Press Release – Old Town Going Green

31 03 2009

I got this press release from the Old Town Commercial Association. 

 

­­­­­­­­­­­ old town is going green!

Old Town gets ready for Spring!


OLD TOWN,Lansing, MI. –

As the days get warmer we are excited to announce three ways we’re reaching out to the Greater Lansing Area and becoming more eco-friendly.

The Old Town Commercial Association will host its annual Neighborhood Spring Meet n’ Greet. Residents of Old Town are encouraged to come join us at Grand Café Sir Pizza on April 15th 6-8 p.m. This informal neighborhood gathering provides a chance to meet other Old Town residents and business owners. There will be information on how to become an Old Town member and ways to get involved in the community! Also, it’s a chance to talk about what residents would like to change or see happen in the neighborhood.

Old Town will also break ground soon on its first Community Garden. Located on Cedar Street between Maple & Ash Streets (and across from Su Casa and Friedland Industries), the community garden will serve to offer local residents access to traditional produce and nutritionally rich food, as well as beauty to the community. Soil testing is currently being done for the lot, and initial planting is scheduled for late April/early May. Anyone interested in helping the community garden thrive can contact the OTCA office.

And the Old Town Farmer’s Market is thrilled to announce that it will begin accepting both Project Fresh coupons as well as the Michigan EBT Bridge Card when it opens on June 7th. Running from June to October, 10am – 3pm, the Old Town Farmer’s Market will be home to over 10 local farmers, monthly music concerts, as well as unique demonstrations such as patio planting techniques and rose maintenance, all free to the public. Come down to Old Town for the First Sunday Gallery Walk, and leave with locally grown, fresh produce!

For more information call 517-485-4283 or visit www.iloveoldtown.org.

 


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

Christie’s Bistro

31 03 2009
  • 925 S. Creyts Road
  • Lansing, MI 48917
  • (517) 323-4190
  • Website
  • Menu
Christies Bistro at the Sheraton Lansing on Creyts Road

Christie's Bistro at the Sheraton Lansing on Creyts Road

Today is another one of those days.  It’s J’s one year anniversary at work and, more importantly, it’s her birthday.  She had a few gift cards for a couple stores in the mall that expired today so I suggested we get up and go shopping.  After that, I planned on taking her out for a nice lunch.  

The stores we needed to go to are in both malls, so I could make a choice based on where I wanted to eat lunch.  I ended up choosing the Lansing Mall because there was a nicer restaurant near there that we haven’t been to and a birthday lunch was a perfect excuse to check it out.

Christie’s Bistro is inside the Sheraton Hotel on Creyts Road near I-496.  You enter the hotel at the main entrance.  Once inside, there really aren’t any signs or any indication on where to go.  I actually noticed the hostess station in an area that looked more like a lobby than a restaurant.  She was on the phone taking a reservation when we got there.  Once that was finished, we were shown to a table in the back of the dining room.

The dining room is interesting.  It’s not what you expect when you hear the word “bistro.”  It was nice, but it looked more like a hotel lobby or a conference space than a fancy restaurant.   There was a big fountain in the middle of the space that looked a little out of place.  There are also some private party rooms along one wall.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Michigan

Bob Evans Restaurant – American Road

30 03 2009
  • 900 American Road
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 394-7676
  • Website
  • Menu
Bob Evans Restaurant on American Drive in South Lansing.

Bob Evans Restaurant on American Drive in South Lansing.

After a weekend of standing out in the rain, snow and wind, I really wasn’t in the mood to cook.  I had everything ready to go like I was going to cook dinner, but J e-mailed and said she was in the mood for pulled pork.  Unfortunately, Lansing doesn’t have any BBQ joints.  Our only real option is Smokey Bones, but that’s out near Eastwood and there’s no way I was going to chance construction on 127 when J only had an hour for dinner.  Instead, I thought of Bob Evans.  I thought they may have a pulled pork on the menu and they did.

Bob Evans is one of the interesting chains.  I’ve never eaten at one in the past because I always thought it looked like “an old person” restaurant.  The concept is to be a comfortable family restaurant where everyone is welcome.  The chain actually got it’s start because Bob Evans (real person) needed an outlet to sell his premium sausages.  Local restaurants near Rio Grande, Ohio didn’t want to buy his speciality sausage because people wouldn’t pay a higher prices for a higher quality sausage.  Mr. Evans  believed in his product so much, he started a chain out of his truck stop.

The South Lansing location is on American Drive near Cedar Street.  It’s shares a parking lot/driveway with the Super 8 Motel.  There’s another location on Commercial Drive near Exit 93 on I-96 in Delta Township and one in DeWitt just off I-69. 

Bob Evans restaurants are easy to spot.  They’re big red buildings that remind you of a barn.  That’s kind of fitting considering Bob Evans was a farmer and his farm is on the National Register of Historic Places.  I was meeting J for dinner so I found a spot in the parking lot near the road so she could see me.  I only had to wait a few minutes for her to show up.  Read the rest of this entry »


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

The Irish Pub & Grill

26 03 2009
  • 1910 W. Saginaw Street
  • Lansing, MI 48915
  • (517) 482-3916
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Irish Pub & Grill on Saginaw Street in Lansing.

Irish Pub & Grill on Saginaw Street in Lansing.

Over the last year, we’ve gotten a lot of recommendations.  The one place that’s been recommended probably more than any is the Irish Pub & Grill.  We kept making plans to go on a Saturday night when they have karaoke, but something always came up and we never made it.  We were out in Delta Township this morning and come lunch time, finally took the recommendations.

The Irish Pub & Grill is on Saginaw Street just after Saginaw Highway splits into two one way roads.  There’s a corner parking lot on Saginaw and Cleo Street which is a little tricky to get into.  The entrance to the pub is on the corner of the building.  There’s a big, heavy wooden door that leads into a large bar and pub space. 

When you get past the door, you end up in the bar area.  There’s a long bar that runs along the wall with TV’s mounted above and behind.  All were tuned to ESPN.  The rest of the space is divided into two dining areas.  The one in the bar area, where we sat, has tables scattered through the space as well as pub style tables built into the support beams.  The other room has more tables as well as the dart boards and pool tables. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Irish Bar, Lansing, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Quality Dairy – Saginaw & Robins

26 03 2009
  • 4500 W. Saginaw Highway
  • Lansing, MI 48917
  • (517) 319-4113
  • Website
Quality Dairy on Saginaw & Robins in Delta Township

Quality Dairy on Saginaw & Robins in Delta Township

My tour of Quality Dairy’s continue.  One of these days, I’m going to make it to all of them.  It’s just one of those stupid things that I do.  Once I get started, there’s no stopping me.

I was out in the Delta Township area killing time as J was getting her haircut.  I had to make a trip downtown after I dropped her off, but on my way back, I finally stopped to get a pop.  Most people need coffee in the morning to get going.  Not me.  I need a pop.  If I had things my way, it would be a Pepsi.  When I’m at home, it’s Coke Zero.  Since I was out, it was going to be a Pepsi.

This Quality Dairy is on the corner of Saginaw Highway and Robins Road in Delta Township.  Getting in is a little tricky as the store sits on a corner and the parking lot is pretty small.  The inside of the store is typical convenience store layout.  The ice cream counter is right near the door and the fountain pop is right across from that.  I grabbed a plastic cup and filled it up with Pepsi. mmmmmm……Pepsi.

I still miss my Circle K.  The same size pop costs only $0.69 there.  At QD, the 32 oz. costs $1.05.  It’s still much better than buying a bottle.


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Categories : Lansing, Michigan, Reviews

Mamacita’s Famous Taco

23 03 2009
  • 3500 S. Cedar Street
  • Lansing, MI 48910
  • (517) 393-0766
  • No Known Website
  • Menu
Mamacitas Famous Taco on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Mamacita's Famous Taco on South Cedar Street in Lansing.

Today was the first day of what’s going to be a lot of improvising when it comes to dinner.  I’m working this summer downtown and it’s going to keep me from being home a few nights a week.  I had a 6:00 meeting tonight and when I was walking out at 7:00, I got a text from J asking if I could meet her for dinner.  I happened to be getting in my truck when I got the message, so I called her back and suggested meet for tacos.

Mamacita’s Famous Taco is on Cedar Street in that strip mall right next to the Lansing PD’s South Precinct.  I always thought it was two different business, but it’s just the sign that’s split up.  We walked in under the sign that said “Famous Taco” to find a dining room that spanned what probably used to be two separate store fronts.  There were already laminated menus on the table, so we grabbed a booth near the front.  It was a little after 7:00 on a Monday night and we were the only ones there.  A few people came in for carry out, but we obviously missed the dinner rush.

The decor is pretty bland.  They don’t have the usual, stereotypical Mexican decor.  Other than the booths and tables, the only thing in the restaurant were stainless steel buffet tables which get used during the day.  There was no dinner buffet, so we ordered off the menu.

A waiter came over with our Pepsi’s then went and got some chips and salsa.  The chips were home made as was the salsa.  He brought out mild and asked if that was ok.  It was fine with me.  The chips and salsa were delicious.  There were a few too many chunks of onion in the salsa for me.  I’m not an onion fan and I’d rather not see them even though I know I’m eating them.  J was eating the chips by themselves.  She really liked them. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Lansing, Mexican, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

Press Release – Lugnuts Stimulus Plan

21 03 2009

From a Lugnuts press release…

Lugnuts Announce Food Stimulus Plan

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts announced an answer on Friday to the worsening status of the national economy, rolling out the Lugnuts Food Stimulus Plan for the 2009 season.

The Lugnuts Food Stimulus Plan comprises new Dollar Dog Tuesdays, new Kids Eat Free on Sundays, new Oldsmobile Park Value Meals and the popular Labatt Blue Light Thirsty Thursdays.

“These are challenging times for Michiganders,” said Lansing Lugnuts Co-Owner Sherrie Myers.  “Our Lugnuts Food Stimulus Plan will make it easier for our fans to step up to the plate.  We’re especially excited about Dollar Dog Tuesdays and Kids Eat Free on Sundays.” Read the rest of this entry »


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Nuthouse Sports Grill – Revisited

19 03 2009
The Nuthouse Sports Grill on Michigan Avenue in downtown Lansing.

The Nuthouse Sports Grill on Michigan Avenue in downtown Lansing.

Over the last few weeks, you’ve heard me talking about “one year.”  Today is actually an anniversary.  It was one year ago today that J and I were in town for the first time together.  She had flown in for an interview back in February, but it wasn’t until March 17 that she was actually offered a job.  She and I were in Chicago because we had just gotten back from Bristol, TN and decided to take a few more vacation days.  While we were at her parents, she got the phone call offering her the job.  Since we were two hours closer, we thought we’d best take a trip to our new home to find an apartment.

After signing a lease, we needed to find lunch before that long drive back to Peoria.  We had been on the road all weekend.   We actually slept in a different state every night for five straight nights.  Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan.  It was kind of a whirlwind weekend topped off by my brother announcing he and his wife were having my parents first grandchild followed by me announcing I was moving with my girlfriend to Michigan.  We ran the gamut of emotions.  Before I started dating J, I never expected to leave Peoria.  I was happy enough with my job.  I didn’t love it, but it paid the bills and I don’t like moving.  J had an opportunity come up here that we couldn’t pass up.  I didn’t want to be five hours away and my career was going nowhere where I was at, so it was time for a change. 

We drove downtown that first day looking for something to eat.  The first thing that jumped out was a sports bar across the street from Oldsmobile Park.  We both like sports bars so after a few more minutes of exploring, we headed back to the Nuthouse. 

Since I’m going to be working a lot over the next month, I wanted to do something special for J.  I told her I was taking her out for dinner, but I didn’t tell her where until I parked the car.  I think she was surprised as I was that I actually remembered the date. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Downtown, Lansing, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches, Sports Bar

Soup to Nutz Bistro & Custom Catering

18 03 2009
  • 123 Kalamazoo Street
  • Lansing, MI 48933
  • (517) 485-0955
  • Website
  • Menu
Soup to Nutz Bistro & Catering on Kalamazoo Street in Lansing.

Soup to Nutz Bistro & Custom Catering on Kalamazoo Street in Lansing.

I guess you could say the third time really is the charm.  J and I have tried to eat at Soup to Nutz a couple times in the past only to run into problems.  The first time was on a Saturday after waiting in line for tickets to see Obama speak.  We didn’t realize they weren’t open on Saturday.  The second was during the week.  We wanted to go for breakfast, but we got there at 9:30 and they don’t open until 10:30.  When we got back, we found they don’t do brunch during the week.  At that point, we gave up.  The only day they do brunch is Sunday and we spend most Sunday’s on the couch watching NASCAR. 

After we went to Golden Harvest this past Sunday, a commentor suggested we try Soup to Nutz.  That got me looking at their website again.  I looked at brunch first, but then I got curious about lunch.  J and I are really lunch people and their menu looked perfect.  J got up early to get her taxes done and when she got home, she suggested heading downtown for lunch.

Soup to Nutz Bistro is located on Kalamazoo Street near Washington Square.  There are actually two entrances which can be a little confusing.  The sign is actually above the catering side of the business.  If you go in there, you’re basically walking in to the kitchen.  The other door is the one that enters the dining room.  There’s no sign marking it as an entrance, but you can see tables and others dining as well as a special board in the window.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Cafe, Downtown, Lansing, Local Flavor, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

Golden Harvest

15 03 2009
  • 1625 Turner Street
  • Lansing, MI 48906
  • (517) 485-3663
  • Website
  • Menu
Golden Harvest on Turner Street in Lansings Old Town neighborhood

Golden Harvest on Turner Street in Lansing's Old Town neighborhood

OH! MY! GOD!  Why did it take me a year to find Golden Harvest?  Why did no one twist my arm, grab me by the ear and drag me there? Seriously? 

J’s parents were still in town and they’re big breakfast people, so we decided to get up and go for breakfast.  I think I remember someone suggesting it a long time ago, but we don’t usually get up for breakfast, so we never considered it.  I was surfing the web looking for breakfast and found some pretty glowing reviews for the place. 

Golden Harvest is in Old Town on Turner Street.  We found it was a little tough to find when going north due to the configuration of Larch Street right before you get to the restaurant.  The GPS didn’t update fast enough and we missed a right turn, but went around the block and made it back.  The building is very tiny and it sits right on the corner.  When we pulled up, there was a line out the door.  I got out to see how deep the line was.  Since it was only two parties in front of us, we got in line and waited it out. 

It took about twenty minutes for a table to clear up.  When it did, two actually opened up.  One was a table for two.  The other was a table for four.  The party in front of us was just two women.  Guess where they sat.  Seriously, the two of them took the table for four instead of the table for two.  J asked them if they would mind taking the other table.  They hesitantly did.  Seriously!  Who does that? Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : breakfast, Lansing, Michigan, Old Town, Restaurant, Reviews

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