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eats | drinks | sweets
Cooper’s Hawk
Winery:
Handcrafted Wine
and Modern
Casual Dining
MARY MELDRUM
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
68
October 18 • 2018
jn
L
ocated on Hall Road in Clinton
Township, Cooper’s Hawk
Winery & Restaurant opened
this past June. General Manager Kyle
Houlahan says business has been
brisk and steady ever since. The first
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
opened in October 2005 in Illinois. To
date, there is now a total of 32 restau-
rants scattered among eight states. And
yes, they do have plans to open more.
A new location in Grand Rapids is slat-
ed to open next year.
Cooper’s Hawk features a wine club
for members who want to explore,
share and pair new wines with menu
items. The restaurant’s concept includes
several distinct components: an upscale
casual dining restaurant, full-service
bar, private dining room and a Napa-
style tasting room with a retail gift
store.
Houlahan has been with Cooper’s
Hawk Winery for seven years this
September, working his way up from
team member to general manager. For
him, the hospitality industry is attrac-
tive; he enjoys food and beverage and
service especially being able to connect
with the guests; he wants everyone to
enjoy the company. “We believe that
food and wine hold the power to forge
lasting connections, setting the table
for a life well lived,” he said.
The venue has a modern upscale
aesthetic but remains casual enough
for any guest. The menu is large and is
classic American fare. Houlahan prides
his kitchen on their scratch cooking.
“We have a very eclectic mix of
appetizers, specialties, pasta and a
separate menu of gluten-free offerings
and an allergen-safe menu,” Houlahan
said. “We also have a life balance menu
where everything is under 640 calo-
ries.”
The bulk of their business
is at dinner, but there is a
lunch menu, too. One of
Kyle’s favorites is a trio of
filet medallions each topped
off with a different crust
and presented with a side
of scratch mashed potatoes
and asparagus.
Specials appear as a rec-
ommendations program
by the chef, one for the day
and another for the eve-
ning. There’s a new special
every month.
For Houlahan, it all
comes down to hospitality
and a unique experience.
He is focused on making
guests’ visits memorable
enough to make them want
to return again.
The Cooper’s Hawk wines have won
numerous awards. Since it opened in
2005, the organization has accrued
approximately 450 to 500 awards. A
recent notable award in 2016 was given
to a premium Lux Pinot Noir wine that
scored 99 points out of a possible 100
points — almost perfect.
Cooper’s Hawk has a winery in the
west suburbs of Chicago where they
source all their grapes, produce the
wine and distribute it to restaurants.
The restaurant seats 415; there is
seating in the bar area as well as an
enclosed heated patio. Menu prices
range from $9.99 up to a filet priced at
$34; the average price point is $19 to
$22 for most menu items. Private din-
ing areas can be reserved for dinners
and celebrations and can accommodate
up to 50 people. ■
COOPER’S HAWK
WINERY
17440 Hall Road, Clinton Township
(586) 464-9463 • chwinery.com
HOURS: opens at 11 a.m., last
seating is at 9 p.m. on Sunday, 9:30
p.m. Monday - Thursday, and 10
p.m. Friday and Saturday.