Copper Rock Steakhouse-Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo, MI

Friday afternoon my wife and I had plans to take my almost 96 y/o mother-in-law to the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo for a couple of hours and then to dinner at Copper Rock Steakhouse. The Copper Rock Steakhouse advertises 28 day dry-aged prime steaks and over 300 wines.

My wife was ill all week, but still working, so we canceled/rescheduled the plans. But that left me with a free Friday afternoon. I left around 12:30 pm for the Four Winds having a nice drive on U.S. 12 across Southwest Michigan. After arriving and handing my car over to valet parking. I had a hard time finding a place to get a quick snack. The lines were long at a couple of places and the service was a little slow. I finally found the Silver Creek Bistro and grabbed a bagel and cream cheese. They were out of salmon and I didn’t want to wait. Since I’m diabetic I can’t always wait to eat. The Silver Creek had some interesting items but I wanted something to tide me over.

After playing craps until my reservation at 5:00 pm, I went over to the Copper Rock, canceled the reservation, and decided to eat at the bar. The décor of the bar was warm and inviting with a rustic look that you would expect in a casino named Four Winds. The dining area was white tablecloth, although I didn’t notice much more about it as I went into the bar.

The wall behind the bar is stacked with various top shelf spirits. I was particularly pleased to see a great selection of bourbon’s including Blanton’s, Baker’s, Woodford Reserve, Basil Hayden’s, Maker’s Mark, and Knob Creek. There may be a couple more choices but my eyes aren’t what they used to be and I’m a Blanton’s fan. I ordered a Blanton’s on the rock’s and watched the bartender drag the sliding ladder over, climb up to grab the bottle, and pour my drink. I was handed a menu but I all ready knew what I wanted from the website. I ordered the 28-oz bone-in rib-eye which comes with choice of starch. I chose a baked potato with sour cream, chives, and butter on the side. (I’m a traditionalist). I also ordered a side of spinach.

My dinner came and here is the full visual.



The 28 day dry-aged, prime, bone-in rib-eye definitely compares with every dry-aged, prime, bone-in rib-eye I have had in the U.S. There are some small subtleties of difference between other top steaks I’ve had at Bern’s in Tampa, Charley’s in Orlando, Smith & Wollensky, Gibson’s, David Burke’s Primehouse, and Gene & Georgetti’s all in Chicago. We are very fortunate to have this quality of a steak this close to South Bend. The steak blows away all of the competition in the area including the LaSalle Grill, Summit Club, Eddie’s Steak Shed, Morris Park Country Club, etc. This steak is better than any steak you can buy around here and cook at home. You can order this quality of steak by mail and probably adjust the taste to your personal tastes if you want, but no other place in this area compares. The steak was a perfect medium-rare, equally cooked on both sides with the great high heat charring and warm pink interior that contrasts texture and flavor on the palate. This steak is worth savoring by slowly chewing each bite until fully masticated.

The pictures do not do justice to the size of that baked potato. The potato is the size of 2 medium sized hands clenched nest to each other. When I commented about how huge it was the bartender informed me that when they aren’t that size they give you 2 smaller potatoes. The potato is baked with a salt crust resulting in a flavorful, chewy, slightly caramelized skin and a fluffy interior that goes well with butter, sour cream, and chives. I was only able to eat about a third of it. I probably could have eaten more but I try not to bloat while out in public.

When ordering the spinach I did not specify that I wanted the creamed vs. sautéed spinach. This is partly my mistake and I do wish the bartender would have asked. I'm sure that since she handles the bar she might not be quite as experienced as a waitperson might have been. The spinach was sautéed with garlic and olive oil. I found the spinach to be sautéed a little too much which resulted in a mushier and over cooked texture and it lacked the depth of flavor I expected. I added some salt but that didn’t help. I didn’t send it back since I hadn’t specified it. Looking back I know she would have accommodated that request and wish I had thought to send it back.

Here is the left over steak which I wish I would have taken home with me and my current winnings. But since I didn’t leave then I lost most of my winnings over the next 5 hours.


Reservations are very close to being mandatory on weekends and strongly suggested any other time. Copper Club members can/do get prioritized. I made reservations under my CC membership so I didn’t have to see how much pull the card has. I know it gets me to the front of the line at the buffet. (Buffet is good, with lots of choices, best in the Michiana area. It is a buffet and not fine dining). Service was great with a friendly and smiling staff. There was a prompt response to my minimal requests. Valet Parking is free and that is not available anywhere around here or Chicago. Total bill was $61 plus tip. Not unreasonable for the side and drink being added. Multiple diners can easily share sides.

Copper Rock Restaurant
Four Winds Casino
New Buffalo, MI
1-866-494-6371
Hours’
Sunday-Thursday
5:00 pm-11:00 pm
Friday-Saturday
5:00 pm-Midnight

Sorry no dessert report, too stuffed.

I’m looking forward to visiting SWIM Seafood at the Four Winds in the future.

Bruce wrote:I probably could have eaten more but I try not to bloat while out in public.

Bruce,

Steak looks terrific and I love the (above) line.

Enjoy,
Gary

sounds good!haven't been to the copper rock yet.agree on the buffet.the willowbrook cafe is very reasonable for a coffeshop meal if you aren't looking for the buffet or the expense of copper rock or swimm.i guess the only thing i would hate to see is these restaurants hurting local restaurants over the long run.there has been a drop in business in the short term from conversations i have had.

i made it to four winds a few weeks ago and though we didn't eat i have to say the restaurants sounded very nice... particularly given the area... glad to hear something about them finally!

i loved the casino itself ... (the only place i know of in the area with electronic roulette, something i could spend hours and hours playing)

It is quite a nice place, for a casino. Much more 2007 Vegas Strip than any place not actually on the Strip I've seen. Lots of craps and other tables. Buffet looks very solid, fancy places too. I had some prime rib hash n' eggs at the coffee shop (post-dining hours for the nicer spots), and it was good. I'd like to see a place focusing on local dishes and produce; that's asking a little much, but it's trendy enough to work given the direction casino dining has taken. Journeyman Cafe or Vie II? Nice bucolic setting and decent design (Northwoodsy theme). Although it's a bit further from the city than other places, it's the only area casino I consider worth visiting (not much of a gambler). I wonder whether this will add to or detract from the resurgence of the Michigan shore as a summer destination in the end.

The steak looks outstanding. It's a small thing, but I think watercress should be mandatory with steaks, so that photo makes me very happy.

The seafood place's menu looked good also.

JeffB wrote:.

The seafood place's menu looked good also.

I am planning on spending most of my dining dollars there. Finding good seafood is much harder around here than finding steak. Frankly, I can get steaks via mail order and cook them at home. Seafood is much harder to get and a pain to get get good seafood and cook it. For a fresh seafood meal around here unless someone I know caught it, I would have to drive to Chicago.

I haven't hard the raves about SWIM vs. the ones about Copper Rock. I'm not sure of the reason unless people talk about beef more.

If you want to meet sometime on your way over let me know.

Went to Copper Rock last Saturday and had a very enjoyable meal.We went to Copper Rock but found we could get the Swimm seafood)menu there also.Turned out 3 of us ended up eating off of the Swimm menu.My wife had the chicken chop which she enjoyed.i had delicious walleye in garlic butter accomponied by terrific polenta with goat cheese.The others enjoyed their fish(grillled atlantic salmon and some oriental prepeared filet).We had oysters which were very fresh tasting.The only thing that wasnt very good was the calamari.lightly breaded but too small.with drinks and a bottle of wine new zeeland savingon blanc (37dollars) with tip came out to 70 dollars a person.
The word is Swimm will be closing soon to become a "high rollers" lounge.Probably then the Copper Rock menu will become an amalgam of both.

Happy New Year To All