Latest News
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
ThirdCoast Digest: ‘Edible Ann Arbor’
In this ThirdCoast Digest write-up, travel writer Kevin Revolinski muses at the attitude of staff and the delicious burgers at Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger. He also gives kudos to the diversity of products available at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, the 'whimsical' atmophere of Frita Batidos, the farm-to-table experience at Grange Kitchen & Bar, the many beers on tap at Ashley's Pub, and of course Zingerman's (or 'Zingermanville, as he calls it). He mentions many other Ann Arbor institutions within the article as well: 'Everything is walking distance, it seems. From the campus art museum, to a farmer’s market, to a microbrewery, and off to dinner and a concert.' Whether you're from Ann Arbor - or looking to visit, this is a great article to read if you're wondering what you've missed - or where to start.
'...it’s not just all about food and drink in Ann Arbor. But it certainly could be. When in Ann Arbor, eat as the Ann Arborians do – very well.' ~Kevin Revolinski
Saturday, January 28, 2012
President Obama Visits Ann Arbor
President Barack Obama made a visit Ann Arbor on Friday, January 27th, where be spoke to a crowd totaling over 4000 at the Al Glick Field House on University of Michigan's campus. 'It is good to be back in Ann Arbor!' was the first statement he made upon taking the podium. After calling out U of M President Mary Sue Coleman, Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, he turned his attention to Denard Robinson and Michigan football, yelling 'Go Blue!' His speech centered around the importance of affordable higher education, as he outlined a series of overhauls to federal-based college aid.
Here is his speech in its entirety:
*Photo courtesy of AnnArbor.com
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A ‘Doing Life Different’ Update
Carol Lee Rutz from Grass Lake, Michigan won our 'Doing Life Different' sweepstakes earlier this year. She won a 2 night stay at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, a gift basket from 'Baskets & More,' breakfast for two at Angelo's Restaurant, lunch for two at Mediterrano Restaurant, Dinner for two at the Chef's Table at Vinology, a tour of the University of Michigan's 'Big House,' a walking tour of Ann Arbor from Savor Ann Arbor Tours, and a $250.00 American Express Gift Card. She checked in with the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau following her recent stay to collect her sweepstakes package:
'We had a very nice meal at Angelo's, and having dinner at Vinology was beyond our wildest expectations. The food was phenomenal, the service was outstanding and Vinny Jonna, owner (as seen in picture), treated us like royalty. It is an evening my husband Steve and I will never forget. The gift basket came while we were there and it was wonderful. Full of so many goodies from local merchants. Thank you very much.' ~Carol Lee Rutz
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival: June 17 - July 10
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. Each year, this three-and-a-half-week cultural and social event offers dozens of performances, activities, screenings, eclectic music, dance, comedy, film, visual arts, and family fun. This year’s festival runs from June 17 through July 5.
Now celebrating its 28th season, the festival has invigorated the cultural life of the community for over two and a half decades. It brings the world to Ann Arbor: innovative artists, enthusiastic audiences, eager students, curious visitors, and anyone looking to be inspired and entertained.
An evening at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival engages all the senses. Get more festival information here.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Stop and Smell the Flowers: The Peony Garden in Nichols Arboretum
The Peony Garden in Nichols Arboretum is a national treasure and the largest collection of antique and heirloom peonies in North America. Currently there are just over 670 peonies in the garden. During peak bloom, a visitor to the Arb might see as many as 10,000 blooms in a wave of sunrise colors.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ann Arbor: A Top Midwest Food Destination
Some of us build whole vacations around food. Travel experts call it culinary tourism. We just call it eating well--restaurants with pancakes or prime rib so good you want second helpings on the way home.
Rarely has a city's culinary reputation been so intertwined with one restaurant as is Ann Arbor's with Zingerman's Deli. What began in 1982 as Michigan's best place to get a Reuben has grown into a mini-empire of deliciousness, with a bakery (Jewish rye), creamery (homemade cream cheese), coffee roaster (single-origin Brazilian peaberry), mail-order catalog (sour-cream coffee cake) and sit-down restaurant (smoked chicken mac 'n' cheese). Make no mistake. We love Zingerman's.
But we also love how Zingerman's has invigorated the larger food scene in Ann Arbor (population: 350,000). Bob Sparrow, owner of Sparrow Meat Markets and Produce, says that eliminating chemicals and using fewer, fresher ingredients means you can actually taste the cherries and duck meat in his gourmet sausage.
For years, University of Michigan students and faculty have sipped beers and lattes at downtown's sidewalk cafes. The city retains that college-town vibe, but the dining scene has grown up. You'll find fried local squash blossoms at Vinology, a ginger-glazed salmon burger at Logan and tender gnocchi at Gratzi.
Read the full story on Midwest Living's website.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Holiday Inn near the University of Michigan
Watch a brief video from the Holiday Inn Near the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor's "Friendliest and Greenest" hotel.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Outoor Recreation in the Ann Arbor Area
There's no shortage of options for outdoor recreation in the Ann Arbor area. Outdoor enthusiasts will be impressed with our wide variety of parks, golf courses, bike trails, and more. When you visit Ann Arbor, you can hike in a State park, have a boating adventure on the Huron River, and hit the links at many impressive and unique courses - and do it all again the next day when you plan an overnight stay.
The City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County offer many options for parks and recreation - click here for a complete list. If golf is your game, be sure to check out Leslie Park Golf Course - named one of the country's best municipal golf courses by Golf Digest in 2009. Adventurers will also enjoy kayaking the "Urban Jungle:" start your paddle at Ann Arbor's Argo Park and get ready for a scenic adventure through natural and urban scenery.
For more ideas, check out our Plan a Visit section.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Ann Arbor Restaurant Week: June 12 - 17
Ann Arbor Restaurant Week will be held June 12-17, 2011. Presented by Ann Arbor's Main Street Area Association, Ann Arbor Restaurant week gives restaurant patrons one week of one price dining, with over twenty of Ann Arbor's best downtown restaurants participating. Ann Arbor was named a "Top Midwest Food Town" by Midwest Living magazine in 2009 and 2010, so don't miss the opportunity to experience great food at affordable prices!
Dinner is a three course menu for just $25, with some restaurants offering two-for-one pricing. Lunch is priced at $12 and is an open format; restaurants will be offering a menu of their choice, many offering two-for-one pricing. A complete list of participating restaurants is available at www.annarborrestaurantweek.com.
See how Ann Arbor does dining different during Ann Arbor Restaurant Week.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Hot Winter Deals at Ann Arbor Hotels!
Wintertime in Ann Arbor, Michigan is the perfect celebration of everything wonderful the season brings with it. Uplifting activities, amazing comfort foods, and invitingly warm accommodations will have you fondly remembering the magic of winters past, while creating new memories to cherish.
Plan a Winter Getaway in Ann Arbor! Click here to view special Winter offers from Ann Arbor Area hotels, valid through January 31, 2011.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Arts Walk: Ann Arbor
It’s cold. It’s windy. It’s snowing. It’s days before Christmas in Ann Arbor, Mich., and for shopkeepers, gallery directors, working artists and hordes of eager holiday shoppers, conditions couldn’t be better.
Start your gallery stroll at the lower end of South Main Street, in the heart of the downtown shopping district. There you’ll find Clay Gallery (335 S. Main St.), a co-operative space opened in 1984 by a group of local potters.
“We started in a small location near the campus,” says director Royce Disbrow. “And through two additional moves we’ve inched our way downtown.” The gallery is deceptively long on the inside, with lots of tables and built-ins to showcase work by guild members. Work is all handcrafted, all locally made.
Next stop: the Carol Roeda Studio (319 S. Main St.). It’s one of two Michigan retail stores (the other is in Grand Rapids) owned by artist Carol Roeda. The shop features Roeda’s own whimsical artwork, plus work by local artists, and the Sticks line of handpainted furniture and art objects.
At the corner is Selo/Shevel Gallery (301 S. Main St.), opened in 1982 by owners Elaine Selo and Cynthia Shevel. “We may be prejudiced, but we think our gallery is on the best corner in downtown Ann Arbor,” says Selo. Inside you’ll find an extensive selection of contemporary American crafts. Best sellers at holiday time include hand-blown glass ornaments, menorahs, wood jewelry boxes, jewelry, scarves and ties.
Cross the street and head for WSG Gallery (306 S. Main St.), owned by 16 artists, and a showcase for fine art at affordable prices by 22 local artists. WSG caters to a whole spectrum of art lovers, says member artist Michelle Hegyi: those who come to browse, those following how a particular artist evolves, and those looking for exceptional quality, affordable fine art.
Article by Hope Daniels from the Winter, 2010 issue of AmericanStyle magazine. Click here to read the rest!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Cuisine in a College Town
Did you know Bob Seger’s song “Mainstreet” is about Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he grew up?
Ann Arbor is a blend of Midwestern rural and urban cosmopolitan. A college town — home to the University of Michigan — it has a concentration of cultural attractions, shopping and dining of all sorts.
Le Dog, 410 E. Liberty St., has been in a red, 10-by-10 foot building since 1979. Hot dogs, of course, are on the menu, but it is known for a repertoire of 284 soups. Each day, chef Jules Van Dyck-Dubos prepares eight soups from scratch, using the freshest, seasonal ingredients available. On my visit, options included Sicilian meatball, Tuscan bean and cheesy chicken tortilla soups. Mmm-mmm good they were. People come from 50 miles away to savor the lobster bisque, served only on Thursdays and Fridays. This is street food in a class by itself.
At Cake Nouveau, 1924 Packard St., owner and pastry chef Courtney Clark offers four flavors of cupcakes daily. Always standard are chocolate truffle and vanilla beany. Chocolate mint and carrot cake completed my tasting. Mexican hot chocolate, honey lavender and crème brulee caught my interest on a return visit. Courtney designs full-size cakes. She has appeared on 10 TV cake challenges.
Article by Stephen Fries originally published in The New Haven Register. Click here for the full story.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan's Mattheai Botanical Gardens - open year round - is a great place to visit!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Make History This December at The Big Chill Outdoor Hockey Game
The Big Chill at the Big House will be played December 11, 2010 at Michigan Stadium. University of Michigan Officials hope to break the Guinness World Record for attendance at an outdoor hockey game as the Wolverines take on rival Michigan State.
After the game, attendees are invited to warm up in downtown Ann Arbor. Area restaurants will be serving special Big-Chill themed dishes and drinks.
Need a place to stay? Check out our Big Chill Hotel Specials page for discounted rates.
Don't miss this opportunity to make history in Ann Arbor!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Ann Arbor: The Ultimate Foodie Destination
Enter to win the Ultimate Ann Arbor Foodie Getaway! Nestled within the city of Ann Arbor is one of America's most concentrated and celebrated areas for diverse and unique dining. Among this true Foodie paradise you will find the traditional and eclectic cuisine of more than 250 restaurants that will awaken your senses and satisfy every craving. Here you'll experience the creative blends of fresh and locally-grown ingredients served at cafés, pubs and elegant dining venues. Click here to enter!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Zingerman’s Bakehouse
If you like baked goods, you'll love Zingerman's Bakehouse, located on Ann Arbor's south side.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Don’t Miss The Ann Arbor Summer Festival, June 18-July 11
Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty, imagination, and pure spectacle that is the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Innovative and diverse, as well as engaging and entertaining, the festival offers dozens of performances, activities, exhibitions, screenings and more, with eclectic music, dance, comedy, film, street arts, and family fun.
Now celebrating its 27th season from June 18 through July 11, the festival creates a vibrant buzz in the city, providing the community and visitors alike with an opportunity to be inspired and entertained on a beautiful Michigan night.
An evening at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival engages all the senses. You can have a light supper and enjoy a beverage at Top of the Park, meet your friends at your favorite spot on Ingalls Mall, take in the outdoor performances or the night’s big indoor concert, and then watch a movie under the stars, all on one of the prettiest campuses anywhere.
Mmmm, perfection.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.annarborsummerfestival.org.
Photo courtesy Myra Klarman.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Ann Arbor Is Pure Michigan
Ann Arbor is part of the award-winning Pure Michigan advertising campaign with radio and television advertisements airing in select markets. When you need a break from the ordinary, come spend a little time in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor does it up different. Ann Arbor does it Pure Michigan.
Pure Michigan TV: Ann Arbor
Pure Michigan Radio: Ann Arbor
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Pure Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor does it up different. Ann Arbor does it Pure Michigan.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Ann Arbor Welcomes President Obama and Families of Graduates
The Ann Arbor Area welcomes President Barack Obama, who will deliver the spring 2010 commencement address at the University of Michigan where he will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree.
“President Obama has captured the imagination and enthusiasm of many students with his inspiring words of hope and change. We are honored to welcome a leader of his distinction and look forward to his message,” U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said in a written statement. “We could not be happier for the graduates who will celebrate their academic achievements with the president of the United States.”
The Ann Arbor Area also welcomes families and friends of University of Michigan Graduates. Please note that all lanes of a portion of South Main Street near Michigan Stadium will be closed during President Obama’s visit to Ann Arbor next week: South Main Street between Pauline and Stadium boulevards from midnight Friday, April 30 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1.
View Obama Lane Closures in a larger map
Monday, April 19, 2010
For the Best Belgian Beer, Come to the Ann Arbor Area
When The New York Times published a ranking of Belgian-style beer -- based on a blind taste test -- the top spot went to a golden ale from a small brewery in Dexter, Michigan, just west of Ann Arbor. Oro de Calabaza, from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, beat out 19 other beers, several of them from -- you guessed it -- Belgium. The beer is the work of Ron Jeffries, who owns Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales.
During your visit to the Ann Arbor Area, you can check out the small brewery in Dexter, or head to the Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery in downtown Ann Arbor.
Monday, March 08, 2010
The Ann Arbor Art Fair, July 20-23
The popular Ann Arbor Art Fair will be held in downtown Ann Arbor from July 20-23.
For more than 50 years, artists with amazing talents and unsurpassed skills have come to the streets of Ann Arbor in July to exhibit at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs. The Fairs are an impressive sight to see: no matter what direction you take, no matter where you look, you’ll discover colors and sights that will energize and captivate.
For more information, visit www.artfairs.visitannarbor.org.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Celebrate Independent and Experimental Film at the Ann Arbor Film Festival
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America. Founded in 1963 by University of Michigan professor George Manupelli, the AAFF started as a vital forum for filmmakers outside of the commercial film industry to share their art with audiences. Today the festival continues its founding spirit as a premier showcase for bold, visionary, experimental and high-caliber films. Pioneers in the world of film and art have shown early work at the AAFF, including Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, Kenneth Anger, Gus Van Sant, Barbara Hammer, Devo and George Lucas, along with thousands of other influential filmmakers.
The 2011 Ann Arbor Film Festival will be held March 22-27 at The Michigan Theater. For more information, click here.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Hole In The Wall Nightlife
A hole-in-the-wall bar has poor signage. A lot of them smell kind of bad. When you mention a hole-in-the-wall bar to your friends, some stare at you blankly while others will make a face like you just brought gummy vitamins to a potluck. Hole-in-the-wall bars aren’t necessarily dives, but they can be one and the same. The bar stools are held together with duct tape, the bartenders are ornery, and a thin layer of God-knows-what clings to every surface. These are the bars that it probably took you a little while to find and when you did, took a little while to feel comfortable in. Every town's got them, and the regulars can spot a tourist from a mile away.
Here’s a quick primer to help you get started on finding and appreciating some of Ann Arbor's and Ypsilanti's best hole-in-the-wall bars. Let's just hope they never renovate these dumps.
The 8-Ball Saloon (208 South First, Ann Arbor) is Ann Arbor’s most infamous hole-in-the-wall. There are no special days of the week here, but enough variations from night to night to make it interesting. The 8-Ball is like the Blind Pig’s coatroom, but a coatroom where you wouldn’t want to leave your jacket. The Pig rests above the 8-Ball but because it doesn’t have any bathrooms, patrons descend into the 8-Ball to take care of business. This allows 8-Ballers to mingle with the Blind Piggies each night. If a shoe-gazing band is in town or Reggae Fest takes place, the 8-Ball will absorb the spillover and become unique for that night. It’s always an interesting social experiment.
That’s not to say the 8-Ball doesn’t have its own charms. It has cheap, cheap beer ($1 bottles of PBR on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday), complimentary popcorn, an internet jukebox, pool tables (free Sun-Tues.), dart boards, pinball, air hockey, board games, and dirty hipster eye candy, if that’s your thing. Sure, it smells like stale beer and decades of cigarette smoke, but they recently reupholstered the booths and you won’t get a better scowl from any bartender in Michigan than you will here.
Circus (210 South First Street, Ann Arbor) is one of four theme bars in the old Ann Arbor Central Roller Mills building. The theme is evident. A stuffed lion jumps through a blazing neon hoop behind the bar while the bartenders work under a makeshift big top. Behind the stage is a giant Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey mural painted on the wall. Funhouse mirrors and the (fake) heads of circus animals hang all over the place.
Circus is at its best on Bluegrass Wednesday. Live bluegrass bands play in front of the giant circus mural, as one of the most diverse crowds of any Ann Arbor establishment enjoys $1.25 cans of PBR and free popcorn. Old drunks from Old Town, white guys with dreadlocks, fellows wearing white hats and white sneakers, girls with orange skin, girls with translucent skin, tattoos, crosses, flannel shirts, puffy jackets, UGGs, Crocs, a guy in a suit, and a guy in coveralls - they mingle and dance together and everyone is in a great mood. There’s free pool, Big Buck Hunter, and Golden Tee.
By 11 p.m. the place is packed with pompadours, dreadlocks, shaved heads, weave, Yukon Jack hats, young executive haircuts, and bandanas bouncing unselfconsciously in front of the band.
The Elbow Room (6 South Washington, Ypsilanti) has a mix of great theme nights and live music unmatched in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. It also competes with the 8-Ball for the dirtiest bar in Washtenaw County. The architect of the Elbow Room is owner/bartender Andy Garris who has assembled an eclectic staff to work in downtown Ypsilanti. It has a magician as a doorman. Folk singer/songwriter and onetime Starbucks Pick of the Week Chris Bathgate works part-time as sound man and sometimes barback. Nina Cislaghi, front woman for the hardcore/metal band Bloodlined Calligraphy serves drinks during happy hour five days a week.
The Elbow Room offers a number of popular nights including Elbow Deep (Ypsi’s premier gay night), Tiki Tuesday, Thursday night MoFo Karaoke, as well as a wide range of live music and events. They’ve got one pool table that gets a lot of action and some video games and pinball, but it’s the personal connections you’ll come back for. It doesn’t take long to become a regular and before you know it, Andy will be handing you your favorite drink before your eyes even adjust to the low light. Happy hour is underrated and the Elbow Room is where I picture my dad feeling comfortable at 4 p.m. on a Monday.
From Concentrate, by Richard Retyi. Read more here.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Inside Aut Bar
The /Aut/ Bar in Ann Arbor has become a gathering place for the city's gay and lesbian community. However, it's also beloved by straight folk too, who come for great food and friendly atmosphere.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Michigan Theater
Executive Director Russ Collins talks about Ann Arbor's down town center for fine film and the performing arts, its history, programming and role in the wider community.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Zingerman’s U
The Zingerman's brand is often synonomous with the Ann Arbor area. What began as a humble delicatessen in 1982 has since grown into a $30 million artisanal empire that includes a creamery, a bakery, a restaurant, a deli, a market, a coffee roasting outlet, a candy manufactory, as well as steady catering and mail order business. And along with its yummy foodstuffs Zingerman's also exports its philosophies and practices to other businesses for a fee. In a very expensive nutshell, the company has made a name for itself with its strict adherence to exceptional quality, subscribing to standards that most of its competitors don't even bother trying to aspire to.
The end result is often products that are outstanding examples of their particular variety of robust yet delicate coffees, tender pie crusts filled with pricey lard, cheese made from an antiquated recipe no other creamery in the world uses. Quality is emphasized and underscored so much that the resulting product can seem inaccessible, even intimidating, to the fledgling connoisseur.
It's okay: there's an app for that: a program at Zingerman's to educate the eager gourmand!
As Zingerman's has carefully cultivated a reputation for sourcing hand-selected products with the finest flavors its very learned experts can find, they have also fostered alongside it a culture of training and education. You see, it is not enough that you know (or at least, believe that you know) that the products they carry are some of the best anywhere in the world, you must understand why.
To wit, the company has created an environment for gourmet learning, whether it's hands-on classes where the curious can make their own Zingerman-like creations or at educational tastings, where amateurs and aficionados alike are taught to identify key characteristics in comestibles (along with the proper vernacular to describe them).
"An educated customer is really our best customer," says Allen Leibowitz, Managing Partner of Zingerman's Coffee Company. "The more people know what makes a product better the more they will appreciate the product."
The Coffee Company just moved to its first public outlet last November, taking a space in the same Ann Arbor industrial complex as Zingerman's Creamery and Bakehouse. It sources coffees from all over the world, roasts the beans, and sell them wholesale. Much like its neighbors, the Coffee Company's operations are open for viewing: customers can watch the coffee as it's roasted. "It's an education destination," Leibowitz says of the arrangement.
At the Coffee Company, Leibowitz offers classes and tastings to educate consumers on the finer points of fine grinds. In "Comparative Cupping" (a coffee enthusiast's term for coffee tasting), customers sample coffees from the four major growing regions, which helps them develop the technique and vocabulary for tasting. "Some people don't have a lot of experience describing the things they taste," explains Leibowitz. "We do a blind cupping of the four different coffee "food groups" [the growing regions] at the end of the class, and there's probably a 95% identify rate. Not only can people identify the region but they also develop the vocabulary to describe which is which and why, and which is their favorite and why."
Another tasting class called "Brewing Techniques" takes one identical roast and brews it 4-5 different ways. The reason they go to such lengths to educate their customers is simple: "You can get coffee at a lot of places, so why get coffee here? We want people to be able to say why they taste the difference."
His sentiments echo those of every member of the Zingerman's team, any of one of whom could be described as a food geek. There's an obvious excitement and enthusiasm in their voice as they share their knowledge with others.
"Our general take is that this is our life; we're doing this because it's our passion," Leibowitz says of the Zingerman's ethos. "It's crazy, it's fun, we all pretty much love what we do, that's why we're here."
Next door to the Coffee Company is the Creamery, lorded over by John Loomis, Managing Partner and cheesemaker extraordinaire. Almost every weekend through May he holds Mozzarella-Making Saturday.
"We chose Mozzarella because the problem with most cheeses is that they're 'Add this, wait four hours,' then 'add this, wait two hours," explains Loomis. "It's difficult to build a class around. But the principles for making mozzarella are the same as any cheese. This gives us an opportunity to teach people how cheese is made and have them give a hand in doing it without committing three days."
Even still, the typical process for making mozzarella takes about eight hours, so the classes use a slightly sped-up system. At the end of this two-hour class, participants will have learned how to go from raw milk to cheese and also how to texture three different kinds of mozzarella.
"People are fascinated by the process," Loomis says. "It's what got me into cheesemaking. You've got all these different cheeses with all these different tastes and they all start with the same ingredients."
Loomis talks in detail of the chemistry of cheesemaking, about fats and proteins and water retention, the seasonality of certain milks, the history of Camembert, and Zingerman's signature "Great Lakes Cheshire," made from a recipe that no other cheesemaker in the world currently uses. Think of it as Cheesemaking 101, with Loomis as the nutty, heesy professor.
Loomis has very specific intentions in his tastings and cheesemaking classes: "I want people to not be intimidated by cheese. We tend to put certain food way up on this pedestal as something people should be afraid of. How am I supposed to eat this?' If you want to put M&Ms on your cheese I don't care; it's up to you. I want people to get over the mystique with it."
Loomis encourages people to not be shy. "There are no stupid questions," he says, though he is also realistic about teaching the craft. "If they're cheese experts when they walk out of there, I've wasted 25 years of my life! But they're at least going to walk out with a basic understanding and they're going to have fun."
If you really want to get interactive, Zingerman's Bakehouse is probably the best place for you. BAKE! is the hands-on teaching bakery operated by the Bakehouse. It offers roughly five themed baking classes per week, ranging from pizza to pies to pastries. (In fact, the pizza, pie, baguette, and croissant classes are their most popular.)
Shelby Kibler is the Principal of BAKE!, and has held the position for the last two and half years. "Teaching is what I most enjoy to do," Kibler says. "I feel like we really have a positive impact on people's home baking and that's very satisfying, exposing people to baking in general."
Kibler has been a passionate baker since childhood, and worked in the Bakehouse for several years before bouncing around across the U.S.. Ultimately he was lured back to the Zingerman's realm. "I missed the system of values Zingerman's has," he explains. "At Zingerman's all of our objectives include education for other people as well as ourselves; to teach and to learn constantly. From the partners on down everyone's dedicated to both learning and teaching. It is exciting to work somewhere that has that in their values."
BAKE! not only offers small group classes, but also private classes, and BAKE-cations - intensive two and four-day "fantasy camps" for bakers taught by Kibler. "It enriches your life to teach something you're good at," he says. "It means you have to develop a wide set of skills, recognize what you're doing - the 'whys' of what you're doing instead of just the 'hows'. This school is a nice spot for the constant education of the public and ourselves."
Which is precisely why Kibler came back to Zingerman's after so much time and travel. "I am proud to be associated with Zingerman's. This is a company I can totally stand behind."
by
Nicole Rupersburg, from Concentrate
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ann Arbor’s Craft Beer Scene
If you think the selection of micro-brews is starting to become bigger than that of macro brews, you're not too far from the truth, especially in Ann Arbor.
The college town is welcoming its sixth craft brewing establishment with the Wolverine State Brewing Co., (opening Spring, 2010), making it the municipality with the most microbrews or brewpubs in Michigan.
"Certainly the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area is a great place for Michigan craft beer," says Scott Graham, executive director of the Michigan Brewers Guild. "I think there is a lot of room for more growth still."
The four people behind Wolverine Brewing are in the process of turning a former appliance store on Stadium Boulevard into a microbrewry. Wolverine will introduce a new concept to the existing microbrewery scene: they'll be brewing only lagers, and will focus on trying to create the best microbrew lager in Michigan.
"We feel like we can complement all of the great ales you can get at Jolly Pumpkin, Ann Arbor Brewing Co and all of the great brewpubs," says E.T. Crowe, a co-owner of Wolverine Brewing.
That sentiment is one of the keys to Ann Arbor's success at foster craft brewing, according to Rene Greff. The co-owner of Ann Arbor's first microbreweryy, Arbor Brewing Co., says clustering businesses like this allows them to grow off each other. Plus, it helps that Ann Arbor's populace has many of the attributes common with microbrewery consumers, such as high levels of education, lots of disposable income and being well-traveled.
"Ann Arbor has the perfect demographics for microbreweries," Greff says.
Writer: Jon Zemke
Take a Beer-Cation! Visit these fine Ann Arbor area brewpubs and microbreweries (don't forget to bring a designated driver):
Ann Arbor:
-Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery
-Wolverine Brewing Company (opening Spring, 2010)
Ypsilanti:
Milan:
Original Gravity Brewing Company
Or, try them all and more Michigan beers at the
Summer Beer Fest, happening this July at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Ann Arbor’s Green Transportation Company
Running on recycled cooking oil from local restaurants, the BTB Party Bus provides an affordable and effective means of getting around downtown Ann Arbor.
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Gallery Project
The Gallery Project is an independent art gallery run as a collective on Fourth Street in downtown Ann Arbor.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Your Ann Arbor Holiday Shopping Guide
This Holiday season, ditch the mall and do your shopping in downtown Ann Arbor! Ranked one of the best walking cities in America by Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association, Ann Arbor's downtown is comprised of four distinct areas, all connected by a short walk. You'll find unique and affordable gifts for everyone on your list . . . and you won't have to circle the mall parking lot for hours trying to find a space.
Start your shopping in the South University area. Closest to the University of Michigan, the stores here cater to a younger demographic, but you'll also find plenty of University of Michigan apparal for the super fan in your life. Make sure to check out Middle Earth, a specialty gift shop carrying action figures, candles, toys, political items, bumper stickers, and more.
Cut throught the Diag at the University of Michigan an you'll be in the State Street area. Here you'll find Bivouac (with perfect gifts for the outdoor enthusiast on your list), Borders Books, Music, and Cafe (the original store that started it all), and Orchid Lane Warehouse, featuring fair trade clothing, knitwear, scarves, pashminas, and more - and nothing in the store costs more than $15.
A short walk down Liberty or Washington Street will take you to Ann Arbor's Main Street area, named one of America's Great Streets for 2009 by the American Planning Association. In addition to fabulous shopping, the Main Street Area boasts several unique restaurants and is the perfect place to take a lunch or dinner break.Visit Selo/Shevel Gallery and 16 Hands Gallery to find unique pieces. Check out Acme Mercantile for whimsical and bizarre items, and head to Vault of Midnight to find the perfect gift for the sci-fi geek in your life.
Take Fourth or Fifth north and you'll be in the Kerrytown District, home to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market (Saturdays) and the Ann Arbor Artisan Market (Sundays through December). You'll also find The Kerrytown Market and Shops, housing Hollander's (specialty stationary, paper, and notecards) and Hollander's Upstairs (kitchen gadgets), FOUND Gallery, and Everyday Wines. Also located in the Kerrytown District are Zingerman's Delicatessen, Dogma Catmantoo, and Heavenly Metal.
Visit all these stores and so much more in downtown Ann Arbor this year! For more information on stores and locations, visit the Plan a Visit section, or request the visitors guide.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Pack Your Eating Pants for a Taste-Full Tour of Ann Arbor
Did you know there are over 200 restaurants in Ann Arbor's downtown area? Deciding where to eat can be daunting, but Savor Ann Arbor can help! Savor Ann Arbor provides custom walking and driving tours of the Ann Arbor area for groups of all sizes. Tours can be arranged around your schedule, and tailored to suit your needs.
Tours are led by Ann Arbor resident Marcie Greenfield, who has been eating her way through town since 1974. She'll feed you with interesting facts, history, and insight - and some of the best food Ann Arbor has to offer.
"Ann Arbor is a great foodie mecca," she says.
To schedule a tour or for more information, contact Marcie Greenfield at Savor Ann Arbor.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
An Epicurean Adventure in Ann Arbor
What makes the Ann Arbor Area a dining destination? For one, there's variety: from brew pubs to ethnic eateries to elegant restaurants and comfort foods, the area offers something to please any palate. So where do you start? That's for you to decide, but in case you need more direction, read on to find out how Chicago Tribune reporter Christopher Borelli spent three days gorging in Ann Arbor.
Day 1
8 a.m. I begin my gastronomic Ann Arbor weekend with a light breakfast at Zingerman's Delicatessen, a warm-up breakfast to my actual breakfast later that morning. A spacey young guy who talks extremely slowly and wears a tweed hat takes my order: a bowl of polenta with golden raisins and honey and a house-baked bagel covered in fennel seed with a light smear of the tangy cream cheese from Zingerman's Creamery. The deli has the crowded feel of a club that has welcomed too many into its fold; I am wedged between the artisan pretzels and the smoked-salmon case. I break free and read descriptions of sandwiches for a few minutes -- smoked Montreal meats, variations on New Orleans' muffuletta, Berkshire pork shoulder on an onion roll -- then head next-door to Zingerman's coffeehouse (an actual house) and read the newspaper and eat a golden mountain of polenta.
10 a.m. Having had my warm-up breakfast, I walk a few blocks to Cafe Zola for the real breakfast. On the way, I stop to look at an example of a local phenomenon, the Fairy Door -- miniature doors built into random buildings. At Zola, I ask about them. The rumor is that real fairies built them, my server says, her eyes wide. A 2-second Internet search on my iPhone reveals it's the work of a local artist named Jonathan. Still, the challah French toast at Zola is to be worshiped, made from Zingerman's braided challah, charred, eggy and sweet.
11:30 a.m. Students are huddled in the windows of every coffee shop. The day is overcast. I pick Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea and nuzzle into a mug of ginger lemon tea. It has a spicy burn, but the dab of honey mellows my harsh. There's a high school across the street. A woman stands outside the gates at lunchtime and puts down her bags and slips into a sandwich board. It reads, "Talk to me about socialism." Remarkably, when class breaks for lunch, a number of students stop and ask her about socialism.
2 p.m. In the Kerrytown Market, a block from Zingerman's, I have lunch. I begin with a Seoul Dog at Kosmo. It is a hot dog wrapped in bacon, deep fried, covered in mozzarella and grilled kimchi. I take a bite and put it down, sparing my aorta. Two feet away is Monahan's Seafood, a market within the market but with tables. Mike Monahan, one of the founders of Zingerman's (but no longer a partner), is behind the counter. His fish and chips are rich and crisp, but the oyster poor-boy -- on a baguette from a local Japanese bakery, with pickled veggies at the bottom -- is as delicately fried as a New England clam roll.
8 p.m. I head back to the deli for a Montreal Reuben, which is peppered, hot, on house-made rye. My cider is the color of squash. My pickle is big and perfect. I consider that it might be wax.
Day 2
11 a.m. After a morning walk through the farmers market -- organic everything, basically -- I head for Zingerman's Bakehouse and my afternoon Italian cookie class, which is in a non-descript office park. I learn a few things: They make better Boston Brown Bread than my grandmother; I'm incapable of using a pastry bag; and Gail, my cooking-class partner, has taken "more baking classes than anyone on Earth." Our instructor, his face frozen in a look of amusement, his jackboots covered in a Rorschach of flour and anise seed, walks us through biscotti and amaretti. Gail gets on my nerves.
4:15 p.m. Shouted down by the burger people.
5:30 p.m. Let me tell you about Dominick's. The restaurant's dark wooden-beamed porch and stained-glass windows and posters of old hippies past recall a time when Ann Arbor was the Berkeley of the Midwest. On days when the University of Michigan football stadium ("The Big House") is bursting, when its 100,000-plus attendees spill into the streets and snarl traffic for miles, you can hear the distant roar at Dominick's, which is miles away. I've been here a few times over the years, and each time a large man with beady eyes sits in front and sips beer and wipes sweat from his head. Beside him is a stack of books with titles like "The War of the Austrian Succession." I nod to him, then get in line. Built into the floor is a tiled sign reading "Wait Here." I wait, then order a Constant Buzz ($21.04). It is truth in advertising, a strawberry slush that includes tequila, triple sec, gin, rum and vodka.
7 p.m. For dinner, we drive a couple of miles out of downtown and find Zingerman's Roadhouse, whose chef, Alex Young, has become a multiple James Beard Award nominee. I spend 10 minutes examining the menu, which reads like a roll call of traditional American cooking, every corner of the country covered: oyster hash and deep-fried pork chop and Sprecher's root beer from Wisconsin and buttermilk-fried chicken and Texas cabrito (goat) and six kinds of macaroni and cheese. The hush puppies (in a nod to UM) use blue and yellow corn. Ari Weinzweig, the owner, in a black T-shirt, sleeves rolled, pours water.
Day 3
11:30 a.m. We head back to the Roadhouse. Ari is there again, pouring water, weirdly attentive for a guy worth a gazillion. I order Hangtown Fry, a variation on oyster hash, made with bacon. It's not on the menu; it's a northern California dish, a mining tradition. But they bring out something very close and full of smoke. The extent these people go to attend to your wishes is nuts. I am eating a bagel when the server comes over to give me a black napkin. The white one might flake on my black sweater. We joke and ask her if they will do anything. Yes, says the server, not joking. She explains that they once ran out and got beer and Red Bull at a supermarket for someone. My friend is allergic to potato, yet his plate has a potato. The server steps back in horror and grabs the plate, then asks him: Do you want to nibble on the part not touching the potato while you wait?
2:30 p.m. We drive to Zingerman's Creamery for a tour. It is as hot inside as Washington in July. The cheesemaker pops fresh mozzarella into his hand, squeezes it through his fingers until a ball forms, then snips it off and holds it aloft. Everyone sighs .
4 p.m. Nine miles away is the Dexter Cider Mill, which is 123 years old, the cider press made of a dark oak stained by hundreds of thousands of apples. Behind the wooden barn, a wheelbarrow holds the apple mash, squeezed of its juices. We grab a bag of hot sugared doughnuts and a couple of foam cups of hot cider and sit on a log, watching the Huron River hustle past.
9 p.m. We wrap up with a Zingerman's Roadhouse special dinner. Once a month, a theme is chosen, a guest chef selected. These dinners are fascinating, and huge -- a $45 dinner based on the history of Greek-Jewish food in America, a $45 dinner about the little-known story of black chefs in the White House. This night I attend a Vampires Ball. The food is Irish, every dish a play on a spooky Celtic legend, Chef Alex telling of sauces "churned with a dead man's hand," stepping from his kitchen to remind us that the butter on our Irish soda bread should be so thick that it "touches your gums before the food does."
At the end of the night, my stomach distended, I fall into a coma. Irish folklorist Kevin Danaher, large and smiling and bleary-eyed, sends the guests off with a proverb. It doubles as a nice reminder of the lure of Ann Arbor -- and of comfort food itself:
"Easy to halve the potato where there's love."
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Ann Arbor’s South Main Street: One of the “Ten Great Streets for 2009”
The American Planning Association has named South Main Street in Ann Arbor "one of the 10 Great Streets for 2009." American Planning Association Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.
“Anyone who has visited South Main Street can tell you what a unique and energetic place it is to walk, shop or eat—it is the gathering place of the Ann Arbor community,” said Main Street Area Association Executive Director Maura Thomson.
The American Planning Association singled out South Main for its forward-looking planning and development aimed at helping lower the city’s carbon footprint. Among other things, the city is increasing housing density, preserving historic buildings and increasing transportation choices along South Main Street.
When you visit Ann Arbor, make sure to check out South Main Street, just one of the many great places in the area.
For more information accommodations in Ann Arbor, click here. To begin planning your trip, click here.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Hollywood Stars Give Ann Arbor Area Rave Reviews
Last summer, the Ann Arbor area was full of stars: Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, and Jimmy Fallon, just to name a few. They came to make the movie Whip It, and they left with a lasting impression.
Says Barrymore, "I felt like it was a blessing we got to shoot there." She was particularly fond of the area's after hours scene.
"On Saturday nights, I would go to the 8 Ball in Ann Arbor and have a cold PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) and I loved that . . .We went to see rock bands or we'd go to bars or play pool or bowling."
Whip It''s star, Ellen Page (Juno), also gave the area glowing reviews: "I'd live there in a second," Page said. "I'd go shoot there in a second; I'd encourage a film to go shoot there."
Page was particularly impressed by the area's options for recreation.
"All over (the area), you drive 15-20 minutes and there's some awesome place to hike," she says. "From the bottom of my heart, I absolutely loved it, and I say this all the time."
Whip It, in theaters now, is Drew Barrymore's directorial debut. The film also stars Juliette Lewis, Saturday Night Live's Kristin Wiig, and hip-hop artist Eve.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor
Do you believe in fairies? If not, a visit to Ann Arbor's several fairy dwellings is sure to change your mind! Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Paddling down the Huron River
Sometimes it's called an "urban paddle." Learn more about canoeing and kayaking on the Huron River in Ann Arbor. Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Ann Arbor for Students and Parents
News flash: Parents and students have different ideas on what constitutes a rockin’ weekend.
So while Johnny and Jenny “study,” hit an all-night kegger and scarf down fried veggies at Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger (whose motto is Cheaper Than Food), here are some extracurricular activities to keep the grownups busy in this quintessential college town:
Taste some ‘Top Chef’ cuisine
Eve Aronoff recently got bounced from Bravo’s “Top Chef” competition, but she’s still cooking at her intimate, upscale eatery, Eve.
“This is a really strong food community; people are passionate about things being local,” said Aronoff, 40. The Cordon Bleu-educated chef opened her eponymous restaurant six years ago in Ann Arbor’s historic Kerrytown district.
Many of Aronoff’s ingredients are local, but her flavors span the globe. One item her customers won’t let her take out of the constantly changing menu: “Inspired Nachos,” delicious fried wontons stacked with avocado, black beans and goat gouda.
Eve’s prices are out of reach for your typical ramen-eating college student, but on Thursday nights she offers complimentary appetizers at the restaurant’s wine bar.
“A DJ plays really interesting music, and it’s a fun chance for the cooks in the kitchen to experiment,” Aronoff said. “It’s ideal for a college budget.”
The Wright stuff
Spend a few memorable nights in Ann Arbor’s most architecturally significant home: the 2,000-square-foot Palmer House, designed in the early 1950s by Frank Lloyd Wright.
“It’s one of the half a dozen or so houses of his you can stay in,” said Jeff Schox, a University of Michigan graduate who, along with his wife, Kathryn, bought the home from its longtime owners in March. They began renting it to overnight guests this summer.
The home is classic Wright: no 90-degree corners, views of the natural surroundings from every room and furniture designed by the architect himself. Sleeping up to five people in three bedrooms, the home sits on two acres of a “beautiful wooded area, very serene, by Nichols Arboretum,” Schox said. “It’s a 20-minute walk to downtown or a five-minute car ride.”
Nightly rates range from $299 during the week to $499 on football weekends.
From "Big House, Big Times" by Lori Rackl, published in the Chicago Sun Times September, 2009.
Monday, August 31, 2009
In Search of Green Beer
In most places, green beer means St. Patrick's Day. In the foodie paradise of Ann Arbor, Mich., it means Earth-friendly microbrews.
Downtown, Arbor Brewing Co. has won awards for microbrews as well as environmental responsibility. Matt and René Greff's company opened in 1995 following Matt's "beer epiphany": All-natural brews had fuller flavors.
Though perfecting an organic beer, the Greffs say their current beers can't be labeled organic. Although the malt is organically grown, most of the hops aren't. Controversies about the label "organic" have mad recent headlines, but organic is not the only way to go green. "We try to make the brewing process as eco-friendly as possible," René Greff said. Instead of sending spent grain to a landfill, they give it to local farmers for use as livestock feed and compost. How much? "Over 3,000 pounds a week."
A water recovery system routes water used to cool beer after boiling to a holding tank. As it cools the beer, the water gets hot--ideal for cleaning equiptment and for making the next batch of beer.
Having gone "local, natural, and sustainable" at home long ago, the Greffs began applying that ethos in 2007 at their brew pub/restaurant.
To read the rest of this article, click here.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ann Arbor Hot Spot: Farmers’ Market
The Ann Arbor Farmers' Market, located in vibrant, eclectic Kerrytown, is where the local chefs go for their produce. You’ll often see local culinary celebrities, such as chef Eve Aranoff, shopping there.
Ann Arbor has a farm-to-table tradition and one of the joys of summer is seeing the beautiful produce brought fresh to the market.
Read the rest of this article here.
The Ann Arbor Farmers' Market is held year-round on Saturdays from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. The market also takes place on Wednesdays from May-December.
For more information about the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market, click here.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Logan: An American Restaurant
Chef Thad Gillies, his brother Ryan and Kevin Hobart, sommelier, own and operate this Ann Arbor-based bistro, offering exclusive wines and an eclectic menu, all with an American twist. Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rock ‘N Roll: Ann Arbor’s Planet Rock
Planet Rock in Ann Arbor is an indoor climbing gym with walls to challenge all ages and abilities, for those who want health and fitness up to the most competitive rock jocks. Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair
"What's going on in here?" is the question they get asked most often. Here's a brief glimpse into the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair store and 826 Michigan. Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Motawi Art Tiles Made in Ann Arbor
By Judith Wylie
Artisan-made tiles with early 20th century Arts and Crafts themes and images by Frank Lloyd Wright make it easy to bring fine art into any room in the home.
Brother and sister partners Karim and Nawal Motawi of Motawi Tileworks began making clay art tiles in their garage in the early 1990s. Karin is the trained ceramic artist and her brother is the operational guru who has also learned to develop glazes, make molds and fire kilns. Together they are creating what they call "New Arts and Crafts Pottery." Their names are Arabic, as their father is from Egypt.
Click here to read the rest of this story.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Golf Digest Ranks Ann Arbor Golf Course Best in Michigan
The City of Ann Arbor’s Leslie Park Golf Course (LPGC) continues to earn high honors, most recently from Golf Digest magazine. The course was named the “Best Municipal Golf Course” in the state of Michigan. LPGC also earned four-and-a-half out of five stars on Golf Digest’s 2008-09 list of “Best Places to Play.”
“It’s a mark of distinction to be named ‘Best Municipal Golf Course’ in the state and to have earned four-and-a-half stars on Golf Digest’s list of ‘Best Places to Play’,” said Doug Kelly, City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Director of Golf. “This validates that we’re not only meeting, but exceeding our customers’ expectations of creating an excellent and memorable golf experience for everyone to enjoy.”
Originally designed by E. Lawrence Packard and opened in 1967, LPGC underwent a two-year renovation by Arthur Hills in 1994-95. It’s regarded as a championship course at 6,752 yards; a par 72 with a slope rating of 128.
For more about Leslie Park Golf Course and other courses in the Ann Arbor area, visit the Golf section.
Monday, May 11, 2009
For a Hearty Midwestern Appetite, Ann Arbor
From The Chicago Tribune, by
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The first time I heard that people lived in Orlando, I couldn't shake the idea: Where would such people sleep? The Magic Kingdom? There's a government? A mayor who doesn't wear a mouse head and pose for pictures?
This is an occupied territory. Not a city.
To that list, add Ann Arbor.
If you've ever lived in this bucolic college town (population 114,000), gone to school here (at the University of Michigan), worked here (home to Domino's Pizza and Borders world headquarters) or dreamed of living here (Ann Arbor routinely lands on those Best Places To Live lists), you might take umbrage -- but never has a nice Midwestern town been so dominated by a delicatessen.
This is Zingerman's Delicatessen, a red-brick wedge of a building on a cobblestone street. As I learned recently, with all the classes and special dinners and tours and gorging it offers, one can spend days at Zingerman's -- the way one might spend days at Disney World and barely see Orlando. Or rather, one can spend a weekend, going from Zingerman's to Zingerman's Roadhouse to Zingerman's Bakehouse to Zingerman's Creamery and also Durham's Tracklements, Kosmo's lunch stand -- to the many like-minded establishments here that emphasize quality comfort food. What I'm proposing, basically, is a food trip for those who can't afford a food trip to San Francisco. Here, the dream is reality, the makings of a va-HomerSimpson-cation, an entire trip around the eating of excessive amounts of corned beef, Guinness-based gelato, burgers coated in pimento cheese, and waffles made with grits.
To read the rest of this story, click here.
Friday, May 01, 2009
The Gandy Dancer, Ann Arbor
Executive Chef Loren Halprin of the Gandy Dancer restaurant near downtown Ann Arbor talks about some delicious offerings from the kitchen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
BTB Party Bus Runs on Churro Power
Party buses in Ann Arbor are are turning to clean fuels --like used vegetable oils-- to transport revellers.
Excerpt:
BTB Burrito is already Ann Arbor's go-to spot for bar-goers who crave a late-night snack after last call.
Now, BTB wants to give them a ride home, too - on a shuttle bus fueled by the waste oil that their churros were fried in.
The BTB Party Bus - a bright-red, 14-seat, former airport shuttle - is powered by a diesel engine modified to run on used vegetable oil. It's indistinguishable from a normal diesel shuttle, except for the 20-gallon tank of grease that sits behind the driver and the tortilla-like aroma that lingers near the tank and emanates from the exhaust pipes.
The homegrown mini-chain has been known best for fast, inexpensive Mexican food and a decidedly Ann Arbor attitude, from its funky interior design to its line of Hash Bash-themed merchandise. The turn toward eco-friendly transportation stems from the owners' interest in green innovation.
Read the rest of the story here and a story on Ann Arbor's two electric cars here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Looking for Fairies in Ann Arbor
The little things in Ann Arbor continue to make a big splash around the world.
Excerpt:
Is there a truth emerging from the urban legend? There are so many fairy doors in Ann Arbor. Are we about to encounter this elusive life form?
The first fairy door discovered in Ann Arbor is documented at the Urban Fairies website.
Read the rest of the story here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Praise Flows as Visitors Flock to New University of Michigan Museum of Art
The University of Michigan's newly refurbished Museum of Art has reopened to rave reviews in Ann Arbor this weekend.
It was no quiet "Sunday Afternoon" by Seurat, nor a chaotic "Night Watch" by Rembrandt. Instead, the painting Saturday night at the newly remodeled University of Michigan Museum of Art was of a happy crowd celebrating a community institution and its long-awaited reopening.
When the front doors flung wide at 6 p.m. sharp Saturday evening to the peal of bells throughout campus and Ann Arbor, a crowd of several hundred cheered and began pouring inside. The initial throng of visitors kept coming for a solid quarter-hour, welcomed with the soft applause of museum staffers and volunteers standing just inside the entrance.
It was first time the public has been able to step inside the museum since it closed for the $41.9 million renovation in mid-2006.
Read the rest of the story here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
U-M fans Huddle for Look Inside Refurbished Michigan Stadium
Rich Rodriguez realized his mistake almost immediately on Saturday.
After being stopped by a parking attendant and asked if he had a reserved space outside Michigan Stadium's tunnel, Rodriguez showed his special parking pass and was able to slide into a spot, steps from the Junge Champions Center, where recruits waited.
But getting from his car to the Junge door, a distance of about 30 yards, was difficult as he was mobbed by the fans waiting in line for the free locker room tour. Rodriguez patiently posed for photos, signed autographs as he tried to walk, only getting through once a police officer helped clear a path. He insisted he didn't want to be rude but had business inside.
While he didn't expect that reception, it showed how loyal the Michigan fans are, as the line for the tour wrapped three-fourths of the way around the building for most of the 2 1/2 hour availability, with thousands being turned away simply because of time.
"This is why I wanted to bring my son," said Ty Coleman, an Ann Arbor resident, who had seen the old locker room 30 years ago when his cousin, Ron Simpkins, played. "It's an opportunity to see what Michigan football is all about, especially in an up-close view of the stadium."
Read the rest of the story here.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ann Arbor’s Tea Culture
Ann Arbor is the place for Tea Drinkers! Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History
Visit Ann Arbor with your family and check out the Exhibit Museum of Natural History, featuring exhibits on dinosaurs and prehistoric life.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Cake Nouveau
The Cupcake is making a comeback! Stop by Cake Nouveau in downtown Ann Arbor for a sweet treat. You may recognize owner Courtney Clark from her several appearances on Food Network Challenges! Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Motawi Tileworks
Experience "craft pottery" at Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor. You'll be glad you did! Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Vault of Midnight
Your inner comic book geek (and your kids) will love Vault of Midnight on Main Street in Downtown Ann Arbor. From comics to gaming rooms, they serve the nerd in all of us. Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Ark
If you love folk music, make sure to visit The Ark on Main Street. The Ark is Ann Arbor's premier venue for acoustic music, drawing local, regional, and national acts on a nightly basis. Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Downtown Ann Arbor
Downtown Ann Arbor is often called "The Best Downtown In Michigan." In this video, a local Google employee explains why he loves Downtown Ann Arbor.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ann Arbor: A Foodie’s Delight
Ann Arbor is a food lovers dream come true! From fine dining to farmers markets, the Ann Arbor area is very food focused!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Forbes Names Ann Arbor “Top College Sports Town”
Excitement in the nearby stadium is likely, but a great quality of life outside it is a sure thing.
The University of Michigan is most famous for its football team, the Wolverines, who play in the packed confines of the Big House, a stadium that holds 106,201 fans. Of course, with the way the Wolverines played this past season (their record was 3-9), it's surprising that many people flocked to the stadium every Saturday.
Loyalty might explain it, though maybe it's just fans' motivation to visit Ann Arbor before and after the football game. Who can blame them? The small city of 114,000 boasts top-flight restaurants and bars, a symphony and ballet, as well as museums and concert halls hosting national-level entertainment.
And what full-time residents also know: Ann Arbor has great public schools, low crime and affordable housing. Not surprisingly, it all adds up to the highest rank on our list of best college towns. It beats out Palo Alto, Calif., home to Stanford, and Madison, Wis., home to the University of Wisconsin.
Whether for quality of life, business development or investment, it's easy to understand the draw of college towns. The cities have a reputation for their wealth of arts and cultural events that spoke out from the university. Even though a college town like State College, Pa., or Charlottesville, Va., may not have the population of New York or Los Angeles, the strength of the university attracts top-flight entertainment options.
"Oftentimes people think you need a bigger city to support the arts, but it really depends on who is there," says Andrew Schiller, president of NeighborhoodScout, a Rhode Island-based demographics and real-estate research firm. "My mom and step dad retired from Long Island to Ithaca, a quintessential college town. They get to see the Russian ballet and symphonies; they get big-city amenities without the crowd or the stress."
Behind the Numbers
To create our list of the best college towns, we started with the top 50 finishers in the Director's Cup, an award issued through the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics to schools based on their performance in every sport. Football and basketball are important, but for the sports fan, part of the college-town experience is access to top teams in track, water polo, soccer, baseball, tennis and other non-marquee sports.
From there, we looked at quality of life measures, since wins and losses aren't everything. Using Coldwell Banker's Home Price Comparison Index, we looked at the price of a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 2,200-square-foot home in each market and compared it to the median income.
Article by Matt Woolsey, from Forbes.com
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti: Multicultural Hospitality
Staff at the newly renovated Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest explain how they've translated hospitality for their Japanese visitors. Video courtesy of Ascalon Films.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Blimpy Burger on Food Network
The Food Network's Guy Fieri features Ann Arbor's own Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.