This Thanksgiving when visiting family in Michigan. we took a little time out to stop by the new Zaha Hadid designed Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University [opened Nov 10th 2012]. What a fantastic compact international art museum! It is highly recommended for visits in the area. A brilliant design that is an ode to the future, and the interior space is just as interesting as the art it displays. We can’t wait to return again for a visit soon.
NAME: Bob Coscarelli
DATE: Summer 1980
LOCATION: Lake Charlevoix, Michigan, USA
FAVE MEMORY: Driving to the Lake in a ’77 Chevrolet Chevette with my Brother & Step-Cousin, rockin’ out to Foreigner 4 [Juke Box Hero] on cassette, with a splash of Christopher Cross pumping out of my 5 band Clarion Graphic Equalizer feeding into the Jensen 5.25 Coaxial speakers.
Supino Pizzeria has been declared [by two Australian's] as the best pizza in the world, even out doing what was eaten in Naples. Found in the Eastern Market, it is a gold mine of Neapolitan Pizza goodness. The perfect crispy crust on the bottom, but dough on top AND they sell it by the slice. We feasted on one of the daily specials by the slice – ‘Prosciutto & Fennel’ – my mouth waters just thinking about it. I wish we had a bullet train to Detroit from Chicago because I would be on it right now after some more pizza.
Astro Coffee – The minute my eyes spied the words ‘Flat White’ & ‘Builders Tea’ & ‘ Anzac Biscuits’ I knew we were in the right place. Actually for the time we were in Detroit it turned into a unoffical Australian Embassy [with 3 Australian visitors & the owners being Aussie], this hub of local activity made us quickly feel right at home in Detroit. The home-baked goods to die for – loved the egg sandwich with the best aioli ever. The coffee is fantastic and they make a mean cuppa – now how to get them in Chicago and into our village.
Slows Bar B Q is the spot to be in town, from doors open to doors close there is a constant flow of customers and at peak meal times the wait can get long. As the name states it is bar vs. restaurant, and dishes out some great BBQ. We quickly became addicted to the spicy apple sauce. Worth stopping by more than once so you can eat your way around the menu – it is all good.
Cafe D’Mongos Speakeasy – What a fun experience! People of all shapes and sizes from all walks of life gather in this place every Friday night to enjoy some great music and to soak in the ambience and enjoy some cocktails. A great Detroit experience that is a must.
Sugar House craft cocktails, if you are into cocktails this needs to be added onto your radar screen for must-do mixology stops. The space is cozy, the service is knowledgable & friendly, and the cocktails creative: we all fell in love with the Where there is Smoke cocktail [White Horse Scotch, Lemon, Honey & Laphroaig Foam], and definitely don’t stop at the listed items go with a dealer’s choice – select your liquor and let the fun begin.
For more on Detroit click here.
Signal Return located in Detroit’s bustling Eastern Market area, it is non-profit organization with a noble cause: preservation of the beautiful 15th century art of letterpress printing. They specialize in custom-printing all sorts of printables from invitations to poster and every other printed form of materials you can image. To ensure that they preserve this art-form they provide workshops for beginners that include book binding, poster making and other seasonal themed events. Not crafty? They have all sorts of great goodies for sale that have been made on site.
For more on Detroit click here.
Located in Corktown, and close to everything that is worthy of checking out in Detroit, Honor & Folly is the perfect spot to base yourself for the weekend.
There were four of us, and we found there was plenty of room to move around, spread out and not be on top of each other. With two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a dishwasher, and washer & dryer, you can make yourself right at home. Head to Eastern Market to collect market fresh finds and cook up your own meals, or conveniently down the stairs you can grab coffee and treats at Astro Coffee, speak-easy cocktails at Sugar House and a drool worthy BBQ dinner at Slows.
As you fall in love with the objects that surround you, and trust me you will find to hard to leave without a little something extra, don’t fret most of them are for sale. I fell for the dinnerware by Abigail Murray [Cranbrook alumni] and it is now at home and being used frequently already. If you can’t make it in person you can always check out Honor & Folly’s Shoppe and pick up a piece or two of this gem for yourself.
For more stories on our Detroit travel adventures click here.
Detroit you are a magical place. From the minute we pulled up to the Corktown strip on Michigan Ave we knew that we had arrived into the middle of something. Something – brewing and bubbling and evolving and developing. Something – electric and on the edge of greatness, a resurgence of sorts. It was awe-inspiring to see and feel the reinvention of Detroit. Observing, even just a glimpse, as it emerges from deep depths on the rise to great heights, being born from natural creativity and organic inventiveness is a gift. It is a thoughtful and nurturing community that is emerging from this – something – it’s hard to describe but worthy of experiencing. Meghan McEwen of Designtripper has created a piece of that magic with Honor & Folly, and many of her friends and community that she so graciously introduced us to this past weekend kept reconfirming, over and over, this euphoric feeling we all experienced. Incredible pride, mid-west friendliness, commitment, and vision for a community and it’s opportunities. Yes there is great decay to the city, and empty lots, it looks broken and hurt, but between the cracks beautiful things are happening. Don’t stand back and judge, get in there and experience it with an open heart and mind because that is how Detroit is going to accept you.
Sincerely,
Roam & Home
XO XO
It was cold and blustery as we toured Belle Isle trying to imagine the grandeur that it saw back in an era when leisure was a luxury. We braved a stop and got out of the car to get a peek at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Given that there were three Australians on the tour we were amazed to see the large amount of Australian flora in the collection.
For more stories on our Detroit travel adventures click here.
We are hitting the road late Friday afternoon and heading to Detroit for the weekend, taking our Australian friends to see some more of the USA before they move back home. Here is what we have on the radar so far:
If you have any suggestions on things we should EAT & SEE in the Motor City please send them our way in the comments section. Looking forward to sharing details of what we got up to upon our safe return. Happy travels.
PS. We are back. To see what went down click here.
Local in New Buffalo Michigan has got to be the most adorable hole-in-the-wall Butcher Shop ever. Run by a husband and wife team, Pat & Ellie exude passion for what they are doing. I wish it was a little closer so we could shop here everyday. We were introduced to this store through produce that was served up at a dinner party. We had to visit to check it out for ourselves, where we proceed to buy up the store: rabbit, duck, duck rillettes, we could have bought more if we had of brought along a cooler. Stop by and say hi to Pat & Ellie and pick up some farm fresh locally sourced organic goods.
PS. This was our first attempt at cooking a duck, it was done on the Big Green Egg and was pretty good, the bones made for an excellent stock and the fat we are still cooking in – yum! No laughing at the trussing – we were tired.
Three Oaks Michigan has another reason to visit, that is to check-out Journeyman Distillery who just opened it’s doors to their tasting room in the historic Featherbone Factory where garment stays and buggy whips were once manufactured from turkey feather quills. Today the factory is turning out handcrafted artisan spirits with a focus mainly on whiskey. Can’t make it to Three Oaks anytime soon – head to In-Fine-Spirits in Andersonville to pick up some of their goods or buy online.
When we were in Michigan last weekend, we were doing a little vintage store perusing, and came across this new store on Red Arrow Highway called Sojourn. It was closing time, but they let us take a look around. We soon realized we had run into a in-store dinner party that was being set-up. Next thing we know we had wine in our hands and were joining the party.
It was a magical evening, that was filled with coincidences. Many of the guests that arrived we were somehow connected to through six degrees of separation. The clever designer who worked on the logo, the architect that designed the store, the reclaimed furniture maker, and the clothing store owner who is also a blogger and created the table setting & menu. A huge thank-you to wonderful & warm Stacia Kass the owner for this amazing new store that you have to check out. Thanks for inviting us in and making us feel like we have known each other forever, we had a wonderful evening.
We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend enjoying the fabulous weather we had here in Chicago / Harbor Country and that you got to take advantage of the extra hour by sleeping in. We spontaneously headed to Michigan for the night staying at the Rabbit Run Inn to check out what was left of the Fall colors. What an adventure we had meeting so many wonderful people and finding some fun stores – more about that later. This is going to be a super busy week. Happy Monday.
Have you ever spotted one of these? A shoe tree that is?
We spotted this out of no where on the side of the road driving through Northern Michigan? Did people throw their shoes up their spontaneously, or did they come back with some old shoes to add to the collection?
We were puzzled by it, and as you can tell we still are?
When in Sawyer Michigan and you get hungry pop into Fitzgerald’s for a spot of lunch or dinner, or every third saturday for some dancing in the evening. It’s a charming bistro pub with an English Chef at the helm and he sure knows how to rustle up some english pub grub. If the food doesn’t get you, you will be delighted by the sunshine cozy interior with a huge and very beautiful mahogany bar taking center stage, and you will also find the nicest restaurant / bar staff around.
We popped in for dinner and sampled a few cocktails before tucking in to the food. We skipped the salads and went straight for the good stuff opting for Aussie [and English] classics. We started with the Fish and Chips consisting of cod filets in Fitzgerald’s own ‘mad hatter batter’ served up with hand-cut fries, lightly curried coleslaw, and malt vinegar [very civilized] is provided too. I love fish & chips and have to head to Australia to get a decent serving, but now I know I can drive from Chicago to get these next time I crave some, hands-down-bowing-to-the-Chef fantastic.
Then it was a Steak and Mushroom Pie, only available Thursday through the weekend, consists of slow-braised steak finished with a mixture of wild and domestic mushrooms in homemade, super-rich beef gravy, under a golden crust, the staff recommends it and so do we. We split these two dishes and they came out with the dessert menu when done. You know what we ordered for dessert? ANOTHER round of the fish & chips, they were that good, the coleslaw was ‘meh’, too heavy with the dressing, the rest = divine.
For places to stay in the area like a cute B&B click here, or a whole cottage click here, for places to shop click here, and yummy places to eat click here.
There are many places in Harbor Country Michigan that we adore visiting, here are a few of my favorites stores that we always stop into.
Ipso Facto
I hardly leave here without buying something. Brandon the owner, is not only a wonderful person, he has an excellent eye for interesting pieces, and he is also the owner of Trilogy.
Trilogy
Trilogy is a collective of sellers with a wide variety of wares to offer including: furniture; paintings; prints; sculptures; homewares; you name it.
Harbert Antiques
This place is huge, and filled to the brim with stuff to sort though and admire. I have found some great items here, always fun just for a look it’s almost a museum.
Marco Polo
This store provides a wonderful selection of American and European antiques and vintage finds. These photos are from their website [I was busy snapping up items vs. photos].
Cooney’s Hardware
I am sharing this as I love the look of the building and the beautiful old lumber store houses. Some one please rescue them. They are amazing and deserve a second life.
Harbour Country is only a short drive from Chicago and can be made into a day trip for a wonderful day of shopping & grazing. For ideas on where to eat you can click here. Wanting to stay a little longer you can always stay at a charming B&B here or rent a cottage here.
There are many places in Harbor Country, Michigan that we love to stop for eats, here are a few of our favorites.
Froehlich’s
A favorite stop in Three oaks is Froehlich’s for a sandwich, sometimes depending on the weather soup. A great place to pick-up some homemade jams and canned tomatoes. They have even been featured on Food Network – Food Finds. Everything is always fresh and flavorful.
Whistle Stop
Another favorite food stop when in Harbor Country, this one is in Union Pier. They have a great selection of wines, cheese, chocolates, fresh-baked goods, and other pre-made delights perfect for a picnic on the beach, or nestled into one of the outdoor picnic tables.
Driers – Butcher Shop
This is the most adorable butcher shop, and I am not the only one that thinks so, as it is on the National Registry of Historical Interiors. Pop in when you are in Three Oaks, and pick up some smoked meats, and a few steaks.
In the warmer months there are many other farmer’s stands and farmers markets that are available offering up local produce and products.
If you are looking for a ‘grease & spoon’ in Lansing Michigan that upon appearance looks suitably suspect but serves up tasty dishes – we found it! Sawyer Gourmet Pancake House – might be lacking in decor that you would typically associate with the word ‘gourmet’ but the food is delicious. They claim that their buttermilk pancakes are the best around, and we would agree with that statement, so would the line of hungry diners that trails out the door. Their grilled cheese sandwich also stacks-up, we have eaten a few in our day, enough to spot a good one when we see it. It is served up on buttery bread and the cheese is evenly heated all the way through including the tomato and bacon we had then add in. So overlook the exterior, including the workers smokers section out back, step in side and order up some tasty breakfast treats and enjoy the friendly service too.
Soe Cafe on the Red Arrow Highway in Michigan’s Harbor Country is an adorable cozy spot serving up farm to table treats. Make sure you pop in for some delectable edibles next time you are passing through, or visiting this area. It’s not far off the highway Michiganders when you are making the trek home for holiday celebrations, a nice break with some soul warming food. The new chef that stepped in earlier in 2010 – Justin White hails from the kitchens of ‘Custom House’ and ‘The Bristol’ here in Chicago, and is cooking up a storm in the country. This man knows what to do with good fresh local & seasonal products. The sweet beet salad dished up with oranges and pumpkin seeds was a delight for the taste buds. The Wisconsin trout was cooked to perfection and so delicious served with roasted cauliflower, and add the brussel sprouts side dish with quinoa and pickled onions – perfect bites. Then there is the lush creamy chicken pot pie topped with flaky pastry, guess who was in a food coma for the rest of the drive. Looking forward to going back.
We love making a visit to the Lake after Labor Day, when all the madness has ceased and we get the Lake and Countryside to ourselves. A weekend away where we get to enjoy lazy days that are focused around: food & wine with friends; sleeping in; farm visits; winery tours: antiquing; and walks on the beach…… To get such said ‘bliss’ we typically like to visit Harbor Country [Union Pier, Michiana, New Buffalo area] renting a cottage for four. This year with our rental we struck gold with ‘Cottonwood’. An adorable farmhouse without the musty odor, uncomfortable beds, poorly equipped kitchen, and tiny little bathroom for all to share. This place is far from that description and comes FULLY LOADED. I mean when the owners renovated this place they built it for entertaining and for sharing, and from the minute you turn into the driveway you feel this house welcoming you …
DESCRIPTION: The kitchen is stocked ready for gourmet creations from farm fresh finds, and there are 2 [not 1] BBQs. The HUGE patio and garden provide a serene setting for cocktails and meals! There are beds for 9 adults, and 2 bathrooms, and even a laundry room. I tell you this place is a home-away-from-home. Big cosy comfy chairs in the sitting room, and a massive great room for watching TV and snuggling by the fire, with a large group there is plenty of room for all to spread out that you would never feel on-top of each other. The decor is country vintage chic, filled with fabulous finds from local antique stores. It would be a great place for a Thanksgiving celebration, serving up a feast for a huge gathering, as there are plenty of plates, glasses, napkins and serving ware to make a beautifully set table. We will be back to visit.
LOCATION: Union Pier, Michigan. About 90 minutes drive from Chicago.
HIGHLIGHTS: The screened in porch that is perfect for lazy mornings as you savor coffee and shake the debauchery from the night before. The rocking chairs under the oak tree to enjoy whilst sipping cocktails. The comfy sitting room in candle light with wine and cheese. The cosy beds to snuggle in at night, and the wonderful towels in the bathroom that are artfully embroidered.
WEBSITE: Cottonwood Bookings
What can you do when you are there? LOADS OF FUN here are some ideas, just get out there and explore and if you have anything to add to the list please leave a comment:
UNION PIER
HARBERT
THREE OAKS
OTHERS
