Best to Last - Music - Joe Pug

WOW! What a concert. After dinner at The Fly Trap (see the previous post) we ventured into Ann Arbor to see Joe Pug at The Ark. After seeing Joe Pug perform one song at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival this winter, we bought tickets to see him at The Ark. He brought a band with him, but still performed many songs solo with a guitar or guitar and harmonica. Amazing concert. Joe Pug is a tremendous singer songwriter (he draws comparisons to Bob Dylan). But his warm and amazingly strong voice, lyrical style, engaging smile and songwriting ability will set him apart. He performed his own songs in addition to three covers - one a standard gospel song, one by Warren Zevon, and another by Graham Parsons. I have never seen The Ark sold out before, but it was tonight and rightly so. I could listen to Hymn 101 and Speak Plainly Diana for days. The cover of Warren Zevon's Johnny Strike Up the Band had me dancing in my chair. See Joe Pug whenever you can:

http://www.joepugmusic.com/

Then Snacks

Yum! Dinner at The Fly Trap, a Finer Diner in Ferndale. Outstanding! I had something called Fire-Breathing Dragon which is grilled chicken with a chilled Lo Mein Noodle sort of a salad with basil and peanut sauce. Very tasty and a perfect kick on the heat level. My perennial dining companion had the Pho Bowl (I stole lots of vegetables). The most exciting part may have been that I was able to eat at least half my chicken with chop sticks!

Visit The Fly Trap:

http://www.theflytrapferndale.com/

First Sports

First, a sad farewell to the 2008-2009 Michigan Hockey Wolverines as they play their last game - a loss in game one of the NCAA tournament to the Air Force Falcons. Despite outshooting their opponent, the Wolverines couldn't catch a break and lost 2-0. This team was tremendous fun to watch this season and we will miss the seniors. Best of Luck to Miller, Turnbull, Sauer and the rest of the graduating class of 2009.

Great Stuff, however, by the Michigan State Spartans in their victory over Kansas to advance to the Elite 8 in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Spring Comes to the Farmers Market in A2

Every week brings more vendors and greater variety to the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market. This morning, several farmers had salad greens (at least one more than last week). Fresh eggs abounded. So did pussy willows and fresh flowers. The tamales were back another week. Perhaps most exciting were the small bundle of radishes I purchased. The first non-salad green vegetable available in months! I also picked up some fresh mushrooms for stirfry tonight. Spring is getting closer!

Pizza Sicily

We checked out a new pizza place in Canton on Ford Rd. between Lilley and Haggerty last night. Great stuff! We had the small Boss of Bosses pizza (carmelized onions, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms) and a large Italian salad. Very tasty and well done. I especially liked the touch of carmelized onions on the pizza (the mushrooms were fresh, also) and the dressing on the salad was fresh and light. We will return. I couldn't find a web presence, but here's a link to their location:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=Prk&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=pizza+sicily+canton+mi&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&latlng=2231982241493297078#

My Dad's 67th Birthday

We were a little late celebrating this year due to a snowstorm, so it was a belated celebration but well worth the wait. Tradition for our birthdays (three times a year - we combine my mother's and husband's since they are in the same month) is to visit a used record store so my father and husband can fill in their expansive record collections with 99 cent albums and then go out to eat. My parents and my perennial dining companion and I ventured into Dearborn, to visit 2 used record stores and eat at one of the best (by reputation - we had not previously visited) prime rib restaurants in southeast Michigan.

First, Stormy Records (http://www.stormyrecords.com/) where both my father and husband found a few albums, then on to Dearborn Music (http://www.dearbornmusic.com/) where thankfully we had the curfew of a dinner reservation or I can't anticipate how much lower my checking account balance would have been after my Perennial Dining Companion was through. Great stuff all around.

For dinner we went to Kiernan's, within walking distance of Dearborn Music. For the first time in our traditional birthday dinners out, we all ordered the same entree: prime rib. Differing sizes, of course. But we were all equally pleased with the atmosphere, quality of food and service, and overall experience of this restaurant. Salad and dessert were very well done as well. We will be back and you should visit. The mashed potatoes are excellent - don't miss out!

http://www.kiernans.com/kiernans.html

New Great Food!

My perennial dining companion and I went out to dinner with friends before the Umphree's McGee concert at the Royal Oak Music Theatre Thursday night and I ate perhaps the best veggie burger I've ever had. We went to the Vinsetta Grill on Woodward in Royal Oak. It's my kind of place. Clean, non-smoking, friendly bar staff, updated decor. We sat at the bar and had a beer (Blue Moon and Bass on tap) and three of the four of us built our own burger using a checklist that allowed us to choose cheese, toppings, delivery mechanism (ie type of roll/bun or salad greens) and burger composition (chicken, beef, veggie, etc). I had a veggie burger (made in house) on a whole grain roll with grilled onions, chilis, and roasted red peppers and cheddar cheese with house made buttermilk ranch dressing. Very Yummy. I would order the same thing again when we return, perhaps slightly adjusting my toppings. Very tasty. Here's a link, but it's not directly from the restaurant:

http://events.detnews.com/royal-oak-mi/venues/show/72502-vinsetta-grill

For lunch on Friday (I had the day off) we visited Zapatas in downtown Plymouth. Wow! Great Mexican food without being too heavy. The drill is to order your food at a counter, pay, and have it come out to you. We sat at a counter and looked out onto Ann Arbor Trail and had terrific food! I had chicken flautas which were served with a nice side of beans and rice (not too heavy), pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and jalapenos. The flautas were nicely done, not too greasy and the shredded chicken was well flavored with a bit of a kick. Great stuff. My perennial dining companion had a tostada and was extremely pleased and surprised to find he could eat it without it breaking into pieces. We will return.

http://www.zapatas-plymouth.com/

Saturday in and about A2

Saturday morning this weekend started out and stayed soggy though warmish. But I ventured out to the Ann Arbor Farmer's market early Saturday and was rewarded with an expanded array of vendors and products. I left happy with several bags of salad greens, a small bag of Empire Apples, some cider and a loaf of bread from the Mill Pond Bakery (which made a tremendous grilled cheese sandwich later for lunch). The tamales were back, although for the first time I've seen this year as well. Sure sign of spring.

Later that day, we headed back down to Ypsilanti for an early dinner at Sidetrack. I had the macaroni and cheese and a mug of Bell's Two Hearted Ale. It's hard to admit, but I think I may like the Two Hearted Ale even better than Oberon. I'll get back to you on it though. My perennial dining companion got the Shepherd's pie and it was extremely good as well. Every time we visit, we know it's been too long since the last time. The burgers are excellent. Visit:


http://www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com/

After Sidetrack we ventured to Hill Auditorium to watch the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with Lorin Maazel directing. They performed Mendelssohn and Schumann, both excellent, but the highlight was Mussorgsky's pictures at an exhibition. Amazing music in a terrific venue.

http://www.ums.org/s_current_season/artist.asp?pageid=487