Kalamazoo most beloved private club for the last 73 years . The Beacon club offer you and your family and business a safe , confortable , elegant environment . Casual fine dining restaurant featuring French Americans seafood and steakhouse. Open year around 7 days a week . Featuring Sunday brunch now open to the public. Join the club and take advantage of special benefits as a member of Kalamazoo’s elite clientele . Register historical landmark just across the street from Kalamazoo You international airport AZO. Welcome home !
We specialize in wedding venue , banquets , Private and corporate events. We also provide off site catering for your on site private or corporate events.
Based on 76 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 3.6 stars. Price $$$
Address:
5830 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
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Reviews
Anita Western
I am not really sure what has happened outside of the new management because the Club is no longer what it used to be at all. My mother has held a membership for over 30 years back to the 80’s when she was in nursing school and the Beacon was somewhere I always begged to go after daytime appointments when I was in elementary. Nowadays we only visit a handful of times per year and per tradition, I went on my birthday, requested John Sandmeyer’s table in the back corner of the library and to my dismay was completely forgotten. The hostess did not acknowledge me at all when I walked in and said ‘Anita in the library for 7PM’ as I awkwardly proceeded to stand there while she scrolled Facebook on her phone until someone else came up and asked if I had been helped. The restaurant was maybe 1/5th full and I was shocked to see the staff was nowhere in sight. I finally went up to the bar to order a glass of wine who alerted my waiter that I was in the library, along with another couple who had yet to be attended to. No bread was brought or offered to me as it was the other tables and I ended up flagging down the waiter to even make my order. I ordered the lamb and it was extremely fatty and for the first time in my life, I sent it back. I was shocked with how bad the cut of meat was and it took another 10 minutes for the waiter to realize that I did still want to order something for dinner. At this point I was over an hour in and still hadn’t actually had any food placed in front of me because he forgot that I requested crab cakes as well for an app. Once I ordered a replacement entree as well as another glass of wine (which never came, yet was on my bill), I was again surprised, but this time by the exterior of the filet that I ordered rare, but looked like it was charred beyond belief. Sure enough, very little pink on the inside. Asparagus was bland with an off after-taste and the steak glaze tasted and looked like hollandaise that belonged on eggs bene. After hour two came around and I still had not been brought my second glass of wine nor been checked-in on, I gave up along with the other couple who was seated in the library as their soup came out cold, the waiter forgot the salad and brought the wrong drinks. It was an absolute catastrophe and also extremely awkward when the waiter thought he had brought me my second glass of wine, but it was still just sitting up on the bar after the bartender poured and he never picked it up. I wish so bad that I had the same amazing experience I’ve had in the past, but unfortunately it was not. Even my dinner plate that I finished to attempt not to be rude after sending the lamb back, sat for 45 minutes before I finally walked out of the library to waive the waiter down. Can’t say I’ve ever spent this much time at the BC for one dinner, that’s for sure. This entire review was emailed to the BC after they requested my feedback on the new management and I still have not heard back. Really hoping this was a fluke and things turn around, but as the couple next to me stated, ‘it’s hard to belong to somewhere that makes you feel unwanted’.
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Glenna Parker
While where we were seated was perfect the food and choices left a lot to be desired. Certainly not up to Beacon Club previous standards. No stuffing, gravy on request that left something to be desired. The desserts were very good. We have been members since 1978-80 and this is the very worst meal we ever had. Another gentleman remarked he had been a member for 25 years and this was the worst ever. The food tasted good (as good as dry turkey can), the appetizers and salads were few. Cold plates to put hot food on so food was lukewarm to cold. You tried it this new way and it was awful. Let’s try the old way of doing the Buffet and see how it is received. We were very disappointed. We did not renew our Membership because of the food and service plus they now let non-members in so why should we pay for a membership.
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Judy Babcock
Have always had great food here with excellent service. This past Thursday it was different. Bartender was different, Jan was not there, no sign of regular wait staff. Our server did all he could to please us but it was not his fault a tradition of cheese and crackers with our cocktails did not come to fruitation. What gives with this latest change? Membership cost increased but not enough to cover this little perk? Where are the regular staff? Each table was wondering and commenting on this. Drinks sat on the bar waiting to be picked up and served. Not happy members. Still no menus.
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Hady Makhmalbaf
Our association has a monthly meeting at this place in which I have to attend. Food has become worse in the last two years in both quality and quantity.
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Diane Fogel
Poor service for lunch gathering of 20. Took 40 minutes to get food after placing order. Took 30 minutes to get checks. Food was ok. Crab cakes starter was only 1 cake. French fries were cold. Didn’t ask if you’d like a refill on tea or coffee. Also lost our reservation and we rescheduled for I/2 hour later. Not enough servers for size of group.
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Janet Paul
My husband and I love “The Club”. Whenever we want a quiet, comfortable place to have a great meal, we head there. I recommend the Prime Rib and the Library. The only issue we ever had was very quickly and quietly solved by Jan. Wait staff is never perfect wherever you go, but this group does their best in our opinion. We will definitely continue to patronize this lovely place.
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lisa forrest
We took friends to the BC on Thanksgiving Day. The food and service were so bad that we went through the stages of annoyance, full on irritation, incredulity that this once lovely restaurant has deteriorated so much, finally to resignation and laughter all in the course of two hours. Having to pay a membership fee for this is ridiculous.
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Craig Ewald
The Beacon Club was always synonymous with fine dining. Unfortunately, this is not a true statement anymore. We dined there this evening, and the food was good. Yes…that is the best thing to say. The service was agreeable and prompt, but not a fine dining experience. We asked if the wine could be decanted, and the server was not familiar with the term…this is an issue with training not with the server. A sad situation for a Kalamazoo institution known for a fine dining experience.
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Jennifer Young
We have had a monthly meeting here for several years. They did not have it noted and we’re not prepared. Menu was lacking. My food was served cold and others noted their dishes were not good and severely over priced. Also in the future we were told we could no longer do separate checks and they will be closed at 8 on Mondays and Tuesdays. Server was apologetic and I definitely feel bad she is in a tough situation. Nevertheless, we are in search of a new meeting location. Very disappointing.
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samuelj kline
New ownership, GREAT Chef-Francois, Excellent service and new decor. The food preparation and presentation is phenomenal. Very excited to be a member with all the new changes, a must for locals.
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