Art’s Bar & Grill – Revisited

14 03 2009
Arts Bar & Grill on Kalamazoo in Lansing.

Art's Bar & Grill on Kalamazoo in Lansing.

It’s been almost a year since our first visit to Art’s Bar & Grill.  It was one of the first places we ate at after moving to Lansing.  The building didn’t look like much, but I had heard the food was some of the best in town.  After a little hesitation, we went in and had one of the best meals we’ve had in town.

J’s parents were in town and we needed someplace to eat.  The original plan was to eat in Mt. Pleasant after gambling for a little bit, but we were still full from lunch, so we headed back to Lansing.  We tossed around a few ideas, but eventually settled on Art’s.  I had heard good things about their pizza and we hadn’t tried it yet.  By hitting up a bar, we could get a pizza and J’s parents could get burgers.

We stopped in around 7:00 on a Saturday.  There were quite a few people, but we found a table in the middle of the dining room.  Just like last time, a waitress noticed us right away and yelled over that she would be right with us.  A few minutes later, she dropped off menus while she was taking care of the rest of the dining room.  There were only two waitresses for the whole building and the one we had was working her butt off.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Bar, Burgers, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Pizza

Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort

14 03 2009
  • 6800 E. Soaring Eagle Boulevard
  • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
  • (989) 775-5777
  • Website
Leaving Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant

Leaving Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant

When my parents come to town, I pretty much expect going to a casino.  I don’t expect it when J’s parents come, but we were in Midland and needed something else to do up that way, so I suggested Soaring Eagle.  I had been there once before with my parents, aunt, brother, and sister-in-law.  My parents loved it calling it one of the nicest casino’s they’ve ever been to.  My brother hated it.  He tried turning $20 into $80 so he could pay for a hotel room back in Lansing.  Instead, he lost $80 in about fifteen minutes and pouted the rest of the night.

Soaring Eagle Casino is on the edge of Mt. Pleasant off of Leaton Road.  The whole property is beautiful.  In Illinois, all the casino’s are built around old riverboat casinos, so they don’t look anything like the Indian casino’s in Michigan.  There’s an abundance of parking.  We found a spot in a lot that was a little bit of a walk from the entrance.  After a big BBQ lunch, I needed it.

The inside is just gorgeous.  When you walk in, you almost come in right on the gaming floor.  The thing that has surprised me both times is that there’s not really a single entrance to the gaming floor that is watched by a security guard checking ID’s.  Again, at the casino’s in Illinois, if you’re under 40, they’ll take your id, put it on a scanner then make you look in to a camera so they have it on file.  There’s only one way in and one way out.  I’ve been surprised both times that we walked onto the gaming floor without talking to or being stopped by anyone.  Hell, we even got stopped twice in Windsor. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Entertainment Venues, Michigan, Mt. Pleasant

Dow Gardens

14 03 2009
  • 1809 Eastman Ave.
  • Midland, MI 48640
  • (989) 631-2677
  • Website
Dow Gardens in Midland

Dow Gardens in Midland

Why not drive an hour and a half to look at butterflies?  J and her mom were both super excited about the Butterflies in Bloom exhibit that is going on at Dow Gardens and since they just happened to decide to visit us while it was going on, we took a road trip north. 

Dow Gardens is on Eastman Road right next to the Midland Center for the Arts on Eastman Road.  They sort of share a parking lot so if you’re unfamiliar with the area, your tempted towards the bigger building, but the Dow Gardens is actually the smaller of the two tucked in near the back of the lot.  Don’t worry, there’s a big sign out front.

Your first stop is the visitors center which is where you pay admission.  There’s also a gift shop which they have set up as your last stop on your way out.  If you live in Midland or the surrounding area, your much better off buying a season pass at $10.  Since two of us were from Chicago and the other two from Lansing, we just opted for the day pass which is $5.  Obviously, if you plan on visiting more than twice, the season pass is the better deal.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Entertainment Venues, Michigan, Midland, Reviews

Bone Daddy’s BBQ

14 03 2009
  • 3216 Bay City Road
  • Midland, MI 48642
  • (989) 496-2266
  • Website (disabled)
  • Menu
Bone Daddy BBQ on Bay City Road in Midland

Bone Daddy BBQ on Bay City Road in Midland

Last year, I saw a story in the LSJ about a BBQ place in Midland that won a rib cook off in Las Vegas.  I told J then that we needed to find an excuse to go to Midland.  I always thought the excuse would be a baseball game.  Turns out, the excuse was butterflies.

J’s parents were in town and both J and her mom wanted to see the butterfly exhibit at Dow Gardens.  They had been to similar exhibits in Chicago and thought this would be a neat way to spend a Saturday afternoon together.  I didn’t object because it means we had our excuse to go to Midland.

Bone Daddy BBQ is on the corner of Bay City Road and Waldo Road in Midland.  We took a wrong turn off the highway because my GPS showed an address both in the city of Midland and the adjoining township (that, for postal reasons, has a Midland address) and I chose the wrong one.  It was only a mile out of the way.  I turned around and headed two miles in the opposite direction and we found our destination on the left.

There’s not much of a parking lot in front of the building and what few spaces there are are taken up by Bone Daddy’s trucks.  I drove around the building and weaved in between the two giant smokers to find another parking lot behind the catering business. 

Once inside, you order at the counter then they bring you your food.  There are menus in bins on the wall as well as paper menus and a menu board above the counter.  The place was pretty packed.  There are two dining areas in the small building.  Each has maybe a half a dozen tables or so.  There was a kids birthday party in one room, so I grabbed a table in the other room while J and her mom put in our orders. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : BBQ, Michigan, Midland, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Free Morels?!

13 03 2009

If you’re a hardcore foodie, that should have gotten your attention.  I got an e-mail this morning inviting me to enter a contest at MarxFoods.com.  Unfortunately, I’m not a mushroom person.  I’ve never had a morel so I have no idea what I would actually do with 2lbs of them, but I figured some of you might be interested.  Just follow the link and it will bring you to a blog post with all the details and an opportunity to enter.

Marx Foods – The First Morels of the Year Up for Grabs


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Categories : Food News

Press Release – Mitchell’s Fresh Escapes Sweepstakes

13 03 2009

From a Ruth’s Chris Hospitality Group press release….

Escape the Winter Blahs and Head to Sunny Tampa with

“Mitchell’s Fresh Escapes” Sweepstakes

 

HEATHROW, Fla. (March 11, 2009) – Yearning to feel the hot summer sun instead of the cold, winter winds? Wishing you had a few extra dollars to take your sweetie to a delicious seafood dinner? Mitchell’s Fish Market’s “Mitchell’s Fresh Escapes Sweepstakes,” offers guests the opportunity to win a fabulous beach excursion vacation; a complimentary party at the nearest Fish Market or $100 in gift cards: 

  • Grand Prize (1 winner): Win a trip for 2 to Tampa Bay, Fla., including: 
  •  
    • Airfare
    • Two nights at the four-star Sheraton Sand Key Resort, located on ten acres of white sandy beach nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, minutes from Clearwater Beach
    • Florida Aquarium tickets that include an eco-tour boat ride and reef adventure, featuring more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and around the world
    • Dinner at the Mitchell’s Fish Market in Tampa
  • First Prize (1 winner): Party for up to 6 guests at the nearest Mitchell’s Fish Market
  • Second Prize (10 winners): $100 Mitchell’s Fish Market gift card 

 

Guests may sign up online at www.MitchellsFreshEscapes.com or in-store at the nearest location, now until March 31. Guests may enter once per day to increase their odds. What are you waiting for? Take a chance – try your “fin” at escaping to paradise.

Florida Aquarium tickets that include an eco-tour boat ride and reef adventure, featuring more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and around the world
Dinner at the Mitchell’s Fish Market in Tampa
First Prize (1 winner): Party for up to 6 guests at the nearest Mitchell’s Fish Market
Second Prize (10 winners): $100 Mitchell’s Fish Market gift card

Guests may sign up online at www.MitchellsFreshEscapes.com or in-store at the nearest location, now until March 31. Guests may enter once per day to increase their odds. What are you waiting for? Take a chance – try your “fin” at escaping to paradise.


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Categories : Food News, Press Releases

Thanksgiving In March – Updated x3

13 03 2009

For most people, cooking a turkey once a year is more than enough.  I’m not quite most people.  Around Christmas time, my mom called and said someone was having a sale and she picked up some meat for me.  Normally, I’d be stocked because that usually means pork loins or ribeyes.  Not this time.  She bought two turkeys and two hams.  What the hell I’m supposed to do with two turkeys and two hams I’m not sure, but I figured eventually I’d cook them.  I cooked one of the hams a few months ago, but I still have two turkeys taking up a lot of space in my deep freezer. 

I’m going to be pretty busy for the next month with work, so I figured today was as good a day as any to finally cook a turkey.

I started three days ago by defrosting in the fridge.  Last night, I put together a brine with vegetable stock, water, black peppercorns, brown sugar, salt, and allspice berries and started that process.  This is what J saw when she got home from work  last night.

Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Michigan

Press Release – Community Garden Project

12 03 2009

From a press release….

Would you like your own vegetable garden but don’t have the space or
the know-how?  The Garden Project is here to help.  We provide gardening
space in community gardens, and home garden tilling for households on a
budget.  We also provide seeds, plants, training and a tool-lending
library for our registered gardeners.  Our monthly newsletter is full of
helpful gardening ideas, and staff is available to answer your gardening
questions.  Our workshops and classes include not only gardening but
food preservation techniques like canning as well.  For more information
contact The Garden Project at (517) 887-4660 or gardenproject@ingham.org
 Our registration is online at www.lansingfoodbank.org  Just click on
The Garden Project.

The Garden Project
A program of the Greater Lansing Food Bank
PO Box 30161
Lansing, MI 48909-7661
Phone: (517)-887-4660
Email: gardenproject@ingham.org


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Press Release – Old Town Food Sampler and Loft Tours

12 03 2009

From an Old Town Commercial Association Press Releae…

Food Sampler and Loft Tours Highlight

Life in Old Town

­­­­­­­­­­­ Businesses and loft owners offer patrons the chance to Taste & Tour Old Town

OLD TOWN, LANSING, Mich. – The Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) presents the second annual Taste & Tour of Old Town, a progressive food sampler and loft tours, Sunday, April 5, from Noon-5 p.m., in conjunction with the First Sunday Gallery Walk.

The Taste & Tour of Old Town invites Lansing residents and visitors to sample tasty cuisine from eight Old Town restaurants and gourmet food retailers. Patrons may also view multiple Old Town lofts for an idea of what it’s like to live in Old Town.

The sampler gives visitors a chance to taste a variety of Old Town’s finest fare, all in one afternoon. Participating locations include The Chrome Cat, El Gallo Loco, Golden Harvest, Grand Café Sir Pizza, Hattie’s Kitchen, Mama Bear’s Café, Pablo’s Panaderia and Poppa Leo’s Pizza.

The revamped Taste & Tour of Old Town features loft tours for a second year in a row. The tours offer patrons a chance to view lofts not normally open to the public. After a successful turnout with the loft tours last year, the OTCA has decided to extend the event an additional two hours to Noon-5p.m. Patrons should check in at the OTCA office the day of the event for a map of tour locations, as they will not be announced until the day of the event.

Patrons have the option of sampling food and viewing lofts for $13 if purchased in advance, $15 day of, and loft tours only for $5. Tickets are on sale now and are available at the OTCA office located at 1232 Turner St., Lansing, Mich., and at Grace Boutique located at 115 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing, Mich. Tickets are available the day of at the OTCA office.

The Taste & Tour of Old Town is a fundraiser for the OTCA, which helps to continue its mission of revitalizing the Old Town district. It is also a great opportunity to introduce family and friends, who may be unfamiliar with Old Town, to the thriving businesses, hip living alternatives and delicious restaurants that contribute to Old Town’s growth and development.


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Categories : Food News, Lansing, Michigan, Old Town, Press Releases

Press Release – Michigan Wine Month Celebration

12 03 2009

From a Pioneer Wine Trail press release…

Jackson, MI – Celebrate Michigan Wine Month at the SE Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail’s “Michigan Wine Celebration” on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19!

Tickets are $25 per person for this self-driven tour of the wineries of south-east Michigan.

Each winery along the trail will feature an appetizer or dessert prepared by a local chef and paired with their featured wine. The ticket price also includes one tasting glass. A recipe card with the featured recipe will be given out to ticket holders at each winery.

Some of planned the food and wine pairings include Vegetable Beef Stew served with Pinot Noir at Burgdorf’s Winery, BBQ Chicken Kabobs with Chipotle Cranberry Sauceserved with Summer Breeze (semi-sweet white) at Cherry Creek Cellars (Parma), Roasted Pears with Herbed Goat Cheese served with Rivera Rose’ at Cherry Creek Cellars (Cement City), Chicken Ballotine Stuffed with Proscuitto, Boursin Cheese, and Roasted Red Peppers or Florentine Ravioli with Alfredo Sauce served with Morningstar (dry white) at Pentamere Winery, Decadent Chocolate Brownie with infused Raspberry Topping served with St. Julian Raspberry Spumante at St. Julian’s Dundee location, Sun-Dried Tomato Baskets paired with Braganini Sauvignon Blanc at St. Julian’s Parma location, and Brie with Maple-Glazed Walnuts and Mill Pond Bread served with Sugar Snow (maple dessert wine) at Sandhill Crane Vineyards.

The wineries included in this event are: Burgdorf’s Winery (Hazlett) – Saturday only (until 5:00 pm), Cherry Creek Cellars (Parma & Cement City), Lone Oak Vineyard Estate (Grass Lake), Pentamere Winery (Tecumseh), Sandhill Crane Vineyards (Jackson), and St. Julian Winery (Dundee & Parma).

Ticket holders are welcome to visit each location over the two-day event, or they may choose to limit their visits (as time permits). The Wine Trail encourages ticket holders to bring a designated driver.

Hours of the event are Saturday, April 18 from 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday, April 19 from noon to 6 pm. Tickets are available online at www.PioneerWineTrail.com or from any Pioneer Wine Trail winery. There are a limited number of tickets available, ticket sales will end on Thursday, April 16 at midnight, and ticket will not be available the day of the event.

For more information call (517) 531-3080.


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Categories : Food News, Jackson, Michigan

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