Our favorite marque was well represented with everything from a 1957 Speedster to the latest Carrera GT.

Brian and the Five Lakes staff put on a great show.  They marshaled the parking lot.  They served hot cider to the shivering masses and strolled through the gathered throng, offering hors d’oeuvres as we enjoyed the display of cars.  Invited inside, we were quickly seated and nearly filled the restaurant.  Chef Brian led us through his specially prepared menu and the YUM began!

We started with assorted Charcuterie including Terrine and Sausages.  Chef Polcyn teaches Charcuterie (the art of preserving food) at Schoolcraft College, his alma mater.  Our second course featured their signature Pan-seared Georges Bank Sea Scallop with Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Lobster Armagnac Sauce and Crispy Potato Strings.  Next up, the third course and one of my favorites, Roast Breast of Indiana Duckling.  The Duck was served with Foie Gras Sausage (Tom Walton’s favorite), Black Beluga Lentils, Sweet Potato Puree and Red Currant Sauce.  Finally, Dessert of Warm Chocolate Volcano Cake (a cross between a soufflé and a cake with a molten chocolate filling).  The Cake, along with the Coffee Bar, made a pleasant ending to a delicious meal.

It was a pleasure meeting Julia, Brian’s wife, and their two sons (of five children).  The boys, along with their friend, did a great job running the parking entrance and helping with the table service.  Brian is rightfully proud of Five Lakes and his staff.  They took excellent care of us.  We enjoyed a great turnout and met a good number of new and recently joined members (including Chef Brian!).  Virtually everyone was true to the invitation and brought their Porsches (some families brought more than one) for one last show before winter.  Don’t let the onset of cold weather keep you away from Five Lakes though, Brian changes the menu with the seasons and it’s always good!

Brian and the club are already conspiring to reprise the event in the spring—keep a eye on the P4 for details.

Oh, and Brian, next time you want a large group of Porsches outside, just call—we’ll be back!