Nest News

The Eagle’s Nest is famous for its fish dinner, number one with guests. But did you know about the Eagle’s Nest other fish stories? Hint: there’s more than one.

Recently a sculpted fish returned to the Eagle’s Nest after five years. Clark Lake’s Mike McKay had secured it during the restaurant’s previous transitions. Now back home, here’s Eagle’s Nest owner Blair Huff with the fish.

But as Blair has said, “it’s a fish with no name.” So, he is offering a 50-dollar Eagle’s Nest gift card for the best name (a drawing will decide if more than one entry comes up with the name chosen). Email your idea to namingthefish@gmail.com.

Is this the only fish story? Nope. Jim Simpson, a local artist, who sculpted the fish also created the three fish that hang near the entrance.

Then, when you enter the Eagle’s Nest, take a hard left. You can’t miss the giant marlin on the wall. The Clark Lake story behind it began 4 ½ miles off of Kauhi, Hawaii where Dan and Donita Baker were fishing. They counted their good fortune as they caught several amberjacks 12 to 15 inches long. Then the surprise of a lifetime. Donita’s line went taut, there was thrashing in the water. Donita had hooked a 16-foot marlin. Whales and sharks circled, other boats gathered for the show. Several hours later, and after several attempts, they brought the tired-out fish to the boat. What to do with the catch? Donita decided that such a beautiful creature should be allowed to go free. So, they released it.

The marlin you see in the Eagle’s Nest is a 10-foot replica that Dan and Donita commissioned to commemorate the adventure. But the fish story doesn’t end there. Now on its way to the Baker’s Clark Lake home, the large delivery truck couldn’t make the sharp curve on Woodland Drive. Dan and Donita’s kids loaded the crate onto skateboards to push it home. Their kids joked that when their dad died, the replica would become his coffin. When Dan passed away in 2015, that didn’t happen. But the fish story lived on, and offered a smile at a time when it was needed.

When Donita moved to her new home, the fish moved to its new permanent residence at the restaurant. But how to get it Eagle Point? This being Clark Lake, it happened by raft. Donita’s neighbor, John Rousseau, helped Donita load it onto Susie Creech’s raft, because it had sea legs.

The marlin is brought through the door.

The mounting…

Success!

In the annual Clark Lake Cup, The East end of the lake (Almeda Court) faces off against the West end (Eagle Point or Narrows).  This year's game was played on Saturday, February 5th.  Originally intended to be held on the ice near the Eagle's Nest lakeside, an overnight snow created surface issues.  So, a new rink was quickly formed on the other side of Eagle Point, within view of the Eagle Point Marina.  

Eagle's Nest owner Blair Huff put on his skates, grabbed his hockey stick, and played for the Eagle Point team (of course).  How did it go?  Check out the video produced by the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation.  And Blair?  He is wearing jersey #19.

The Eagle's Nest warmed up players and fans before and after the game, with a full menu of food and drinks. 

Game hosting alternates each year.  In 2021, the game was played under the lights at the east end.

Lots of big splashes came to the Eagle’s Nest on Saturday, January 29. Located on Eagle Point, the Eagle’s Nest is an awesome site for the Polar Plunge. The event raised over $46,000 for Special Olympics. Because it’s supported by law enforcement, men in uniform were a big part of it. But that’s not all. Others came up with creative costumes, or made their splash in simple swim wear. Know this: Clark Lake’s water were very cold.

At 2 pm, the “freezin’ for a reason” began.

Eagle’s Nest owner Blair Huff was the perfect host. Inside the cozy restaurant awaited the promise of warm up food and drink, whether you participated in the Plunge or just wanted to watch the craziness. Watch the video below.

- video from Polar Plunge 2022 -

The Eagle’s Nest Chef comes to Clark Lake with an impressive pedigree.  With 18 1/2 years at Knight’s Steakhouse and tenure at Evan Street Station in Tecumseh, Jason Slabinksi’s resume more than meets the taste test.

What drew Jason to the Eagle’s Nest?  “I was totally impressed with the Eagle’s Nest.  It’s gorgeous.  Owner Blair Huff, general managers Jorge Orozco and Naeem Khan have a great plan, and I’m all in with it.” Jason says the awesome space, décor, lake location and leadership’s dedication to please patrons motivated him to make the move.   

One of Jason’s points of interest is to explore new menu items.  “The freedom to be creative and innovate is wonderful.”  At the same time he promises to deliver the “highly popular items  while respecting the Eagle’s Nest affordable price points.”

Does Jason have any advice for at-home chefs?  “Cooking beef to perfection is a must.  I work with our team to ensure we consistently get it right.” So, what Jason’s secret?

As a steak cooks, press your finger on it to determine progress.  Use your hand for comparison.  Notice how Jason moves his thumb to each finger for the four cooking outcomes, and then checks the pressure at the base of his thumb.

Factoid: Did you know that Jason learned this trick from a former Navy Seal?

Eagle’s Nest has three more winners of $50 gift cards. Watch the video to find out how you can win. Also, some random guy makes another appearance and demands answers from owner Blair Huff. What’s up with that?

No purchase necessary.

Check out the first appearance of "Some Random Guy," and what he says to Blair Huff.

No purchase necessary.

#5 Quiche of the Day

Variety comes into play. Every Sunday, check out the latest creation. Recent quiches include BLT, bacon & green pepper, ham & asparagus. See what surprise this Sunday will bring.

#4 Eggs Benedict

Perfect eggs Benedict requires careful orchestration, and the Eagle’s Nest is up to it.  Guests rave about the warm crispy bacon, hot buttered English muffins, eggs poached precisely, and a warm, creamy hollandaise sauce.   Served with fresh fruit.

#3 Belgian Waffles

Think all waffles are the same?  Not so.  These redefine the genre.  Eagle’s Nest waffles are infused with vanilla and with the tasty surprise of sugar pearls hidden within.  Plus, toppings to delight the eye and appetite.

#2 Biscuits and Gravy

Enjoy comfort food deluxe!  Four buttermilk biscuits are topped with ample sausage gravy and served with two eggs and hashbrowns.  Next week you’ll come back for more.

#1 Three Egg Omelet

Number one for a reason!  It’s customized to your taste.  Choose from three toppings: ham, sausage, bacon, onions, peppers, shredded cheddar cheese, mushrooms, spinach, jalapenos.  And served with hashbrowns.

So, what else?  Here are some more delicious ideas available for your Sunday Brunch at the Eagle's Nest, 10 am - 1:30 pm.

Eagle's Nest manager Jorge Orozco had a sudden realization.  He told owner Blair Huff about it.  Blair said "let's do it!"

What was Jorge's idea?

Jorge said "install colorful lights in the cupola." Then change the colors to tell customers when the Eagle's Nest is open, having last call, or closed.  The three colors are green, yellow and red. Can you guess when each color is displayed?

Installing LED lights in the cupola required hauling equipment and tools up an arduous climb. First step was to scale the wall of the restaurant like a ninja.  Then, enter a secret door to the attic.

From there, the crew had to maneuver through the matrix of trusses.

Finally, another totally vertical ladder had to be climbed to reach the cupola.

Blair and Jorge recently retraced those steps to inspect the lighting system. A little like two intrepid mountaineers, they aspired to reach a Clark Lake high point. Though facing the potential hazard, they held tough and pulled it off. Both explained it was lot warmer up there than expected.

So, when they returned to terra firma, they took a break and enjoyed some of what the Eagle's Nest is best known for.

Eagle’s Nest has three more winners of $50 gift cards. Watch the video to find out how you can win. Also, some random guy makes another appearance and demands answers from owner Blair Huff. What’s up with that?

No puchase necessary.

Check out the first appearance of "Some Random Guy," and what he says to Blair Huff.

No purchase necessary.