Tabrams's Profile
Road trip question – Gourmet markets in Toronto, dining in Kingston
Thanks, all. Sounds like Bayview Village Mall is my one-stop shopping point for wine, cheese and charcuterie.
For fresh produce, the friend I am with is taking me to the farmer’s market near the town where we are staying in Quebec, so that is covered.
I am definitely going to try Cambodian when in Kingston. I am huge fan of Vietnamese, we have a rather large community of Southeast Asian immigrants in the Detroit-Metro area. There are a ton of Thai places here but I’ve yet to find one that really nails the cuisine. I will have great expectations for Cambodian.
Road trip question – Gourmet markets in Toronto, dining in Kingston
Hello my Canadian brothers and sisters to the south. (I can say this with some degree of accuracy since I live in Detroit).
I’ll soon be relaxing in the beautiful northwoods of Quebec (near Montreal) for a weeklong vacation. Since the border crossing is a hassle, even if you’re not carrying contraband, I was hoping to do all of my food and drink shopping for the week once I cross.
So here are my questions: Are there any quality gourmet markets I can hit on the way? I’m looking for charcuterie, cheese, fresh meat, etc…any local specialty products would also be good.
I reckon that my best bet will probably be in the Toronto area. We’re blowing through on 401 so something within 10 or 15 minutes of the highway would be ideal.
I think we’re staying a night in Kingston, too. We ate at some kind of fish joint there last year that had an acceptable poutine but I would look for something better this time. If anyone knows the dining and market scene here, I would appreciate the input.
Last question, am I pretty much screwed for decent table wine? I’m particularly fond of Loire Valley French wine in the $15 range. Is something like that going to be impossible to find?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Rogers City, MI
Not very close to Rogers City but if you are traveling up M23 you might want to stop at Wiltse’s Brew pub in Oscoda. The beer is decent and they make a nice panino with apples and cheddar. I even tried a conch fritter there once, just because they made it.
Brunch/lunch in Metro Detroit Saturday
Why not do Eastern Market in Detroit? Farmer’s restaurant has a nice corned beef hash. The bloody Mary at Vivio’s is legendary.
Detroit & Royal Oak area, Michigan, this weekend - help with foodie finds, esp. Mexican
I love Howe’s! I always get the crawfish boil -- a pound of whole crawfish in a spicy broth -- as an appetizer. There’s not much meat but there aren’t many things tastier than sucking the broth out of a crawfish head. Make sure you have a pint of Abita Turbodog within reach.
Detroit & Royal Oak area, Michigan, this weekend - help with foodie finds, esp. Mexican
There is no particular dish to recommend at the Fly Trap because they are all equally good. Order what interests you. Do not go during peak hours on the weekend or you’ll have to wait. Arrive before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. and you’ll have a better chance of being seated immediately.
Leo’s Coney Island in downtown Royal Oak is solid. It’s an easy walk from the farmer’s market.
If you’re planning to drop the big coin at Assaggi, I would consider visiting the Whitney instead. It’s very close to the DIA and while the food may not be quite as amazing as Assaggi, the ambience is incredible.
Metro Detroit - Share info on great deals!
They have something going on every night of the week: http://www.cliffbells.com/events.php
When the food is half off you can get a braised pork belly in a cider reduction with fingerling potatoes for $6.50. Amazing!
Michigan Morel Foraging
Found about 6 ounces of morels in a neighbors front yard a couple days ago. Now, what appetizer to make for tonight's dinner?
SE Michigan - The Best "Hot Wings"
I love good chicken wings, unfortunately they're not easy to find. I am no fan of BW3's wings. They're a soggy mess. I had my worst experience there last week. And how can a beer list that has over thirty beers be so boring? ^%&$(#* chain restaurants.
Anita's Kitchen in Ferndale is primarily a (very good) Lebanese restaurant but they do offer wings. Crispy and a little chewy with only a medium-heat light but very tasty sauce and a yogurt based dip. Not your typical wings but excellent nonetheless. And their only three taps are Michigan beer. Check this place out if your near the area.
Baile Corcaigh pub, Detroit
It was just a matter of time. It was a great place, gorgeous interior, but I think they were just a little too upscale for their location.
Had a wonderful potato-encrusted whitefish there. And Beamish on tap...bummer.
SF Hound Visiting Detroit Suburbs - Any Must Eats?
Speaking of whitefish, has anyone tried Scalawag's whitefish and chips? There's one in Rochester now. I think they started up in Petoskey or something.
Coney's in Detroit; a question
You have to try the Fly Trap's upscale version -- Moroccan spiced chicken breast, jack cheese and caramelized onion on grilled sourdough with a lemon garlic aioli. Fantastic!
Chili fries and a patty melt is my go to Coney Island diner meal.
SF Hound Visiting Detroit Suburbs - Any Must Eats?
Best whitefish I’ve ever had was prepared at Roast. They serve it skin-side-up and the skin is caramelized and slightly crunchy. Nice dish.
On the original topic, there is an upscale Mexican place in Novi called Rojo Mexican Bistro. I haven’t been there yet but considering they have mole and huitlacoche on the menu it can’t be all that bad. http://www.rojomexicanbistro.com/
Is there a more natural pairing than raw oysters and muscadet?
Is that a fino sherry?
The Best Coney in Detroit area
I'm partial to Hawg & Dawg in Ferndale just because it's in walking distance and I think their chili has a bit more spice heat.
I get my Chicago-style at Hippo's.
Is there a more natural pairing than raw oysters and muscadet?
I was attempting to be a little more provocative than asking what your favorite pairing is.
I guess I mean natural in that both partners are generally undisturbed. An oyster is taken from the sea and shucked, and I’ve never had an over-oaked or otherwise spoofed muscadet. What is simpler than that?
Help me out of my rut
Loire is hot right now. Seek the wines of Clos Roche Blanche. They are relatively inexpensive and freaky delicious. The Sauvignon Blanc is like no wine I’ve ever had.
As already mentioned, Tue Boeuf/Puzelat wines are excellent. I also like the wines of Chaussard and Lemasson.
Is there a more natural pairing than raw oysters and muscadet?
Recently spent a week on Chincoteague Island, VA and just about every day bought a dozen oysters from Gary Howard seafood and washed them down with muscadet. Not my favorite producer of muscadet pictured but adequate under the circumstances (should have packed some in).
This is possibly the best wine and food pairing that exists. At least I’ve never had any better.
Coney's in Detroit; a question
My Coney eating is mostly limited to Detroit city and the inner-ring suburbs. And my experience is quite the opposite of yours. I just ate at the Kerby’s on 14 and John R this past Saturday afternoon. Though the Coney arrived with all the sauce inside the bun, the minute you try and pick it up it oozes all over the place. You could eat it with your hands I suppose, but it hardly seems worth the effort when you have a fork sitting right there next to you.
I suspect it’s places like A&W, where you don’t have access to utensils, that make an effort to serve a Coney that can be eaten by hand. Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure the Coney I got at Lipuma’s in Rochester, which is more of a walk-up then a diner, could be eaten by hand. BTW, Lipuma’s is a great place to eat a Coney on a warm Saturday afternoon right next to the burbling Paint Creek.
Anyway, this whole discussion is subject to how we individually perceive if a Coney is too messy to eat with our hands. I’ll admit that the minute I start getting sauce on my hands and dripping on the plate I’ll go to silverware. Thankfully, I don’t recall anyone ever thinking me bourgeoisie for eating a Coney with a fork.
Now, who makes the best patty melt?
Coney's in Detroit; a question
It’s got nothing to do with etiquette. Coney-style hot dog chili (usually a unique blend of beef hearts, cracker meal and spices) has become the star player of the dish. People want a lot of it on their dog, hence the sloppiness, and are obviously willing to go to the trouble of using utensils to eat it. Serve it like that at a ballpark and you’ve got a problem but Detroit’s Coney Island restaurants are sit down dining affairs.
I’m still wondering where you get these tidy Coney dogs. Even the chains like Kerby’s and National make them sloppy. Do they make them different for carry-out?
Favorite Hard Cider
The Basque cider is likely Sarasola Sagardoa. A B. United import.
You might be thinking of the Dupont reserve cider that is aged in Calvados barrels. I still remember drinking a '98 vintage in 2005. Funky! Apples, socks and cheese rinds in a really soulful and delicious way. The newest vintage shouldn't be too hard to find. Ask your local that carries the regular Dupont.
We recently did a tasting with Dupont Reserve and Farnum Hill farmhouse blend. Both were top notch ciders.
J.K. Scrumpy's is good stuff though a little too sweet for my tastes. I agree that it makes a killer pan sauce.
Coney's in Detroit; a question
I don't know that I've ever eaten a Coney without a fork. Who makes a clean Coney? And why?
Best Detroit area BBQ ribs?
The owners are seriously invested (and do a lot of good) for the neighborhood and surrounding communities. Slows gets a lot of press and has become a kind of symbol for urban renewal. I've seen dining experiences altered by far less.
Metro Detroit - Share info on great deals!
Sangria in Royal Oak offers tapas at half-off until 6.
Tuesday through Thursday the food at Cliff Bell's is half-off until 8. Considering the quality of their food, this is one of the best deals going. Also, on Tuesday you can buy a bottle of wine for half price.
Best Detroit area BBQ ribs?
One of the issues with Slows is that their image is somewhat tied to regional politics. There are some rabid supporters of the place and the hype can sometimes be deafening – an easy way to setup a first-time patron for a disappointing meal. That said, my experience with at least a half-dozen meals at Slows has been good to excellent. I almost always order the St. Louis-style ribs because I prefer a spicy dry-rub smoked rib (you can have your soggy baby back). And they can't be beat for beer/wine/bourbon selection.
Downtown Detroit Eats?
Cliff Bell's on Park Ave. not only has a nice French-inspired menu, but great happy hour food specials and fantastic ambiance.
