Maple-themed restaurant opens in Michigan

A new restaurant with a maple syrup theme has opened its doors in South Lyon; a city in the US state of Michigan.

Maple House will serve dishes that use 100% pure maple syrup made in Michigan, shunning seed oils and maple syrup alternatives.

The eatery, which was once a tavern, is the brainchild of the Palushaj family, which also owns and operates another restaurant in the city. From Billion Dollar Bacon to Brioche French Toast and Breaky Burritos – the restaurant is targeting the breakfast and brunch crowd, offering many menu options which are often enjoyed with an accompaniment of hot maple syrup.

Speaking to the Hometown Life platform, Monica Gojcaj, daughter of proprietor Tom Palushaj, said that the family was looking for a point of distinction:

“We wanted a place in South Lyon with good food and good vibes. We wanted something fun and different.”

The indigenous people of Michigan – including the Ottawa, Ojibwa and Potawatomi tribes – are recognised as being the first to tap maple trees in the region. Early maple tapping was not only a practical way to extract a source of nutrition and energy; it represented a sacred ritual that is symbolic of a renewal of life and the way in which winter gave way to spring.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, maple tapping technology was a pathway to industrialisation and commercialisation. Maple tapping in Michigan was scaled up, meeting the demand from sugarhouses, maple festivals and other food producers.