Spice Merchants

14 09 2008
  • 401 N. 5th Ave #2C
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • Website
  • (734) 332-5500

(I’ve updated this review after Kelly pointed out I had the wrong name..It’s right now and I’ve found more info on the web.)

The Ann Arbor Spice House in the Kerrytown Shops

The Spice Merchants in the Kerrytown Shops

The Spice Merchants was another incredible find in Ann Arbor.  After walking around the Farmer’s Market (review HERE), we headed inside the Kerrytown Shops to see what that was all about.  We didn’t find much on the list of businesses next to the elevator, but there was one shop on the second floor that I wanted to check out.

I’m assuming this is a fairly new store because there’s no information about it anywhere on the web.  Even the Kerrytown Shops website lists the store as being vacant.  It’s definitely not vacant. It’s filled floor to ceiling with spices and not your run of the mill, everyday spices.  There were things in that store I’ve only seen mail order.

Along the walls, the spices are stored in bulk in glass jars.  You’re asked not to handle the jars, but for the more popular spices, there are bags of prepackaged spices hanging near the bulk.  If you want something that’s not already packaged or want more, an employee will package it for you.   In the middle of the store there are racks of spice rubs.  Same deal as the bulk spices except this time they add shakers of the rub to the display. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ann Arbor, Michigan, Reviews, Specialty Shop

Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market

13 09 2008
  • 315 Detroit St.
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • (734) 994-3276
  • Website
The Ann Arbors Farmers Market on Detroit Street in Kerrytown

The Ann Arbor's Farmer's Market on Detroit Street in Kerrytown

Farmer’s Market’s are something that is relatively new to me.  The last place I lived had only one and it was at a time that wasn’t very convienent.  Since moving to Michigan, I’ve done a lot more shopping this way and love it.  We were in Ann Arbor to do some shopping, but first, we hit up Zingerman’s Deli (review HERE) for lunch.  As we were driving around looking for parking, we passed the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market and realized it was close to the Deli.  After a delicious lunch, we walked down the street to see what the local Ann Arbor farmers had to offer.

The first thing I noticed was the abundance of peppers.  It must be that time of year because every table had a lot of peppers ranging all over the scoville scale.  I looked at some habanero’s and some red peppers, but ultimately passed because I didn’t know how long we were going to be in town or how hot it would get in the car. 

Another big thing for me is fresh herbs.  It’s so hard to find good quality herbs and I’m a terrible gardener.  I killed everything I tried to grow this year after having really good luck with basil last year.  There was one table that had just about every type of herb I could have wanted.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen spearmint and there was more than one table that had it.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ann Arbor, Farmer's Market, Local Flavor, Michigan, Reviews

Zingerman’s Next Door

13 09 2008
  • 422 Detroit St.
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • (734) 663-5282
  • Website
  • Menu
eZingermans Next Door which is literally next door to the famous Deli of the same name in Ann Arbor

Zingerman's Next Door which is literally next door to the famous Deli of the same name in Ann Arbor

If you’ve been to Zingerman’s Deli, Zingerman’s Next Door shouldn’t be hard to find.  It’s right next door.  The shop has two purposes.  First, it’s seating for Zingerman’s Deli.  As I mentioned in my REVIEW of the deli, after you place your order, you go next door and have a seat.  A server will bring your sandwiches and you can sit down and enjoy the biggest deli sandwich you’ll probably ever eat. 

The second purpose of Zingerman’s Next Door is to offer things you can’t get at the deli.  The main focus is coffee, but they offer chocolates and even gellato. 

The tables are kind of cramped in to the space, but with as many people as Zingerman’s gets, the more tables the better.  We found one along the wall near the cash register.  Our wait was only about 15 minutes which was pretty good for the volume orders the kitchen was filling.  We ate our meal and didn’t feel rushed or cramped which happens at some of the other hot spots in Ann Arbor. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ann Arbor, Bakery, Big Ten Tour, Chocolate, Coffee, Local Flavor, Michigan, Reviews, Specialty Shop

Zingerman’s Delicatessen

13 09 2008
  • 422 Detroit St.
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
  • (734) 663-3354
  • Website
  • Menu
Zingermans Delicatessen in the Kerrytown District of Ann Arbor

Zingerman's Delicatessen in the Kerrytown District of Ann Arbor

Since we’ve been in Michigan, the one place I’ve been wanting to eat at is Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor.  I can’t remember how I first heard about it, but it’s been on my short list for a long, long time.  I’ve passed the last two times I was in Ann Arbor because of time constraints.  Today, J and I took a shopping trip since U of M was on the road and the first thing we did was find Zingerman’s Deli.

Zingerman’s is in a unique area of Ann Arbor known as Kerrytown.  Very narrow streets  not far from downtown.  Across the street, sorta, sits the Kerrytown Shops.  There was a lot going on in the area on a Saturday morning.  Not only was the Farmer’s Market open, but there was a festival going on in the school lot near the Deli.  We drove around for almost twenty minutes before we finally found a spot to park on 5th Avenue.  It was raining pretty hard, but that wasn’t enough to keep me away from the biggest sandwich I’ve ever gotten at a Delicatessen.

When we opened the door to Zingerman’s, I was shocked to find a building full of people.  I had heard the lines got pretty long at times, but it was shoulder to shoulder inside.  We finally made our way past the meat and cheese counter to get to the line to order lunch.  There are close to 100 different sandwich combinations.  It was a little overwhelming at first, but we managed.  The wait was pretty short even though there were so many people.  The employees taking orders were very on top of things and knew what the sandwich combinations by the numbers. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Ann Arbor, Big Ten Tour, Deli, Downtown, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

7-Eleven – Holt

12 09 2008
  • 1997 Aurelius Rd.
  • Holt, MI 48842
  • (517) 694-4906
  • Website
The 7-Eleven store on Aurelius Road in Holt

The 7-Eleven store on Aurelius Road in Holt

It’s not very often that J makes me crave something, but tonight, she did.  When she came home for dinner, she had to weave through the madness that was the gas stations in this town today.  Because people are stupid and will believe anything they hear, lines were forming in the streets on Pennsylvania and Cedar.  She had to weave through all this mess just to get home, so when it was time to go back, she didn’t want to mess with trying to get the Slurpee-type drink from Speedway which she was craving.  Just talking about it made me crave one.

Even though it was much later and all the rumors about $6 gas turned out to be untrue, I didn’t want to mess with trying to get to a gas station, so I went the other way and went to Holt.  7-Eleven occupies the corner of Holt and Aurelius Roads in the village.  It has been a few years since I’ve been in a 7-Eleven.  The convenience stores are prevalent in Chicagoland, but not where I grew up about an hour south.  7-Eleven was a treat when we would stop before or after a White Sox game at Comiskey Park.  We figured since they sponsor the White Sox (all home games start at 7:11 PM CST), we’d support them right back.  That’s what happens when your family watches NASCAR.  You support the sponsors of you’re favorite driver/team. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Holt, Michigan, Reviews

Dinner in Ann Arbor?

12 09 2008

Looking for suggestions again.  J and I are going to do some shopping and check out Ann Arbor.  I’ve been there a few times for work, but never had time to walk around downtown.  Since UM is on the road, we thought we’d head that way and check out H & M and try to find some place to eat.  I know I want to eat at Zingerman’s for lunch, but are there any good suggestions for dinner?  I’ve hit the hip college spots (Blimpy Burger and Fleetwood).  Is there anyplace else that we just have to go to?


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Categories : Ann Arbor

Press Release – Smokefree Air Rally

12 09 2008

From a press release….

Rally at Capitol to Encourage Concurrence Vote on Smokefree Workplace Legislation
Legislators, medical experts and smokefree advocates
to speak in support of House Bill 4163

WHAT: The Campaign for Smokefree Air is hosting a rally at the Capitol to encourage Speaker Andy Dillon (D – Redford Twp.) and the House of Representatives to concur on HB 4163, which would make all work places, including restaurant and bars smokefree. Speakers will take the opportunity to tell their personal stories as well as give concrete statistics and examples as to why Michigan should be the next state to pass smokefree legislation.

WHO: Dr. Greg Holzman, Chief Medical Officer, Michigan Department of Community Health – Event Emcee
Dr. Lawrence Abramson, DO, family practice physician – Dr. Abramson currently sits on the Board of Trustees for the Michigan Osteopathic Association.
Sen. Raymond Basham (D-Taylor) – Sen. Basham has been fighting to pass smokefree legislation for more than 10 years.
Rep. Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale) – Rep. Meisner is a proponent of smokefree workplaces and a supporter of CSA.
Rep. Brenda Clack (D-Flint) – Rep. Clack has been a long time supporter of the Campaign for Smokefree Air
Dr. Ronald Davis, past president of the American Medical Association – Throughout his medical career, Dr. Davis has worked on tobacco issues for more than 30 years.
Daniel Haberman – Mr. Haberman is the owner of the Bosco bar in Ferndale, MI and a long time supporter of smokefree workplaces.
Ashley Baracy, Miss Michigan 2008 – Ashley’s mother is a five year cancer survivor and Ashley’s personal platform is breast cancer awareness.

WHEN: Tuesday Sept. 16, 2008
12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Capitol Rotunda

                                                                #####


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Categories : Food News, Michigan, Politics

Smoking Ban Getting Close?

11 09 2008

I mentioned this in a comment earlier in the week, but since WLAJ did a story on it last night, I thought I’d give the topic it’s own post.  Word on the street is the House is going to vote on the “clean” version of the smoking bill sometime before the November elections.

House democrats tell us while negotiations are ongoing right now, they hope to have the reconciled version of the smoking ban signed into law by the November election.

I really would like to see a smoking ban pass, but I’m not in favor of a 100% clean bill.  The ONLY exception should be for cigar/tobacco shops.  Employees know what they’re getting in to there.  Casino’s should not be exempted and there needs to be a way to make sure Indian Casino’s aren’t exempted as well.  There’s a lawsuit working it’s way through the courts that would require Indian Casino’s to purchase liquor license.  HB 4163 should include language mandating that establishments purchasing a liquor license must be smoke free.  That way, should the courts ever decide, it would force Indian casino’s to go smoke free as well.  That will take away the so-called advantage.

On the web. HB 4163


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Categories : Food News, Michigan, Politics

Roast opening Oct. 15…

10 09 2008

…but according to the Detroit News, they needed a loan of $400,000 to do so.

Celebrity chef Michael Symon’s restaurant Roast aims to open Oct. 15 in the renovated Westin Book Cadillac downtown, backed in part by a $400,000 loan that includes public money.

After some debate about the struggles of downtown upscale restaurants, the loan was approved Tuesday by the board of the Economic Development Corp., a branch of the quasi-public Detroit Economic Growth Corp. Some of the money comes from the city’s $40 million casino fund; the 10-year loan is backed by Citizens Bank and personally guaranteed by Book Cadillac developer John Ferchill. A breakdown of how much each party is backing was not available.  

I would love to see a menu for this project.  It’s supposed to be a meat-eaters paradise.


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Press Release – Local Bennigan’s Win Franchise Award

10 09 2008

From a press release….what did they win?  Best of one?  There can’t be many left….

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LaBelle Management Named Number One Bennigan’s Franchisee

LaBelle Management, a hospitality company that independently owns and operates all of the Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern locations in Michigan, has been named the 2008 Number One Bennigan’s Franchisee for all Domestic and International locations. This award, given by Bennigan’s Franchising Company, is based upon each Bennigan’s mystery shopper scores, Guest satisfaction focusing on quality, service and cleanliness and local store marketing efforts.

“LaBelle Management is a key franchisee that we rely heavily upon for their marketing, purchasing and menu expertise. They are truly a leader in the hospitality industry,” said Vince Runco, Interim President and CEO of Bennigan’s Franchise Company. “They have the highest mystery shopper and Guest satisfaction scores in the nation. In fact, the Michigan Bennigan’s consistently receive 100% mystery shopper scores.”

“We are proud of the level of hospitality, service and cleanliness that our Bennigan’s provide to our guests on a daily basis,” said Brad Hansen, CEO of LaBelle Management. “We are honored to receive this prestigious award.”


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