Sbarro
6650 S. Westnedge Avenue #FC1J and I aren’t really mall people anymore. Fifteen years ago, that might have been different. J worked at a mall in Orland Park, IL and I used to do all of my shopping at the closest mall to my hometown in Bradley , IL. Back then, it was just what you did. You’d go to the mall, shop a little, eat in the food court, and play video games until your five bucks ran out at the arcade. Of course those were the days when Venture and Target were the anchors so you really could do all your shopping in just one stop.
Malls just aren’t like that anymore. Most of the stores I would never go in and the few I do, I always find better deals at the Outlets. Today was different though. We weren’t shopping. We were walking.
No, we didn’t suddenly get old overnight. We were trying to walk the baby out. We took a few laps around both the upper and lower levels at Crossroads Mall in Portage when J said we should grab something to eat then walk a few more laps. I looked at her with a pretty strange looked and asked, “You want to eat at the Food Court?”
She was heading to Subway and she just assumed I would to, but I had other plans. It’s been years, but I used to love eating at Sbarro. I never could pronounce it, but I always loved being able to pick my slice. Read more…
Eastown Cafe
410 Ethel Avenue SE- Grand Rapids, MI 49506
- (616) 233-0797
- No Known Website
- Menu
I was lazy today when it came time to leave for work. I didn’t feel like making my lunch. I know I should have, but I said the hell with it and just decided to eat out.
Around 7:30, my manager looked at me and asked if I had taken dinner yet. I said no and he told me to get out of the office for a while. I didn’t really have any idea what I was hungry for, but I did want to go check out a shop in Eastown.
About a month ago, I saw a news report on a new shop that makes fresh pasta. I really wanted to check it out and pick up a couple packages of pasta for dinner later in the week, but when I got to the door of the Local Epicurean, the lights were off. They close at 6:00.
As I was walking back to my car, I spotted a cafe that a co-worker had recommended to me some time ago. I never really knew where it was, but since I was in the area and technically on my dinner break, I figured why not. Read more…
El Gallo Blanco
2838 Portage StreetOnce again, J and I were out and about before lunch time and once again, we contemplated Old Dog Tavern. I still really want to try lunch there, but we decided to call before we headed downtown. At 11:05, no one was answering the phone. J tried three times and got a voicemail all three times. We decided not to chance it.
Instead, I started heading over to Portage Street. I wasn’t really in the mood for Mexican, but a couple Twitter friends (@mattvandyk and @mobilejray) have tweeted several times about this new place that’s only been open a few months. We had to try it out.
El Gallo Blanco is on Portage Street just past the intersection with Lovers Lane. It’s in the building that formerly housed Huarache. We weren’t really big fans of that place and I was worried this new place was just putting a fresh coat of paint on the same business.
It isn’t. El Gallo Blanco is a new business owned by the same people that run the popular La Perla in Benton Harbor. Other than the building and odd parking lot, there’s not much that would remind a person of the former restaurant. Read more…
Press Release – Fundraiser for Kalamazoo Band Going to International Blues Challenge
From a Millennium Restaurant Group press release….
Area Band to Represent Kalamazoo at the International Blues Challenge
KALAMAZOO — Each year The Blues Foundation hosts the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee. From January 31 to February 4, 2012 the Legendary Beale St entertainment district will house the most prestigious blues competition in the world; drawing artists from all over the globe. Winners of this competition are awarded cash prizes, professional press kits, promotional considerations and gigs at some of the largest blues festivals in the United States, Canada and Europe. The competitors are scored in five areas; blues content, talent, vocals, originality and stage presence. Bands wishing to compete in the IBC must be an unsigned act and sponsored by a Blues Foundation affiliate. Affiliates are encouraged by the Blues Foundation to hold a competition based on the same scoring criteria used in the IBC.
On Sunday October 2nd, The Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association, a local 501(c)3 organization and Blues Foundation affiliate dedicated to the preservation of blues music and its relevance as an original American art form, held a competition to send an unsigned act from Michigan to compete in this world renown competition. Several bands with enormous talent battled it out to see who would represent Kalamazoo in Memphis. Crossroads Resurrection, formerly Crossroads Blues Band was the stand out winner. Crossroads, formed in 1993 as the host band for the jam sessions at Wonderful’s Funky Basement, has been a West Michigan Favorite band since its inception. Not only is this band a crowd pleaser, but are talented enough to have won a sponsorship to the IBC competition in the past and have shared a stage with world class blues acts such as Lonnie Brooks, Tab Benoit and Little Charlie and the Nightcats. In fact, the band has such a strong local following that a large contingent of local Kalamazoo followers plan to travel to Memphis to support their hometown boys.
Says Eddie Lester, “We’re very honored to be representing the KVBA a second time. This is our home turf, and even though we’ve competed for other organizations in the past, it feels good to be doing it for the home town.”
Band members Eddie “Blue” Lester (saxophone and vocals), Dave “Gator” Allemang (guitar and vocals), Nick Cekola (Bass), John Ford (Keyboards), Jeff “Fuego” Fernandez (Drums) are excited to return to Memphis for another chance to compete, and network with talented musicians, promoters, and music aficionados from around the world.
“It’s not just the competition that’s important,” says Dave Allemang. “We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t want to win, but at the same time, the IBC is a wonderful networking opportunity. It’s a chance to be in the right place at the right time—to have your music heard by such a large group of people who know and understand what you’re trying to do, and who recognize and appreciate the creative effort that goes into your music. There’s nothing else like it.”
Having enough talent to win a sponsorship to Memphis is just the first rung of the ladder so to speak, in the climb to winning the Memphis competition. A good portion of that climb is raising the funds needed to help defray the cost of travel, accommodations, food and etc. The IBC can be a very costly venture, but the opportunities and rewards are priceless. The local music community has come together to help support Crossroads in this tremendous venture. The Union Cabaret has generously offered to be the hosting venue of a fundraiser to help the band raise money to cover these expenses. The Union Cabaret on the Kalamazoo mall is well known not just for their fantastic food and drink menu, but also as a first rate venue to listen and see some of the finest local musical talent. Crossroads Resurrection themselves will provide the entertainment, treating those attending to a preview of their Memphis IBC set.
Where:
The Union Cabaret and Grille
125 S. Kalamazoo MallWhen:
Sunday January 22, 2012
4 pm to 8 pmAdmission:
Donations taken at the door
The Sports Forum
803 W. Mosel AvenueThe clock is ticking on that baby growing in J’s belly. We’re down to one week before the actual due date which means J and I are getting the last little bit of sleep we can get before everything changes. It was after breakfast by the time we woke up this morning and neither of us got moving very fast. I still had some left over pizza from last night that we snacked on until it was full on time for lunch.
I didn’t really have any solid ideas about where to go for lunch, but I was sort of thinking of a little sports bar I noticed one day on my way to Parchment. It’s kind of out in the middle of nowhere so I was a little hesitant, but I found a menu online and we were sold.
The Sports Forum is on Mosel Avenue in Kalamazoo Township between Westnedge and Douglas Avenues. It’s right off the US 131 BL but if you’re coming from the south, it can be a little tricky to get to. When I mapped it from Oshtemo, the quickest route was to go all the way down town and north on Riverview to Mosel right on the edge of Parchment.
We were a little hesitant driving to an unknown place because we were both pretty hungry and not in the mood for disappointment. We were both a little relieved when we spotted the place and noticed a pretty full parking lot for a Sunday afternoon. Read more…
From a Promote Michigan press release……
Salt of the Earth Announces 3rd Annual Michigan Wine & Beer Dinner Series
(FENNVILLE, Mich) – In what has become a wildly-popular winter/spring tradition, West Michigan’s Salt of the Earth announces its third-annual monthly Michigan Wine & Beer Dinner Series at its downtown Fennville rustic American eatery, starting on January 11 and running through June 20.
“We’re excited to continue this unique experience where we showcase the finest Michigan beverages paired with our own style of casual cuisine,” says proprietor Mark Schrock. “Winemakers and brewers are present at each event, along with a very special lineup of guest chefs from around the state. We invite you to come celebrate the best of Michigan food and beverage with us!”
The 2012 series will span six months and feature Michigan wineries and breweries exclusively. Multiple courses will be served at each event, paired with the best from each producer. Many taste selections are from wine and beer maker’s personal cellars that are not always available to the public. A “Guest Chef” will also join SotE Chef Matthew Pietsch in the kitchen to prepare the evening’s locally-infused menu.
The series kicks off on Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00PM when the SotE team – along with Chef Drew Turnipseed from Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids – will prepare its first “Wine Meets Beer” themed dinner – a double-tasting, featuring wines from nearby Fenn Valley Vineyards and beer from Grand Rapids’ Brewery Vivant. The five-course menu includes: Course 1 – Salt / Vivant Cured Meats (pork – venison – lamb – beer wort); Course 2 – Soup & Salad (peach – turnip – rye – poppyseed); Course 3 – Swedish Chef (char – potato – beef – parsnip – smoke); Course 4 – Duck, Duck, Goose (confit – roast – poach – squash); and Course 5 – Doughnuts! (sour cream – yeast leavened – cake). Cost is $65 plus tax & gratuity. Reservations are required, call 269-561-SALT (7258).
2012 SotE Michigan Wine & Beer Series Schedule
Wednesday January 11
“Wine Meets Beer”
Double tasting event with Fenn Valley Winery and Brewery Vivant and five courses.
Winemaker: Doug Welsch | Brewer: Jason Spaulding | Guest Chef: Drew Turnipseed, Brewery Vivant $65
Wednesday February 8
“Rustic Bubbles- v2”
L. Mawby/M.Lawrence
Michigan sparkling wines, with appetizers and canapés.
Winemaker: Mike Laing | Guest Chef: Jesse Hahn, Trailer Park’d & Fork in the Road restaurant $45
Wednesday March 14
“Jolly Pumpkin & North Peak Beer Dinner”
Wednesday April 18
“WOMP Wine Dinner”
Seven Old Mission wineries, seven courses!
Wednesday May 16
“Founders Beer Dinner”
Wednesday June 20
“Wyncroft Summer Wine Dinner”
Antique Kitchen Family Restaurant
6215 S. Westnedge Avenue- Portage, MI 49002
- (269) 327-4014
- No Known Website
- Menu
Monday night, J and I were watching the Monday Night Comedies on CBS. During Mike & Molly, one of the characters mentioned something about Eggs Benedict. I looked at J and asked why she never made me Eggs Benedict. I knew the answer, but I still like being a smart ass every now and then. She said we had a ultrasound appointment in the morning and I could get Eggs Benedict afterwards.
The ultrasound went super quick and we were back in the car almost ten minutes after our appointment was scheduled. J said she was hungry and wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to be out of the house. I still wanted that Eggs Benedict so we headed north on Westnedge to find something to eat.
Antique Kitchen Family Restaurant is right in the main shopping district of Portage. It’s in the parking lot of Toys R Us behind the Ross Medical Education Center building. You can’t miss the place. There’s a large sign out on the road that displays which group they’re giving 20% off their bills this month (happens to be realtors right now…J and I aren’t realtors.)
The first thing I was really surprised by was the size. It was much smaller than I imagined. It’s no hole in the wall, but the building makes it look bigger than it really is. There are a lot of tables squeezed into the space and there’s a large, enclosed waiting area just outside the front door. The decor is kind of like a down home Cracker Barrel. It has that cozy feeling of a small town that’s been there forever. No frills. Nothing fancy. Read more…
Rustica
236 S. Kalamazoo MallOne more New Year’s Eve. One more with no babysitter. One more where it’s just J and me. I thought I was getting a jump on NYE by making our dinner reservations back in November. I was all excited and really looking forward to dinner at The Gatsby. Turns out, The Entertainment District had their own plans for the big night.
A few weeks ago, I started seeing ads for a big part in the E.D. that included a buffet for something at The Gatsby. I figured I better find out if my reservations were still good…even though they took it and confirmed it.
Turns out, they never should have taken the reservation….but the guy who e-mailed me was nice enough to try and sell me $99 tickets to the big festivities.
So, with The Gatsby out, we were on to Plan B. Our next thought was to try Casa Bolero. The switch to a tapas bar looked interesting. J called earlier in the week to get reservations….and found out they were closed on New Year’s Eve. At this point, neither of us really had any ideas…until J brought up Rustica.
J went to Rustica a couple of months ago with some friends, but I had yet to try the place. The downside to Rustica is they don’t take reservations….well, that was probably an upside since we were planning this only a few days from New Year’s Eve.
The plan was to get there right at 5:00 when they opened. We were a few minutes late getting to The Mall at about quarter after. I dropped J off in front of the building then went to find a parking spot. Read more…
Natural Health Center
4610 W. Main Street- Kalamazoo, MI 49006
- (269) 342-9459
- Website
A couple weeks ago, J and I stopped to pick up dinner at Penn Station after a trip to the hospital. J had been saying that we needed to make a run to Sawall’s to get some Raspberry Leaf Tea. I kept forgetting about it, but when we pulled in to the parking lot at Penn Station, I noticed a store that I thought may have what she was looking for.
Natural Health Center is a family owned business on the corner of West Main and Drake in the Westwood Plaza. The store stocks natural healthy foods, supplements, and beauty products.
The first time we walked in to the store two weeks ago, we were lost. We were looking for a couple things, but had no idea where to find them. We started searching the shelves until an employee noticed the confused looks on our faces. He asked what we were looking for and when we told him, he did our shopping for us. He disappeared around the corner and came back with everything we needed.
When we went today, we were a little more familiar with the store and were able to find what we were looking for without the help.
If you’re going to compare the store to Sawall’s, you’re going to notice that it’s much smaller. That doesn’t mean they don’t have a large selection of things though. J has taken a liking to the candy aisle and picks up a couple bags on every trip now. Read more…
Chipotle Mexican Grill – Oshtemo Township
5363 W. Main StreetHow to start our New Year’s weekend together? Somehow, I scored a Saturday off and I didn’t want to waste it in bed, so I set an alarm to get up. J woke up on her own about a half hour before I got up, so by the time I got up, she was ready to go get something to eat. I asked if we could wait a little while and just get lunch. When I told her I wanted to go to Chipotle, she didn’t object.
Kalamazoo finally got it’s first Chipotle when the Mexican chain moved in to the old Fire Bowl Cafe spot on West Main in November. Neither J or I had ever been to a Chipotle, but so many people were excited when they saw it was opening.
I really had no expectations when we walked through the door to find what looked more like an upscale lounge than a taco joint. The seating situation was interesting. There were a couple long bars that had chairs that looked like little stools. There were a couple regular tables that slid into the space around the bars.
We weaved our way to the back to order. The menu hanging above the order area is very vague. Since neither of us had ever eaten at a Chipotle, we really had no idea what to do. J took the lead and said she wanted two Chicken Tacos. The clerk said the tacos come in threes. That was fine with J. She was then given the choice of crunchy, flour or corn tortilla. She chose the flour which was then warmed up on a small taco press. From there, they move the tortillas down the line where they’re topped. J chose lettuce, sour cream, cheese and the medium salsa to finish off her chicken tacos. Read more…
SW Michigan Dining 
