A Pub to Bear in Mind

In my opinion, besides the Great Lakes and great people, Michigan should be known for three things: stellar universities, awesome U of Michigan blue and yellow pasta, and the Grizzly Peak Brewing Company of Ann Arbor. Let me tell you...there's a lot to roar about.

With cozy coppery lighting, pressed tin ceilings, exposed brick walls, rugged wooden tables, outdoorsy paintings reminiscent of the Adirondacks and toothsome meals large enough for two, it's no wonder Grizzly Peak was rated Michigan's best date place of 2006.

If you stop by for lunch with friends, be sure to order different items and share. That way, everyone can savor the flavors of this first-rate Northern pub. Prices are reasonable: $3-7 for appetizers, and the most expensive lunch item is about $11 for a shrimp or steak salad. 

Be sure to try the following:

Cheddar & ale soup with thyme: Creamy and comforting, you can feel the endorphins rushing with every smooth spoonful. The complimentary warm, sweet golden loaf of bread is perfect for dunking.

Baked mac & cheese: Al dente elbow pasta saturated in a blend of three sharp, white cheeses and scattered with truffled herbed bread crumbs. It makes the boxed stuff shudder.

Beer-battered fish & chips with jalapeño coleslaw: Fish & chips always remind me of Frank McCourt's novel Angela's Ashes, where the narrator recalls the time he stole a drunk guy's fish & chips off the floor of a pub. He was so hungry that he licked the crumbs and salt off the paper. I thought my friend would have a similar experience at Grizzly Peak; the beer-battered walleye with crispy fries could have an entire novel chapter dedicated to it. With a slight crunch and a sudden juicy explosion from the moist, mild fish, our taste buds were able to appreciate the complexity of the golden ale batter. Perfect with malt vinegar and a sprinkle of salt.

Grilled Vegetable Dagwood sandwich: Toasted Italian crusty bread, fresh mozzarella, arugula, zucchini, tomato. Normally, I despise mayo, but the cool pesto dipping aioli was a perfect balance for the crunchy bites of bread and vegetables, and the fresh basil.

It wouldn't be fair to judge this place on a few menu items, but then again, if these dishes were that good, I can only imagine the rest-- from the pizzas to salads to ribs, burgers and even the beer!  

Visit their Web site. If you stop at the restaurant, be sure to drop me a line. I want to know how you like the beer (shame on me for not sampling)!

;) H

Off to See the Lizard

On the way to Michigan, my friend Christina and I stopped in Ohio to meet our high school pal Tiffany.  After getting lost (to say the least) in a not-so-lovely section of Cleveland, we finally wound up on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights. It's a spunky street with lots of adorable boutiques, coffee shops and bars.

If you're ever in the area, I definitely suggest one place: the Winking Lizard Tavern.

With old-fashioned cherry wood wall panels, antique beer decor, an unfinished wood floor, lots of neon bar lights and ubiquitous flat screen TVs, this 6th of 13 Winking Lizard franchises is an old-world gastropub with a young, hip vibe from its locals who call it "The Wink."

The Wink serves over 90 different types of ale from all over the world: Belgium, Mexico, England, Germany, the Czech Republic and of course, the U.S. You can sign up for the World Tour of Beers 2009. When you've sampled every one on the list (obviously not in one sitting unless you're the Hulk), you'll receive a coveted Winking Lizard Jacket. A well-deserved honor, indeed.

Don't drink beer? They do have a moderate wine list including humble-but-drinkworthy labels like Yellow Tail and Pacific Peak. 

They've got some fab grub, too: personal pizzas, slabs of St. Louis ribs, gutsy burgers and crispy fries (with the option of seasoned steamed veggies for calorie counters), salads, robust wraps and more great bar fare. My black bean veggie burger was savory, hearty and healthy with very little oil served on a nutty wheat roll with lettuce and tomato. Of course, I had to dip it in the Winking Lizard signature BBQ sauce--smoky, sweet and tangy all at once! This is the kind of stuff you swirl your finger in when the fries are gone. Oh yeah. 

For the best deal, stop by at Happy Hour between 3p.m.-7p.m. Monday through Friday. You'll get $1.00 off every 22 oz. draft beer as well as $4.25 Margaritas. 

As always, you can help yourself to endless fresh popcorn from an old-fashioned circus machine.

That's a darn good reason to smile. 

DON'T FORGET: When you walk in, look for Lucy, the live-in lizard, under the UV lights of her glassed-in tropical playground. Rumor has it she's over 70 years-old. Check her out yourself: get there while she's still kickin'! 

Visit their site for more information.

Yum is the Word!

;) Holly

Winking Lizard Tavern

1852 Coventry Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118-1682
Phone: 216.397.8380
Fax: 216.397.8730

Store Your Tofu the Right Way

If the block of tofu in your fridge has taken a turn for the worse, there's not much I can do. But I can help you prevent your fresh tofu from turning blue. 

In just 37 seconds, you'll be a pro at storing this lean, mean protein source. 

Be sure to put a lid on your tofu container, too. I forgot to tell you that in the video.

;) H