BD's is one of many Mongolian type BBQs in the area. I like places like this in that it can be healthier for you, you can eat as much or as little as you would like and it is a fun and creative way to eat. My husband is not the creative type and hates it here as he feels it is just too much work and not really his style of food at any rate..
Join their club Mongo here: http://www.gomongo.com/experience/joinClubMongo.php . You get periodic coupons for a few dollars off meals and a free entree on your birthday :) .
Basically to make a meal at BDs, you choose your ingredients and make the exact stir fry you would like to eat. They have protein type items of many varieties; beef, chicken, pork and shrimp yes but also lamb, sausage, surimi crab, scallops, calamari, tofu, whole raw eggs and seasonal items like brats or crawfish. They have just about every veggie you can think of as well as pineapple and herbs. You fill a bowl (or two) with a combination of any of these items you would like, as much or as little as you want.
Next it is on to the sauce and spice area. You have a seperate cup you fill up with any combo of sauces, personally I like a lot of sauce so sometimes I take two less filled cups. There are recipes for standard flavor combinations or you can wing it and make something unexpected. I really like the Chili Garlic Sauce, Mongolian Ginger, Peanut Sauce and the Kung Pao personally. You can add any number of dry spices too.
You watch them stir fry your creation. That is part of the experience, I enjoy watching the show personally. Once your collection is finished you bring it back to your table and they bring you brown rice, white rice or tortillas. You can actually ask for all of the above. The brown rice is quite nice with a hint of nutty flavors but I like the tortillas too.
You can go once for one price or do unlimited for a few dollars more. I usually do unlimited and make two smaller creations for variety. It's also insurance in case I muck it all up.
So if you are the creative type or just willing to try it out then BD's may be the place for you.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Small Plates - Detroit, Michigan
You need to be very careful in here indeed. It is tasty food but can quickly snowball into a huge tab for you. The reason is it is all appetizer sort of items and it will lull you into getting more than perhaps you realized. Plates can range from four dollars all the way up to seventeen, it adds up.
Small Plates is a cute little cafe on Broadway right around the corner from just about everything, including my work. It has quite a following and with good reason, the food for the most part is really great. The premise is fun as well, little plates of happy food to share. It's romantic. You can even dine al fresco and really feel the spirit.
A must get here is the Hand Cut Fries, served with homemade ketchup. I recommend you request the garlic aioli as well as it is absolutely delicious. I alternate dips myself. Not good for you but mmmmm. At four dollars a bargain for here.
The seafood here just all seems to be primo. The Garlic Shrimp comes with bread for dipping and is just so tasty. The Pan Seared Scallops have a heavenly brown butter sauce and are served over linguine. The Panko Shrimp are delicate with two delicious sauces. The Crispy Calamari are tender and are served with a perfect spicy aioli. You can even get a Garlic Shrimp Pizza or Fish Tacos, happiness indeed.
The other stuff seems a little more hit and miss. The Petite Tenderloin is spendy but quality with a rich sauce and crispy onions. I quite liked the Veggie Spring Rolls with three sauces, you have to love people who remember hot mustard. The Lettuce Wraps are not quite as good as PF Changs though, they need that great dipping mixed sauce to jazz them up. The Almond Chicken was also not impressive, good but not for that price.
The Broadway Baguette was crisp and sinful as were the Sherry Mushrooms in their cream sauce with baguette to dip. Way too much starch and fat but worth it. A bit spendy at eight dollars apiece.
The salads are quite nice and come in two sizes, great if you want to share. I like the Chop Chop but the Maurice is confusing as it has chicken instead of ham and adds tomato and olives. Any native Detroiter knows that a Maurice salad made the famous Hudson's way is shredded iceberg, ham, turkey, swiss, chopped gherkins and the creamy dressing, period. Just odd in a Detroit place where they should get it right. It's good but it is no Maurice.
Bottom line, Small Plates is tasty but spendy for what you get. Watch when ordering and if you are going to splurge do it on the seafood which is all good.
Small Plates is a cute little cafe on Broadway right around the corner from just about everything, including my work. It has quite a following and with good reason, the food for the most part is really great. The premise is fun as well, little plates of happy food to share. It's romantic. You can even dine al fresco and really feel the spirit.
A must get here is the Hand Cut Fries, served with homemade ketchup. I recommend you request the garlic aioli as well as it is absolutely delicious. I alternate dips myself. Not good for you but mmmmm. At four dollars a bargain for here.
The seafood here just all seems to be primo. The Garlic Shrimp comes with bread for dipping and is just so tasty. The Pan Seared Scallops have a heavenly brown butter sauce and are served over linguine. The Panko Shrimp are delicate with two delicious sauces. The Crispy Calamari are tender and are served with a perfect spicy aioli. You can even get a Garlic Shrimp Pizza or Fish Tacos, happiness indeed.
The other stuff seems a little more hit and miss. The Petite Tenderloin is spendy but quality with a rich sauce and crispy onions. I quite liked the Veggie Spring Rolls with three sauces, you have to love people who remember hot mustard. The Lettuce Wraps are not quite as good as PF Changs though, they need that great dipping mixed sauce to jazz them up. The Almond Chicken was also not impressive, good but not for that price.
The Broadway Baguette was crisp and sinful as were the Sherry Mushrooms in their cream sauce with baguette to dip. Way too much starch and fat but worth it. A bit spendy at eight dollars apiece.
The salads are quite nice and come in two sizes, great if you want to share. I like the Chop Chop but the Maurice is confusing as it has chicken instead of ham and adds tomato and olives. Any native Detroiter knows that a Maurice salad made the famous Hudson's way is shredded iceberg, ham, turkey, swiss, chopped gherkins and the creamy dressing, period. Just odd in a Detroit place where they should get it right. It's good but it is no Maurice.
Bottom line, Small Plates is tasty but spendy for what you get. Watch when ordering and if you are going to splurge do it on the seafood which is all good.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Zoup - Ann Arbor, Michigan
I have long been a fan of Zoup. As I used to work across the street, I have eaten here quite a bit. There are numerous locations throughout Michigan, I have also tried the Northville locale and found it quite similar in taste. It is fresh, tasty and reasonably healthy depending on what you get.
Go to http://www.zoup.com/ and give them your email and they will send you a buy one get one free offer for a bowl of soup. You can also find the same coupon here for use anytime: http://myclipper.com/page2.cfm?jsessionid=80302646841167660024437&cid=A561C6F1-E3DB-3D7C-378AB62D778BFB22 .
The soup is definitely the star of the show here. My faves are the Chicken Pot Pie, the Bisques and the Gazpacho. The Chicken Pot Pie is creamy and full of fresh veggies with a bit of crumb topping. The Bisques are creamy and rich, coming in either Lobster, Seafood or Mushroom varieties, very filling. The Gazpacho is seasonal, zippy with lots of fresh veggies, perfect on hot days when a cold soup is just what the doctor ordered. They have a quite nice Lemon Basil Chicken and Double Stuffed Baked Potato variety too.
The panini sandwiches are not huge but are filled with tasty ingredients. My faves are the Tuscan Chicken with pesto, red peppers, onions and provolone and the Turkey Club with swiss.
The grilled Three Cheese is nice as is the Chicken Greek.
The salads are all very nice. The Asian chicken has romaine, chow mein noodles, Asian noodles, sliced almonds, grilled chicken strips, scalions and sesame seeds served with sesame dressing. The Sonoma is romaine, spring mix, gorgonzola cheese, dried cranberries and sliced almonds. It's served with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Another good choice is the Baja Chicken with romaine, grilled chicken strips, mozzarella cheese, grape tomatoes, black beans, scallions, cilantro and crushed tortilla chips with salsa ranch dressing.
I recommend this place for a casual fresh lunch, or a light dinner to go. I think the soup and salads are probably the best bets but everything is good.
Go to http://www.zoup.com/ and give them your email and they will send you a buy one get one free offer for a bowl of soup. You can also find the same coupon here for use anytime: http://myclipper.com/page2.cfm?jsessionid=80302646841167660024437&cid=A561C6F1-E3DB-3D7C-378AB62D778BFB22 .
The soup is definitely the star of the show here. My faves are the Chicken Pot Pie, the Bisques and the Gazpacho. The Chicken Pot Pie is creamy and full of fresh veggies with a bit of crumb topping. The Bisques are creamy and rich, coming in either Lobster, Seafood or Mushroom varieties, very filling. The Gazpacho is seasonal, zippy with lots of fresh veggies, perfect on hot days when a cold soup is just what the doctor ordered. They have a quite nice Lemon Basil Chicken and Double Stuffed Baked Potato variety too.
The panini sandwiches are not huge but are filled with tasty ingredients. My faves are the Tuscan Chicken with pesto, red peppers, onions and provolone and the Turkey Club with swiss.
The grilled Three Cheese is nice as is the Chicken Greek.
The salads are all very nice. The Asian chicken has romaine, chow mein noodles, Asian noodles, sliced almonds, grilled chicken strips, scalions and sesame seeds served with sesame dressing. The Sonoma is romaine, spring mix, gorgonzola cheese, dried cranberries and sliced almonds. It's served with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Another good choice is the Baja Chicken with romaine, grilled chicken strips, mozzarella cheese, grape tomatoes, black beans, scallions, cilantro and crushed tortilla chips with salsa ranch dressing.
I recommend this place for a casual fresh lunch, or a light dinner to go. I think the soup and salads are probably the best bets but everything is good.
Bailey's - Canton, Michigan
I must confess we started coming here solely because they show WWE pay per views and I am too cheap to pay to watch them at home. My husband is a wrestling fan and so I decided to find a place we both could enjoy watching them, him for the action and me for the food. It is also nice to come here and shoot pool.
You can find several coupons for Bailey's in the entertainment book and also sign up for their e club here http://www.tentcorp.com/ for special deals and a free meal on your birthday. Bailey's features many drink specials and fun special events that mostly revolve around sports.
This place has great appetizers and you can make a meal of many of them. My fave is the Bavarian Pretzels, which are fresh baked to order and served with excellent queso (which rocks with the tortilla chips too). The BBQ Chicken Potato Skins are James' favorite. They have these things called Chicken Billiard Sticks which have a good kick to them and remind me of Chili's southwest eggrolls. Another treat are the great Chinese Chicken Potstickers with the Red Amber Ale soy dip sauce.
I really like the zesty Tortilla Soup here as well as the Newcastle Brown Ale Cheese Soup. Rich and filling. The Napa Valley Spinach Salad is hands down the salad to get here if you are so inclined. Chicken, Bacon, Strawberries, Raisins and Feta, need I say more?
I like the fish a lot at Bailey's. They have great beer battered Newcastle Fish and Chips but also have a healthier option of a Blackened Mahi Mahi over rice that is very tasty as well. The Chicken Fingers are good and quite a big portion. The Grilled Chicken Platter comes with a large variety of basting sauces and rice and is quite happy. If you want to splurge the Campfire Pot Roast is tender and served over delicious mashed potatoes.
One of my fave sandwiches is The Black Forest with smoked turkey and applewood bacon on a pretzel roll. The Philly Chessesteak is really flavorful with the peppers and onions. I also like the Campfire Pot Roast Sliders with the tender beef short rib meat. All sandwiches come with thick square cut fries which are delicious.
The burgers in here are just ok, a bit preformed for my taste. Stick with the much better options above.
There is something for everyone at Bailey's, go ahead and give a coupon a go.
You can find several coupons for Bailey's in the entertainment book and also sign up for their e club here http://www.tentcorp.com/ for special deals and a free meal on your birthday. Bailey's features many drink specials and fun special events that mostly revolve around sports.
This place has great appetizers and you can make a meal of many of them. My fave is the Bavarian Pretzels, which are fresh baked to order and served with excellent queso (which rocks with the tortilla chips too). The BBQ Chicken Potato Skins are James' favorite. They have these things called Chicken Billiard Sticks which have a good kick to them and remind me of Chili's southwest eggrolls. Another treat are the great Chinese Chicken Potstickers with the Red Amber Ale soy dip sauce.
I really like the zesty Tortilla Soup here as well as the Newcastle Brown Ale Cheese Soup. Rich and filling. The Napa Valley Spinach Salad is hands down the salad to get here if you are so inclined. Chicken, Bacon, Strawberries, Raisins and Feta, need I say more?
I like the fish a lot at Bailey's. They have great beer battered Newcastle Fish and Chips but also have a healthier option of a Blackened Mahi Mahi over rice that is very tasty as well. The Chicken Fingers are good and quite a big portion. The Grilled Chicken Platter comes with a large variety of basting sauces and rice and is quite happy. If you want to splurge the Campfire Pot Roast is tender and served over delicious mashed potatoes.
One of my fave sandwiches is The Black Forest with smoked turkey and applewood bacon on a pretzel roll. The Philly Chessesteak is really flavorful with the peppers and onions. I also like the Campfire Pot Roast Sliders with the tender beef short rib meat. All sandwiches come with thick square cut fries which are delicious.
The burgers in here are just ok, a bit preformed for my taste. Stick with the much better options above.
There is something for everyone at Bailey's, go ahead and give a coupon a go.
Chipotle - Ann Arbor, Michigan
We are on a burrito kick lately. Chipotle is another one of the mexican fast food but nicer restaurants that are fairly common everywhere. You order, watch as they make it and take it right to your table, thus avoiding the need to tip. It always makes dining more affordable.
I love Chipotle. The ingredients are top notch and every item is natural and organic. The meat is raised on a vegetarian diet as well as being hormone and cruelty free. It is the kind of place I feel better for eating in as well as enjoying the flavor.
All meats are marinated in an adobo. It makes them tender and juicy. I am a fan of the chicken but my husband loves the barbacoa, which is spicy shredded braised beef. The vegetarian options is black beans and includes guac, with the fajita burrito it also includes sauteed onions and peppers.
You can choose your way to eat Chipotle deliciousness, burrito with beans, fajita burrito with sauteed onions and peppers, plain in a bowl, in hard corn or soft flour tacos or on top of a salad of romaine lettuce. Any way you get it is tasty but I am a fan of the fajita burrito myself. The burrito has a little kick to it even with the mildest salsa, fresh tomato, which is very pleasant.
I highly recommend the guacamole and chips side. The guac is very fresh and chunky. The chips are not greasy and crisp. My husband is annoyed they do not have queso, which is his favorite thing with chips, he settles for the mild fresh tomato salsa (pico de gallo).
I prefer it here while my husband prefers the cheaper with coupons Moe's. He says the sour cream is too soupy here (it is quite thin but I enjoy that) and he likes Moe's cheese (more generic and orange at Moe's- I like Chipotle's) and more different options of toppings better. We both prefer the meat here and we both agree that Moe's burritos are somehow more filling. I think if Chipotle had queso my husband wouldn't be as picky.
So you decide for yourselves. We go to both as we are fans of fast and fresh mex and they are both good cheap options for us.
I love Chipotle. The ingredients are top notch and every item is natural and organic. The meat is raised on a vegetarian diet as well as being hormone and cruelty free. It is the kind of place I feel better for eating in as well as enjoying the flavor.
All meats are marinated in an adobo. It makes them tender and juicy. I am a fan of the chicken but my husband loves the barbacoa, which is spicy shredded braised beef. The vegetarian options is black beans and includes guac, with the fajita burrito it also includes sauteed onions and peppers.
You can choose your way to eat Chipotle deliciousness, burrito with beans, fajita burrito with sauteed onions and peppers, plain in a bowl, in hard corn or soft flour tacos or on top of a salad of romaine lettuce. Any way you get it is tasty but I am a fan of the fajita burrito myself. The burrito has a little kick to it even with the mildest salsa, fresh tomato, which is very pleasant.
I highly recommend the guacamole and chips side. The guac is very fresh and chunky. The chips are not greasy and crisp. My husband is annoyed they do not have queso, which is his favorite thing with chips, he settles for the mild fresh tomato salsa (pico de gallo).
I prefer it here while my husband prefers the cheaper with coupons Moe's. He says the sour cream is too soupy here (it is quite thin but I enjoy that) and he likes Moe's cheese (more generic and orange at Moe's- I like Chipotle's) and more different options of toppings better. We both prefer the meat here and we both agree that Moe's burritos are somehow more filling. I think if Chipotle had queso my husband wouldn't be as picky.
So you decide for yourselves. We go to both as we are fans of fast and fresh mex and they are both good cheap options for us.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Ichiban Japanese Hibachi and Sushi Bar - Ypsilanti, Michigan
*****Limited time special alert*****
All sushi rolls and sushi entrees are 50% off as a fall special until mid November. That is a steal! I saw this deal on Ichiban's windows in passing when reviewing Dynasty Buffet and told my mother we had to check this place out. I figured even if it was less than stellar now was the time to find out.
Hallelujah! The sushi here is fabulous. Fresh and well prepared. I had my fave Chirashi as did my mother my mother for a mere 8 bucks apiece! It was a deep square bowl full of a variety of perfect fish, shrimp, surimi crab piece, that fabulous egg omelet and utterly perfect sushi rice. No lettuce but I kind of liked the switch.
The bowls came with smaller bowls of nice enough miso soup and really excellent salad. The salad had a very good dressing and was an utter delight.
We also decided to take a whirl at the rolls. My mom picked a Philly roll and I needed to try the Spicy Tuna. Both were top notch. Too much food for us with the generous portions of chirashi but hard to pass up the bargain rate of under three bucks per roll.
We sipped nice hot cups of green tea that were ok. I have had much better tea and I prefer having a pot to share. It's a minor complaint though. I am a tea person.
As we dined the table behind us received the special Love Boat for two meal. It is ginormous with 10 pcs of sushi, 16 sashimi and three rolls. I am so getting that next time, I may have to skip a meal to be hungry enough though.
I highly recommend a bargathon stop in at Ichiban. An excellent sushi place at rock bottom prices. I will be returning myself soon.
I returned October 12th for the Love Boat. Mmmm all I had hoped for. We had six different types of sashimi (three pieces of each type), 10 different hand rolls, two regular combo rolls (a deluxe type eel and a california roll) and one specialty roll which was the special of the day I think. The specialty roll was a tempura shrimp roll covered in spicy tuna and two sauces, it was honestly to die for. We also got the miso soup, which was better this time, and the excellent salad.
So much food and so worth it. I am definitely going back before the special prices are done. We are debating all different types of rolls and I think we are just going to try all we can for the bargathon price. A head's up, it was a Saturday night and they were hopping, we lucked into a cool private booth but I would suggest making a reservation if you are going on the weekend.
I am honestly glad to see them doing a great business. Such nice people and honestly right now it is the best sushi around, even at full price I will be back.
October 31st
We returned yet again. This time it was for chirashi and some special rolls. We are just in love with the chirashi. This time the rice was served seperately. I was happy to see a new array of fish, I think they serve which is freshest.
For special rolls we had some debate. We went with the Happy Dragon Roll and the Ichiban Roll, mostly as my mother is adoring crunchy and both these rolls feature a center of tempura shrimp. I was thrilled with the Happy Dragon as I was dying for eel but was surprisingly just as happy with the Ichiban Roll with its three varieties of tuna and addition of salmon. I would order either again.
We also added a Philadelphia roll as my mom needs her cream cheese fest and a Spicy Crispy Tuna roll just to satisfy my curiosity. Honestly every item we had was stellar, we just realized we need to order less next time as we really struggled to finish even after having walked in starving (I deliberately had missed lunch).
Hurry in, the special ends November 16th!
All sushi rolls and sushi entrees are 50% off as a fall special until mid November. That is a steal! I saw this deal on Ichiban's windows in passing when reviewing Dynasty Buffet and told my mother we had to check this place out. I figured even if it was less than stellar now was the time to find out.
Hallelujah! The sushi here is fabulous. Fresh and well prepared. I had my fave Chirashi as did my mother my mother for a mere 8 bucks apiece! It was a deep square bowl full of a variety of perfect fish, shrimp, surimi crab piece, that fabulous egg omelet and utterly perfect sushi rice. No lettuce but I kind of liked the switch.
The bowls came with smaller bowls of nice enough miso soup and really excellent salad. The salad had a very good dressing and was an utter delight.
We also decided to take a whirl at the rolls. My mom picked a Philly roll and I needed to try the Spicy Tuna. Both were top notch. Too much food for us with the generous portions of chirashi but hard to pass up the bargain rate of under three bucks per roll.
We sipped nice hot cups of green tea that were ok. I have had much better tea and I prefer having a pot to share. It's a minor complaint though. I am a tea person.
As we dined the table behind us received the special Love Boat for two meal. It is ginormous with 10 pcs of sushi, 16 sashimi and three rolls. I am so getting that next time, I may have to skip a meal to be hungry enough though.
I highly recommend a bargathon stop in at Ichiban. An excellent sushi place at rock bottom prices. I will be returning myself soon.
I returned October 12th for the Love Boat. Mmmm all I had hoped for. We had six different types of sashimi (three pieces of each type), 10 different hand rolls, two regular combo rolls (a deluxe type eel and a california roll) and one specialty roll which was the special of the day I think. The specialty roll was a tempura shrimp roll covered in spicy tuna and two sauces, it was honestly to die for. We also got the miso soup, which was better this time, and the excellent salad.
So much food and so worth it. I am definitely going back before the special prices are done. We are debating all different types of rolls and I think we are just going to try all we can for the bargathon price. A head's up, it was a Saturday night and they were hopping, we lucked into a cool private booth but I would suggest making a reservation if you are going on the weekend.
I am honestly glad to see them doing a great business. Such nice people and honestly right now it is the best sushi around, even at full price I will be back.
October 31st
We returned yet again. This time it was for chirashi and some special rolls. We are just in love with the chirashi. This time the rice was served seperately. I was happy to see a new array of fish, I think they serve which is freshest.
For special rolls we had some debate. We went with the Happy Dragon Roll and the Ichiban Roll, mostly as my mother is adoring crunchy and both these rolls feature a center of tempura shrimp. I was thrilled with the Happy Dragon as I was dying for eel but was surprisingly just as happy with the Ichiban Roll with its three varieties of tuna and addition of salmon. I would order either again.
We also added a Philadelphia roll as my mom needs her cream cheese fest and a Spicy Crispy Tuna roll just to satisfy my curiosity. Honestly every item we had was stellar, we just realized we need to order less next time as we really struggled to finish even after having walked in starving (I deliberately had missed lunch).
Hurry in, the special ends November 16th!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Ruby Tuesday - Canton, Michigan
We had a great dinner last night here and felt we got a good deal for what we paid so I wanted to pass it along.
They have a new deal here where you can do a three course meal for one price. For 15.99 apiece you can split an appetizer, each get a garden salad bar or signature house salad and each pick any menu item from the specialties section.
We started with the Thai Phoon Shrimp (8.99 normally) , they were delicious. Lightly golden-brown fried shrimp tossed in a slightly fiery yet creamy and sweet chile sauce. They were crispy outside and tender in the middle.
The garden bar there rocks. They have four different type of lettuce blends as well as fresh spinach. So many fresh veggies to top a salad with too. All the expected meats, egg and cheese too. I love their dark rye croutons and low fat balsamic dressing. They also have fruits, cottage cheese, waldorf salad, potato salad and two pasta salads, a creamy and a vinaigrette. I really loved the vinaigrette pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, it had a pesto zip to it. James likes anyplace where he can make his own salad and load it up with cheese, egg and bacon.
Basically by the time you eat the appetizer and an unlimited salad bar you are quite full (I was plenty full after one trip). If you keep that in mind and order something you can take home and reheat that really makes this meal a bargain.
For the entree, I had New Orleans Seafood (13.99), spicy broiled tilapia topped with sautéed shrimp. It comes topped with a bit of parmesan cream sauce. Sides are fresh, steamed broccoli and brown-rice pilaf topped with cheese and tomatoes. I traded the broccoli for the sauteed green beans which are absolutely delicious. It actually is fairly healthy for you, especially if you ditch the cream sauce.
Actually that is one of the things I like best here, there are many healthy items including sides and they offer up nutritional info right on their website so that you can make good choices and still enjoy a really tasty meal. I really wish more places would do this. One of my favorite light but filling lunches is here, their White Bean Chicken Chili and a garden bar combo, but they have a huge range of things to pick from.
James went less health conscious (shocking I know) with his choice of Bistro Barbecue Chicken (10.99). It's a lightly fried chicken breast brushed with barbecue sauce and topped with premium bacon, tomatoes, crisp onion straws, and melted cheddar. It comes with fresh, steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes but surprisingly James opted for the cheesy brown rice, keeping the mashed potatoes. After trying my green beans I think he may actually do the brown rice and green beans next time and he really liked my tilapia so who knows. He quite liked his pick, particularly the bacon and all the cheese.
Other healthy entrees in the deal I have had here and quite enjoy are Creole Catch, Petite Sirloin and the Chicken Bella. I also love the tasty and healthy sides of creamy mashed cauliflower, fresh tomato and mozzarella salad and sauteed baby portabellas.
All in all the meal is a real bargain as adding a salad bar is three or four dollars more per entree as well.
The service here is usually excellent, we had a great waiter last night too. The salad bar is kept stocked and they refill your drinks often. The new design of the restaurant is very nice with comfy padded chairs and interesting visual fun.
So if you are in the mood for a nice night out with plenty of good option give Ruby Tuesday a thought.
They have a new deal here where you can do a three course meal for one price. For 15.99 apiece you can split an appetizer, each get a garden salad bar or signature house salad and each pick any menu item from the specialties section.
We started with the Thai Phoon Shrimp (8.99 normally) , they were delicious. Lightly golden-brown fried shrimp tossed in a slightly fiery yet creamy and sweet chile sauce. They were crispy outside and tender in the middle.
The garden bar there rocks. They have four different type of lettuce blends as well as fresh spinach. So many fresh veggies to top a salad with too. All the expected meats, egg and cheese too. I love their dark rye croutons and low fat balsamic dressing. They also have fruits, cottage cheese, waldorf salad, potato salad and two pasta salads, a creamy and a vinaigrette. I really loved the vinaigrette pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, it had a pesto zip to it. James likes anyplace where he can make his own salad and load it up with cheese, egg and bacon.
Basically by the time you eat the appetizer and an unlimited salad bar you are quite full (I was plenty full after one trip). If you keep that in mind and order something you can take home and reheat that really makes this meal a bargain.
For the entree, I had New Orleans Seafood (13.99), spicy broiled tilapia topped with sautéed shrimp. It comes topped with a bit of parmesan cream sauce. Sides are fresh, steamed broccoli and brown-rice pilaf topped with cheese and tomatoes. I traded the broccoli for the sauteed green beans which are absolutely delicious. It actually is fairly healthy for you, especially if you ditch the cream sauce.
Actually that is one of the things I like best here, there are many healthy items including sides and they offer up nutritional info right on their website so that you can make good choices and still enjoy a really tasty meal. I really wish more places would do this. One of my favorite light but filling lunches is here, their White Bean Chicken Chili and a garden bar combo, but they have a huge range of things to pick from.
James went less health conscious (shocking I know) with his choice of Bistro Barbecue Chicken (10.99). It's a lightly fried chicken breast brushed with barbecue sauce and topped with premium bacon, tomatoes, crisp onion straws, and melted cheddar. It comes with fresh, steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes but surprisingly James opted for the cheesy brown rice, keeping the mashed potatoes. After trying my green beans I think he may actually do the brown rice and green beans next time and he really liked my tilapia so who knows. He quite liked his pick, particularly the bacon and all the cheese.
Other healthy entrees in the deal I have had here and quite enjoy are Creole Catch, Petite Sirloin and the Chicken Bella. I also love the tasty and healthy sides of creamy mashed cauliflower, fresh tomato and mozzarella salad and sauteed baby portabellas.
All in all the meal is a real bargain as adding a salad bar is three or four dollars more per entree as well.
The service here is usually excellent, we had a great waiter last night too. The salad bar is kept stocked and they refill your drinks often. The new design of the restaurant is very nice with comfy padded chairs and interesting visual fun.
So if you are in the mood for a nice night out with plenty of good option give Ruby Tuesday a thought.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mason's Lounge INC - Livonia, Michigan
My sincerest apologies to the vegetarians, vegans and health fanatics of the world (my dietician in particular) , but I am a hamburger fan. I must confess that now. I like double burgers in particular especially hand formed patties cooked so that they are still juicy. Fries I can live without but man do I live for a burger. Heck I can even do without the bun if need be.
Mason's is legendary. A dark and smoky bar with all junk local as decor (license plates, old street signs and the like). It really is not what I would call a homey atmosphere unless you grew up at a truck stop. This is definitely not a place to bring anyone who needs impressing, unless like me all they need to impress them is great burgers.
The only things I have ever eaten in Mason's are burgers and sides of fries or O rings. I see other food in there and even hear tales of it being good, but I will always get a burger. Period. Once you taste one you will be hooked too.
The best burger here is the Double Shift, two third of a pound patties with your melted choice of cheese- Swiss, Cheddar, American or Mozzarella for 5.65. It is served on an onion roll or plain bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo. You also get a dill pickle with it. You can add bacon or olives for extra but you really don't need them. Any other condiments you might need are in a little metal container they bring to you to doctor up your burger just as you like it. The burger itself is just perfect, too big of course but isn't that the beauty of it?
The fries are extra and are your typical ridged affairs, hot and fresh but not the main attraction at any rate, single order is 1.95 or get the red basket for 3.95 and share with a friend or three for cheap. The O Rings are 2.75 and nice enough.
This is not a heath food place, other items include fried fish on a plate or a bun, kielbasa, hot dogs, coneys, BLTs, sloppy joes, beefy chili, fried chicken bites and strips. You name unhealthy food and here it is. Their low cal option is chicken or tuna salad in a pita, somehow I am guessing they don't use non fat mayo though. This is no issue for me as I expect to eat unhealthy in a bar but I am giving you fair warning, there is no healthy option here and really did you expect there to be?
If you are a petite eater they do have single burger option which my mother says is quite delicious but I just can't resist the double and I am not embarrassed about that a bit. I just eat better the rest of the week.
Go on and try Mason's, splurge on the calories. In the Entertainment book there is a coupon for buy one get one free, so it will not be a splurge on the wallet at any rate.
Mason's is legendary. A dark and smoky bar with all junk local as decor (license plates, old street signs and the like). It really is not what I would call a homey atmosphere unless you grew up at a truck stop. This is definitely not a place to bring anyone who needs impressing, unless like me all they need to impress them is great burgers.
The only things I have ever eaten in Mason's are burgers and sides of fries or O rings. I see other food in there and even hear tales of it being good, but I will always get a burger. Period. Once you taste one you will be hooked too.
The best burger here is the Double Shift, two third of a pound patties with your melted choice of cheese- Swiss, Cheddar, American or Mozzarella for 5.65. It is served on an onion roll or plain bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo. You also get a dill pickle with it. You can add bacon or olives for extra but you really don't need them. Any other condiments you might need are in a little metal container they bring to you to doctor up your burger just as you like it. The burger itself is just perfect, too big of course but isn't that the beauty of it?
The fries are extra and are your typical ridged affairs, hot and fresh but not the main attraction at any rate, single order is 1.95 or get the red basket for 3.95 and share with a friend or three for cheap. The O Rings are 2.75 and nice enough.
This is not a heath food place, other items include fried fish on a plate or a bun, kielbasa, hot dogs, coneys, BLTs, sloppy joes, beefy chili, fried chicken bites and strips. You name unhealthy food and here it is. Their low cal option is chicken or tuna salad in a pita, somehow I am guessing they don't use non fat mayo though. This is no issue for me as I expect to eat unhealthy in a bar but I am giving you fair warning, there is no healthy option here and really did you expect there to be?
If you are a petite eater they do have single burger option which my mother says is quite delicious but I just can't resist the double and I am not embarrassed about that a bit. I just eat better the rest of the week.
Go on and try Mason's, splurge on the calories. In the Entertainment book there is a coupon for buy one get one free, so it will not be a splurge on the wallet at any rate.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes - Detroit, Michigan
This is hands down the new favorite spot of all the ladies I work with. With good reason I will attest. The service is swift and items are made to order. The food is delicious to boot.
Good Girls is an adorable walk up spot just off Woodward on John R, within walking distance to many attractions downtown. There is no seating, so just walk up to place your order with a girl in a french maid outfit (not as tacky as that sounds BTW) and soon you will be treated to a little taste of Paris.
Crêpes are a very thin pancakes which can be stuffed with both sweet and savory fillings. The sweet ones are filled with an assorted variety of fruits, nuts, chocolate, caramel, nutella (happy sigh), butter, brown sugar and whipped topping. Decadent for breakfast, perfect for a late night snack. The Fay is very popular, with bananas, pecans, butter and brown sugar. The Melinda also comes highly recommended by more than one customer with lime, cream cheese and brown sugar. I am more of a Good Girl with nutella and bananas.
The savory options are filled with assorted items such as rich cheeses, black forest ham, bacon, vegetables, and fresh herbs, and are more than filling enough for lunch. The Vera is delicious with its bacon, boursin cheese and spinach. The Ksenia is a favorite of a colleague of mine with it's ham and swiss and another colleague likes the less guilty Allison with hummous, hot sauce, spinach and herbs de provence.
There are 20 types of crêpes on the menu now, all fun and delicious depending on your taste buds. All are named after Torya -the owner's- family and friends, which is sweet. She is a former french teacher and knows her crepes. Many people indulge in a sweet and a savory but one crepe should be plenty.
The prices range from $3-5 for a hot, generously filled crepe about 12 inches in diameter, making this one of the cheapest places in town for lunch. They also offer orange Italian soda, bottled water and fair trade coffee (for only a dollar and the proceeds are donated to a homeless shelter). If this helps you indulge any the savory varieties are low in carbs, I would avoid the banana one with the nutella though or it will haunt you in your dreams.
Good Girls is an adorable walk up spot just off Woodward on John R, within walking distance to many attractions downtown. There is no seating, so just walk up to place your order with a girl in a french maid outfit (not as tacky as that sounds BTW) and soon you will be treated to a little taste of Paris.
Crêpes are a very thin pancakes which can be stuffed with both sweet and savory fillings. The sweet ones are filled with an assorted variety of fruits, nuts, chocolate, caramel, nutella (happy sigh), butter, brown sugar and whipped topping. Decadent for breakfast, perfect for a late night snack. The Fay is very popular, with bananas, pecans, butter and brown sugar. The Melinda also comes highly recommended by more than one customer with lime, cream cheese and brown sugar. I am more of a Good Girl with nutella and bananas.
The savory options are filled with assorted items such as rich cheeses, black forest ham, bacon, vegetables, and fresh herbs, and are more than filling enough for lunch. The Vera is delicious with its bacon, boursin cheese and spinach. The Ksenia is a favorite of a colleague of mine with it's ham and swiss and another colleague likes the less guilty Allison with hummous, hot sauce, spinach and herbs de provence.
There are 20 types of crêpes on the menu now, all fun and delicious depending on your taste buds. All are named after Torya -the owner's- family and friends, which is sweet. She is a former french teacher and knows her crepes. Many people indulge in a sweet and a savory but one crepe should be plenty.
The prices range from $3-5 for a hot, generously filled crepe about 12 inches in diameter, making this one of the cheapest places in town for lunch. They also offer orange Italian soda, bottled water and fair trade coffee (for only a dollar and the proceeds are donated to a homeless shelter). If this helps you indulge any the savory varieties are low in carbs, I would avoid the banana one with the nutella though or it will haunt you in your dreams.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Dynasty Buffet - Ypsilanti, Michigan
My mother brought me here one night, she and my father like coming here after she goes to work out. She lured me with the idea it was very similar to Fortune Buffet in Livonia. In looks yes, in general food yes, in sushi ummm no.
I am really only into Asian buffets for sushi. This sushi was very grocery store type and bland. They are not quick on refills of the more popular types and what they do make is the simple varieties only. When there is a crowd you will wait quite awhile for more and some simply do not get refilled as the guy in charge manages the cook station as well.
The dumplings here are stellar. Refilled often and perfect. The fish was nice, you could slice it right off the bone. The mussels were a bit big for my taste, the smaller ones are more tender. The crab was of course snow crab and really taken the second they came out by people who just stood there waiting so unless you wanted to wait and be willing to be rude then you were out of luck. I am not a snow crab leg fan at any rate.
The fresh fruit was nice and the soups were quite delicious, the rest of the selections a bit too fried for my taste, I prefer less coated and am avoiding too much grease myself.
The staff was very attentive and friendly, the place is clean and nice enough but it is no Fortune Buffet. I am just not a buffet fan as a general rule and that one is tough to live up to in my opinion.
Try it if sushi is not your main concern and you are into more typical chinese food. I would suggest lunch as it is cheaper and less crowded.
I am really only into Asian buffets for sushi. This sushi was very grocery store type and bland. They are not quick on refills of the more popular types and what they do make is the simple varieties only. When there is a crowd you will wait quite awhile for more and some simply do not get refilled as the guy in charge manages the cook station as well.
The dumplings here are stellar. Refilled often and perfect. The fish was nice, you could slice it right off the bone. The mussels were a bit big for my taste, the smaller ones are more tender. The crab was of course snow crab and really taken the second they came out by people who just stood there waiting so unless you wanted to wait and be willing to be rude then you were out of luck. I am not a snow crab leg fan at any rate.
The fresh fruit was nice and the soups were quite delicious, the rest of the selections a bit too fried for my taste, I prefer less coated and am avoiding too much grease myself.
The staff was very attentive and friendly, the place is clean and nice enough but it is no Fortune Buffet. I am just not a buffet fan as a general rule and that one is tough to live up to in my opinion.
Try it if sushi is not your main concern and you are into more typical chinese food. I would suggest lunch as it is cheaper and less crowded.
Moe's Southwest Grill - Allen Park, Michigan
If you love big food for cheap prices, a Moe's burrito is a must have in your life. This is another type of Panera, Noodles and Company or Qdoba places where you order and then sit with your meal. I love these type places as you save on tip and get speedy food that is generally healthier than a fast food place.
My husband is a burrito guy, frankly if you put meat into a tortilla he is there. I read about Moe's online and heard they had big burritos and that you could choose everything that went into it as they made it. After finding a coupon on Sudden Values for buy one get one free burritos, I knew we had to try it. Find your coupon here and be sure to check out all the Sudden Values offers, there are often several for each business so you can often find exactly what you are looking for: http://annarbor.suddenvalues.com/sudden/values/Display.cfm?recordid=18247 . You can also sign up at Moe's website for a freebie burrito on your birthday! http://www.moes.com/index.aspx
We had the Homewrecker burritos, I had chicken and James had steak. Both were tasty but I preferred the chicken. They also have a pulled pork option as well as ground beef or tofu. You can add your choice of black beans or pintos, rice, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, onions, cilantro and various type peppers and extras. I of course had almost everything and extra cilantro and James went basic with lots of cheese and sour cream. Moes will make it however you want it. Both burritos were delicious and exactly as we requested
The results are huge. I could not finish my burrito and James barely made it. We got them in a combo which includes tasty white queso or guacamole side with tortilla chips and a drink. We also tried cups of the rice as a side for a mere 79¢. They have a salsa bar here with five different types, including one very hot variety and a tomatillo salsa, I tried all and they were just ok. Our whole bill with two burritos, chips and queso (him), chips and guac (me), two rice cups and two endless drinks totalled just over thirteen dollars! Bargain!
I saw some of the other food and it looked decent. The quesadilla is better for a smaller appetite. The nachos and tacos looked just ok but the salads looked terrific in their nice sized tortilla bowls. They have fajitas but I did not see them for myself.
So if you are bored with your bargain places and have a good appetite, give Moe's a whirl. They will make it just how you like it and give you plenty. Even without a coupon it's a deal!
My husband is a burrito guy, frankly if you put meat into a tortilla he is there. I read about Moe's online and heard they had big burritos and that you could choose everything that went into it as they made it. After finding a coupon on Sudden Values for buy one get one free burritos, I knew we had to try it. Find your coupon here and be sure to check out all the Sudden Values offers, there are often several for each business so you can often find exactly what you are looking for: http://annarbor.suddenvalues.com/sudden/values/Display.cfm?recordid=18247 . You can also sign up at Moe's website for a freebie burrito on your birthday! http://www.moes.com/index.aspx
We had the Homewrecker burritos, I had chicken and James had steak. Both were tasty but I preferred the chicken. They also have a pulled pork option as well as ground beef or tofu. You can add your choice of black beans or pintos, rice, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, onions, cilantro and various type peppers and extras. I of course had almost everything and extra cilantro and James went basic with lots of cheese and sour cream. Moes will make it however you want it. Both burritos were delicious and exactly as we requested
The results are huge. I could not finish my burrito and James barely made it. We got them in a combo which includes tasty white queso or guacamole side with tortilla chips and a drink. We also tried cups of the rice as a side for a mere 79¢. They have a salsa bar here with five different types, including one very hot variety and a tomatillo salsa, I tried all and they were just ok. Our whole bill with two burritos, chips and queso (him), chips and guac (me), two rice cups and two endless drinks totalled just over thirteen dollars! Bargain!
I saw some of the other food and it looked decent. The quesadilla is better for a smaller appetite. The nachos and tacos looked just ok but the salads looked terrific in their nice sized tortilla bowls. They have fajitas but I did not see them for myself.
So if you are bored with your bargain places and have a good appetite, give Moe's a whirl. They will make it just how you like it and give you plenty. Even without a coupon it's a deal!
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Plymouth Fall Festival - Plymouth, Michigan
Once a year we have a fest that revolves around food in my hometown, it is happening this weekend. All proceeds go to local charitable organizations so you are indulging for a good cause at least. It all started with a simple chicken barbecue to raise funds for the Rotary Club, now it is a four day extravaganza with many different organizations offering up good food to raise money for their interests.
Hands down the Chicken Dinner on Sunday is the best thing going. The chicken is marinated and perfectly grilled, a taste like no other I swear. I crave the stuff all year long. You get a nicely seasoned half chicken served with corn on the cob, a dinner roll, a bag of potato chips, soft drink or bottled water and a dessert item that varies. If you are looking for a bargain buy your tickets before Sunday for a two dollar discount. You do not even have to come to the fest for this item, they have pickup spots throughout the city for your convenience. Try it and you too will be back year after year to have it again, it's worth the money.
The other thing that is a MUST try at the fest is found at the Polish National Alliance Dancers booth. These sweet girls have their grandmothers and mothers cooking some of the best pierogies I have ever eaten. The cheese is the superior choice to me but my mom swears by the kraut. Never have I eaten better anywhere but at a grandma's house. The other items here are good but the pierogies are just heaven in your mouth.
In the morning on Saturday is the annual Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, a bargain at five bucks in advance, it will cost six at the door. I have numerous friends who never miss it. On Saturday night there is an all you can eat Spaghetti dinner but I never go to be honest. For eight dollars presale it is a deal, it will cost you nine at the door.
Other booths have items like Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs, Homemade Lemonade, Yaki Tori and Cider and Doughnuts. They vary every year but are manned with various worthy groups selling tasty treats. Last year there was a dessert booth that had extremely good pastries that was brand new. You never know what you might find this year.
So swing by the fall fest and fill your belly while supporting worthy causes that benefit the area. Whatever you do at least get a Chicken Dinner or some Pierogies. It is near and dear to my heart but also so very tasty for my belly.
Hands down the Chicken Dinner on Sunday is the best thing going. The chicken is marinated and perfectly grilled, a taste like no other I swear. I crave the stuff all year long. You get a nicely seasoned half chicken served with corn on the cob, a dinner roll, a bag of potato chips, soft drink or bottled water and a dessert item that varies. If you are looking for a bargain buy your tickets before Sunday for a two dollar discount. You do not even have to come to the fest for this item, they have pickup spots throughout the city for your convenience. Try it and you too will be back year after year to have it again, it's worth the money.
The other thing that is a MUST try at the fest is found at the Polish National Alliance Dancers booth. These sweet girls have their grandmothers and mothers cooking some of the best pierogies I have ever eaten. The cheese is the superior choice to me but my mom swears by the kraut. Never have I eaten better anywhere but at a grandma's house. The other items here are good but the pierogies are just heaven in your mouth.
In the morning on Saturday is the annual Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, a bargain at five bucks in advance, it will cost six at the door. I have numerous friends who never miss it. On Saturday night there is an all you can eat Spaghetti dinner but I never go to be honest. For eight dollars presale it is a deal, it will cost you nine at the door.
Other booths have items like Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs, Homemade Lemonade, Yaki Tori and Cider and Doughnuts. They vary every year but are manned with various worthy groups selling tasty treats. Last year there was a dessert booth that had extremely good pastries that was brand new. You never know what you might find this year.
So swing by the fall fest and fill your belly while supporting worthy causes that benefit the area. Whatever you do at least get a Chicken Dinner or some Pierogies. It is near and dear to my heart but also so very tasty for my belly.
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