PORTLAND, MI - Oh, that deck.
In the summer time, when theres no pandemic, the deck over the Looking Glass River at Fabianos River House Bar & Grill in Portland is rocking. Live music on the weekends, a huge fireplace, big big crowds and good times.
You know what that decks like, said Bill Fabiano, who opened the restaurant in December of 2014 with his wife Rachelle. The patio is the big draw.
Hes referring to the day Michigans Best visited in 2017 when we were the search for Michigans Best Chicken Wings. On that day we sampled their wings sauced by Michigan-made Sauce Gone Wild, right on that deck.
But we did that without Bill and Rachelle. They were at the hospital for the birth of their first child, Vivienne.
We went into the hospital the morning you guys came in, Fabiano remembered. Shes not so little any more. Shes 3 1/2 years old.
READ: Your Guide to Michigans Best chicken wings: Where we were, wings we ate, who we met
Well, we remember the day well, and that beautiful, spacious deck right on the water.
Its the reason Fabianos was voted as the top spot for Michigans Best Outdoor Dining in the Lansing area with 58 percent of the vote, winning in a landslide over Lansing Brewing Company, which has 12 percent of the vote, and Acapulco Mexican Grill in Charlotte with 3.8 percent.
Fabiano's River House Bar & Grill is known for its deck over the Looking Glass River in Portland, Michigan. "The patio is the big draw," says Bill Fabiano, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife Rachelle.Courtesy of Fabiano's Riverhouse Bar & Grill
Fabiano said the deck, which is actually located where the Looking Glass River meets the Grand River, is typically shut down each winter.
In fact, they had just winterized it when the second shutdown closed Michigan restaurants and bars from Nov. 18-Feb. 1 to limit the spread of Covid-19.
We had to move everything outdoors, he said. That meant adding heaters, fire tables and even carpeting to the deck, which typically has a capacity of 80 people.
It also meant no running water, sinks, pop guns or draft beer on tap. That was all indoors.
The girls had to go in out for everything, Fabiano said.
Were they happy about that?
They were happy to be working, said Fabiano, who laughed, but in all seriousness praised his staff of about 25 employees who have worked so hard through the roller coaster ride of the pandemic.
But theyre wearing snowsuits and mittens and doing their best to stay warm.
With indoor dining back at 25 percent capacity, he has put the sides down to use the space as additional indoor dining.
But as soon as the sub-zero weather breaks, were going to push the sides back up and call it outdoor dining again. The wood-burning fireplace makes a difference out there. Forty degrees in the spring is whole lot warmer than 40 degrees in the fall.
A booming delivery service within a 5-mile radius of Portland also helped them get through both shutdowns.
Fabiano said he invested in insulated carriers and car tops just before an historic flood in February of 2019 on the Grand River. The community was declared a local state of emergency. Fabianos had to close for two weeks.
READ: Local state of emergency declared for Portland after ice jam and flooding
Delivery was put on hold.
Then, when the first shutdown happened in March, he was ready to hit the ground running. Literally.
That first day, we had everything ready to go, Fabiano said. It was a saving grace... I didnt realize the demand for deliver in Portland in such a small town.
Food
Fabiano's River House Bar & Grill in Portland, Michigan, is known for their wings, both bone in and boneless. They were a finalist for Michigan's Best Wings in 2017. They use Michigan-based Sauce Gone Wild for all of their flavors.John Gonzalez
As for food, customers love the wings, of course. The garlic parmesan is the top-selling flavor. And the popular Friday Fish Fry is back with $12.99 all you can eat cod.
But Fabiano said pizza also gets rave reviews from customers, especially the chicken bacon ranch specialty pizza.
The Fabiano name is synonymous with pizza, and goes back to the 1970s with his aunt and uncles party store in nearby Wacousta, he said. His uncle, Steve Fabiano, owns the Eagle Inn (which was also on our search for Best Wings). Theres Fabianos Pizzeria in Westphalia. And his dad had Fabianos on the River on Torch Lake for many years until selling in August.
All the same family, all independently owned and operated, Fabiano said.
As for the patio, people are still using it, despite the cold weather.
Were actually going to leave the patio open year round now, he said.
It opens at 4 p.m. on most days, and at noon on Saturdays.
Bill and Rachelle Fabiano are co-owners of Fabiano's River House Bar & Grill in Portland, Michigan, winners of Michigan's Best Outdoor Dining in Lansing. Also pictured: Their daughter Vivienne, who is 3, and dog Liberty.Courtesy of Bill and Rachelle Fabiano
A Portland High School graduate of 2001, Bill and his wife Rachelle live in Eagle. Both have full time jobs, too. Bill is a firefighter for the city of Grand Rapids, and Rachelle works for a credit union in Lansing. Plus, they have the little one.
They love the Portland community.
Weve had great support....people are coming out, he said. They dont mind it being a little chilly.
The search for Michigans Best Outdoor Dining is sponsored in part by Warm Fitness.
This is what the deck looked like in 2017 when Michigan's Best stopped by for wings at Fabiano's River House Bar & Grill.John Gonzalez
IF YOU GO
Fabianos River House Grill
104 W. Grand River Ave., Portland, MI 48875
517-647-4400
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturdays; closed Mondays. The outdoor patio opens at 4 p.m. most days; on Saturdays it opens at noon.
More info: riverhousebarandgrill.com or facebook.com/FabianosRiverHouseBarAndGrill/
The garlic parmesan wings are the top seller at Fabiano's River House Grill in Portland, Michigan. They were a finalist for Michigan's Best Wings in 2017. They use Michigan-based Sauce Gone Wild for all of their flavors.John Gonzalez
If you have questions about this search or suggestions for future searches, feel free to email us:
John Gonzalez: gonzo@mlive.com
Amy Sherman: asherma2@mlive.com
Follow our Michigans Best adventures on social media:
@mlivemibest on Twitter
@mlivemibest on Instagram
Facebook at MLiveMIBest.
Join in by using the hashtags #mibest and #outdoordining.
In addition:
John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo.
Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail.
More Michigans Best Outdoor Dining Stories
Get dinner and a movie at Michigans Best Outdoor Dining in Grand Rapids
Jackson Outdoor Dining poll winner Cherry Creek Cellars was thrilled to be nominated
The NODE gets the nod as Michigans Best Outdoor Dining in Kalamazoo and SW Michigan
This igloo village in Detroit has a unique business model and delicious, healthy food
How this tiny village made its local bar the Best Outdoor Dining spot in Northern Michigan
YORKs yard offers fire pits, food trucks and DJs outside in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor outdoor dining poll winner has enticing dishes, great ambiance
The ultimate date night is at Muskegons Best Outdoor Dining
Greenhouses sprouted at Dexter Beer Grotto for outdoor dining crowd
An Up North lodge in the middle of nowhere is the U.P.s Best Outdoor Dining
A Michigan-made yurt village can be found at this spot in Chelsea
10 great Outdoor Dining spots along the White Pine Trail
See all the photos from RORA - Rockford Outdoor Refreshment Area
Operation Shantyville is adventurous twist on outdoor dining, supporting Bay area restaurants
Play River Rocks, get farm-to-table cuisine at this SW Michigan outdoor dining spot
Traditional Irish food, tacos and great service at this Michigans Best Outdoor Dining spot
See all of the nominations for Michigans Best Outdoor Dining
Igloos, shanties, huts and more: Where to dine outdoors in Michigan this winter
Here is the original post:
The Lansing poll winner of Michigans Best Outdoor Dining is a deck over the Looking Glass River - MLive.com
- The Best Ottomans For Patio of 2024 - The Jerusalem Post - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Burr Ridge 3-bedroom home with Bluestone patio: $1.8M - Chicago Tribune - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- The Surprising Kitchen Ingredient That Can Kill Patio Moss - House Beautiful - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Nashville's 'largest rooftop patio' getting year-round canopy - Tennessean - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Stubborn patio moss will 'disappear and not come back' with 29p miracle ingredient - The Mirror - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- For The Home | Get inspired at PlantCon and create a garden on your balcony or patio! - KPRC Click2Houston - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Patio moss will disappear and not come back with 29p effective item paving expert loves - Express - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Woman shares vinegar hack to get rid of moss on patio and driveway - Leicestershire Live - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- 'Simplest' method to prevent patio weeds from growing stops them 'settling between slabs' - Express - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- NOTL Coun. Gary Burroughs proposes to limit patios - Niagara This Week - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- 5 Ways to Revive a Patio After Winter Small Tricks Landscape Designers Rely On - LivingEtc - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Best way to easily remove moss from patio or driveways in 20 minutes with home staple - Express - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- 8 Best Garden Stools of 2024 - The Jerusalem Post - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- 17 Covered and Heated Patios Perfect for Cold, Rainy Weather in Seattle - EverOut - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- 7 dog-friendly heated patios in Huntsville to check out - Hville Blast - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Ignoring This Patio Problem Could Knock Off 20% Of Your Home's Value - House Digest - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- 8 Best Patio Loveseats Review - The Jerusalem Post - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Springfield restaurants offer outdoor dining during winter with heated patios - Standard Online - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Paving expert shares 27p solution to kill weeds and moss and prevent them growing back - Express - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Patios on Banff Avenue to resume this year despite Parks Canada's opposition - Calgary Herald - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Were not in this together: Outdoor patios shuttered, warned over public health restrictions - Toronto Star - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- After nearly 2 years of expanded outdoor patios, Fort Collins mulls making them permanent - Coloradoan - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- 15 Heated patios for those cooler days in Tucson - Tucson Foodie - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Patios and drive-in movies carry Gananoque through another pandemic winter - CBC.ca - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- This three-story home in Oak Cliff has a rooftop patio - The Dallas Morning News - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- These Gorgeous Fire Pit Tables Will Transform Your Outdoor Space Into A Winter Oasis | The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel |... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Bar Ivy Will Breeze Into Clarendon With a 125-Seat Patio Shaded by Crepe Myrtles - Eater DC - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Platinum Patio and Pavers Opens New Location in Barrington IL and Palatine IL - GlobeNewswire - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Toronto's New Winter Patio Is Like A Trip To The Alps & You Can Sip Mulled Wine By A Fire - Narcity Canada - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- This $550K Home Near Ottawa Has A Patio On Every Level & Walls Full Of Windows - Narcity Canada - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Wellington Drive live on the patio at beergarden KEZI Calendar - KEZI TV - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- The New Opalhouse x Jungalow Collection at Target Is Here to Refresh Your Home For 2022 - POPSUGAR - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Wisdom and incredible strength: the exhibition showing the lives built by Holocaust survivors - The Guardian - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Lampposts Market Size, Forecast, and Top Firms Paradise Garden Lighting, Patio Living Concepts, New England Arbors, Gama Sonic, iGuzzini The Oxford... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Chicago's best restaurants with heated patios - Eater Chicago - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- WATCH: Man fights off bear to save dachshunds - BRProud.com - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Stay Warm At These Heated Nashville Restaurant Patios - StyleBlueprint - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Keeping Toronto closed now may prevent another lockdown right before patios open, Tory says - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Extending Toronto's lockdown could prevent another one before patios reopen: Tory | Dished - Daily Hive - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Popular patio pop-ups expanding this summer - Winnipeg Free Press - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- City of Vancouver to open summer patio applications from food and beverage establishments on March 1 - Straight.com - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Where to Day Drink in Houston 18 Restaurants and Bars That Can Make Any Afternoon a Celebration - PaperCity Magazine - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- New Rise Woodfire restaurant stokes the ovens at San Mateo train station - East Bay Times - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Global Outdoor Patio Umbrella Market Share, Business Opportunities, Drivers, Challenges and Forecast to 2027 | Reportspedia The Bisouv Network - The... - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Comprehensive Report on Patio Awnings Market 2021 | Trends, Growth Demand, Opportunities & Forecast To 2027 |Erhardt, AandA International, Eide... - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- College Hill's Brink Brewing Co. to Celebrate Fourth Anniversary with Heated Patio Party - Cincinnati CityBeat - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- See a hidden University Park home lauded in the 1940s for its spacious front-yard patio - The Dallas Morning News - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Check Out This New Addition at Downtown Grand Junction Restaurant - kool1079.com - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Create Your New Outdoor Living Space with Precision Patio Covers - ThurstonTalk - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Uptick in Backyard Hangouts? Pick up This Discounted Patio Heater - gearpatrol.com - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Where to Dine Outside in Vancouver - Eater Portland - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Impact Of Covid 19 On Online Outdoor Patio Umbrella Industry 2020 Market Challenges, Business Overview And Forecast Research Study 2026 NeighborWebSJ... - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Glory Days Grill Fights the COVID-19 Battle on Multiple Fronts - FSR magazine - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Outdoor Living Products Market Competitive Outlook and Economic Forecasting | Ace Hardware, Century Furniture LLC., Forever Patio., DEDON INC KSU |... - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Outdoor Patio Heaters Market 2020 |Global Industry Analysis By Trends, Size, Share, Company Overview, Growth And Forecast By 2027| Latest Research... - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Winter storm deals Portland area restaurants yet another blow - OregonLive - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Patio Heaters and Barbecue Accessories Market Size by Top Key Players, SWOT Analysis, Business Overview, Forecast 2027 The Bisouv Network - The... - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- The Best To-Go Dishes (and Drinks!) at the Newest Restaurants in Texas - Texas Monthly - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- The Washington Post gives shout out to Birmingham's The Essential + Bandit Patisserie - Bham Now - February 17th, 2021 [February 17th, 2021]
- Dress up a garden path or patio with gravel or paving stones: Should you splurge on bluestone? - OregonLive - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Outdoor Patio Pick of the Week: The Penmar Venice - L.A. Weekly - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Patio dining to roll out on Toronto sidewalks, streets in May if public health protocols allow - CTV Toronto - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- What $1 Million Buys You in California - The New York Times - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- The Best Outdoor Heater to Warm Up the Patio - BobVila.com - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Kitchener to waive patio fees, continue offering free downtown parking - CTV Toronto - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Mum and daughter, 9, forced to dig own graves before partner buried them under patio - Mirror.co.uk - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Mum & daughter, 9, forced to dig their own graves before being buried under patio by partner - The Sun - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Where to Dine Out for Valentines Day 2020 in Portland - Eater Portland - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Safety Net Market Consumption Analysis, Business Overview and Upcoming Trends|Abba Patio, Kidkusion, JFN, Asoner, Changsha Wuxing, etc KSU | The... - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Prep your patio for spring with 48-feet of string lighting, now $24 (Save 43%) - 9to5Toys - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- The porcelain floors and marbled patio of Midleton's 415k Redwood - Irish Examiner - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- The Inside Outside Guys: That sinking feeling concrete slabs, porches and patios - The Detroit News - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Playoffs on the Patios a hit on Chippewa during Bills playoff win - WGRZ.com - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Indoor dining is off the table until Feb. 1, but patios are flourishing, even in a Michigan winter - WSYM-TV - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Map: Here are the bars and restaurants with heated patio seating in SLC - KSL.com - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Playoffs on the Patio should continue for next Bills Playoff Game - WIVB.com - News 4 - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Pandemic pricing? Cost of a patio heater quadrupled on Amazon - CBS News - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Patio lighting ideas: 16 ways to illuminate your plot with pendants, fairy lights, stakes and more - Yahoo Lifestyle UK - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Playoffs on the Patios sells out in 8 Hours - Buffalo Rising - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Bent Paddle Reopens Indoor Seating While Unveiling Heated Outdoor 'Patio Camp' - FOX 21 Online - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]