Macomb County, for all its delicious quirks, isn't exactly a haven of fine dining. That's why The Insider was delighted to find the newly opened Allen's River House across the street from our own humble Macomb Daily offices in Mount Clemens (incidentally, also across the street from the Gibraltar Trade Center.)
Allen's looks like a typical roadside dive -- until you walk inside.
That's when you catch an eyefull of peaceful river views through a long bank of windows.
But if you're still unconvinced about the special attributes of the dining establishment on N. River Road, check out the menu.
Sure, it has the traditional burgers, fries and onion wings.
But is also has lemon chicken pot stickers, duck wings in an orange ginger sauce, oysters Rockefeller, steamed mussels in white wine, potato crusted whitefish and cedar wrapped salmon with buter chive sauce.
Everything comes at a reasonable price -- salmon is the most expensive thing on the menu at $15. Everything else is in the $5-$10 range.
And for that, you're getting something not often seen in Macomb County -- fresh, seasonal ingredients.

According to a recent review in the Detroit News, Chef Tim Winterfield gets fresh beef from Crooked Creek Ranch in Bruce Township and hard rolls from Cantoro's Italian Bakery in Livonia. The menu promises "all of our meats are locally raised, all natural and antibiotic free."

Before this, Winterfield ran Le Metro, a French-themed bistro in Southfield.
A French chef using fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally farmed products in Mount Clemens? You heard it here.
So take The Insider's advice and give fine dining in the Clem a try, especially when the weather warms and you can relax on Allen's spacious deck along the river.