What's happening: The Observatory Lounge, the top-floor cocktail bar and kitchen in downtown Houghton, has announced a new executive chef, Trevor Kunnari. Kunnari most recently headed dining operations downstate Michigan before returning to the U.P.
About Trevor Kunnari: A Bootjack native, Kunnari's culinary journey started in the heart of the U.P., cooking alongside friends at hunting camp and learning family recipes in his aunt’s kitchen.
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The Observatory LoungeChef Trevor KunnariBy 13, he was working at Dairyland in Lake Linden. At 16, he was holding down the kitchen at The Hut. From there, he enrolled in Northern Michigan University’s Culinary School. After that he joined the team at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for two years before heading downstate to refine his culinary skills. He spent a decade honing his craft at fine dining establishments like Stillwater in Okemos and Berkshire Golf Resort.
“I saw a chance to bring something new to the community that helped raise me,” Kunnari says. “I want people here to enjoy the kind of quality and creativity you'd expect in a bigger city, without having to drive to Chicago to find it."
The new spring/summer menu is exactly that: a mix of upscale comfort food, fresh local ingredients, and unexpected twists. Diners can expect dishes like parmesan-crusted whitefish with creamy caper sauce — a refined take on a regional classic — and a white wine clam dish, a recipe he’s spent years perfecting.
What they're saying: “We’re incredibly excited to have Trevor on board,” says Jen Julien, owner of The Observatory Lounge. “His dedication to quality, creativity, and community fits perfectly with what we stand for.”
As The Observatory continues to establish itself as a culinary destination, its leadership team sees the opportunity to inspire. “This isn’t just about one restaurant,” Julien adds. “It’s about building a culture of hospitality in the Keweenaw — and helping others see the food and beverage industry as a place to grow, create, and thrive.”
The Observatory Lounge: The Observatory Lounge is located at the 7th floor of the Hampton Inn and Suites, and open 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Saturday. To view the new menu, visit observatoryloungehoughton.com.
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