MY HOTEL LIFE

Burough Market, London

2012-01-20T08:34:00.000-05:00

The Burough Market on the backside of London Bridge is a must stop if your travel brings you to London. I wandered through the stalls for a couple of hours; sampling lots freebies from local artisans and global purveyors. I finally settled for the "Toastie" grilled cheese sandwich that was irresistible.

Aside from being a foodie heaven, the market is a photographers paradise. So bring your camera and snap away. You
have to be conscious though that some vendors don't like their photos taken. That's what a zoom lens is for. Enjoy.

Belgo Restaurant, London

2012-01-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

The Belgo Kitchen Line

This is one of my go-to restaurants in central London. A perfect stop after a day of shopping in Covent Garden. If you love home-style mussels, then this is the place. Belgo is like going to church without having to sit through a boring
sermon. Servers wear monk robes and serve flights of the best beers in the world.

Don't miss the communal toilets with a huge circular hand sink and foot pedals to turn on the water.

Restaurant: Belgo Centraal
Tube station: Covent Garden
Website: belgo-restaurants.co.uk

Sauteed Squid with Chorizo with Roquette, Baby Gem, Tomato & Lemon Dressing

The Belgo Specialty: Fresh Rope Grown Mussels Green Thai style - steamed in Coconut,
Green Chili, Lemongrass, Lime & Coriander

Spiced Pit Roast Chicken with Mushrooms

Spiced Pit Roast Chicken with Sweet Chili and Ginger

Spiced Pit Roast Chicken with Leeks and Mustard

Servers wear monk robes

Eames Chairs

The cave-like dining room with communal seating

Crepes with Grand Marnier and Vanilla Ice Cream

Walking Server

House Delights

The Delicious Dozen on EightWest TV Show

2012-01-06T18:57:00.000-05:00

The Delicious Dozen: woodtv.com

The Asian-Italian Family Dinner

2012-01-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

Beef Shabu-Shabu

At the request of my kids, I made our family an Asian-Italian feast for our Christmas dinner. On the menu: Malfadine with Baseball Size Meatballs (my favorite), Sweet Peppers with Spicy Italian Sausage and Beef Shabu-Shabu (Japanese Hot Pot). It was the idyllic Christmas Day. No agenda. No parties to go to. Just the five of us around a table of
comfort food. It was perfect.

How was your Christmas meal?

Frying the giant meatballs

Malfadine with Meatballs

The full stove top

My daughter Francesca dipping her beef in the shabu-shabu

Shabu-Shabu traffic

New Year's Eve at the JW Marriott

2012-01-04T22:01:00.000-05:00

New Year's Eve in downtown Grand Rapids just keeps getting bigger every year.

40,000 revelers packed Monroe St. for the HOT FM outdoor concert featuring The Romantics. There wasn't a single seat available for last minute dinner reservations and every bar was pretty much packed to the gills. This is definitely no longer the sleepy town it used to be.

My wife and I had great intentions of hitting our regular spots before ending up at the JW Marriott. Reserve Wine Bar
was on the list. So as Bar Divani and Lumber Baron. But by the time we got downtown at 10:30PM, we decided to settle with glasses of champagne in Mixology Lounge at the JW with some friends while the Steve Hilger band serenaded the sophisticated crowd to some bossa nova.

By 11:30PM, our party of 4 increased by 10 more with the addition of other close friends who were in six.one.six for dinner. As the ball dropped on Times Square, we were up in the International Ballroom of the hotel, along with 1,000 other guests for the always rocking Retro Party.

Digital Joes kept the dance floor packed as the city celebrated another momentous year. As for me, I couldn't imagine spending New Year's Eve anywhere else but right here in Grand Rapids.

2011: What a Year at the JW!

2012-01-01T17:41:00.002-05:00

JLe's Black & White Party in 2009 kicked off the JW Social Media Parties

Do you remember the days before Facebook and JW Social Media Parties? Social life in GR was pretty much limited to the bars and a few street parties. The JW Marriott Grand Rapids has been going strong since the first social media event 3 years ago when we kicked off the Social Media Party Phenomenon with Jimmy Le's Birthday Black & White Party. We've come a long way, baby! Thanks to our loyal fans and street team of guerilla promoters.

To say that 2011 was a banner year for the jdub is truly the understatement of the year. Let's recap our social media

parties this past year starting with the biggest event of the year: Tommy Fitzgerald's Juice Ball for Kids Food Basket.

JANUARY

JUICE BALL

FEBRUARY

LITTLE BLACK DRESS & HAUS OF LEISURE FASHION SHOW

MARCH

SALSA PACHANGA

LAUGHFEST FESTIVITIES

ASIAN GALA

APRIL

ICE BRIGADE'S SPRING BLING

SIN CHUN'S "EAT THE WHOLE MENU" AT SIX.ONE.SIX

Loyal JW Fan, Sin Chun, started his "ETWM" campaign at six.one.six. He started his blog, Sinful Advocations, to document his eating journey.

MAY

PACHANGA LATINA

JUNE

JDEK OPENING/JSQUAD LAUNCH PARTY

ASIAN'S NIGHT OUT (ANO)

FRANK'S KNOCKOUT FITNESS JDEK BASH

JULIE REGAN'S STELLA & DOT PARTIES

JULY

JDEK FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES

VISALUS BMW LAUNCH PARTY

AUGUST

THE WHITE OUT PARTY

SEPTEMBER

CELEBRATION ON THE GRAND

ASIAN'S NIGHT OUT FOR THE PHILIPPINE MADRIGAL SINGERS

ARTPRIZE

OCTOBER

JUST WICKED HALLOWEEN PARTY

NOVEMBER

FRANK'S KNOCKOUT FITNESS' KO FOR CANCER CELEBRITY BOXING EVENT

DECEMBER

PACHANGA DE NAVIDAD

RETRO NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

The Delicious Dozen

2012-01-01T11:19:00.001-05:00

Are you a list hoarder?

If you are like me, New Year’s Day marks the day I jot down a million things I want to accomplish over the next 365 days. Creating to-do lists make me feel like I’m organized and in control even though I have more lists - between my phone, computers, Moleskine notebooks and loose scraps of paper in my office and home - than my actual number of “things to do.” But, what the heck? Lists are fun, and in some auspicious way, a therapeutic remedy to the hectic lives we live. So here I am adding another list, but this one will be worth hanging on to and accomplishing this year.

West Michigan eateries have raised the bar this past year by employing impressive talent and by producing the most memorable dishes I’ve had in the area. So here I am adding another list, but this one will be worth hanging on to and

accomplishing this year. They range from cozy dives to the sexy locales. These are the 12 restaurants I plan to visit more than once in the next 364 days, and I hope you do too.

Hot Restaurants

Grove Restaurant

919 Cherry St., Grand Rapids

616.454.1000

groverestaurant.com

Grove is so hot right now that I am adding fuel to the fire by making it even hotter by endorsing it as my go-to restaurant in West Michigan and a “must experience” in your 2012 list. Let’s just say that almost every dish that I’ve tried so far has been stunning – House-Made Charcuterie, Kimchee Stew with a slow poached 63-degree egg, Greek Yogurt Cheesecake and the lists goes on.

Kimchee Stew

Amore Trattoria Italiana

5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park

616.785.5344

amoretrattoriaitaliana.com

Chef Jenna hounded me on Facebook and on my blog until I finally gave in to her invitations to check out her authentic Italian restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Be prepared to stuff yourself with her delicious cooking and charismatic personality. This place is the real deal and the best Italian food in West Michigan. And if you are longing for a good cup of espresso, her husband Maurizio, makes a darn good one.

Steamed Mussels

Ruth’s Chris

187 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids

616.776.6426

amwaygrand.com

The opening of Ruth’s Chris shattered all expectations as this steak house continues its surge into the Grand Rapids dining market. How can you question numbers like 250 to 300 covers a night? Don’t even mess around and order the filet. There is a reason that the filet is the only cut of meat the restaurant features in its global advertising. The Sweet Potato side dish is good enough to order as dessert. And please, don’t touch the sizzling 500-degree plate.

The sexy dining room

Farm-To-Table Classics

six.one.six

235 Louis St. NW, Grand Rapids

616.242.1448

ilove616.com

This is my home turf and I can tell you that Executive Chef Justin and Sous Chef Jacob take their mission as farm-to table chefs as seriously as the surgeons in the ER. These guys and their team salivate when they are butchering a whole pig in the back. The Tempura Tuna Roll, Cheesy Pesto Flatbread, Whitefish and the NY Strip continue to be the rock stars but there are many gems with each season’s new menu offerings.

Otto's Chicken Breast

Food Dance

401 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo

269.382.1888

fooddance.net

John Gonzalez asked me once for the location of the best burger in the region. Well John, here it is and it’s worth the 50-minute drive to K-Zoo. But Food Dance is a lot more than burgers. It is a full-blown farm-to-table restaurant serving sumptuous meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Dining room at Food Dance in Kalamazoo

Salt of the Earth

114 E. Main St., Fennville

269.561.7258

saltoftheearthfennville.com

I have been a fan of SOTE ever since we had the most delicious Mother’s Day Brunch here two years ago. Food can’t be more rustic than SOTE’s Half Chicken with Cheddar Polenta or the Whole Hog Pizza. The setting is charming with wood floors and a barnyard door dividing the two dining rooms.

A whole fish treat at SOTA

The Dives

El Granjero Mexican Grill

950 Bridge St., Grand Rapids

616.458.5595

You know this is a special place when my most influential Mexicans friends gather here for their power lunches. The El Granjero Burrito is as huge as a boxing glove. And the Salsa Verde packs a punch like Juan Manuel Marquez (Thank you sir, I want another). This is hands-down my favorite Mexican joint in town.

Asian Palace

825 28^th St. SW, Wyoming

616.334.7770

If you haven’t had a bowl of Vietnamese Pho, then you haven’t lived at all. And this is the place to have it. Brace yourself because this restaurant epitomizes a dive joint: plastic floral tablecloths, stacking banquet chairs and a TV in the corner showing re-runs of Soul Train and CD collection infomercials. But the Rare Beef Pho is extra special and worthy of a visit even if you’re the only person in the room who is not Asian. Welcome to my world.

Rare Beef Pho

The Hangout

Reserve Wine Bar

201 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids

616.855.WINE

reservegr.com

The staff and I are on a first name basis at Reserve. They know the wines that I love, more importantly; they also know what my wife likes. Grand Rapids is lucky to have a culinarian like chef Matt because he knows what he is doing. The buzz here is the 104 wines on tap and the charcuterie and cheese offerings, but don’t forget that the rest of the menu is just a good.

104 wines on tap and ArtPrize winner at Reseve

Rose’s

550 Lakeside Dr., East Grand Rapids

616.458.1122

thegilmorecollection.com/roses

If I could own one Gilmore Collection restaurant, Rose’s will be the one. I have never had a meal I didn’t like at this East Grand Rapids institution. You can’t beat the outdoor patio in the summer with Reeds Lake as the backdrop. Don’t sweat the wait times because it’s all worth it in the end.

Fricano’s Pizza Tavern

1400 Fulton St., Grand Haven

616.842.8640

5808 Alpine NW, Comstock Park

616.785.5800

fricanospizza.com

I have a goal of trying out every pizza place in town this year, but to date, I haven’t found a better pizza than Fricano’s. This no frills pizza joint is a West Michigan treat with several locations in the region. The original tavern in Grand Haven gives you another reason to visit this beach community in the summer. The EBA (everything but anchovies) is a keeper.

The Sleeper

Mia and Grace

1133 3^rd St., Muskegon

231.725.9500

miaandgrace.com

The West Michigan foodie world has been buzzing about this Muskegon restaurant for months now. I finally had the opportunity to experience the food when my 12-year old daughter and I decided to enjoy a late lunch one Saturday afternoon. The Farm Egg BLT with house-cured bacon is deadly delicious. The entire seasonal menu reads like a market stand. Mia and Grace gives you one good reason to drive to Muskegon.

Farm Egg BLT

And 3 more worth mentioning

Viceroy, Grand Rapids – I have been a fan ever since Viceroy converted their menu and cocktail lists more like a true speakeasy versus a vegetarian restaurant posing as a prohibition watering hole.

Hercules Bar & Grill, Saugatuck – The outdoor patio is a hidden gem in the summer.

Tomukun Noodle Bar, Ann Arbor – How I wish Grand Rapids had a place like this. This Asian noodle bar will do well anywhere in America.

* As published in the Grand Rapids Press, January 1, 2012

Viceroy Lounge Finds Its Hot Spot

2011-11-26T17:37:00.001-05:00

Mixologist Steve lights up an orange for a classic cocktail twist

The Buzz: Viceroy Lounge opened as the first "legitimate" speakeasy in downtown GR.

The Vibe: It was a speakeasy dressed up as the overflow for punkish sister bar, Stella's Lounge, before its recent renovation. Former "dining area" is now part of Stella's Lounge. Thank you! The room is more intimate and definitely have that speakeasy atmosphere.

The Scene: For real cocktail connoisseurs. Young professional crowd drinking side cars and housed-infused liquors. Leave your PBR t-shirt at home.

The Food: Viceroy scrapped the foo-foo vegan dishes for classic bar dishes such as Clams Casino, Tenderloin Tips Louisianne, Escargots Echezeaux and Scotch Egg. I was too full from dinner at another establishment prior to Viceroy, but this new menu is on my hit list.

The Cocktails: My friend Sin Chun and I were enamored from watching mixologist (and I mean a real mixologist), Steve, concoct, mix and shake cocktails like a true pro. His skills are worth the price of admission. Yes, Viceroy offers beers and wines, but go big or go home.

Loved: Mixologist Steve and the lineup of the new menu.

One More Try: Soft seating by the entrance takes up too much space. Add more seats or cozier sofas.

Bonus: Jazz nights and sultry vocalist, for sure. And the code to get back in from the shared bathrooms with Stella's, 1-9-3-3.

The Wig Party

2011-11-26T16:38:00.001-05:00

Every November, Salon Centric hosts the craziest party involving 2,000 hairdressers from all over the country. When I heard the theme this year was "The Wig Party," I knew I had to check this party out with my camera in tow. I asked several of my buddies to join me for a pre-party cocktail before heading to the festivities at the Intersection club in
downtown GR. You might want to flag this event next year, however, you will need to know someone with the group to get a private party invitation.

That's me with Peg Bundy!

The Cristal Party at Cygnus 27

2011-11-25T18:45:00.000-05:00

The annual Cygnus 27 Cyg-nature Cristal Party marks the beginning of another winter party season in Grand Rapids. The city's socialites showed up in full force; drinking Cristal and dancing to the tunes of DJ Slim Tim.

Life in Grand Rapids just keeps getting better

2011-11-25T09:54:00.000-05:00

Revelers at this year's Just Wicked party (formerly the Deadutante Ball) at the JW

There isn't a better time to live in Grand Rapids than right now. Get a glimpse of what this past year has been like by reading my latest The Good Life column in Shore Magazine. Click here.

For more photos...see below

My daughter, Margaux, in front of the ArtPrize mosaic in the GR Children's Museum

Rob Bliss' 1st Electronic Music Night

Salsa Pachanga Nights at the JW

ArtPrize display in the GR Art Museum

Arthur Murray dancers perform at the JW's quarterly Pachanga parties

The new CitySen lounge at the CityFlats Hotel

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse at the Amway Grand Plaza

KO Cancer Celebrity Boxing - Jimmy Le vs Eric "EOB" O'Brien

2011-11-21T00:59:00.003-05:00

An epic battle between Jimmy "Social Dragon" Le and Eric "Irish Hand Grenade" O'Brien at the second annual Frank's Fitness KO Celebrity Boxing Event at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. 100% of the proceeds will help kids fighting cancer at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Christmas Holiday in Buenos Aires

2011-11-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

Read about my Christmas holiday in Buenos Aires in the my Travel Column in the Grand Rapids Press by clicking here.

Click below for more photos

http://www.mlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2011/11/holiday_getaway_buenos_aires_m.html

My AHA Moment - JW Marriott Chicago

2011-11-03T02:23:00.000-04:00

The Grove Restaurant

2011-10-30T21:21:00.000-04:00

My experience at the new Grove Restaurant is one of the most impressive dining experiences I have had this year. Read the rest of my Grand Rapids Press review by clicking HERE.

CitySen Lounge at City Flats Hotel

2011-10-13T23:53:00.000-04:00

Read my Grand Rapids Press restaurant review of CitySen Lounge: http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/10/dining_out_review_citysen_loun.html

My top 10 Restaurants

2011-10-13T07:59:00.001-04:00

Here is my Top Ten Restaurants article I wrote in my travel column, The Aisle Seat, in the Grand Rapids.

http://www.mlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2011/10/culinary_travel_foodie_names_h.html

Asian's Night Out, jLe's Birthday, Philippine Madz at the JW

2011-09-16T08:04:00.000-04:00

It was another epic night at the JW Marriott as the West Michigan Asian community celebrated another ANO. This time, ANO hosted Jimmy Le's 32nd birthday along with hosting the amazing Philippine Madrigal Singers of the University of the Philippines who is in town for their concert at the Grand Rapids Public Museum tonight. The MADZ electrified the crowd when they surprised the crowd with
two impromptu songs, Man in the Mirror and Circle of Life, that left the crowd breathless.

A Steak Affair: Ruth's Chris Opens in Grand Rapids

2011-09-08T03:51:00.000-04:00

I have been to many steakhouses in the world and this Ruth's Chris located inside the Amway Grand Plaza hotel has got to be one of the sexiest joints I have ever been to. Thanks impart to the Ruth's Chris development team, the design team at the hotel and the impeccable touch of interior designer, Wendell Gooch, of Wendell Gooch Design in Chicago.

I had distinct pleasure of getting a sneak peak prior to its official opening on Monday, September 12. The staff under the leadership of veteran restauranteur, Buzz Goebel, and chef, Chris Madsen, are prepped to launch the most
anticipated restaurant opening this year; just in time for the festivities surrounding the 30th Anniversary of the Amway Grand Plaza this month and the also for the highly anticipated rush during ArtPrize 3.

I will finally have the opportunity to taste the "sizzle" this evening. If the food tastes just as amazing as the interiors, then I can comfortably say that I will be frequenting this steakhouse on a fairly regular basis.

Welcome to GR Ruth's Chris!

The Most Memorable Shrimp Cocktail in the World

2011-08-28T23:33:00.000-04:00

Residents of Indianapolis talk about the Shrimp Cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House as if it's the only thing that mattered in the city. I couldn't make it to St. Elmo's the first time I visited Indy, but I was certain not to miss the opportunity to try this supposedly incredible appetizer on my second trip this month. In fact, I went to St. Elmo's twice in a span of 24 hours.

Well, the residents are absolutely correct. This Shrimp Cocktail is the most memorable one I have ever tasted in my life. The shrimp itself is no different from most nice dining establishments - U12's. However, it's the fresh horseradish that

leaves a stamp of noteriety to this dish. A heaping mound of made-daily horseradish cocktail sauce sits on top of the shrimp to which there is no option but to try it. A boy did this dish have a lasting zinger! The horseradish climbs up your nostril so fast you really have no time to react to it. WOW! Despite the burning sensation, I couldn't have enough of the darn things.

Make sure to stop at St. Elmo on your next trip to Indy. A dose of the Shrimp Cocktail and in the words of Chef Emeril ..."BAM!" Enjoy and let me know if I was correct.

The White Out Party

2011-08-24T18:50:00.000-04:00

It was not your typical Sunday night in Grand Rapids. About 200 guests packed the jdek for the summer's White Out Party. Grand Rapids' very own Hat Trick band opened the evening with their popular and classic renditions followed by the spectacular Ark reggae band from Detroit. In addition to the jdek, there was a waiting list in six.one.six and the JW Marriott was near capacity. What's going on in GR these days? You just have to visit to see it for yourself.

Click to see the rest of the photos.

Could this restaurant be the best place for Italian food in West Michigan?

2011-08-21T14:04:00.000-04:00

Amore's Cozze bowl

I don't take anointing a restaurant with "the best" title of anything lightheartedly. Sure, West Michigan is not Chicago when it comes to a myriad of good selections for authentic Italian food, but, we do have a few options. It took me several trips to the restaurant's website to finally convince myself that this place could be worth the twenty minute drive
from downtown Grand Rapids. First of all, its location is not exactly a hot spot for good eateries in the area. In fact, N. Alpine is not even remotely close on my foodie radar screen.

Right across from the "landmark" Oasis hot tub resort on the barren stretch between Five Mile and Six Mile Road on Alpine Avenue, lies the restaurant that serves up the best Italian food in the area. Hands down. The place is Amore Trattoria Italiana. Forget the fact that my kids were appalled when we drove up to to this restaurant that looks like it had it share of former identities including a pub and a former Brann's Steakhouse. Amore, from an architecture and interior design standpoint is between a charming dive joint and nice family restaurant. The chef/owners have done everything they can within their budget to bring life into the place, from the colorful paintings for sale in the dining room to kitschy Italian memorabilia on the walls. The dark bar/lounge with mostly high tops occupy the southern half of the restaurant while the dining room with banquettes and four-top tables on the built-in dance floor reside on the northern half. But get past all the physical aspects of Amore and get down to the real reason for visiting - the FOOD!

We visited Amore twice in the last month to make sure that our first dining experience wasn't a mere fluke. In fact, this was just the beginning of our love affair with Amore's food. Both times, the food were simply the best tasting Italian food we'd experienced in the city (the former Tuscan Express on 28th St. and Cascade used to hold this distinction for me). From the mussels with a sauce worthy of bread double-dipping, to the decadent home-made pastas to the pizza crust that tastes exactly like it was right off the ovens in Rome to the friendly servers, and even more hospitable hosts, Chef Jenna and her husband, Maurizio Arcidiacono.

What differentiates Amore's food from other Italian restaurants in West Michigan is you get this sense that the chefs actually eat this at home. For most part, theses are recipes from Chef Maurizio's family back in Busto Arsizio, Italy. Their plates are simple Italian dishes done very well and with lots of "amore." That is perhaps the big difference. Food cooked with a lots of love and history cannot be replicated by a line cook or even a chef. Just like grandma's cooking; there's just something about them that makes it come out perfectly. It's the Italian umami.

Here are my favorites: The pizza crust is impeccably Italian. The four-cheese with arugula is wholesome. Any of the homemade pastas are irresistible. I personally love the Bucatini alla Amatriciana. My wife adores the Polpette Della Nonna - one of the best eggplant dishes she has ever had. Portions are West Michigan sizes; so come hungry or be prepared to share plates.

Jenna loves her desserts. Her tiramisu is succulent though a bit sweet for my own taste. I prefer tiramisu with just mascarpone. Jenn adds some cream for a richer cake.

The wine list is purely Italian and all very reasonable. We tried the Savini Riserva (DOCG) and the Brunello di Montalcino which were both incredible wines for the price.

Any recommendations for the restaurant? I can say that some of the plate presentations could be simplified and cleaned up; more specifically, too much lettuce for decorations. Also, I prefer lemon wedges I can squeeze easily versus lemon wheels which are really for decorative purposes.

I highly recommend Amore if you are looking for authentic tasting Italian food. Amore is also a big proponent of using as many local farms and purveyors. If you can get past the appearance of the building, you might just fall in love with this place as much as my family did.

Amore Trattoria Italiana
5080 Alpine Avenue
Comstock Park, MI.
616.785.5344

Quattro Formaggi

Special Blossoms from Chef Jenna

Large Caprese order

Bucatini alla Amatriciana

Spaghetti with Mussels

House-made Ravioli Del Giorno

Gnocchi di Patate

Vitello

Polpette della Nonna

Tiramisu

A Visit to Michigan's Farm Garden

2011-08-08T00:38:00.000-04:00

This is, perhaps, my favorite exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. I have never lived in a farm, but I have romanticized about the experience of being one with one's environment. Walking through the farm's garden's, barnyard, and farm house is worth the price of admission if this was the only exhibit you have to see.

Below is the description of Michigan's Farm Garden from the Meijer Garden's website along with more photos I took of the farm.

"Michigan's Farm Garden is reminiscent of a 1930's family farm. The farmhouse, barn, gardens, sugar shack and animal pens are reminders of a bygone era when the land supplied the family with groceries and income, a time when every family member helped with chores.

Central to the Michigan's Farm Garden is the 1880's farmhouse. It is a three-quarters scale model of Lena (Rader) Meijer's childhood home. The wrap-around porch has rocking chairs for visitors to reminisce and escape from the summer heat. The windmill was an important feature on the farm, supplying water and powering other machinery. Restored to its original glory, the windmill is from the Rader family farm.

The century-old barn was moved from it's original site with the help of Amish craftsmen. Awarded "2005 Barn of the Year" by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network, the barn remains a symbol of a vanishing way of life.

Farm animals are represented by bronze sculptures. Pigs, goats, sheep and horses all played a role in keeping the family clothed and fed. Do you recall stump fences along farm fields? We have them in bronze at Michigan's Farm Garden.

The vegetable gardens and flower beds are dedicated to heirloom varieties – open pollinated types used for more than 50 years. Appearance and short shelf-life of fruits and vegetables were not important to the 1930's farm. The well-tended bounty was grown for quality in flavor and much was used fresh. Nothing went to waste; great emphasis was placed on preserving, canning and storing food for the whole year."

Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar, Washington, D.C.

2011-08-07T10:32:00.001-04:00

arugula salad - black trumpet mushrooms, pecorino, pine nuts, red wine P3 vinaigrette

I love stumbling into restaurants I have never been to or heard of when I travel. Such was the case for Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar on Capitol Hill. It was well past 1 PM and the entire Aquino clan and some friends were all starving and ready to take a break from the sweltering DC heat.

The interiors of Sonoma has clean lines and a comforting ambiance. The wine bar dominates the first floor main dining
room. The restaurant has a wonderful event space upstairs complete with soft seating for up to 175 guests.

We chose Sonoma partly for its mission of using the best naturally-raised ingredients and locally sourced products. I can always learn from these visits and see what we could implement in six.one.six restaurant back in Grand Rapids.

The food reminded me a lot of Chez Panisse in Berkeley. From the Arugula Salad with trumpet mushrooms that tasted like it was just plucked from the backyard garden to the house-made Spaghetti with garlic, ricotta and egg yolk. I ordered the Stuffed Calamari with potato, salumi and squid ink aioli, and to my surprise, my son Jules loved it and we had to order him another portion. My good friend Luigi ordered the Mushroom "burger" with hand cut fries which was nourishing as it was filling despite not having a slab of beef in between the buns.

You can count that I will be back in Sonoma on my next trip to DC. Hopefully, when the weather is a bit cooler.

the wine bar

house made spaghetti - ricotta, garlic, egg yolk, oregano, black pepper

stuffed calamari - potato, salumi, lemon, squid ink aioli

mushroom "burger" - grilled onions & hand cut fries

the long banquette seating

smashburger: No Ordinary Burger Joint

2011-08-06T12:14:00.000-04:00

Secret "Vegas" style smashburger

I really don't frequent chain restaurants. A couple of times a year; mostly on the road when there are not a lot options in the middle of rural America. Once a year, I would crave a Big Mac meal, but that's about it. Now, things would be different if there was an In-N-Out burger in Michigan - the one chain that I love. However, there is a new "kid" in town and that frequency might have to increase because this chain is worth the trip.

Smashburger officially opened its 110th restaurant in Grand Rapids in July; the chain's first in the Grand Rapids area. I
was fortunate enough to be invited to the press sneak peak at its Medical Mile location. In fact, you can see from my receipt that I was smashburger's first customer (hey, I thought that was cool)! Expecting another "burger," I was surprised to see fresh Angus beef patties (same day delivery) and options galore to customize each burger. SB also emphasizes the local culture by featuring a Michigan Olive Burger and a Michigan Cherry BBQ sauce. Each SB location offers a local signature dish.

I ordered a Create Your Own burger with grilled onions and a fried egg which was beautifully presented in a metal mesh tray. The burger was seasoned perfectly, and along with my toppings, made for one delicious meal. The counter attendant coerced me into ordering the Sweet Potato Fries which was equally good.

Tom Ryan, the founder of smashburger was on hand to introduce his creation to his hometown. Tom is a graduate of West Catholic High School and Michigan State University. He invited me to "smash" my own burger in the kitchen to really see the quality of preparation that happens with each burger. Each patty is literally smashed for ten seconds to cook the burger surface evenly. There is no shortcut to the method.

Tom also brought out their humungous Michigan Harvest Salad Bowl and SB's secret 'Las Vegas" style smashburger. Let's just say that either would be sufficient for your entire meal for the day.

While I don't plan on visiting the hospital food court soon, I am anticipating the opening of the next smashburger on East Beltline and 28th street (former Blockbuster video). Good things are always worth the wait.

smashburger Medical Mile
25 Michigan Street

First Smashburger inside the Medical Mile Food Court

My Smashburger with Sweet Potato Fries

Smashburger with Fried Egg

Michigan Harvest Salad with Grilled Chicken

First customer!

Founder Tom Ryan, a West Catholic and MSU grad

Each Smashburger is "smashed" for 10 seconds