Houndstooth Restaurant

"This is hands down the best restaurant in this part of the state and area. It’s probably one of the best in the entire Midwest. Lucky to have a gem like this in the area. The vibe, the food, the service, the creative thoughtfulness. This place hits the mark. Do not miss it and it’s worth the drive from wherever you are coming from."

"Houndstooth is an absolute gem of a restaurant tucked away in the middle of downtown Benton Harbor. I was able to make a last minute reservation for 2 the night before on the bar table. We opted for the Hamachi Crudo, Black Bean Chicken, Slow Steak with Crunchy Potatoes, and Vanilla Panna Cotta. Though all were terrific dishes, we found the standouts to be the Black Bean Chicken and the Vanilla Panna Cotta. I found the Black Bean Chicken to be an absolutely flavorful and satisfying combination of tender black chicken, crispy Chinese donut, and a tangy gochujang aioli. Also, the addition of shishito peppers adds a touch of heat and texture, making this dish a delightful fusion of Chinese and Korean flavors. Meanwhile, the Vanilla Panna Cotta is a heavenly dessert that satisfies both the palate and the eyes. The silky smooth texture of the vanilla-infused custard pairs perfectly with the bright and tangy passionfruit, while the crunchy meringue adds a delightful textural contrast. This dessert is a true masterpiece that is sure to leave a lasting impression on any food lover. I will definitely be coming back here for their ever-changing menu and I highly recommend Houndstooth to any food lover looking for a memorable dining experience."

"This was a ticketed event for New Years Eve dinner. 7 courses each paired with wine. Small plate style restaurant with high quality gourmet food selections. Everything was not only delicious but the plating and presentation were beautiful. I highly recommend this restaurant. Nothing else like it in all of SW Michigan."

"Houndstooth is worth the trip. We ran into others from Indy & a couple Michigan transplants. The server went through the entire menu line by line before we ordered. They like you to order all at once but never making you feel rushed at all. As some dishes were delivered by the kitchen reps each was explained & what to expect relative to flavor. I pictured in this review the menu to reference. We started off with the Sunflowers & Burrata. We loved it. No over the top flavor & the mild balsamic flavor gave this just the best taste with the Burrata. The BBQ carrots were amazing. They were a little charred without a charred flavor. They were cooked very well & not a crunchy consistency at all. The Escargot was something I have not tried in decades. It was fabulous. I loved the tiny forks & finding the treats hidden in the shells. What made this best was the lemon, melted butter & caper flavor to compliment the flavor & consistency of the Escargot. The crunchy potatoes is the one dish they said is a regular as the menu changes from time to time. They were nice & crunchy with the right amount of softness on the inside. The sauce was a small drizzle on top of a cream sauce. The picante was on the bottom. This allowed us to dish & drizzle the perfect amount. The picante had a little heat to it but not much. Maybe just a little less heat & flavor of a Frank’s Hot Sauce or similar (fyi it wasn’t actually Frank’s Hot Sauce). The Bread & Butter was a Japanese Milk Bread. It may look dry but has some cognac in it to moisten it up just right. The black garlic & chives on top made it fabulous. Cut from top to bottom & make sure each bite has the black garlic & chives. I had the slow steak which showed up blanketed in house chips with a drizzle of paprika powder. What a nice surprise to find the well cooked hanger steak. The vegetable marmalade didn’t make or break this dish. I had half without it & it was wonderful as is. The marmalade was good as well but wouldn’t miss it. The manchego mornay is a must on this dish. The Halibut didn’t have a strong fishy taste but at the maybe just little fishy flavor on the finish. It’s not my thing but my wife said for those that like Halibut will not be disappointed. The White Meso Blonde had a nice balanced chocolate flavor. The crispies on top were great with a little drizzle of the yuzu which had the right amount of tartness not to ruin the smooth chocolate flavor. We did have cocktails. I had the Negroni Bianco where this place made it their way. While this had too much of a smokey flavor for a Negroni for my taste, it is worth a try. The Jungle Bird was a nice flavorful fruity cocktail. I was impressed with the quality of food for such a great price. We expected to pay significantly more for this experience (& would have). They do a good job of coaching you on ordering a few things & sharing which is the best way to enjoy this eatery. Trust me there’s plenty of food to share on each dish for 2 people. If we’re ever back this way, we’ll definitely call in again."