"Lapeer has plenty going for it, what with their Gulf and East Coast seafood, unstuffy and bright West Coast design, and a menu featuring prime cuts of beef and creative takes on traditional steakhouse favorites. For instance, chef Blake Hartley uses veal stock and ciabatta for the French onion soup, steak jus is whipped into potatoes, and the cabbage is smoked and comes in a teriyaki sauce. Pastry chef Elise Vitale makes everything in-house, from the oyster crackers and pillowy dinner rolls to the after-dessert sea salt caramel offered after every meal. There is another location in Birmingham." - Alex Leo-Guerra