North Oakland Gal's Profile
Metro Detroit - Hunt for Kielbasa
As an annual tradition, we enjoy both smoked and fresh kielbasa during the Easter holiday. We have purchased our treasured sausage in Hamtramck the last few years. It came to me that Detroit Hounds might have their own suggested sources! Where do you go for great sausage?
"Must eats" near/in New Buffalo, Michigan area please...
Try a nice country drive to Buchanan, MI - just north - to Tabor Hill winery and restaurant. A lovely place with a beautiful view of the vineyards. They aren't open everyday - so check out their website: www.taborhill.com. They have some friendly wines which taste great while watching a Lake Michigan sunset!
Western Michigan eats
Have you tried the Chocolate Garden in Coloma? Extraordinary handmade truffles!
Saugatuck, MI recs?
Just returned from a Lake Michigan exploration trip and thought I could update you on chow situation in Saugatuck... As the previous posters indicated, Everything People Cafe, in Douglas, and Journeyman and it's sister Rye, in Fennville, are stunners. We enjoyed excellent service and remarkable meals at both locations. NOTE - EPC opens at 5:30 and I would suggest being there at that time. Otherwise, it's a 45 minute wait.
Saugatuck has an amazing array of hamburger joints and your usual bar food bistros - but Morros for Italian is worth the wait as well as Phil's.
Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant is just beautiful and the restaurant, overlooking the vineyards, has an ambitious menu - although it was closed when we visited. It's in Buchanan - not too far away. It might be worth checking out.
We also found that Holland has Butch's and the brand new City View which caught our eye. A bit of a drive - but both are in the center of the prime shopping district - so it might be a worthwhile destination.
Heading to Dearborn....Annam or M & M cafe?
Since it's your special day, have you thought of a casual and romantic place like Ristorante Ciao on Monroe? It certainly is a little jewel which not only has wonderful Tuscan style food - but the service is personal and attentive! They have great spaces for larger type groups, too.
Crushed lentil soup in Detroit area?
RUN on over to Pita Cafe located in a small shopping center just South of the Greenfield Road exit of 696! They serve a large bowl of hearty, beautiful soup along with a basket of fresh baked bread with a slight touch of sesame... A heart warmer on a cold day.
(Food) Stops between Chicago and Detroit?
I know that you have discovered Coloma, Elvinc - but have you continued a little further off the Exit 39 between Paw Paw and St. Joseph to discover The Chocolate Garden? The most sinful chocolate truffles you ever want to have melt in your mouth! In a quaint garden setting no less! Two of my favorite wineries are right there - Contess and Karma Vista. Both are run by passionate owners who will provide you a wonderful tour of their carefully tended grapes. Worth the quick get-off the e-way!
Troy/Birmingham dining
Tasoid - When you return, try a little place on Big Beaver Larco's Italian Chop House. They have a steak Siciliano which is wonderful, juicy and flavorful! Certainly a change from your basic meat and spuds type of place!
Best Michigan bars for snacks and games
Venture out to the north country for a unique experience at Palazzo di Bocce. This is a pink palace built only to satisfy the hunger of eager bocci players. Anyone can play - kids, grown-ups, professionals. Their "outdoor" indoor bar has a great view of the action and they offer some darn good Italian cooking! Pretty reasonable!http://www.palazzodibocce.com/index.html
Detroit Auto Show with Kids?
Head toward Greektown by foot or PeopleMover and visit PizzaPapalis for a gooey, filling pie. Lots of fun for kids and grown-ups. http://www.pizzapapalis.com/Locations.aspx
Weekend in DC
You meal descriptions make me want to purchase a round trip ticket to Washington DC from Detroit for some wonderful and memorable chow!
Dining out in Rochester MI
The lights are exquisite and it's fun taking a walk up and down Rochester Road people watching. I would recommend Andiamo for good basic Italian. I would also try to get a window seat. Therefore, you can have a good meal, people and holiday light watch all at the same time. You might have to park a couple of blocks away - but the walk is worthwhile!
Good Italian in Rochester or Auburn Hills MI?
Lino's on Tienken just north of Rochester is often overlooked. However, if you are seeking a quiet, nighborhood bistro, Lino's is your go-to place. Reasonable, not-overdone - real comfortable Italian food. It's a little out of the way (next to a car-wash) but always good.
Detroit - Black and White Cookies
Help me to understand exactly what you are seeking... An idea - The Martha Washington Bakery in Hamtramck has some wonderful shortbread type cookies with a delicious glob of dark chocolate frosting on top.
Serendipitous Asian salad
A real change from the usual "bag" salad - I'll try it tonight!
Best Bread in Detroit Region
Stand in line at Zeman's (Greenfield and 10 Mile) for the best, chewiest Jewish Rye Bread ever!
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Family Dining--NOT!
We spent 4 beautiful days at Niagra-on-the-Lake and Estria was the only mistake we made. I agree with you, Kennzer, it was an expensive lesson. However, I did listen to a number of Hounds who recommended wonderful places, including Old Angel Inn and Zee's. We found a new Tony DeLuca bistro - the Old Winery - which offered fresh pizzas, delightful salads and boasted of a beautiful outdoor patio which is kid-friendly. I won't let one clinker meal stop me from returning!
Best Sat. am brunch in or near Kalamazoo?
Check out Oakwood Bistro. It's a small store front establishment - but cozy and slightly sophisticated. It opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. It doesn't serve "breakfast food" - but it offers creative, beautiful cooking in an intimate setting.
SE Michigan: best cider mill?
A day trip to Romeo is truly getting away from it all and we enjoy Soney Creek Orchard & Cider Mill on W 32 Mile Rd. Not only do they have a U-Pick - but they take you on a hayride to the fruit. This is a family run business - and the family farmhouse sits right next to the farm market. Fresh donuts, including pumpkin pie spice donuts, come right out the the oven and into your bag. There's nothing "touristy" about this place and it's a lovely ride getting to it.
Cheeseburger in Rochester, MI
This North Oakland Gal should know where to get a good burger... The OU area is mostly "college food" - but if you go further north to the village of Oxford, you will find Red Knapps American Grill on Lapeer. Probably the most unique burger you will find in these parts. Good hand pressed meat with home-made bun. Great woodsy atmosphere and a terrific patio. They serve a gigantic glass of brew. It's the type of place you can spend all afternoon just shooting the breeze. Have Fun!
Best Delivered Food Gifts?
Penn Street Bakery (www.pennstreet.com) out of Western Michigan sends out wonderful, moist pound cakes in tins for a reasonable cost. Everyone likes them and they stay fresh in the fridge. You might want to check them out!
turkey hill ice cream
Turkey Hill has a Cherry/Vanilla flavor which is garishly red balanced by white white. It looks like something a kid would love - but BOY, what a punch of sour/sweet flavor! I am going back for more!
What Did Your Mom Cook You When You Were Sick?
"Cracker-Mush" - Graham crackers boards in a bowl with milk eaten like cereal and, if you got better - you got to eat Ritz crackers with peanut better and jelly!
Food Movies [moved from Not About Food board]
Tortilla Soup - Great Cast and even better Food!
French food in northern Detroit suburbs?
Bistro Bourdeau at Auburn and Squirrel is a gem which is often overlooked. It's a circular building with a wonderful bar. We have always enjoyed the food and the service is friendly and helpful. It's more "euro-food" than French - but you won't have a long drive to get to the movies!
Best Kielbasa in Detroit?
Shopping at Srodek's market is an old-world experience you won't forget. It is a family-run madhouse with a single counter filled with Polish delights you might have never seen. The fresh kielbasa is incredible. You will be in garlic heaven just holding it in the logo bag leaving the store. The store is jammed each holiday and you might want to wander to the Martha Washington bakery, just up the street, for a loaf of fresh baked rye bread and a box of angel wings. The local natives go to "The Polish Market" just across the street. It is an all-in-one Polish extravaganza with a bakery, meat counter, dried fish and sausage section. A trip to Ham-Town is always worthwhile!
Need chowish recs for Grand Rapids/Rockford
For good old home cookin' in a 50's sort of way - try Rosie's Diner in Rockford. It's a lot of fun... (http://www.rosiesdiner.com/index.html)
DETROIT, Southfield area [Moved from Elsewhere in America board]
You can't go wrong with Meriwether's on Telegraph. (http://www.muer.com/restaurants/meriwethers/southfield.html)
Service is friendly, teacup bread is yummy, Martha's Vineyard Salad is delish and fresh fish and meats are served without a lot of heavy sauces. Good place to catch up with friends.
