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

Ann Arbor Folk Festival - Friday January 30

We have been members of The Ark for years. But we have never been to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival held at Hill Auditorium every winter to benefit The Ark before. Better we discover our loss now than five years from now, but I can't believe we've missed this gem of a concert for so long.

My perennial dining companion had to work, so we missed one or two acts. The format of the show is somewhat unique. Some artists play for 15 minutes, some for a half hour. One artist (and arguably the best of the evening) only played one song. Every artist we saw left us wanting more. The crowd was energized.

Important artists to investigate:

Joe Pug! Wow. I love strummy guitar music and this is some of the best I have heard (where are you, Paul Rader?). He played one song - Hymn Number 101 which I have played many times on Rhapsody since then. We have tickets to see him at the Ark in March. Get Tickets if you still can:

http://www.theark.org/

http://www.joepugmusic.com/home.html

Another very entertaining band was the Ryan Montbleau Band. Funky and smooth, hip and groovy. Music that makes it impossible to keep your shoulders still and your feet from tapping.

Great Stuff. We will be at The Ark in April to see him:

http://www.ryanmontbleauband.com/

Perhaps my favorite band of the evening was The Old Crow Medicine Show. It's hard to describe the energetic spirit, tight musicianship, and pure stage presence this band exhibited at the festival. Plus, they pandered to the crowd, as this band from Nashville discussed "The I 94 Corridor" and other pure Michigan terms. I was impressed and you will be too:

http://www.crowmedicine.com/

The Old Crow Medicine Show had a member of another truly amazing act, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, sit in on a few songs giving us a taste for what was to come. I can honestly say I have never seen anything like this band. The crowd loved them and I did too. I don't even know how to label them. Roots music. Old School. I can just say that you should try to get a ticket when they play The Ark October 2 and 3 this year. You won't be disappointed.

http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/


The whole reason we bought tickets to the Festival was Jeff Tweedy. I have loved his work from Uncle Tupelo to Wilco to now. While he didn't play Box Full of Letters or Pick up the Change, he played some fan favorites as well as new material. Perhaps the most amazing thing was his ironic and brilliant transformation of Ann Arbor's Iggy Pop and the Stooges "I wanna be your dog" into a folk song. The rendition was almost showing off and smug, but the crowd was impressed and I was amazed. He could have just mentioned the I 94 Corridor or the Red Wings. But, no. He had to take a punk song from a local band, turn it into a folk song, and make it 100 fold better. Way to do your homework. Tweedy has aged, and so have I, but his voice and his songs are eternal and I will go to see him every opportunity I get. He may be the greatest living singer songwriter of my generation (with apologizes to Bob Mould and Stephin Merritt).

If you haven't seen Jeff Tweedy before, you should now:

http://www.wilcoworld.net/

We will be back to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival next year, but for both nights.

Tord Gustavsen Trio

On the coldest night in the year, my perennial dining companion and I ventured into Ann Arbor to the University Musical Society's presentation of the Tord Gustavsen Trio, a three piece jazz ensemble from Norway. The show was stark and warm at the same time with soft melodies and very talented musicians. Great stuff.

http://www.tordg.no/trio/