Bruno’s Pizza & Restaurant
1528 W. Michigan Avenue- Kalamazoo, MI 49006
- (269) 349-3229
- No Known Website
- Menu
With J in Chicago, I was on my own for dinner. My plan for the evening was to pick up a movie from Redbox and grab a pizza then just relax in my basement all night.
So the question is, where to get a pizza from. There are still a few places in the Kalamazoo area that I haven’t tried yet and I wanted to try one of those.
The place I chose was Bruno’s Pizza & Restaurant on West Michigan Avenue right across the street from Western Michigan University. I’ve been wanting to go there for a while, but I never know when they’re open. They don’t have a website and any information I can find online always seems to contradict information I’ve found on different websites. I figured being a Friday night, they would be open.
I went to Meijer to pick up my movie from the Redbox there. When I pulled in to the parking, I looked up the phone number and placed the call. It started to ring which was promising. I at least knew they were still open. I was really relieved when I heard a woman’s voice on the other end say, “Bruno’s.” Read more…
Round Barn Winery Tasting Room – Union Pier
9185 Union Pier Road- Union Pier, MI 49129
- (269) 469-6885
- Website
If you read my last post about Taco Bob’s, you already know that we had some issues getting J to Chicago. She was supposed to take an Amtrak, but being on time is a problem for Amtrak. They were not just late. They were over four hours late which would have made J miss her dinner plans and her connecting Metra to the suburbs where her parents live.
Since I didn’t want her weekend home to get off to a bad start, I offered to just drive her to Chicago. Her mom then offered to meet us halfway, so we headed towards New Buffalo.
As we got close, I realized we hadn’t heard from J’s mom yet which means she probably wasn’t in New Buffalo yet. As we were coming up on Exit 6, I asked J if she wanted to pull off and get her mom a bottle of wine as a “thank you” for coming to get her.
Now, I was thinking St. Julian because I knew her mom really likes their wine, but J said she still had a couple bottles from her last trip to Michigan. J suggested we try Round Barn. Read more…
Taco Bob’s – Oshtemo Township
6890 Stadium DriveI know that Friday’s have been a day of extravagance recently, but this Friday was supposed to be different. J was heading home to Chicago for the weekend and because we’re down to one 4WD car due to my accident a couple weeks ago, she was planning on taking an Amtrak. In typical Amtrak fashion, they were running late. Way late. So late that we decided it was faster just to drive to New Buffalo and meet J’s mom halfway instead of waiting on such a worthless transportation system which showed up to Kalamazoo four hours late.
While we were trying to figure out travel arrangements, I told J that I needed to run somewhere for lunch. I threw out about a dozen suggestions, but nothing sounded good to her. At one point, I said something about Taco Bell which reminded her of Taco Bob’s.
When we were coming home from Paw Paw last week via Red Arrow Highway, we drove by a Taco Bob’s location we didn’t even know existed. Not to far before you get to 9th Street, if you’re coming from the west, you come across a newer strip development with a lot of empty stores. One of the few stores that is occupied is a Taco Bob’s. It’s still pretty hard to find. Even when I was looking for it and knew it was there, I had a hard time finding it. Since I was coming from the East, I had to turn in to the development before I got to the building. The “front” of the store is actually on the side opposite of the street, so there’s really not a very good street presence. There is a really small sign near the road, but it’s easy to miss. Read more…
Press Release – “Forks Over Knives” Screening in Ann Arbor
Gotta be honest. When I saw the following press release from Whole Foods, I was hoping it was to say they were building a store here.
Whole Foods Market® Ann Arbor Stores Sponsoring Eye-Opening “Forks Over Knives” Prescreening Event
Documentary Participant Rip Esselstyn, with Moderator Lizzie Burt from the University of Michigan MHealthy program to Lead Ensuing Panel Discussion on the Medical Merits of a Healthier Diet
What: Whole Foods Market, America’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, and the company’s Healthy Eating Partner, Rip Esselstyn, author of The Engine 2 Diet, are sponsoring a prescreening event of the documentary film “Forks Over Knives.” Together, they will provide people an opportunity to view the film, which offers clear information about the serious, but often misunderstood, relationship between food and health. Featuring physicians and expert researchers, “Forks Over Knives” presents compelling evidence suggesting that many of the nation’s most-debilitating degenerative diseases may be prevented – and in many cases reversed—through a whole food plant-based diet. After the viewing, Rip and moderator Lizzie Burt will lead a lively discussion of the film’s impact and messages.
Whole Foods Market stores across the country are supporting this documentary via viewings and other means. The documentary is scheduled for national release in March 2011.
Price: The price of admittance is $10, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Ann Arbor Firefighter Association.
Where: Michigan Theater Screening Room, 603 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor
When: Tuesday, February 8
- Reception at 5:45pm; movie at 6:30pm
- Panel Discussion: 8pm – 8:30pm
Confection
230 S. Kalamazoo MallIt’s Friday which means it’s indulgence day. I worked really late last night so I slept later than usual and J had a long day too so she wasn’t even home when I got up. About 45 minutes after I stumbled out to the living room feeling bad that I slept so late, I get a text message that I need to pick J up from work. I assumed we’d just go out to lunch, but she wanted to change clothes first so we headed home so she could get out of the work clothes and into something comfy.
I threw out a couple places I wanted to try for lunch, but on Friday’s, she really likes to go places where we can kind of pig out. We’ve been doing pretty good at eating at home and watching what we eat during the week so the weekends can be a little extra special.
For quite a while now, I’ve been wanting to get downtown to Confections which recently moved from Richland to the Kalamazoo Mall. The place is a little hard to find because there is no sign. This is probably the third time we’ve went looking for it, but the first time during daylight which helped. I knew where it was, I just keep driving by it because there is nothing that actually says “Confections.” Read more…
Press Release – Ruth’s Chris Coming to Grand Rapids
UPDATE (9.9.11) : Lots of people coming to the site looking for info on Ruth’s Chris….click HERE for the new press release with opening date…
…but the it’s taking the place of the 1913 Room at the Amway Grand. I never could afford the 1913 Room nor is it really our type of restaurant, but it’s one of Michigan’s only truly fine dining restaurants and it’s the only AAA 5-Diamond rating restaurant in the state. There is a pretty good chance I will eat at Ruth’s Chris so the change will actually be better for me personally. Just sad to see a restaurant like the 1913 Room go.
DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS ATTRACTS ONE OF WORLD’S TOP DINING DESTINATIONS
The 1913 Room to become Ruth’s Chris Steak House
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., (JAN. 26) – The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel (AGPH) today announced that it will transform The 1913 Room restaurant into a Ruth’s Chris Steak House by early fall 2011. The iconic, AAA Five Diamond, award-winning 1913 Room will remain open through late spring. Plans to begin construction of Ruth’s Chris Steak House are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. All associates of The 1913 Room will be offered positions with Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Founded in New Orleans by Ruth Fertel in 1965, Ruth’s Chris is the largest, family of upscale steak houses in the world with more than 130 locations, including New York, Portland, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans and Dubai.
“This is another exciting step forward in adding to the vibrancy of our hotel and downtown,” said Joe Tomaselli, president and CEO of the Amway Hotel Corporation. “Ruth’s Chris is an internationally recognized brand and we’re especially thrilled to bring this `big city’ dining experience to the area, providing another solid attraction for local residents as well as the growing number of business and leisure travelers staying downtown.”
“The redevelopment of The 1913 Room to Ruth’s Chris Steak House reflects the hotel’s efforts throughout its history to continually look for opportunities to enhance guest experiences while adding to the vision of the downtown,” said Tomaselli. The new Ruth’s Chris restaurant is expected to open around the same time as the AGPH celebrates its 30-year anniversary in September 2011.
Conversations between AGPH and Ruth’s Chris executives began several years ago as Grand Rapids emerged on its radar of growing, progressive cities.
“Grand Rapids is well-positioned for our globally recognized brand,” said Michael P. O’Donnell, chairman and CEO of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. “We’re thrilled to introduce Ruth’s Chris to new diners as well as those local residents and hotel guests who are already acquainted with the Ruth’s Chris dining experience.”
Tomaselli said Ruth’s Chris’ reputation for extraordinary food and impeccable service were important considerations in the decision. Additionally, the Amway Hotel Corporation will own and operate the new Ruth’s Chris restaurant. This will be the second Michigan location for Ruth’s Chris. The first Michigan Ruth’s Chris opened in Troy in 1997.
“Ruth’s Chris guests can anticipate the same high service standards and quality that they have come to expect from The 1913 Room,” Tomaselli said.
Current plans call for The 1913 Room to remain open through late spring, maintaining its regular hours of operation; reservations are accepted at (616) 774-2000.
The 1913 Room opened in 1981, quickly earning rave reviews for its continental cuisine with a French influence, combined with exceptional service and a warm, luxurious setting. To pay tribute to this longstanding restaurant, the new Ruth’s Chris will feature a special private dining room called The 1913 Room.
“This is another milestone for downtown,” said Tomaselli.
La Rue’s Family Restaurant
6375 Stadium Drive- Kalamazoo, MI 49009
- (269) 375-7113
- No Known Website
- Menu
Well, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be home today or not. Turns out, it wasn’t my decision. Some black ice near Bridgman yesterday decided I was going to be in Kalamazoo and not in Chicago.
Since I was going to be gone, my Mother-In-Law drove up from Chicago to hang out with J. We had actually been invited to Salt of the Earth for the Food Network taping last night and since I couldn’t go, J and her mom were going to go. I ruined those plans while I was sitting up against the cable guard rails facing the wrong direction on I-94.
Since J’s mom was already here, she stayed the night hoping the weather would be better today. J was actually off this morning because she’s attending a class to become certified as a MIFA judge which started just as her shift usually ends. Read more…
Press Release- Penn Station opening 3rd Kalamazoo Store
Press release..e-mail…same thing….
I want to let you know about a new restaurant opening in Kalamazoo. Penn Station East Coast Subs will open Feb. 8 at 5909 Gull Road in Kalamazoo. Penn Station is an upscale, fast-casual restaurant renowned for its legendary Philadelphia Cheesesteak Sub sandwich, served hot and made-to-order on freshly baked French bread. Penn Station serves a variety of hot and cold subs, as well as fresh, hand-cut, made-to-order French fries, hand-squeezed lemonade made several times daily and chocolate chunk cookies baked fresh in the restaurant.
North Eleven
5585 Gull Road #117Friday has become our eating out day this winter. It seems like we’re not as motivated to leave once J gets home from work. There’s just something cozy about curling up on the couch under a blanket that prevents us from venturing out farther than the mailbox.
J was a little later than usual this afternoon, so it gave me time to find a place to eat. The cold, dreary weather has also affected my brain. Whenever I make a mental note of a place I want to eat at, I forget about it when it’s actually time to eat.
North Eleven was one of those places. I don’t go out that way very often so it’s not a place I go by and think, “Hey, we should eat there.”
I was searching Urbanspoon trying to come up with a new place and North Eleven popped up. From where we live, it’s on the other side of town on Gull Road just east of Sprinkle Road in a shopping center which actually makes it a little hard to find. The storefront is pretty plain and mostly glass windows. Even for a strip mall, it’s pretty plain. It took J a second to actually pick it out and realize where we were going. Read more…
Press Release – Central City Tap House to Host Global Beer Network for Belgian Beer Dinner
From a Millennium Restaurant Group press release….
Central City Tap House to Host Global Beer Network for Belgian Beer Dinner
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Downtown Kalamazoo’s Central City Tap House is thrilled to host their first beer dinner since opening in July 2010. On Monday, January 31, they will welcome Pete Larsen from Global Beer Network for a Belgian beer-paired four course dinner.
Global Beer Network prides themselves on the knowledge and fun of Belgian Beer. According to their website, they “are the leaders in Belgian beer culture on the web.” Larsen will bring with him his extensive knowledge, as well as some tasty selections for all in attendance.
The courses, created and prepared by Chef Kirk McKinney, as well as the beer pairings are as follows:
Course Beer Pairing Menu
Opening
Troubadour Blonde
Assorted Hors Devours First Wittekerke Prince Edward Isle Mussels steamed in Wittekerke beer, served with hand cut frites
and garlic aioli
Second Monks Cafe Wood Grilled Duck Breast Salad Winter Greens, Traverse City Dried Cherries,
Feta Cheese, Blis 9 Sherry Vinaigrette
Third Gulden Draak Beer Braised Beef Short Ribs Natural jus, Potato Puree, Roasted Root Vegetables
Fourth Cherish Raspberry Chocolate Pot de Crème Raspberry Compote, Chantilly Cream
In addition to the above paired beers, other Belgian favorites Petrus Oud Bruin and Bavik Pils—among others—will be offered for tasting as well as purchase.
The event is limited to 35 seats, so reservations are required. As a special offer, the first 15 people to make a reservation will receive a special gift from Global Beet Network.
Central City Tap House welcomes Global Beer Network for a Belgian Beer Dinner on Monday, January 31, starting at 6pm. The event is $39.95 per person, and reservations can be made by calling Central City Tap House at (269) 492.0100
SW Michigan Dining 