Press Release – New Coffee Line at Panera Bread

22 01 2009

I’ve been told all three Lansing area Panera Bread will be participating in this and the funds they raise will go to the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross…..

Panera Bread® to Celebrate Breakfast
With Free Cups of its New Coffee and Samples of New Products
Panera Bread to Support Local Communities by Raising Funds for Operation Dough-Nation® Recipients

Richmond Heights, MO, January 22, 2009 – Something big is brewing at Panera Bread and everyone’s invited. On Wednesday, January 28, Panera Bread bakery-cafes throughout the country are inviting customers to celebrate Panera’s new breakfast experience by sharing free cups of its new Light and Dark Roast coffees, as well as samples of its three grilled breakfast sandwiches and new Strawberry Granola Parfait.

To Share the Warmth with the local community, Panera Bread will also be inviting customers to donate a dollar on January 28 to help support its Operation Dough-Nation Community BreadboxTM program. Participating bakery-cafes will join the celebration by matching customer donations made on that day. Donations to Panera’s Community Breadboxes support local programs that address community needs. Through its Operation Dough-Nation effort, Panera Bread bakery-cafes collectively donated a retail value of more than $40 million worth of bread and baked goods in 2007 to charitable organizations helping to address the need for food distribution in its local communities.
“We are very proud of what we have achieved at breakfast at Panera,” said Ronald Shaich, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Panera Bread. “We’re looking forward to celebrating breakfast with our customers and joining them in supporting our local communities.”

Panera Bread has been working for more than two years to perfect its two unique new coffee blends — a Light Roast and a Dark Roast. The Light Roast Coffee is a new blend of some of the finest South and Central American beans, roasted lighter for a smooth, classic taste. The Dark Roast Coffee is a new blend of top Costa Rican beans, created for customers who prefer a robust, balanced, full-bodied coffee. All Panera Bread bakery-cafes will continue to carry its current Hazelnut and Decaffeinated coffee blends, as well as a selection of specialty Espresso and Espresso-based drinks expertly prepared by trained baristas.
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Coscarelli’s Restaurant & Lounge

21 01 2009
  • 2400 S. Cedar St.
  • Lansing, MI 48813
  • (517) 482-0238
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Coscarellis Restaurant & Lounge on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Coscarelli's Restaurant & Lounge on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Have you ever noticed that big grey building on South Cedar Street with the word “Coscarelli’s” painted across the front?   I’ve noticed it, but never knew it was open.  There are no windows or signs that show any sort of life at the place.  The parking lot is around back and not really visible from the street.  We’ve lived here for almost ten months and had no idea the place wasn’t abandoned.  Last week, we were driving by and I happened to notice some cars in the parking lot behind the building.  Later in the week, I was driving down Cedar again and decided to turn in to the parking lot and scope the place out.  What I found was a lot of cars hidden by the big grey building.  Not only Coscarelli’s open, they seem to be packed.

I had a late afternoon job interview and wasn’t sure how long it would take or how I would feel afterwards, so I told J I would pick her up on her dinner break and take her out to eat.  Our original plan was to check out the new Brothers Restaurant in East Lansing until I remembered there was a home basketball game.  J just said she wanted a salad and didn’t want to go to a chain.  On my way home from the interview, I drove by Coscarelli’s again.  When I got home, I did a Google search for a menu and actually found one.  J approved so I picked her up at a little after seven and headed to that building we used to think was abandoned.

Coscarelli’s sits on South Cedar between Rockford and Lincoln.  On the front of the building, there are signs painted on both the north and south sides.  The south sides points you to the sports bar.  The north side points you to the lounge.  We were looking for dinner so we entered the parking lot off of Rockford Road.  The parking lot was packed.  We drove around twice looking for a place to park then just kind of made our own spot next to a snow bank.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Press Release – Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina coming to Mid-Michigan?

21 01 2009

Got this press release from Charlotte, NC based Salsarita’s Inc. in my inbox this evening.  They’re a chain I have never heard of, but they have Michigan locations in Allen Park, Ann Arbor, Brighton, Detroit, Macomb, and Troy

SALSARITA’S TO TURN UP THE HEAT IN MICHIGAN
Fast-Casual Mexican Chain Targets Lansing, Flint and Jackson for Growth

(Lansing, MI)—Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, one of the nation’s quickest-growing, fast-casual Mexican restaurant chains, has plans to add at least 35 locations throughout the state over the next few years. They are concentrating their efforts in Lansing, Flint, and Jackson. These locations will join seven existing Salsarita’s in the state. A fast-casual restaurant, Salsarita’s specializes in serving made-to-order burritos, tacos, tortilla pizzas, taco salads and more made from the freshest ingredients and served up in an inviting, festive atmosphere or off-site via a convenient catering service.

“Lansing, Flint and Jackson are fresh and exciting places, just like Salsarita’s,” said Salsarita’s president and CEO Paul Mangiamele. “I think it will be a great addition to their local dining scenes.”

Lunch accounts for about 60 percent of Salsarita’s sales, and service is always fast and friendly. Three to four orders can be filled per minute – meaning that the 20th person in line can be served in five minutes – and the average check is $7.75. Salsarita’s makes sure its guests’ needs are met in other ways, too. For the time-crunched family looking for a delicious home-meal replacement, take-home Taco Bar provides all the fixings for four, six or eight people. A complete catering program is also available for groups from 15 to over 150.

Founded in 2000 in Charlotte, North Carolina by multi-unit franchisee Bruce Willette, Salsarita’s has 78 restaurants in 18 states and expects to end 2009 with over 100 locations. Salsarita’s currently has development engagements in excess of 100 additional units and expects to grow to 200 restaurants by 2012. In 2007, the chain topped Restaurant Business’ list of The Future 50, which ranks the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America. With new locations opening across the country, Salsarita’s is a front-runner in the fresh-Mexican category, a recipient of numerous Franchise 500® rankings and a brand that’s quickly gaining recognition for its quality product and legendary hospitality. Read the rest of this entry »


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Giordano’s At Home

20 01 2009
The package UPS brought me to do...no doubt whats inside!

The package UPS brought me today...no doubt what's inside!

I almost hugged the UPS guy today.  Over the weekend, J ordered a pizza from Giordano’s for a co-worker and picked up a couple for us as well. I love Giordano’s pizza.  When I think of Chicago pizza, this is what I think of.  To the untrained taste buds, Giordano’s is no different from The Pizza House in East Lansing or Ann Arbor, but in reality, there’s a difference.  Oh, not much, but just enough. 

We were starting to wonder if the pizzas were coming today.  I had planned dinner around them getting here.  I had to run to the dry cleaners, but I kept procrastinating so I didn’t miss the delivery.  I sat down to play Guitar Hero figuring I’d play one gig then go pick up my dry cleaning.  I got halfway through my second song when the door buzzer rang.  YAY!  The pizzas made it.  I pulled the cheese pizza out of the Styrofoam box then went off to run my errands. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Michigan

Subway – Holt

20 01 2009
  • 2375 Cedar St. #F
  • Holt, MI 48842
  • (517) 694-4414
  • Website
  • Menu
The Subway on Cedar Street in Holt.

The Subway on Cedar Street in Holt.

Happy Inauguration Day!  I slept right up until the time President Obama took the oath, but J got up “early” so she wouldn’t miss anything.  That’s why I bought a TIVO five years ago.  Obama wasn’t my choice for President, but I do have a little bit of history with the man so it was neat to see.  When I worked and a TV news photographer in Peoria, there was an unknown state senator from Chicago with a funny name who was an underdog for the US Senate seat being vacated by Peter Fitzgerald.  We spent a lot of time covering front runners Blair Hull and Dan Hynes.  Then, something happened.  Blair Hull’s nasty divorce got brought into the race and this unknown made a huge surge.  Barack Obama won his party’s nomination.  Still, he was the underdog against Republican Jack Ryan.  Well, wouldn’t you know it.  Jack Ryan’s messy divorce got drug into the race and he eventually dropped out leaving Barack Obama with no Republican opponent. 

It was during this time I got sent to the small town of Canton, IL in Fulton County.  Barack Obama was stumping at the Fulton County Democratic Headquarters.  The room was packed.  There was probably fifty people jammed into a room that held thirty.  I was jammed into the corner with my big camera near the podium.  After the speech, the future President put his hand on my back, thanked me for coming, and asked if I needed an interview.   At that time, I declined because I had the sound I needed.  I look back now and kick myself.  Then, it was no big deal.  I had interviewed hundreds of politicians at the state and federal level.  It just wasn’t a big deal.  I just wanted to go grab dinner and head back to Peoria…a thirty minute drive.

That wasn’t the first time or the last time I covered a story about Barack Obama, but after his speech at the 2004 DNC, everything changed.  He became a rock star and events now started drawing hunderds and media availability dwindled. 

On February 10, 2007, I stood on a riser between reporters from ABC and CNN in front of the old State Capitol in Springfield, IL when Barack Obama announced his run for the presidency.  I was working for the Obama campaign as a freelance camera operator.  I was hired by a production company (not the actual campaign) to run the main camera for the pool feed that was being fed all over the world.  I think it was then that it hit me what was happening. 

Here it is, five years after that meeting in Canton, and J and I are watching the same man being sworn in as our 44th President.  The swearing in went to just after noon.  As we sit on the couch watching Charlie Gibson, we realized we didn’t have anything to eat.  Not wanting to cook, J said she’d buy lunch if I’d drive.  I had been seeing commercials for Subway’s new flat bread and got curious.  We always forget there’s a Subway just around the corner in Holt, but today, I happened to remember.  J was on board so Subway it was. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Holt, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Houlihan’s Restaurant & Bar- Lansing

18 01 2009
  • 5732 W. Saginaw Highway
  • Lansing, MI 48917
  • (517) 323-3550
  • Website
  • Menu
Houlihans Restaurant & Bar at the Lansing Mall

Houlihan's Restaurant & Bar at the Lansing Mall

Last time we were in Chicago, J’s step-dad suggested we go to Houlian’s for dinner.  Actually, he gave us the choice between Houlihan’s and Hackney’s in Palos Park.  I lobbied for Hackney’s since I knew we had a Houlihan’s in Lansing.  J and her mom agreed so we went to Hackney’s.

Today, J wanted to make a quick trip to Horrocks to get some apples for the week.  It was a little later in the afternoon and we hadn’t eaten lunch yet.  I was still pretty tired and didn’t feel like thinking or researching so I suggested we go to Houlihan’s at the Lansing Mall.  J didn’t argue, so that’s where we headed.

Houlihan’s is in the Lansing Mall near Macy’s.  There’s an entrance from outside the mall as well as inside.  We used the outside door and entered near the giant clock.  We were met by a hostess who showed us to a booth near the windows in the non-smoking section.  The decor wasn’t all that different from most chains.  It was more of an upscale feel when compared to something like Applebee’s, but again, the design was too clean and too perfect to not be a chain.   I hung my coat on one of the coat hooks attached to the booth and took a seat.  J mentioned she was surprised that she wasn’t cold sitting next to the windows like she had been at other restaurants recently.

The first thing we noticed were the menus.  The outside covers were a piece of tin.  Inside, the pages were inside plastic sheet covers.  The menu started with drinks.  There were quite a few pages.  I flipped through until I got to the food section.  I just wanted a Coke.  J got a pomegranite lemonade which she loved.  She said it was just a little tart and was sparkling.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Chains, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

New York Pizza Depot – E. Williams

18 01 2009
  • 605 E. William
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • (734) 669-6973
  • Website
  • Menu
The New York Pizza Depot on Williams Street in Ann Arbor

The New York Pizza Depot on Williams Street in Ann Arbor

When I’m in a college town, one of my favorite meals is to find a place that sells pizza by the slice.  I was in Ann Arbor by myself to shoot a basketball game which means I was going to be on my own for lunch.  A few weeks ago, I picked up one of those travel magazines at a rest area.  It had a list of restaurants by location in town, so looked for something in the campus area.  I found a pizza place and assumed they would do pizza by the slice, so when it came time for lunch, I headed down towards the State Street area to find the New York Pizza Depot.

The New York Pizza Depot sits on the corner of Williams and Maynard Streets.  The New York Pizza Depot is a small chain founded in Ann Arbor looking to franchise out.  Right now, they have five stores under the franchise umbrella Uncle D’s New York Pizza.  Three in Ann Arbor, one in Ypsilanti, and one in Bloomington, IN.  To my surprise, the shop was pretty big.  There is a main room when you walk in with a glass case full of pizza and a few tables.  There’s also another room with more tables down a short hallway.  It looks like it used to be two separate store fronts that were put together.  The decor is really nice.  The booths are cloth covered and it feels more like your sitting on a couch than a restaurant booth. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ann Arbor, Michigan, Pizza, Restaurant, Reviews

Crisler Arena

18 01 2009
  • 333 E. Stadium Blvd
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • (734) 998-7236
  • Website
Crisler Arena on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor

Crisler Arena on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor

When I got the e-mail asking if I was available to shoot men’s basketball at Crisler Arena, I have to admit, I was a little pumped.  Growing up in the far away land of Central Illinois, Ann Arbor was this far away, mystical place we saw on TV every Saturday afternoon.  I would have been in junior high during the Fab Five years and there were wars at my house over college basketball.  My brother was a Michigan fan while I rooted for Duke.  This was also about the time Nike was coming out with “authentic” apparel.  My brother had the Jalen Rose jersey and matching shorts.  I had a number of Duke shooter shoots.  As far as we were concerned, Crisler Arena was one of those places we’d never go to, but would have given anything, at that time, to see a game there. 

Well, I got my chance 10 plus years later.  Crisler Arena is on the campus of  U of M in the shadow of Michigan Stadium.  My first impression was, “wow.”  That’s not a good wow.  That’s a “I can’t believe this” wow.  The place is so run down it doesn’t look fit for a basketball program with the history and aura of the Michigan Wolverines. The seats were rusted, they were small and low to the ground.  From a broadcast point of view, Crisler is one of the worst stadiums I’ve ever worked at.  I’ve never been to Big Ten stadium where all of the cable had to be run from the truck.  After being there five minutes, all the expectations I had as a kid were squashed.  I’m really glad my brother hasn’t been there. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ann Arbor, Big Ten Tour, Entertainment Venues, Live Entertainment, Michigan, Reviews

Circle K – Ann Arbor

18 01 2009
  • 1420 E. Stadium Blvd.
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • (734) 997-9405
  • Website
The Circle K on Stadium Boulevard and Packard Street in Ann Arbor

The Circle K on Stadium Boulevard and Packard Street in Ann Arbor

What’s my favorite thing about going to Ann Arbor?  It’s not Zingerman’s.  It’s not Blimpie Burger.  It’s the Circle K.  I made my to Ann Arbor through a snowstorm for work.  I left pretty early because I didn’t know just how bad the roads would be.  When I got to town, I made a quick stop at Zingerman’s Next Door to pick up some caramel’s for J.  I still had about a half hour before my call time when I got to Crisler Arena and I remembered that there was a Circle K about half a mile down the road, so I headed out back on to the unplowed streets of Ann Arbor.

The Circle K is on Stadium Boulevard not too far from The Big House and Crisler Arena.  It’s not the newest gas station in town, but they had what I needed.   A Polar Pop.  I’ve blogged a few times in the past about the Polar Pop, but I’ll remind you again, it’s more nostalgia than anything.  Yes.  It’s just a Pepsi out of a fountain in a styrofoam cup, but, unlike other gas stations, they charge less than a buck.  Actually, they only charge $.63.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Quality Dairy – South Cedar

14 01 2009
  • 2600 S. Cedar St.
  • Lansing, MI 48910
  • (517) 272-1522
  • Website

The Quality Dairy store on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

I’ll tell you what…we’re becoming QD converts.  J and I left Grumpy’s Diner on Mt. Hope and headed over to Cedar Street.  J wanted something warm.  These single digit highs are definitely not fun. 

We were heading towards McDonald’s on South Cedar when we came up to a Quality Dairy.  J asked if they had coffee.  I said I’m sure they did….I knew they had hot chocolate.  She asked if I wanted a hot chocolate and I was so frozen I could barely answer, but I managed to unfreeze my jaw enough to say yes, so J said it it was better to support a local business than a McDonald’s and of course, I agreed.  I made a quick right into the Quality Dairy parking lot.

The particular Quality Dairy is on the corner of Cedar and Greenlawn Avenue.  I don’t know if I’ve just never paid attention or of this store is bigger.  We were in the market for something hot.  I spotted the hot chocolate machine and grabbed a cup.  Other than hot chocolate, they had flavored cappuccino, regular coffee and a few other coffee flavors.  I went with a 20 oz. hot chocolate.  J mixed the fat free vanilla cappuccino and hot chocolate in a little bit bigger cup. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Coffee, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Reviews

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