Over the last decade or so, Detroit has undergone a culinary revival. It turns out that an excess of abandoned buildings (and their low rents) was the perfect ingredient for urban farming to flourish, and with it, an ever-evolving farm-to-table food scene. Still, there are some dining experiences you just can’t get in a city. Namely, the dreamy escapism of a banquet-style dinner set in the countryside.
Hence the appeal of Farrand Hall . If there ever was a pastoral romance in Michigan, it would likely take place here. This bucolic farm-to-table foodie experience is in small-town Colon (south of Battle Creek), and it entices city dwellers from as far away as Chicago, Detroit, and Ann Arbor. Here, guests can while away the hours at the farm table.
In fact, Farrand Hall has seasonal dinners complete with no fewer than five courses. The entire experience can last as long as two and a half hours, a total that doesn’t include the optional postdinner glass of wine or chats with new friends. Not to be outdone, Saturday dinners tend to boast star chefs (noteworthy for their thriving fan bases) and usually consist of five courses. Though the meals do run long, guests are able to stretch their legs between rounds of scrumptious dishes by exploring the grounds’ flower gardens and saying hello to the cute farm animals.