BISTRO POLARIS
Opening June 15, 2023
Where the farm meets fork, and the vine meets glass.
Whether you are looking for a destination Traverse City restaurant experience in a unique setting or to take a break while touring the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, our newly-imagined bistro is your perfect stop. The all-new menu highlights Estate Chef John Korycki’s years of experience with global cuisine while featuring fresh local ingredients from our own and area farms. Take your taste buds on a Mediterranean tour while enjoying the sites of our Suttons Bay winery estate.
• Indoor and patio seating
• Wine and cider by the glass/bottle
• Featured cocktails
• Family-friendly
• Onsite hiking trails
• Chef Dinners and Sunday Brunch to be announced soon
Originally the building that now houses our bistro was part of the property’s equestrian facility and served as a mare barn. Renovations began in 2006, and in the fall of 2007, it opened as a farmer’s market featuring products grown on the property and from nearby farms. Over the next few years, a wood-fired oven was added, and other improvements were made. Now our culinary team creates their fabulous farm-fresh fare in a full commercial kitchen, and diners can enjoy their meals in our cozy dining room or outside on the scenic patio.
AUTENTICO Wine Dinner & Wine Brunch with Rolando Beramendi
Saturday, June 17, 6-9 PM & Sunday, June 18, 11 AM-1 PM
Join us for two special events with Estate Chef John Korycki and cookbook author and founder of the Italian fine food importer Manicaretti, Rolando Beramendi, as they share their passion for seasonally-inspired food based on tradition, made simple and delicious.
Your culinary experience begins with a meet and greet featuring our special guest, who will share the inspiration behind his cookbook, AUTENTICO: Cooking Italian, the Authentic Way.
A wine-paired dinner or brunch will follow, where local ingredients from area farms, creameries, and more will take center stage.
Chef JK and Rolando met in 2002 at an Italian wine tasting in Kansas City. They quickly became friends after sharing their passion for Italy and its culinary traditions. In 2003 Rolando gave Chef JK his first “farm-to-table, zero-kilometer” dining experience at Da Delfina, a restaurant located in a small hamlet west of Florence. This pivotal meal played a significant role in the trajectory of Chef JK’s culinary career.
Rolando Beramendi founded the Italian fine food importer, Manicaretti, specializing in importing and distributing artisan gourmet foods from Italy since 1987. Today, the company’s name is recognized as a seal of guarantee for the best Italian pantry items available in the industry, supplying stores and restaurants across the country.
An industry-renowned tastemaker, Rolando has had a profound impact on American food. His products, cooking classes, and culinary expertise have been praised by luminaries such as Ina Garten, Alice Waters, Thomas Keller, Nancy Silverton, and many more. He splits his time between New York, San Francisco, and Florence.
Rolando’s cookbook, AUTENTICO: Cooking Italian, the Authentic Way, is an insider’s glimpse into the Italian farms and kitchens where Rolando learned to cook authentically. Included are 120 recipes and a serving of his philosophy: “Start with the very best pantry items, buy what is fresh and in season, and make dishes the way they are meant to be, simple and delicious.”
Check out this video for a preview of Rolando and the philosophy at the heart of his cookbook and import company.
This will be the first time Rolando will visit northern Michigan, so help us welcome him by getting your tickets today!
Prices are all-inclusive and include your meal, wine pairings, tax, and service fees.


We create wine-paired dining experiences for any special occasion like anniversaries, birthdays, elopements, or holiday gatherings. Learn more about our private dining options here.
Testimonials
What an excellent way to enjoy some Black Star Farms wine and some excellent artisan cuisine. We sat outside on the patio and had our choice of sun or shade to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine and some great food. We had the Artisan Pizza which was fantastic. The crust was amazing and it accompanied the wine we both chose. Highly recommend a stop especially to break up an afternoon of wine tasting.
Always great food, atmosphere and service! Hearth & Vine is a must stop when my husband and I are visiting the area!
Had the soup du jour each and a charcuterie plate that we shared. Both were delicious. We sat outside, the atmosphere was very relaxing and the property is beautiful. Of all the wineries that we stopped at on both the Old Mission peninsula and the Leelanau peninsula, the Black Star property was the star! (No pun intended). Definitely worth the stop. Besides the food, we can also recommend the Lemon Lavender Fizz and the Cherry Moscow Mule.
Service was on point, food was excellent, very fresh! Priced better then other places serving same stuff. We will be back.
First time to the cafe. Black Star has always been one of our favorite wineries, so we knew that it was a sure bet the cafe would be just as good! Beautiful day to sit outside on the patio and enjoy a glass of wine, a delicious cocktail and an amazing pizza! Our server was the sweetest and couldn’t have been more helpful on a very busy day! We will for sure be back!!