Cadieux Cafe

This is my first time ever visiting and its not what you would expect. When you walk in its hopes ( from the exterior ) are not what it seems to portray. It looks semi run down or a mom and pop restaurant / bar that's not been retrofitted for the current decade. Order the mussels and drink some lambic beer. This restaurant is known for its Belgium flair. Ready for the kicker?? It also has feather bowling, yes you heard me feather bowling attached to it. If you don't know Google it. It's actually quite fun. I played a few rounds myself. They have blue moon, bells,  Stella amongst a few others on rotating tap. The perch that our fellow patron ordered looked simply delicious. However the definite win was the mussels on the menu and they are not your average mussels. They come out with a hugeeeee bowl of them. I frankly have NEVER seen that many mussels served anywhere before (including my own kitchen ;) ). They hqve quite a few different reciepes that you can choose from for them to be cooked. Come often and try the different blends! They also feature some live entertainment on fridays after dinner rush. The best part is reserved for last. If you don't finish your mussels they literally bring you a bucket, plastic yes, but a bucket to cart your catch home.

I'll bet you know what time it is....photos!!

Playing Martha Stewart

Hello and welcome to the home cook episode. I wanted to share a recipe with you that I personally came up with and think is just delicious!

Enjoy!

Pan Simmered Chipotle Indian Korean Chicken Dinner

Megan Foster Ann Arbor, MI

Prep Time: ~10 mins

Cook Time: ~35-45mins 

What you will need:

2 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (preferably air chilled from whole foods)

1 pkg Chipotle Mix (from whole foods)

1 shaker of Tandoori Marsala BBQ Spice (Ahmed Foods Co)

1 bottle of Annie Chun’s Korean Barbeque Sauce

1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic

1 teaspoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil 

1 Yellow Bell Pepper(sliced) 

1 Orange Bell Pepper(sliced)

1 Red Bell Pepper (sliced)

1 Lemon 

1 Lime

1 bowl (bigger)

1 meat tenderizer

1 non-stick skillet/pan

and some counter space! 

Directions:

  1) Thin out/tenderize chicken thighs with a meat tenderizer (preferably metal kind) and cut into diamond/square pieces. 

2)Mix korean bbq sauce with 1/2 teaspoon chipotle mix, and 1/2 teaspoon tandoori masala in a bowl and add chicken, leave sitting for ~20 minutes to soak up.

3)Add vegetable/canola oil, minced garlic, butter and slices of bell pepper(all three colors) to skillet on medium heat cooking for about 5-10 minutes. 

4)Add Chicken to skillet and stir. Cook between medium and high for ~10-15 minutes stirring occasionally and giving gradual squeezes from a lime. 

5)Turn heat up to high and cook off most of the juices for another 10 or so minutes gradually seasoning to taste depending on how spicy you want it. 

6)Gently squeeze lemon over top and serve on a platter garnished with pepper slices and halved lemon & lime. Enjoy!

(Note: you will see how it will go from soup like consistency to glazed & that timing may vary)

Blue Tractor

PILSNER! For the love of god! Yes I am having an alky moment but hang in there as it only gets better.

The Blue Tractor is a rather newer (in the last couple years) Microbrewery. They have a southern feel and ambiance that is welcoming and relaxed. Jeans OK! They always have four original micro brews on tap with additional two to three extras rotating. This of course always goes down well with some pulled pork! These are the people I would like to know intimately for their ability to make pork the best tasting food EVER! It doesn't stop there. They have hamburgers with scallion mayo to drive you bonkers, mac 'n cheese dishes with a kick and some pulled pork on top, and chilli's that rival most competitors. Also I mustn't forget the pickles! They make their own in house and they are simply delicious. Not heavy or bland but crispy and refreshing! Ask for some pickle chips...Seriously, do it! Take chance on their menu, I personally guarantee your happiness!

So you tried it all ...delicious yes? Wait till dessert. I suggest the bread pudding, its made from donuts-yesssss!

We all know what time it is:

Hamburger & Chili

Mac 'n Cheese with Pulled Pork

The Gandy Dancer

Of all the restaurants in Ann Arbor, MI, only one has consistently had the best (in my opinion) customer service/food quality combo is the Gandy Dancer. The Gandy Dancer is one of many restaurants under the Muer Dining Company. They also own Charley's Crab, Big Fish, Grand Concourse, River Crab, and Meriwether's.  This building has a lot of character. It was originally the old train station some years ago. They refurbished the building in the minimalist way possible with elegant touches and lots of original furnishings still being used today. Its definitely a MUST SEE place on your trip to Ann Arbor, should you ever pass through! Want the biggest bang for your buck? Sunday Brunch. Complementary Valet parking is just the beginning. (Note: make a reservation for best seating and minimal wait time.) This brunch buffet is like none other (with exception to the Palette Dinning Studio inside MGM Detroit). You are met with gourmet taste fest that is flawless every time.

Please check out their menu @ Gandy Dancer Sunday Brunch

And now, as always, a photo!
Fiancee & His Brother enjoying the aforementioned Brunch!

Brunch-ie-yummy-ness!

La Dolce Vita

We visited the La Dolce Vita in Grand Rapids, MI. One important thing I will say is no matter where you go to (Ann Arbor or GR) you are always met with excellent customer service. One perk of the Grand Rapids location? Lower cost of living in that area, which equates to lower cost of fine dining as well! The Grand Rapids location of La Dolce Vita is easily if not more than 1/3 less than the same menu items on the Ann Arbor menu.

We made out like bandits!

Nathan enjoyed a short story (yes they are a cigar lounge as well!), and a Manhattan. I fell in love with and down quite of few pomegranate martini's! They add a nice touch to theirs by ending it with a touch of champagne! I also ordered and was met with the best shrimp cocktail I had ever had. The lemon even came with a screen to prevent seeds from falling into the food (Ingenious!). I realize this is another semi similar alky post but please know they have desserts, fine wines and cheese to accompany any style or taste. I encourage you try there once even if it just for a drink, you cant go wrong.

Well its about that time, hello photos! Again sorry I was still experiencing flash issues. These are at the best of my ability (for the time, improvements will be seen in the next post honest!)

Pomegranate Martini

Fiancee and his Short Story

what was left of my shrimp cocktail post velociraptor attack ;)

San Chez

In May 2010 Nathan and I visited San Chez Bistro & Cafe. They are located in Grand Rapids, MI.
They are known for their Tapas menu. They are consistently rated among the highest in in Hispanic restaurants in the United States, and for good reason. These people know their stuff!!

It was a taste bud Armageddon of flavor and robust ingredients.
We swallowed this down with hands down the best Sangria I have ever had!

Photos Photos!

Fiancee with Sangria

Albondigas

Salmon con Hierbas

Bistec Con Pimienta

our choices! honestly I could not pick a top favorite as everything was simply an orgasm in your mouth!

The Chop House

Twice a year every year the Ann Arbor area puts on a Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants reduce prices of three to four course meals and sell them at a flat rate of 12 for lunch and 25 for dinner per person. This does not include any drinks. It just so happens that this week in the summer fell just prior to fathers day. I decided to take my father out to The Chop House for our Father's Day Celebration. We both enjoyed the Filet Mignon with vegetables and blue cheese potatoes. Truly a delightful taste both aesthetically and physical enjoyment. This, ladies and gentleman, is a place to try at least once.

Once again, photo time! This one however I could not get the flash to cooperate so its a little off but its the best I could do!

truly a delicious meal!

Alcohol Episode

Normally I wont be touching on too much alcohol in this blog but I wanted to point out some great Chicago Alky while we were on the subject of Chicago!

Crimson Lounge Chicago

Champagne with my friend!

Nothing too special, but excellent room service!

Mortons Steakhouse

Chicago 2009 a friend and I head off for a 4th of July Retail Therapy in the windy city!

Morton's you ask? Well a lady has to eat my dear!
Yes in reality we could of done a mickey d's swing but I wasn't having it!
The concierge at our Hotel (Hotel Sax, formerly House of Blues Hotel) set up a reservation for us and pulled out the finest from head to toe and scampered over there. These people honest to god deserve every dime forked out. They explain in detail the menu. I am literal in that last sentence as they actually come out with a cart of beef, a cart of seafood and a cart of vegetables to show you exactly what your options are!

(Note: this was true in 2009, it may not still but one can try, ask about their two for $50 deal. Its not advertised anywhere its like a hush hush secret coupon but no stiffing out on the good stuff! Take that Groupon). We sure enjoyed it up. After wine and dessert for each our totals were roughly $70 +tip. Well worth it! Their side dishes alone (vegetables) are enough to feed a small nation I'm sure. Its sad they closed the one in Detroit otherwise that could become a costly habit!

I bet you can guess what time it is? Photos, Photos!

Your Foodie Blogger Meg

My friend along for the ride.

Fair Fare?

This is just for kicks but for anyone following this, do you have a favorite fair food?

I am a die hard loaded potato muncher! I pretty much hoover vacuum these bad boys up when I can find them. usually made from a whole potato spun and and shredded, topped with bacon, cheese and sour cream and even some times chives. Delicious!

Again ladies and gentlemen, its photo time!

Belleville Strawberry Fest Fare

Taste of Detroit

Real Seafood Company

As a foodie, I am particularly in love with seafood and try to get my hands on as much as humanly fiscally possible.Everyone knows seafood, good seafood, isn't cheap! So on occasions that I get to go out and dive in ;) I am all for it.

This place has soo many phenomenal items I just can list them as it would be plagiarism to their menu. I joke. In all seriousness though please if its the last thing you do visit a Real Seafood restaurant! You can find more information and where they are located if you Google Main Street Ventures.

Time for some photos!

Whole Maine Lobster.

Paella

Carson's American Bistro

We stopped here as a matter of financial and food convenience and enjoyment.
Carson's American Bistro is one of the many restaurants owned and operated under the Main Street Ventures Company (MSV). They have many other notable restaurants such as The Chop House, Real Seafood Company and La Dolce Vita. This one however is definitely driven more to an mix of casual to moderate upscale. Jeans are definitely ok. The food and service was outstanding as it usually is in these MSV restaurants.


I could not honestly tell you what I had there but I know if was absolutely delicious.
I have enclosed photos for your enjoyment. I had absolutely no qualms for this place.
Great Food, Great Service.

I'm pretty sure this was the house salad...(I think?) Either way delicious!

Party Special

As a gift for a friend of mine I threw a birthday get together at my house.
I whipped up some amazing dessert strawberries. I thought I would share on here.
I started with strawberries and a syringe...don't worry it was a special food syringe (you can get it at any local place that sells kitchen items, I think mine is from meijer). I laid out three bowls, one filled with Bacardi, one Hypnotiq, and one with Smirnoff vodka. I then injected these strawberries with liquor and set them aside. Once finished with that I dipped them all in dark chocolate and as they were cooling I drizzled white chocolate across them. I then laid them out on my pottery barn platters and wah-la conversation starter!

Feel free to try at home!

Allerton Hotel's Avenue M Resturant Breakfast

We visited the Allerton in January 2009.
Overall we were impressed with the multimillion dollar renovation and the chic Avenue M Resturant and Lounge in the formal lobby area. For this particular post we are exploring the Breakfast Omelette (noted as the designer omelette on the menu), Red Potatoes and Toast menu option.

The menu is here (in case you're interested).
Avenue M Breakfast Menu

superb presentation

actual glass jelly jars were aesthetically pleasing.

their tea selection is from the brand tea forte, very classy.

another shot of the presentation.

So after chowing down on this I can honestly say the omelette was magnificent (no pun intended!), the toast was...well.. toast, but the potatoes oh wow. I say wow in a way of they should of just left them in the kitchen. They had such promise coming out in such great presentation, but no it was just a let down. Red skinned potatoes are know for their creamy appeal and robust taste. There was a definitive lack in both. Perhaps Madame Tussauds is missing some potatoes? In summary, I will be back for more omelettes - hold the skins.

For the love of food.

I love food. Now thats cleared up, I can tell you about me.
You will see in common reference both Nathan (my fiancee) and I (Meg).
We are from the Metro Detroit Area, specifically Ann Arbor, MI.
This is a blog thats long overdue.
I have for sometime now (and at nearly every meal) snapped photos of my company and my platters.
I only take snaps of what I really enjoy and I plan to share here.

Bon Appetit!