Great Plains Burger - Ann Arbor

OK, second time round here.  Great Plains Burger (G.P.B.) has an admirable mission statement - lots of locally sourced and sustainably produced food fare, I can dig it.   The first time I went, they were only open a few days, and there were some definite teething issues, but I thought there was potential.  Fast forward one year later, and I've seen some improvements, and some missed opportunities.   Firstly, their main claim to fame is their fresh hand pressed french fries.   The tricky part about fresh cut fries is moisture content.  Fresh potatoes have A LOT of water in them.  When you fry moisture laden fries, the outside gets crisp, but the inside is cold and soggy - blechh!!!  G.P.B. has finally figured out how to cook their fresh fries - I believe they let them dry out for a bit before frying, and they are no longer a nice looking but soggy disappointment, but instead pretty crisp and a bit chewy - I approve.  

Upon my first visit, I found it odd that G.P.B. did not offer a veggie burger, for right across Plymouth Road, is one of the biggest bastions of vegetarian hipster collegium on the planet - Ann Arbor's own Michigan University!!   Guess what Pedro, they have a fresh made Black Bean burger on the menu now.   I don't normally order black bean burgers, but as I passed by G.P.B.'s refrigerated display case, I notice next to the raw burger balls, were the fresh veggie burger balls - G.P.B. smushes each burger ball into a patty on the grill, which is a good technique.   So, I figure, I best try one out since that was a criticizm of mine when I first visited - best buck up or shuttup!

I ordered a Black Bean burger with grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and bacon [couldn't let the vegans win!]....I did forget to add cheese, but as you'll see, it didn't really matter.  My burger arrived fairly quick, served up on a tray open faced, with a ton of fresh cut fries - looked pretty good.  The outside of the Black Bean burger looked nice n' crispy from the grille.  The grilled onions and sauteed mushrooms were nicely perched on top.  Nice presentation for a fast food joint.  

The first bite cause some alarms to go off in my head.  The outside was crispy, but the inside was a lukewarm mushy texureless glop.....I'm talking old-toothpaste kinda mushy - kinda like eating uncooked falafel.  However, the flavor was good, with a snappy peppery goodness.      I  tried a few more bites, before I got up from the table and dropped it off at the pay-counter.  I kindly asked for a Black Bean burger that was actually cooked in the middle [how ironic!?].    After grumbling mentally for 10 minutes, my replacement tray arrived.  The new burger definitely looked more cooked, and was kicking out some serious Btu's.   A promising sign?!!    I dived in for a bite, and while it up to temperature, the same textureless flabby mushy toothpaste sensation was awaiting to greet my palate.  ZZZZ!  Ding...FAIL.   Seems that the excessive moisture problem G.P.B. had with their french fries has migrated into their Black Bean Burger!   I've had hand made veggie burgers/black bean burgers before that were crunchy crisply nutty delicous treats, so I know it can be done.  G.P.B. is on the right track here, but they need to dial in the moisture content of their patty. 

All in all, for a quick meal with fresh + 'local' ingredients, in a nice & clean restaurant [the open kitchen is spotless, +2 points for that]  Great Plains Burgers is appealing.  I want to like the place, but they are really going to have to figure out how to fix that Black Bean burger - it could be really good if they figure it out.  Come on Great Plains, I know  you can do better!

Shiro

I've been going to Shiro, http://www.shiro-restaurant.com/, ever since they opened 10 years or so  ago.  It's been a consistent and reliable accomplice in my ongoing love affair with all things Sushi.  Simply put, it's literally one of the best places to get Sushi in the Detroit Metro area - unanimously!   Set in an old Greek-Revivalist mansion, painted white with tall exterior columns [Shiro  translates to 'White Castle'],  a grand staircase, and multiple open plan rooms, Shiro lets one know immediately that this is no ordinary restaurant.  The proprietor, Mr. Shin, is usually on hand to greet you at the door.  He's a real character, and a huge part of why Shiro is so much fun to dine at.

Really - Shiro is all about fun.  The menu not only has sushi and sashimi options, but other fare too - Think of this place as French+Japanese riffs on dishes you've seen before.   If you're not in a Sushi frenzy, there are very compelling choices on the menu to be had.   Often, I'll usually start out with a few appetizers.  A heaping bowl of Edamame, salted to perfection, is  a great start.  The Wasabi Shumai appetizer is a spicy meaty and hearty treat.  The Octopus salad [octopus w/ seaweed salad] is very fun for the palate.  Not really an appetizer, but almost a full on dinner, is the Tuna + Avacado Salad.  Shiro is known for their dinner salad's dressing [Shiro Salad].  Nobody has been able to figure out what makes this dressing so freekin' good.  The Tuna + Avacado Salad is basically a big Shiro Salad, with Tuna sashimi, avacado slices on top with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.  It's incredibly delicious.  BTW, if you notice the Soft Shell Crab [seasonal] on the Appetizer list, do not hesitate to order it's garlic + buttery crispy goodness.  I miss molting season.......

Occasionally I'll order the 1/2 salmon head, to horrify my dinner guests, so for all you food fans out there, you can find some unusual dishes at Shiro sometimes!  As for dinner, you really cannot miss on any of the entrees.  It's hard to veer off the reservation when you want sushi, but over the years I've sampled the Chilean Sea Bass, Beef Teriyaki, and others I can't remember - all very satisfying in a savory way you'd expect.

And now for the sushi - - over the years I've gone from the rolls to just plain ol' sashimi [just the fish].   I usually order the Sashimi Dinner, and let the sushi chefs throw on whatever looks good - and, by trusting them to decide, you often get the best chunks!   I really enjoy the surprise factor - it might be surf clam, or scallop, snapper, or whatever from time to time, in addition to the usual tuna and salmon slices.   Shiro's fish is always of the highest quality, and most wonderfully sublime flavor.  And, they actually use real Shiso leaf, instead of that lame-ass plastic thing you often see on your plate in lesser establishments.  Shiro doesn't mess around.

Shiro is sometimes a quirky place, sometimes super busy - or not,  but the food is always ready to rock.  It's not your typical cookie-cutter restaurant - Shiro has real character and soul.    It's truly one of my all time favorite places to dine in.  Try it once, and you'll be hooked.

Nico and Vali Italian Restaurant

Like a mini-vacation to Italy.  Haven't been to Italy in a few  years, and it definitely had that "I'm back!" feeling.   Nico and Vali, http://www.nicoandvali.com/, Casual cafe style eatery, great atmosphere, and the food is superb - with fine attention to detail. You can tell it's made fresh. The menu has a good variety of classic pasta dishes, panini sandwiches, pizza + panzerottis, beer + wine! [Michigan's Bell's beer lineup is featured prominently], and home made biscotti [who does THAT anymore?].  With seasonal outdoor cafe style seating, and a great menu, it's a great place for a quick take-away sandwich, or a night out. The prices are an incredible deal as well, for the quality of the food is superb.  Anyone who really like Italian food done right, must eat here.

True home made cooking - you can tell they really did make it fresh.   The Owner's mother can occasionally be seen making all sorts of delicious things in the kitchen.  As for my faves, here we go: I really love the Muffalatta sandwich - awesome olive tapenade really makes the sandwich pop.   The Strachiatella soup is utterly fantastic - I find myself sometimes daydreaming about this soup at inopportune times.   And your basic spaghetti and meatballs truly live up to what you'd imagine home made should taste like - simple and bold tastiness [many local Detroit Italian restaurants, as you well know, cannot do this simple dish well - but Nico & Vali does!].   One item not shown on the Nico + Vali's online menu is the fabled "Nico Burger" - basically a Angus patty, w/ caramelized sweet onions + red wine vinegar reduction, w/ some unusual cultureous cheese [almost like a swiss muenster], all topped with a smattering of arugula - a tart counterpoint to the sweetness of the onions - all housed together under a soon to be crinkled and cracked, dark topped butter bun....for you Burger fans [yes, yes you Red Coat and Millers veterans - yes, you know what I'ma talkin' bout~!], you'll immediately realize that this is one of the best burgers you've ever had on your first bite.   No joke, the Nico Burger is the real deal!   My vegitarian wife absolutely loves the Vegetarian Lasagne, and I must agree, meat or not, it's one of the best examples of ANY lasagna I've tried - it's savory X10.

Breakfasts are great too.  I enjoy a breakfast panzerotti often, and their French Toast is incredible - all served with a nice portion of fresh fruit.  Not on the menu, is a riff off of their Nutella Croissant - a crepe made with Nutella, instead of the on the menu 'strawberry mascarpone crepe'....so wonderful.    It's nice to be able to sit outside on Nico and Vali's patio and have such a nice breakfast prepared for you.

All in all, Nico & Vali is one of those singular restaurants that somehow manages to nail all the small details, that make for an incredibly rich dining experience.  The food is exceptional, fresh and made with pride, the atmosphere is quaint yet lively, and the value is superb.  One of my favorite restaurants, and once you try it, it will be one of yours too.

The Plymouth Crossing

Went there for the first time to celebrate an old friend's arrival back in Plymouth.  I'd never been in before, so I figured "why not"..   We got there late, so we didn't order food, but the Bartender was great.  He even made us up a new creation drink called "SD coffee"....SD?, well you just had to be there.

The bartender did say they were throwing out the old "stuffy" menu, and coming up with a whole new plan.  I checked the website, and the menu did not seem new, and since the previous poster mentioned a burger [not on online menu?], I have to believe the website has not been updated.

I like the place, just have to get in for a bite!

Ironwood Grill - Plymouth

I keep trying this place every few months, since they opened, hoping it will somehow get better.....it didn't.  I like the location, the open kitchen/dining room, and the street life/view - it's a fun place.  But, the food standards are just plain LAZY.   Ordered the hummus platter - I liked the pickles/peppers/asparagus in addition to the nice warm pita triangles.  The Hummus was a fine puree, a bit loose and watery, but was decently flavored.

For my entree - I ordered the 1/2 slab of ribs.  My other tablemates ordered a pizza and a veggie burger.   The food arrived super quick, which made me a bit suspicious.  Sure, the ribs are always cooked ahead of time, and my oversauced ribs were a bit overdone.  Not dried out, but overdone as to where one could shake the slab, and the entire side of meat would fall off -  kinda like overcooking pasta.  But, the ribs were pretty good flavor wise, and they had plenty of meat on the bone [before it fell off].   My sides were an utter disappointment.  The cornbread muffin was straight out of the box - dry and no cornbready texture, it was a yellow cupcake.   The dollop of cole slaw was at a unnervingly tepid temperature, and half liquid mayonnaise - blech!  The crusher was the Onion Rings.  How do you fugg-up Onion Rings?  Ironwood's got the technique down.  They must have been leftovers from the previous night, because they were like rubber bands entombed within a oil soaked twice deep fried batter.   I've rarely seen such a sad onion ring.   I complained and they did bring out some freshly deep fried ones that were barely acceptable, but really, opening a box of Gordon Food Services frozen onion rings is not going to win any accolades - dull and lifeless flavor from what is normally such a delicious side.   For the prices Ironwood charges, one should really expect more than pre-made Frozen food.  Lazy Ironwood, Layy-zeee!

My tablemate's veggie burger was OK for a pre-made patty microwaved to perfection [?], but the squeeze bottle streak of guacamole on top of the patty was a head scratcher - why not real pieces of fresh avacado?  Oh yeah, you can't buy those frozen and pre-made.....   The pizza resembled a pizza, but was a curious mix of wet and watery in the center, and the Crust looked as if it were already pre-cooked a day previously,  topped with toppings then thrust back into the wood fired oven to melt the cheese - Not the way to make a wood fired pizza.   I surmise that the prep cooks wood-fire a batch of  blank pizza crusts, then as the orders come in, they top them and heat em up - very fast, but even Domino's doesn't do that....    A goopy flavorless mess - I was embarrassed for the wood fired oven.   The pizza could be so good with that oven, if the management really cared about standards.   The one saving grace was the cold beer that thankfully provided some relief from the tedium of the cuisine.  Thank you beer!

I really want to like Ironwood, but the food continues to disappoint.  This place is hoppin' on the weekends and always has a good crowd.  I'm sure I'll get dragged back here again, but I'll make sure to eat beforehand.  Perhaps the management's food standards don't really have to be up to snuff, as long as this restaurant remains a popular place to see - and be seen at.   That only takes you so far, and I'm done with this trip - adios Ironwood! http://www.ironwoodgrillplymouth.com/

Addis Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant - Plymouth

Incredible flavors, great service, just plain wonderful -  a real delight.    This place is way better than Ann Arbor's Blue Nile, so if you like Blue Nile's food, you'll love this place too.  Sidenote - they play some seriously awesome world music/space jazz here - definitely adds to the fun experience of a meal here.  Normally, it's a deal-breaker if I can't order a beer at a restaurant, but I gladly make the exception because the food is so very good.

On another visit, we brought our in-laws and their kids.  The kids absolutely loved the food, which really surprised me [you know how kids are!].   The owner is a super nice guy, and makes everyone feel welcome as if you were a guest in his home.

Logan - Ann Arbor - Casual Gourmet Foodie food!

I like restaurants like Logan, http://www.logan-restaurant.com/.  Interesting food, casual yet upscale atmosphere, non-pretentious.    It's got a nice friendly and welcoming vibe, and our hostess was very welcoming and got us drinks while we waited for our table - nice start.

Now for the food - the menu is very fun.  Lots of unusual preparations, and combination of ingredients.  Anyone who is interested in food will enjoy this menu.   I selected the Crab + avocado, and the Lobster roll for our table's appetizers.   The lobster rolls were nice, cut into 6 individual pieces, with crispy outer hull, and a nice blend of crunchy cabbage and tasty lobster.  But, this nice appetizer was it was overshadowed by the brilliantly flavored Crab + Avocado parfait.   Simply wonderful.

Our entrees were equally delicious.  Nice thing about Logan is that they offer 1/2 portions of the pasta dishes.  This is a great idea, because it allows one to enjoy more appetizers and not be stuck with leftover pasta to take home [which is never quite as good the next day].   My wife got the Gnocchi Bottarga, which was perfectly cooked and has a nice creamy flavor to it - great for a vegetarian, and very satisfying for even a carnivore like myself.   I selected the Moroccan hen.   I love little birds and this one's complex flavors were a delight.  The skin was nice and crispy, yet the meat was still juicy and tender.  I eventually put down my fork and went to fingers to finish off the bird - it was that good, nothing left but bones when I was done!

I really like Logan - it's a fun restaurant, and it's very reasonably priced for the quality of the ingredients and how they are prepared - top notch food.  This restaurant will no doubt be compared to Grange [another superb restaurant], but Logan is less of a 'formal' experience than Grange tends to be.   It's nice that A2 has a few of these types of restaurants that the foodie in all of us can enjoy - you'll definitely enjoy Logan.   Top notch!

Espresso Elevado - Plymouth - Awesome Coffee!

Pretty much the only place I know of that actually roasts the beans in-house.   So many coffee places who charge premium prices usually have the coffee pre-made and kept in those anonymous pump-carafe dispensers -  blah.    Espresso Elevado actually makes your cup fresh when you order - it's very quick via the process they employ.   In my opinion, E.E.'s process allows a cup of probably the freshest, most flavorful coffee possible.  It's THAT good.    Usually, I drink my coffee black - no sugar, no milk, no nuthin', so it's easy for me to discern if there's something special goin' on - and there definitely is.

On my last visit, I tried the Bali Blue Moon beans, and liked it so much I bought a bag for home [I use a french press/burr grinder setup].  It's very hearty, yet has a nice earthy taste I really enjoy.  I even got one of their coffee cards, where on your third bag of coffee beans, you get a free cup of whatever coffee you want - not a bad deal, since I'm hopelessly addicted to their fresh roast beans.

Fantastic coffee, for a true coffee fan to enjoy.

Le George Mediterranean Bistro

Fantastic food, professional attentive service, and great atmosphere.  I really like this place.  First time here.  Went with another couple, and for starts, we ordered up a plate of hummus and a plate of baba ganoush.   Very fresh tasting hummus, light with a tinge of lemon - excellent.  As you know, baba G. can be a bit random - Le George's is mildly smoky, yet has a full flavor - I don't like super smoky Baba's anyway, so it was perfect - and we received  A LOT of the fresh house made mini pitas [don't quite know what the other reviewers were complaining about!].   It was so good, I ended up eating way too much and was kinda full by the time my entree arrived.   I selected the red lentil soup, which is indeed of a finer texture, but I found it to be hearty and very flavorful - comfort food city!  The others ordered up the the yogurt based gazpacho, which is apparently an acquired taste.  They didn't care for it that much.

One of our party ordered up the Lamb Shank - very tender meat on the bone wonderfullness with a tangy tomato'ey sauce underneath, superb flavor and perfectly cooked.   My vegetarian wife, Lynda, really enjoyed the majadra lentil bowl entree [forgot the name?], the exotic spices therein had us wondering what they were, but all agreed it was a very tasty dish - and the lentils were cooked nicely, which most places don't manage to do.  I ended up ordering the 'dinner for one' [of which another of our party also selected], which is a platter containing a broiled lamb kibbee "log" [?], and one lamb kabob, and one chicken kabob [on real metal skewers].   I've rarely had better - the lamb kabob was so tender and had that wonderful hot char-grill flavor.   The kibbee log had a nice black peppercorn spicy snap to the flavor and was very addictive.  The chicken also was cooked perfectly - juicy with nice char on the outside.  All the kabobs reminded me  of how many times I've gotten these things only to be disappointed by overcooking - these three were simply delicious - - Le George's has it locked down solid when it comes to the cooking.

As for the service, no complaints here.  Very attentive, friendly and polite.   We asked for another bread basket of pita, and it arrived promptly.  Water's were filled up regularly, and they made sure I had a replacement beer right as my first one ended.  The dining room is nicely laid out, the L-shaped bar is pretty cool, and I enjoyed being able to see the chefs cooking in the open kitchen.  Nicely done!

Side note here:  I originally ordered the stuffed Kousa [a baby winter squash stuffed with rice and lamb] and the Baby Eggplants stuffed Kousa-style.   I'd never had this before so I was a little bummed out when Mr. Le George came over and told me that they ran out, and only had the vegetarian versions.   After seeing how awesome my friend's 'dinner for one' plate looked, I requested that as my dinner substitute.  The very gracious and apologetic, Mr. Le George nicely brought over four of their house made spicy cheese pastry rollup appetizers to make up for the inconvenience.  It's nice to see an owner care about his restaurant like that, and I'd rather eat at a place that runs out of "made today" stuff, than a place that grabs another tub of pre-made out of the freezer, so win-win, in my book.

Le George is not your typical steamy/greasy windowed gut buster Mediterranean-ish restaurant.   Unlike some of the negative reviews, I found the portions to be a bit on the large side, if anything, so I'm a bit skeptical of the naysayers complaint.  The prices are not cheap, nor expensive.  I do agree that for what you pay, the quality of the ingredients and the care in which they are prepared and cooked, are well worth the price.   I will definitely be back [to try some of the french oriented fare] - it was awesome!