Special Events, Clara's on the River, Battle Creek Michigan, Clara's on the River

Time was restored to downtown Battle Creek Sunday as four faces of the clock tower at Clara's on the River were repaired. The clock, on all four faces of a tower of the former railroad depot turned restaurant, has been part of the downtown landscape since the building's days as a train station and since Clara's opened in 1992, Simpson said.

Simpson said the $18,500 for the clock repair is part of a $350,000 refurbishing of the restaurant. Clara's opened on June 8, 1992 after the 11,000-square-foot former Michigan Central Railroad Depot had been empty for years.

The building has a new roof, new boilers, new walk-in coolers and a curbside access for take-out orders and car hop service. Simpson has opened the dining area at 50 percent capacity and eliminated banquet rooms.
Read the entire article by clicking here: https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/2020/07/27/claras-on-the-river-battle-creek-clock-restored-renovation-covid-19-coronavirus/5517506002/

From the Battle Creek Enquirer

Favorite Eats: Results are in as readers decide who is the best in Battle Creek

Scroll down midway on the article link above to see this information on the original source

Best Restaurant

All of the above categories talk about specific items or specific meals but finishing with the most votes for Best Restaurant shows across-the-board excellence.

Noting that, it would make sense that one of the longest-running fine dining restaurants in Battle Creek would take the lead.

Which is what happened. Clara's On The River finished with the most votes from our readers.

Newer restaurants like Lucky Rooster and Territorial Brewing Co. finished high on the list as well, but Clara's has long been the go-to place for dining in Battle Creek and it seems voters continue to see it that way.

Best of Michigan

Clara's on the River in Battle Creek was selected as one of the best restaurants in Michigan by the Best of Michigan website. They mention our great location in the Michigan Central Depot, they mention our decor, they mention our history, our brunch! (they forgot to mention our live entertainment on the patio but we will be sharing more of that with you here.)

From Best of Michigan: "One great thing about Michigan is that we get the concept of food. Michigan spends a lot of time in the grips of winter, about five months or so out of every year from about mid-November to mid-April, depending on the year.

Nothing fends off that cold weather like some hot food in your belly. Michigan has plenty of this, and great places to dine no matter the season."

https://bestthingsmi.com/restaurants/

Claras's was also selected as the "Best Breakfast Spot" by Best of Michigan!

From "Best of Michigan" website: "for those who want something a little extra special, step in on Sundays for its brunch buffet. Featuring the breakfast standards, including both omelets to order and fresh-made waffles with toppings, Clara's also makes it clear that it's a Battle Creek institution. "

https://bestthingsmi.com/breakfast-spots/

25 Year Anniversary

Clara's on the River Celebrated its 25 Year anniversary in June 2017.

Read the Battle Creek Enquirer article about the history of Clara's here:
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2017/06/08/how-train-station-became-battle-creeks-restaurant-river/371753001/

"I don’t know if Clara’s likes to be compared to it, but it seems like the 'Cheers' of our community," Downtown Development Director John Hart said Tuesday. "You go there, and you see a bunch of faces you recognize. Things are always consistent."