boagman's Profile
Zayeqa Farmington Hills MI [Detroit area]
This was indeed very, very good. Thank you for recommending the dish. It's very different from the Achar Gosht, which I do prefer by a small margin because the AG has some veggies (onions and bell peppers) in it, and the Qorma has none. No matter. With extra naan, this dish is still wonderful.
This place has become somewhat of a de facto favorite of mine. They know me there, they know what I like, they know *not* to "tone it down for the American", and it's just so affordable and well-run. It's not at *all* "hip", and maybe that's something that helps me to enjoy it even more.
What a *great* place this has been for me. Thanks for turning me on to it!
Cherry Limeade Speedy Freeze!!! I'm hooked!!!
Yeah, so I'm out working hard yesterday, and I'm hot and dying of thirst. I collect those Speedway Rewards points whenever I fill up there, so I've got a backlog of about 8000 points, and today was *hot*. Time to redeem 900 of those points for a Speedy Freeze (any size), which is their version of a Slurpee.
I almost went directly for cherry, but happened to see Cherry Limeade in an adjacent machine, so I took a tiny sample.
KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOM! Man, I could actually *feel* my pupils dilate! What a totally, awesomely, sugary, insanely, artificial flavor! I was sucking this bad boy down and getting brain freeze at an *alarming* rate. Before I even paid for it, my head was pounding. Pounding with *love*...and excruciating, stabbing pain.
I nursed this 44 ounce monster for *hours*, and it made my day just...just better. Nothing natural about this thing, unless you count the ice. What a wonderful summer treat I've just found.
A recent review of Slow's Bar-B-Q, Detroit MI
I actually did think about doing that, but didn't want to push it. I realized that I was there only a few minutes before the kitchen closed, and didn't want to be "that guy".
I actually ended up alternating bites with the mustard and apple BBQ sauces. The apple was just as I remembered it, but somehow the mustard was even better!
Oh, and I just now realized how similar my experience was to your last experience, right down to speed of service! Maybe you're right...perhaps they are working to increase turnover or something. Either way, service was at *least* two letter grades (and possibly three) better than 90% of my previous experiences.
A recent review of Slow's Bar-B-Q, Detroit MI
So I headed to The Place In Question last night (late Saturday night), as I was actually pretty hungry for BBQ, and hadn't been to Slows in at least two years. [Side note: why was I hungry for BBQ, or at the very least, thinking about it? Because I was on Yelp reading the crappy reviews of the now-long-gone Kirk's BBQ in Birmingham, and enjoying it, snarkily. I'm not defending my behavior as redemptive...just explaining why I wanted BBQ last night.]
I called ahead to make sure that the kitchen would still be open when I got there (it would be, according to the phone prompts), and I was well aware that the Tigers game was in the afternoon, so I wouldn't be having to deal with any of the after-game crowd killing the place for hours after the fact.
I arrived between 11:45PM and 11:50PM and found streetside parking on Michigan Ave. without trouble. I've gotta tell you: I felt pretty good leaving my car there with all of the street traffic around that area from Slows, Mercury (across the street), and Sugar House (next door to Slows). Lots of people out and about, on a very pleasant night.
Walked in, and was pleasantly greeted by the hostess, quickly telling her that I'd eat at the mostly empty bar, so I wouldn't take up a table. Sat down at the bar and was quickly given a menu, and quickly ordered The Reason and a Coke. Service at the bar was quite good, even though they were obviously cleaning up a bit. There were *lots* of employees, and that may have helped the service to be good.
I kid you not: my sandwich was out in probably 3-5 minutes. *Hyper*-fast. That, by far, is the fastest I've ever received my food here, and it was extremely welcome. My sandwich, such as it was, looked extremely appetizing, with quite nice presentation. The presentation didn't last long though, as I was there to *eat*.
Oh, my heaven...they have not lost a single step when it comes to the food. I enjoyed every stinking bite of that lovely morsel. I mean, it actually hurts me to know that I haven't had one of those in over two years. Now, I think that Union Woodshop's pulled pork sandwich is plenty good, too, but the depth of flavor in The Reason and the way the flavors and textures interact in that sandwich, well, it's the A game, people. This is the high water mark, and at $8.49 (sandwich only), it's still a fair price.
So, fair enough: it may not be the best time of day or crowd to judge by, but my service was very good, and the food was still as magical as it ever was. At $13 out the door, it was great stuff, and I'm honestly flabbergasted that the service was, in point of fact, very good.
I mean, who woulda thunk it? How original! ;)
Looking for restaurant recs in Detroit
Ah, but if you can go to Roast during Cocktail Hour and sit/eat at the bar, you can eat like a king for a pittance! Totally worth it. Really.
Crepes in the D? [Livonia, MI area]
What Crepe? in Royal Oak was plenty good for Donna and me. Only been there the once, but it was pleasing to the both of us.
"Thai Temple" Sunday outdoor foodcourt in Warren? [DTW]
I'm not sure if I'll be able to be there or not.
Sharaku in West Bloomfield—anyone tried?
I increased the magnification on that pic you took, VTB, and I'll be the first to say it: that just looks plain disgusting. By all that's good in the world, it almost certainly *had* to taste better than it looks. I'm not sure I could get over the aesthetics of the thing. Then again, I can't get myself to try sea urchin, either, for the exact same reason.
Good food near IMAX theater on Mound rd. in Sterling Heights? [DTW]
Thanks GD. Once VTB chimed in, I figured that I'd remembered the location(s) incorrectly, and you're obviously right. Sorry all!
Good food near IMAX theater on Mound rd. in Sterling Heights? [DTW]
There's Palm Palace down M-59 a bit, what, 2-3 miles down, in the old La Shish building. Or, now that VTB's been able to post, maybe it's La Saj, and Palm Palace is further down M-59.
Have any vegans been to Cellar 849 in Plymouth,Mi? Any good?
That's good to hear. I'm not surprised that it was a bit on the pricy/small side, but the old Clorets slogan does pop to mind: "Costs a little more, but it's worth it." If the quality is that high, it stands to reason that you're (rightly) going to pay more for it.
Sounds like a winner for everyone. I have to say...I was a bit apprehensive when you said "We took them home..." as that can often be a prelude to a disaster. Thankfully, it held up.
Union Woodshop Clarkston MI
Or alternately, once the warm summer days hit, grab some carryout and head to one of the closest parks, and enjoy!
Zayeqa Farmington Hills MI [Detroit area]
Went last night (had the goat...wonderful as always) and went today and had the Chicken Hakka Noodles. I stinking love the place.
So, what IS the best Middle Eastern in Dearborn? [DTW]
Not within the last year or so. What's gone downhill about it?
Have any vegans been to Cellar 849 in Plymouth,Mi? Any good?
I'm not vegan/vegetarian, but others here on the boards have commented quite positively about the place. Be mindful that, to my knowledge, none of them are vegan/vegetarian either, but they do have high standards.
Especially because you live nearby, I'd take the leap of faith and see what they can do. Give 'em a call, and if they do, in fact, offer vegan choices, put them through their paces and see how they do. It seems like it's a pretty safe bet, but then again: how does one do cheese without animal products?
Komodo Kitchen - Indonesian - DTW
"it seems obvious that Komodo is simply the fortunate recipient of inflated demand fueled by hype and trendiness"
Ah, the truth, when told, is as soothing music.
Let me be clear: I hope for nothing but the best for Komodo Kitchen and its proprietors. If they can elicit the kind of response they have, more power to them. Clean the collective clocks of the "Gotta do it first!" idiots that are out there! Enjoy yourselves while you do!
You know something else is going to come around, though. Then, at that point, they may think about a longer term presence. The initial draw sure does grab attention when it's promoted in the paper, doesn't it?
I wonder how Jacques Tacos is doing... ;)
Komodo Kitchen - Indonesian - DTW
Heck yes, it does. In fact, I didn't even bother to look at the email they sent me for this one as the last one they were selling seats for EIGHTY-FIVE FREAKING DOLLARS. I know it's the Next Big Thing and everybody's clamoring to be a part of it, but for that kind of cheese? I'll head on over to Forest Grill, eat my ever-loving heart out, and walk out with *change*.
I'm glad they're proud of themselves, but there's a quantum difference between justifiable pride and unmitigated hubris. They haven't even been around long enough to justify themselves yet. Pass.
Barrio Tacos and Tequila Restaurant in Birmingham [DTW]
Yeah. It's Birmingham. Without a discount of some kind, I'm not going to even bother. That's highway robbery, no matter how good they are. Glad you like it, though, VTB!
So, what IS the best Middle Eastern in Dearborn? [DTW]
I still love La Pita, but individual tastes vary.
"Local Kitchen & Bar" in Ferndale [DTW]
I was there, inside the restaurant, pondering being seated. I've dined far and wide, including at some of the most pricey local places. Emily's *was* significantly pricey, and Tutto Bene was as well. I'll clarify on the "spotty" descriptor: when you open up a restaurant and almost immediately close it down, that's not going to be a mark in your favor. Perhaps Emily's was around for a while, but by the time it went away, it wasn't competitve, price-wise, even with other high end dining.
I do believe that he's got some talent as a chef, yes. Based on what I've experienced, I can't document that talent from what I've eaten.
For the record: you might balk at the term "spotty", but if you can't spot that his places were overpriced, it's time for a reality check. Local Kitchen and Bar may very well be terrific when it arrives, and as always, I judge based on what's there *now*. Still, it's a tough, competitive market, and when you've got as many competitors (both high and low end) in this area as he currently does, one really needs to set oneself apart.
Here's hoping LKAB does, in a great way!
Bob E's Super Chief @ Pontiac (DTW)
Say when. It's cheap enough that, even if I don't fully appreciate it, it won't bother me at that price point.
Quality Dry Aged Beef in metro Detroit??!!??
"...food nerd-ery at its finest."
Oh, I am *totally* using this, whether I have permission or not! ;)
Spicy Chinese Food - DTW
Aren't those dumplings in chili oil just wonderful? See, that's the problem with reading posts like this...now I'm hungry for them!
To Do: More DTW Coneys
VTB: there's currently a Groupon for Dakota Inn Rathskellar for $24 for $49 for a dinner for two. You might want to check it out, or not. This is *not* an endorsement, as I wasn't uber-impressed with the food when I went a year or two ago, but man...the atmosphere truly is cool, AND I DON'T EVEN LIKE BEER!
Might be worth it at the Groupon price. I dunno.
To Do: More DTW Coneys
While I've only been there once, VTB, wouldn't Dakota Inn Rathskellar fit the bill of what you were referring to?
DTW Chow alert: Hankuk Oriental Grocery & Restaurant (long)
Wow! Can't wait until I'm over that way, RedTop. Sounds terrific!
Troy Restaurant Week just started $35 for 3-courses @top flight chains [DTW]
"Just looked at the website and only three of the restaurants are giving anything to charity, so I don't feel too horrible saying that this is one sorry list of restaurants."
I'm pretty disappointed in the charitable contributions thing myself. I mean, what...they can't donate $1 of the meal to a charity *of their choice*? Yike.
That being said, I still need to try Mon Jin Lau, and this may get me to do it, charitable contribution or not.
New and affordable BBQ on Rochester Rd in Troy that you will like [DTW]
Tried this place on Tuesday night, and it was okay. I wasn't quite as enamored of it as others here, but there wasn't anything wrong with it, either. They're not trying to be high-falootin', upscale BBQ, that's for sure. What I had was passable, plentiful (there was a BOGO on the pulled pork sandwiches during March), and reasonably priced, but it's certainly not a place worth traveling to.
No doubt, it's definitely a kid-friendly place, and if that's a factor with other people (it most certainly is not for me), then this should be a decent place for them. The service was nice, the price decent, and the food was okay. Nothing consequential, but certainly nothing *at all* to complain about.
The *other side* of the Food Truck argument... [DTW]
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120319/OPINION03/203190329/Dago-Joe-s-food-truck-rolls-away-business-from-nearby-Checker-Bar-Grill?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p
I thought this column was certainly more interesting than not. Thoughts?
I'll keep mine to myself for the time being, but I'll weigh in eventually. I want to stir up the pot here, not muddy the waters with my own thoughts yet.
One Eyed Betty's Ferndale (DTW)
$9. For grilled cheese and fries. Nine stinking dollars.
Now, I understand that, for the most part, I'm a cheese-hating freak show. I get that, and I can attribute at least some of my wincing to this aspect of me. There's no getting around that, and I totally cop to it.
BUT NINE STINKING DOLLARS FOR GRILLED CHEESE AND FRIES!!!!!!
Wo-stinking-ow. VTB, if you've got that kind of scratch to lay down, give me a call when you go, eh? ;)
