Mackinaw’s Restaurant

Specialties

Chef Laurel Khan delivers an exceptional dining experience on any occasion big or small. Known as the best kept secret between Seattle and Portland, farm fresh ingredients meet an upscale atmosphere in perfect harmony. Come see us for dinner or reserve our ballroom for your next special event!

History

Established in 2006.

I certainly didn’t plan on opening an upscale restaurant in rural Chehalis, Washington. But, how often do plans go accordingly? Upon finishing school at Western Culinary in Portland, Oregon I was chosen to work with Rick Tramonto at TRU in Chicago, Illinoise. That incredible experience put me on the exact learning track that I was hoping and I furthered my learning by working with Stu Stein in Portland. Yet, my sons lived in Chehalis, so I returned and after some months of commuting, decided it was time to make new decisions. Within a year, I created Mackinaw’s, and have had little time to look back. Lewis County on appearances isn’t an area where one would expect an upscale restaurant to survive. But survive I did. I’ve met my five year mark, thanks to an incredible base of support, both locally and from my ‘city folks’ that happen off my I-​5 corridor location between Seattle and Portland.

Meet the Business Owner

Laurel K.

Business Owner

As a Chef, I always remembered those words of wisdom taught in culinary school, about respecting my superiors, being humble, and working hard enough to never sacrifice my values. I’ve had the honor for the last several years to work with farmers from this area, allowing me to uphold my emphasis for using fresh products whenever possible. Being the sole owner of Mackinaw’s I’m continually rewarded for my long hours and desire for perfection, by the patrons who feel the need to step into the kitchen to meet me and give me a hug of thanks.

As a Mother, my being a Chef was probably a decision not well thought out when it comes to raising three teenage boys. Mackinaw’s became their home, they were my young Chefs in training, helping their Mom get through all those busy nights. They knew that the only time they had to spend with me was at the restaurant, so instead of resenting all the sport and school events I wasn’t able to attend, they actually let me become their hero.