AmyIM's Profile
One night in Warren Michigan, what's not to be missed
We just made our first trip to Kuhnnenn Bros. with friends who LOVE IT. Great place, although the service was poky (they were slammed, though). We will be back!
Food near Wayne State?
According to my husband, who works there, with my own comments:
Byblos, across from the Academic Administration Building, has delicious Middle Eastern. There's also decent pizza at Circa, and Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes next to Wasabi. There's a good cafe at the International Institute as well, but their hours are spotty.Stay away from Lefty's unless you like way too much cheese on your pizza.
Traverse City--need kid friendly, non-chain recommendations
Wow, thank you all. I'll post back here and let you know what we tried.
Great Specialty Markets in SE Michigan
I love R Hirt's in Eastern Market for cheese -- and they are open Tues.-Sat. Cost PLus wine in the market also has inexpensive, interesting choices. Honeybee Market on Bagley in Southwest Detroit has an amazing selection of Mexican specialties. And Pat's in Wyandotte has great kielbasa.
Traverse City--need kid friendly, non-chain recommendations
We'll be heading to TC for a family wedding the first weekend in May. We'll be there Friday evening through Sunday morning. Breakfast is handled at the hotel--we need one early lunch (Saturday) and one dinner. Five-year-old doesn't like most spicy food or unfried fish but is a pretty good eater; two-year-old eats NOTHING, so we're pretty much taking him out of the equation. Husband and I like everything, pretty much. I haven't been up that way in years and when I was we were in Sutton's Bay--given the kid factor, we'd like to stay close by as much as possible versus heading onto the Leelanau Peninsula, although we may have some more time before we leave for home on Sunday and choose to spend it there. We figure you can't go wrong with a brewpub..any good ones? Or other must-dos that are kid-friendly?
Detroit Suggestions?
Hi and welcome! If you're going to Lafayette, let me suggest for your drinking ahead of time Enoteca at Campus Martius (which is just a really cool new part of the city anyway) or the Motor Bar at Motor City Casino. Nice drinks at the Motor Bar, nice people and vibe at both. If you're looking for food, I like Rochester Mills Beer Co in Rochester if you have kids or a big group in tow.
Please let us know what you try!
Detroit Area (Troy/B'ham) - Chowish friends with 10 mo. old?
Bastone is Kids Eat Free on Sundays too--not that a 10 month old eats enough to get his own plate. But it's a very kid friendly atmosphere. I've been with a big group of friends and all our kids on kids eat free night (five of them, only one of whom was over five), and the servers were WONDERFUL and dealt with them beautifully. The Emory is good, and I can second Rochester Mills and Royal Oak Brewery (and probably Detroit Brewing Co. too). Mr. B's was nice as well, but very crowded and smoky. I have no idea of this is even still open, but Ballie Corcaigh in Corktown was great too.
We've eaten with our two all over, and find the key is "go early." What we try to do with childfree friends is go early and then have them back to our place for a drink after the kids go to bed so we can still talk!
Another place that did well with our kids was brunch at La Dolce Vita, although our daughter was just a baby last time. All the servers (and many of the diners) fussed over her when we had to walk her around when she got a little antsy.
Metro Detroit-Corned Beef Hash
Obviously food is subjective--because I was going to say theirs was quite bad. And there's not actually anything wrong with the hash itself that I recall, that was fine, but it was topped with cheddar cheese when I had it. Now I am a good midwesterner and love cheese, but found it very out of place on corned beef hash.
I am a big fan of Farmer's Restaurant, near Eastern Market.I like the homemade chunky texture.
suggestions for location for dinner program in DETROIT burbs?
A former company had its Christmas party at Sweet Lorraine's in Southfield in a private room. The food was OK (more becaue the menu choices were limited than any real kitchen deficiencies--I was a vegetarian at the time and didn't like the veg choice, but I have always had good food there) but the room would be good for preseantation-type meetings and the setting is nice.
non-chain "American" food in Ann Arbor?
My inlaws are in Ann Arbor while MIL gets cancer treatment. We're taking them to dinner tomorrow. They are older and extremely unadventurous when it comes to food. If we left it up to them it would be Wendy's or Applebee's. I want to avoid chains but need to find well-priced, standard American food they will not be frightened or confused by. Anyone?
Where to eat Saturday? (Detroit)
The parents have volunteered to take the kidlet, so we are going out for dinner Saturday! Where should we go? We are pretty much adventurous eaters, and would like someplace with a "grownup" atmosphere . Some of our faves are Bastone, Roma Cafe, Union Street, Nami, etc. and that's about the price point we're hoping for. We're at Eight and Woodward and don't want to go far afield (Downriver and the East Side are probably out). I am pregnant, so anyplace super smoky or where the drinks are a bigger draw than the food would be out. Atlas Global Bistro? Mosaic? Any other suggestions?
Fishbone's in Detroit
How 'bout Howe's Bayou in Ferndale? I have found the food much better than Fishbone's, and the service better too (not that that is a high bar to clear). Fishbone's used to be my family's "birthday-anniversary-nice-ish" dinner spot when I was growing up, but I have had extra bad experiences there under the new ownership.
Det Eastern Market in Sept?
The new chair of, I believe, the merchant's association has been making an impact. There are new vendors, organically grown veggies from a school for teen mothers in Detroit, and Avalon Bakery is there now. I've always felt like it was an underused gem, and they seem to be trying to make it more diverse in its offerings. And it really is worth going for the people watching alone. Farmers markets have become such a yuppie "thing" but you still get all kind of people at Eastern Market.
Here's a tip: look at the signs behind each stall. They will say "dealer"--which mean they buy their stuff from the Detroit Produce Terminal just like a store, or "producer" which means they are a farmer. Also, DO NOT STOP to chat or marvel right in the flow of foot traffic. Drives me effing nuts.
I think September is a fun time to go--the weather is a little cooler and the hordes who apparently don't get out around people much are fewer.
So, Davebough, the seafod place is good? It looks kinda skeevvy from the outside, but you're not the first person to tell me they like it.
Swenson's Drive-In (NE Ohio)
I highly doubt they are top quality beef, just good and greasy and there is an unsual buttery taste to the bun I have never found anywhere else. The Galley Boy has BBQ sauce and I think some kind of onion on it--I am a minimalist when it comes to burgers so I can't speak to any toppings. Fries are thick-cut and fresh. And the shakes are like real malts. Now I am hungry again, darn it!
(Since you're from my part of the world, Xman--my husband brought me a Big Chief burger from Duggan's and it did the trick, even though they are not similar).
Swenson's Drive-In (NE Ohio)
I am 3 months pregnant and craving exactly this meal: a Swenson's cheeseburger, fries and a redpop. With a chocolate shake for later.
Here's the problem--I live in Detroit. And none of my Ohio family is coming to visit nor do we have any trips planned for the foreseeable future (my aunt and uncle used to bring my Galley Boy-loving brother a sack of them when they'd come up for visits). I doubt they deliver (especially out of state), huh? If any of you are looking for an exucse to indulge, have one for me....
Troy/Bloomfield Hills/ Birmingham/Royal Oak Rehearsal Dinner sites...HELP!!
My friend's was at a place called Picano's in Troy--decent, not outstanding, but Italian. Another friend's wedding was at Big Rock and was beyond nice. They now have a banquets-only spot open nearby. With Birmingham and Royal Oak, be aware that parking can be a big problem, especially for older guests or those unfamiliar with the area.
Best Kielbasa in Detroit?
We just had some great kielbasa from Randy's Sausage at Eastern Market (in the Gratiot Central Market building). OH MY. My daughter ate it up. My grandfather used to make it in their meat market in Warrendale, so I am a bit picky. My grandma generally buys Dearborn or Kowalski. That smell of the wrapped sausage bundle even before you cook and eat--yummm.
And North Oakland Gal, your post made me hungry!
Green Zebras--when are they ripe? [Moved from Home Cooking]
Forgive me if this is the stupidest question ever posted on Chowhound, but...
I am growing Green Zebra tomatoes in my garden. They have started to come in, but I can't tell when I should pick them! Does their pretty bi-color green change a little, or do they get softer? Right now they are still kind of hard-to-firm, without that slight fullness and "squeeziness" I get from my red tomatoes when their time is nigh. I can't wait to eat them but want to make sure they are ready. I should add it's been pretty seasonable to cool here for July -- most nights have been in the 60s and sometimes even the 50s.
Cocktails Outside/Metro Detroit
(whispering) Can I jump in?
I thinnk Dino's appetizers are great and on par with their wonderful drinks, but their meals are just eh. Not bad, not great. I think you'd do better to enjoy lots of nibbles to share with your dining companions than to order entrees. It's my favorite go-to place for a quick grownup drink and atmosphere and seems to draw a wide range of ages and hipness levels.
Cocktails Outside/Metro Detroit
Since I started this....the gay-friendly aspect of Como's is about the only thing I can stand.I just baffles me why the place is so popular. There are even better gay bars in Ferndale, if that's your scene!
And back on topic....I totally forgot about the rooftop at Tom's Oyster Bar. LOVE IT there.
Where to eat in South Haven, MI
I would say almost everything there is family friendly, esp. in the daytime. There are a few fancier places, but we used to stay there every summer and it is generally a pretty family-oriented vacation spot. Have fun--we miss it there!
Cocktails Outside/Metro Detroit
Am I the only person who HATES Como's? The food is passable, but not enough to outweigh the crappy service. Seriously, every time I have been there it's been deplorable--like one member of our party not getting their food until even I was done and I eat slowwwlly, spilling wine on my friend's leather coat and not apologizing, etc etc etc. I have no idea how they stay in business -- the pizza's good, but I've had better.
Cocktails Outside/Metro Detroit
The back garden at The Bosco is supposed to be wonderful. La Dolce Vita (on Woodward near 6 in Detroit) also has a wonderful courtyard, one of my favorite places ever and a very cosmopolitan feeling crowd.
Detroit gift basket
At Holiday Market in Royal Oak, they have a big selection of Faygo in single "retro" glass bottles, even, so you could do an assorted six-pack. I think you can't beat the redpop, personally (I wonder if this is one of those Buddy's Vs. Loui's debates :-)?) .
If you have freezer access, maybe Stroh's Ice Cream (still made here)? Or a brick of Lafayette Chili?
Rafal's spices makes their own line of BBQ rubs and hot sauces in cool packages, as well.
Sutton's Bay, MI - any recs?
We went to a great place called Hattie's a few years ago--it apparently is now called Samuel's and run by a former chef there. www.samuelssuttonsbay.com. Enjoy your stay--I love Northern MI!
Money to spend in Detroit for my Birthday.
I haven't been to Seldom Blues in years (two and a half, precisely), but it was our celebratory "last big spendy grownup dinner" before my daughter came along and we were delighted with everything. Can't remember what I ate, unfortunately. Opus One would also be lovely, and I have heard good things about Cusine although I have not been there.
Cubanos in Detroit?
I can second (third??) the vote for Vicente's. Deeelish. Cubanos are one of those things that have become trendy and so places that shouldn't be making them (Redcoat? Ick) are doing so. The last time we got them at Cafe Habana, (which in their defense was carryout and may have been better if we had gotten them in the restaurant) they were not very well assembled or well-pressed.
When White and Offwhite are the favorite food choice
I'm extra lucky that my two year old likes vegetables. Some of the best advice I ever got was to not make food a power struggle. She eats what she's served (which, at least for dinner, is what my husband and I are eating) and if she doesn't eat it, she doesn't eat it, we don't make a big deal out of it. I know she won't starve. I was a very picky kid and my mom followed a similar approach --I got what the rest of the family was eating and I had to try two bites of anything I was served. The idea of "okay, if you won't eat that you can have a PB and J" never occurred to her or my dad and I think we're better for it.
Detroit Area CSAs?
I am wanting to do more "local" eating, especially since this is the time of year we here in the frozen Mitten can do so without dying of rickets or boredom! Does anyone know about (preferably organic and still taking reservations) CSAs, and also places to buy farm-raised, humanely treated meat from MI farmers? Much of my eating this time of year is super-local--like, from my backyard veggie patch--but I'd like to branch out a bit. I found a couple online, but would be interested in any Chowhound experiences.
The BEST places to eat in Detroit/suburban area
As someone who practically grew up going to dinner at the "Original" Buddy's, I think the pizza is the same but the atmosphere is just real blue-collar Detroit. The Dearborn location, for example, is nice and I've always had great service but the Original is just The True Thing.
I'll say this, though: My dad started going to Loui's and it is pretty damn cool. The place is SO old school and while I am not prepared to say the pizza is better, it's just as good. But different.
