Several years ago, I spent nine months in San Francisco’s East Bay area in Walnut Creek, California, 22 miles from Livermore Valley. I was working on an intense project, and rather than return home every weekend, staying in the Bay area and exploring worked out better...
Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Dogs at Coney Island Weiner Stand Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island Weiner Stand “Next table’s open,” a server shouted from the back. “Still need my four cheese dogs,” another called. That’s the typical banter at Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney...
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub Located on Long Boat Key, the next island south of Anna Maria Island, the SoCal Radio Wine Dinner at Mar Vista was spectacular, starting with the view. We ate on the covered patio, but they have options for dining under the trees...
From Hobby to Business For the Burgdorfs, it all started 30-some years ago as home winemakers, in the Haslett, Michigan countryside east of Lansing, with a bumper crop of wild black raspberries. Dave laughed, “You can only make so many jellies, cobblers, and pies. We...
Cherry Republic Traverse City Cherry Republic in Traverse City, Michigan Photo Credit: Traverse City Tourism Cherry Republic is an iconic establishment that has become a mecca for cherry enthusiasts seeking a taste of Michigan’s famous Montmorency tart cherry. After...
Olivia's Chophouse During Lunch Service Olivia's Chophouse serves upscale gourmet meals that include steak and seafood specialties. That said, you’ll find more casual daily specials like Taco Tuesday and Pizza Thursdays. Be sure to ask about daily specials. We had a...
Experience One of Michigan’s Best Scratch Kitchens at Zaytoon Zaytoon, Arabic for olive, is a Mediterranean restaurant focused on the Middle East and some Greek dishes with an American twist. “Fast Food - Cooked Slow” -- it’s a healthy alternative to fast food. They...
Call me crazy, but dessert requires some planning. When cooking at home, it isn’t an afterthought, and it shouldn’t be in a restaurant. I ask to see the dessert menu right upfront. Even more daring is requesting the server to bring the dessert tray before ordering....
Stained-Glass Window at Clarkston Union Bar and Kitchen Today, the pews that once sat congregants now seat families and friends around their dining tables. The original stained-glass windows add interest. While they maintained many of the former church’s...
Lobster Fishing Off Nova Scotia's South Shore The temperature at the dock was in the low 30s, but I wasn’t shivering. I dressed in several layers in anticipation of the colder offshore temperatures. I could barely bend my limbs because the bulk made navigating the...
Michigan Maple Syrup Weekends This year, spread throughout Michigan, members of the Michigan Maple Syrup Association will participate in this year’s Annual Michigan Maple Syrup Weekends from mid-March through early April throughout both...
Aerie Restaurant One of the best restaurants in Traverse City, located inside the Grand Traverse Resort, on the sixteenth floor of the Tower, is Aerie Restaurant. Their floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the tower, featuring stunning views to complete your...
