Manning's Fireside Manor

Spent an hour agonizing over where to eat. This place looked the most promising and it did not disappoint!! We had seen the parking lot full on drives by earlier in the week. Krissy our server was just downright amazing. Friendly, knowledgeable, and on point!! The food. Omg the food. Menu is extensive but not overwhelming. The stuffed mushrooms must be ordered!! I should mention the portions are huge. Unless you are a professional eater, order of the half portion menu.
We had:
Stuffed mushrooms (savory, rich, delicious!!)
Calamari (soooo tender, and fried with Jalapeño slices!!)
Breaded mozzarella (meh, not my thing)
Twin filets with butter and fried onions
Twin filets au poivre (brandy Dijon sauce and served over homemade mashed redskins (rich, rich, rich, but not overpowering)
Bottom line is, make it a priority to eat here

After a previous very nice visit here, we chose this spot for a birthday dinner while on a Lake Erie wine tasting day. We are both pretty concerned about the increase in Covid spread recently and prefer to dine outdoors, so largely came back here on the strength of a previous review that mentions the patio (which we hadn't seen last time). Upon arriving, we asked to be seated on the patio and the hostess said it wasn't set up for seating today. I probably would have made another choice as we had bookmarked several spots nearby with patios, but my companion was feeling the wine effects and said we should just stay and eat.

We were quickly seated and helped by one of three young women working as servers this evening. She was very knowledgeable about the menu, had recommendations regarding the specials and was quick to bring water. Super friendly and a very good server. This is a heavily seafood and meat based restaurant and not really the best menu for me as a vegetarian, just a couple of options including what I had last time, a cheese ravioli with spinach, artichoke and Alfredo bake that was rich and absolutely delicious. I've started watching what I eat a little more since last time I was here, though, so asked if they could go off-menu a bit and make that cheese ravioli simply with marinara sauce. She asked the chef and confirmed that there was enough red sauce made to do this. I appreciated this and found the red sauce absolutely delicious, and I'm picky about red sauce. I also got a small tossed salad that was not terribly exciting but the honey mustard dressing was delicious. The bread was very fresh and good, and I ate easily more than half the loaf.

I would imagine the reason they didn't seat us outside was because they felt they didn't have the staff to serve properly there, but I don't think we would have been in any worse shape than we were inside. Unfortunately we had a situation occur where my companion learned of an urgent family situation back in Pittsburgh and we needed to leave right away. I wolfed down my meal and we needed a box for the other, untouched meal and our check ASAP. We couldn't find our server anywhere. I asked one of the other servers and they said she had a large party in back and they would look for her. It just would have been nice if they had asked what I needed and taken ownership of bringing me a box and check, it wouldn't have been a lot. Eventually my server did make it back, probably 20-30 minutes after I had been left at the table alone while the family situation was being dealt with via phone outside. She was very apologetic for the wait and said there were two large parties that came in at the same time, and I definitely understand the current staffing issues and appreciate those who show up to work, but if you notice someone at a table by themselves for a long time turned around in their seat looking for help, it's sort of a clear sign that something is unusual and they might need help.

I enjoyed my entrée here and the other dish, a chicken Parmesan, was heaping in cheese and looked absolutely decadent. In all this is a nice, upscale place to dine in this region, but not taking advantage of the patio during Covid is baffling to me -- it's a huge selling point to many during these times -- and our overall experience on this visit could have been better.

Finally got to try the fireside after the new owners took over. Usually I hate trying a new place with a huge group. But I ended up being Seriously impressed. Service went off without a hitch for a table top of almost 20. Food was served promptly . Warm and delicious. There was a special menu for Mother's Day, I got to try the prime rib and chicken parm. Prime rib is probably one of the best cuts I've had. Melt in your mouth good. The chicken part was crispy with a sweet sauce. Mouth watering, made you keep coming back for more. Added plus the chef and owners came out to discuss and get feedback. Shows they care.

We will be returning and recommending to friends and family. Wish this place many years of success!

We used to LOVE this place. But it seems like the last couple times we have been here it was very "eh"... there used to be a chef there who would very kindly make me chicken French when I asked for it. THEEEE BEST! I'm not sure if they got rid of this wonderful chef but if that is so, I understand why the quality has decreased recently. ...I'll tell you what they do well is their appetizers! They're fabulous! Muscles, bruschetta and basically any other appetizer I've had has been awesome. But the last 2 times we've been here was so disappointing...
Two times ago we got a waiter that was incredibly odd. Maybe a new guy mixed with possibly being high? He was basically explaining to us how a restaurant works each time he came over. Never got bread. He never gave us our salads. Checked on us but made it really weird. I got some sort of pasta dish with seared scallops and artichokes I believe? Scallops were done BEAUTIFULLY. but the pasta was tasteless, overcooked and the salt, pepper and cheese could not save it.

We reached out to the owners and they were very kind about how they dropped the ball on our visit and left us a gift card to come back again and give them another chance. We were happy with the way it was handled and were happy to give them another shot because this is our favorite restaurant in the area.

So, take 2. We went back and I got seafood Alfredo, which was very mediocre. Super flavorless. Just tasted like heavy cream and noodles. Again, salt pepper and cheese on the table could not save it. My boyfriend got the crab cakes. Which were okay. Came with rice but it was probably about a 1/4 cup of rice. Really pitiful amount and for some reason there was warm limp lettuce scattered around the plate under the crab cakes. Not even a couple as a garnish. Just heaps of warm soggy lettuce. So strange.

I am so sad that this place is not what it used to be. I truly hope that they can get back to how they used to do things. I'd be happy to give them another shot if I thought these silly things wouldn't happen again. But it's hard to spend money on food that isn't cheap, and get something that maybe one part might be good and the rest is super mediocre.

Please please please find out what has changed in the last 6 months or so and address it! I miss the old fireside! And PLEASE teach all your chefs how to make the chicken French and put it on the regular menu!

I had crusted salmon, rice and garden peas..very good..nice portion properly cooked...

With all the covid rules and regulations as patio dining was allowed my boyfriend and I came to yelp to find places with patio dining. It doesn't say Im the description that outdoor dining is available but it is! When I called the woman who answered was kind, and gave us the information. We hop in the car and head down to Manning's. When we arrived you seat yourself the waitress was quick to greet us and give us menus that we get to keep to help stop the spread of covid! We check out the menu and the food all sounded delicious. So we got an appetizer of mussels, and a half bottle of wine during happy hour. I chose to try the chicken Marsala and my boyfriend went for the Van Buren. Neither of us were dissapointed by any means. 10/10 would recommend!

Came here after it being too cold to eat at our original place outside! It was very busy and we happily took the last table (high bar chair tables) for or group of 6. I haven't been here in over 6 years and was definitely not disappointed!

The corn and seafood chowder and salad as an app were delicious and of course the mozzarella sticks were too!

Our waitress Janelle was attentive and quick to take our order and remove plates and refill drinks as needed.

Between the six of us, we had chicken pharm, eggplant parm, fish fry, and three pasta dishes. My shrimp alfredo was delicious!

The portion sizes are large, so perfect for lunch the next day! I recommend you make a reservation though, unlike we did because I don't think you'd get so lucky to walk right in!

This continues to be an excellent local choice for nice dinner. They have made continuous improvements over the past owner operator. Food quality is excellent. I love their steak with pepper corn sauce. The prime rib on Saturdays is typically fantastic until they run out. Even their little simple house salads are great with the house dressing which is homemade. The wait staff is excellent. I would highly recommend. Three cheers for the owner.

This is another local place where everyone is friendly - both staff and guests. We rode our bikes from Van Buren Point and settled at the bar for a few drinks. They had a beer on tap that made my boyfriend very happy and I was good with my wine choice. We didn't intend to eat, but we took up a conversation with some other patrons and had a couple of rounds. I chose the fried ravioli as my snack and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not sure it needed the tomato sauce cup in addition to the bruschetta tomatoes, but to each his own. Our new friends ordered the same thing plus some freshly baked soft pretzels that looked delicious.

It was definitely post-dinner rush, so the kitchen staff visited with some patrons who were clearly regulars. They fashioned their dinner orders directly with the chef, who was super-accommodating with the make-you-own meal thing they were doing.

The bartender knew most everyone and was quick to refill drinks. Overall, a great local place that I would go back to for dinner or drinks.

This restaurant was awesome! From making reservations to our wonderful server Leah to the magnificent food choices. We will definitely put this on the list of restaurants we will return to and suggest to other people!