Michigan-The Food

 

 

     One thing about our trips to Michigan, we are never hungry. The restaurants and food choices are eclectic and interesting, cherries and whitefish can be found in many foods and you can dine as upscale or casual and you want. Thanks to Tripadvisor, we found a hidden gem in Muskegon, MI on our way to Traverse City. Mia & Grace is on our short list of new favorite places to eat. Located in downtown Muskegon, it could easily be passed over, but I am so glad we found it.

 

 

     We went early because I read that the restaurant was small and that there could easily be a wait for a table. We got right in and actually had a lovely table around the corner near the kitchen doors. I loved it because I could watch all the foods coming out of the kitchen.

 

     The menu is posted behind the counter on brown craft paper along with a list of their local food sources. Specials change according to what is available and they prepare limited amounts of some items, so when they are gone...they are gone.

 

     They even make their own sodas. My husband loves cream soda, so he ordered one and was so surprised to see it was actually made with real cream and vanilla beans. It was delicious, like dessert in a glass. I had read that we needed to try as many things as possible, so we each ordered an appetizer.  

 

     These are pictures from my phone (my camera was at the hotel) so they aren't perfect. My appetizer was heavenly. Dates stuffed with a mixture of blue and cream cheeses and topped with a candied pecan...drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

 

     My husband ordered the homemade pretzel with housemade mustard...oh my goodness, it just doesn't get better than this. I could have made it my entire meal!

 

     Our service was impeccable. Our server suggested two of their evening specials and we just allowed him to choose for us. My husband had the Pork Pie with Duck Fat Crust and fall seasoning. It sounds really strange, cinnamon, nutmeg...duck fat! It was so good. He loved it. I had Housemade Italian Sausage with Pici Noodles and Ricotta. I realize the sausage isn't all that pretty in the picture, but it was perfectly tender and lightly seasoned. I couldn't eat it all, but I certainly enjoyed every bite. They also had wonderful desserts, but we couldn't eat another bite. Mia & Grace is one of those places that I will think about until I get there again and we will plan a stop on our next trip north.

 

     Of course we had a few other delicious treats while we were gone. In Traverse City, we love to stop for lunch at the Green House Cafe. They have an excellent selection of homemade soups and my husband loves the BLT with Egg Salad. My choice of the day was the Cream of Mushroom.

 

 

     We returned to a favorite spot from our last trip, Soul Hole in Traverse City. My husband had the Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Shrimp and Crawfish and I had a Fried Green Tomato BLT that was large enough to share.

     We finally found time to visit The Jolly Pumpkin in Traverse City for lunch. We loved it. It has a pub atmosphere, is also a brewery and the food was interesting and delicious.

 

     When you sit down they bring you homemade potato chips with a delicious dipping sauce. Of course I had to try one of their wonderful beers. My husband ordered the Bison Sloppy Joe. He said it was really good and had a different taste than beef. He couldn't force me to taste Bison...but, he was happy!

 

     I ordered the Wild Mushroom Pizza with crimini and portobella mushrooms, roasted tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and truffle oil. It was the best pizza I've ever eaten and was so good that I took the rest back to the hotel and had it for dinner.

 

     We shared the Pumpkin Creme Brulee with toasted pecans and pumpkin seeds for dessert. I have only one word...purrrrrrrr!

 

     What I love about Michigan dining is that the prices are truly reasonable for the quality of the food. Most restaurants use local ingredients and you can have a gourmet meal without changing from your jeans and hiking boots. I've made myself hungry looking at the pictures and I can't wait to go back!

Road Tripping in the South-Asheville, The Food

     We just returned from a true "road trip" to a few southern states. As always, I think I will blog while I'm on the road and I'm always too tired to move at the end of the day. I did do a post about Biltmore House and Gardens, if you would like to read it, click here. We had a wonderful trip. We went to several places that we have always wanted to, but never took the time to do so. I hope I don't bore you over the next few days while I share some of the highlights. I also have to add that I came home to a different looking Blogger. I'm not sure I know what I'm doing...I don't really like change around here.

     Asheville, NC is about a 9 hour drive for us. By the time we arrived on a Saturday night and checked into our hotel, we were ready for dinner. We decided to go over to Biltmore Village, near our hotel. We saw a cute restaurant called the Corner Kitchen and decided to give it a try. We loved it and we also found out that not only is it one of the most popular restaurants in Asheville, we were very lucky to walk in and get a seat. We sat at the bar (only thing available) and immediately we were talking to the people on both sides of us. They were all locals and made us feel very welcome in their community. I was really impressed with Asheville. It is eclectic, beautiful and a very friendly city.

     These photos are from my phone, my camera was in the hotel room. I started my meal with a cup of the Corn Crab Chowder and it was delicious. My husband ordered the mixed bread basket. My main course was the Fried Green Tomato Goat Cheese Stack with Warm Sweet Potato Salad and Grilled Zucchini. Oh my. It was heavenly.

     My husband had Sweet Mustard Glazed Three Meat Meatloaf with Collards, Cheddar Grits and Three Sauces. He loved it. They certainly know how to cook in the south!

     The dessert list was to die for, but we were so full that we just couldn't do it. However, the man next to me ordered the Bread Pudding and because he knew I was going to write about the restaurant, he gave me the first bite of his dessert! It was almost like a flan with bread pudding on top. Mmm! I couldn't believe I was taking a bite of a stranger's dessert, but we were all friends by the time dinner was over. We were told that this is where the Obamas ate when they were in Asheville.

     We have found that on trips we tend to eat breakfast and then one more meal. We often are snacking on crackers and cheese in our hotel room. On the day we toured the Biltmore Estate, we decided to have lunch in what was once the stables. The picture below is what I could get of the outside of the building. Just ignore all those people...I didn't know them!

     The Stable Cafe was spacious and bright. Our service was excellent and we were more than ready to take a break after touring the mansion. We both ordered the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Which had bacon, lettuce, fried green tomatoes and homemade white pimento cheese spread. Yum.

     Our last day in Asheville I wanted to try a place that I had read about on Tripadvisor. Listed as #1, it was only open for breakfast and lunch and certainly was unique.

     Books and Breadboard is also located in Biltmore Village. It combines food and books...who can ask for more than that? The building was actually part of the original Biltmore Estate and was moved to the current location. The rooms in the house have tables for dining and you can also browse the shelves for new books by local authors and bestsellers. We actually ate at a table for 2 in a hallway. Our waitress was wonderful and made some excellent suggestions for us.

     I had the Mile High Quiche. It was broccoli and cheddar and it made me purr. It was honestly the best quiche I have ever eaten. The food is served on a breadboard and the fresh fruit and edible flower made for a beautiful presentation.

     My husband had a "Chapter 6" which was tavern ham and cheddar on marbled rye. His was served with Terra Chips and a slaw made with zucchini and carrots. His was good, but he is more a burger guy...so he wasn't going quite as crazy about his lunch as I was!

     One other place I must mention that we loved in Asheville was called The Gourmet Chip. I have never seen a place devoted to chips. Imagine an ice cream parlor, only the ice cream is either kettle, sweet potato, taro root or plantain chips and the toppings range from Lavender Honey, Rosemary and Thyme, Truffle Oil, BBQ Seasoning, Sundried Tomatoes and even Belgian Chocolate. I had a simple mix of Kettle and Sweet Potato Chips with sea salt and my husband had Kettle Chips with Smoked Gouda (his were amazing). They were freshly made, crisp and so good. I'm not even a chip eater, but I couldn't resist. This was dinner one night after a big lunch.

     I guess you can tell we didn't go hungry while we were gone...and this is just the first 3 days! Yes, I gained weight and yes, I'm eating a lot of veggies and chicken for the next few weeks.

    

Food, Fun and Fall

 

     I'm still sorting through my vacation pictures and I thought I'd share a few more of the highlights with you. I think you might recognize Cinderella's coach. We attended Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party whle we were in Orlando. It is a Halloween party held in the Magic Kingdom several evenings before Halloween. They close the park at 7:00 p.m. to the general public and the only people allowed in are those who purchase a special ticket. It is a bit costly and not something I would do every year, but it is fun. Many people are in full costume (including the characters), the fireworks take on a "spooky" theme and the lines for the rides are very short. There is also a special parade led by The Headless Horseman.

     Several places throughout the Magic Kingdom they have trick-or-treat locations (see above) and they give out a massive amount of candy. We each ended up with 2 bags full of "the good stuff". There are a few pictures of the castle/fireworks at the end of this post.

     I've written before about my favorite restaurant when we go to visit my dad on Siesta Key. Owens Fish Camp is located in the "artsy" area of Sarasota. It isn't easy to find and the parking is lousy, but it is so worth it! We always try to sit out on the porch to eat, but there is also quite a bit of indoor seating.

We started the meal with a jar of their Smoked Fish Spread.

     My dad, daughter and I shared the Low Country Boil for 2 and we had plenty of food. We also had the smaller sized Fried Green Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Smoked Ham.

My husband had the Fish Tacos with Green Salsa and Baja Sauce.

     We even had dessert because it is so good. We shared the Blackberry Fried Pies and the Bourbon Pecan Pie with Cream. We could barely walk, but we enjoyed every bite!

     It may look as if we do nothing but eat on vacation. There is a bit of truth to that, but since I'm not going to post pictures of us at the swimming pool...you get food pictures!

     Another favorite for us is Sharkey's on the Pier in Venice, FL. The restaurant is right on the water and so casual there are people on the beach, in bathing suits walking around the restaurant. When I'm in a location with water, if I can eat near the beach it is a bonus for me!

We had a little visitor while we waited for our food.

Once again, we had a great meal. My daughter had the Fish Tacos.

     I always get the same thing. It is actually an appetizer. The Brie and Apple Pizza is a crispy flatbread with Granny Smith Apples, Brie, Mango Glaze and Almonds. I've tried to duplicate it at home and I just can't get it quite right.

My husband had the fried shrimp.

My dad had the day's special of Mac and Cheese with Andouille Sausage (excellent).

Until my next round of calorie laden foods...I leave you with Cinderella's Castle.

I am joining Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday and

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.

Please visit our hostesses!