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Grosse Pointe Theatre, BluFin, Sanders

The Grosse Pointe Theatre is now in its 64th season. I saw my very first live theatre production right here when I was a young girl of 8, it was Fiddler On The Roof, and I have loved live theatre ever since. The Grosse Pointe War Memorial is the former home of the Russell Alger Jr family, it was built in 1910, and donated to the community in 1949 following the death of Russell. The home was donated to serve as a memorial to Grosse Pointers who served their country and to be used as a center for charitable and educational purposes. Designed in the Italian Renaissance style by Charles Platt, the home is elegant, graceful and refined. The addition of the Fries Auditorium and Crystal Ballroom gave the War Memorial more public space and versatility. In 1961 Fries Auditorium became the permanent home of the Grosse Pointe Theatre.

It just so happened that we saw an advertisement for Jekyll &Hyde The Musical; opening day was Sunday, one easy phone call reserved our tickets. We took our seats, not knowing exactly what to expect from a musical version of the story. The auditorium was buzzing with the anticipation and excitement of opening night as many friends and family of the cast filled the seats. The lights dimmed, the curtain opened and we were off. The first musical number came quickly, the orchestra sits in front of and below the stage, don’t you just love live music? One by one we were introduced to the characters, the sets were extremely well done, the costumes, superb, and the performances……let me tell you, they were awesome! Everybody was wonderful, the Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde character was intense, the two female leads have incredible voices, this was community theatre at its best. The story moved along effortlessly scene to scene, song to song, love, murder and betrayal, the tension building. There was one 15 minute intermission which gave us a chance to look around a little, upstairs in the Crystal Ballroom there was a Chamber Music concert going on. The room is enclosed in glass overlooking Lake St Clair, Oh What A View! The lights flashed in the lobby, our cue the second act was about to begin. We resumed our seats, and watched the conclusion of the show. Jekyll & Hyde The Musical runs until January 28. If you can’t catch this show, be sure to click on the website for the upcoming season. The Grosse Pointe Theatre offers a great theatre experience in a lovely venue at a fair price. Check it out !

Mack Ave is lined with restaurants, retail and service businesses, BluFin Sushi resides on Mack in Grosse Pointe Farms. This unassuming little storefront is identifiable by its thatch roofed awning and lionesque figures flanking the door. Inside is a cozy space with seating for 22, the focal point being the sushi counter. If you don’t like sushi, that’s ok, the menu also caters to seafood and meat-eaters, with several categories to choose from such as appetizers and sliders. It was difficult to choose; we had selected off the regular menu only to see the specials board afterward. One quick chat with the sushi chef, and we were all set. We had four different rolls, besides the cucumber/avocado roll, we don’t know the names of the others, as we had let the chef decide for us. The platter arrived and we immediately dug in, each roll being different in flavors and textures, they were all delicious. We’d go as far as to say it was some of the best sushi we had ever eaten. This is not the place to go when you have a big group, but for a quiet night out it’s perfect.

If you grew up in Detroit you have surely heard of Sanders; for many, the first thing that comes to mind is their delectable Hot Fudge Cream Puff. Since 1875 Fred Sanders genius of making candy and fudge toppings have brought smiles to millions of faces. His original retail shop was located in downtown Detroit, in addition to the fountain service they also made light lunches. At its peak Sanders ran 57 stores in the metro area. I guess like many things the popularity ran its course and the stores began to disappear. Over the last decade there has been a bit of a resurgence and Sanders stores have begun to re-appear (lucky for us!) As a matter of fact there is a Sanders on Kercheval in The Village of Grosse Pointe; it seemed the perfect way to cap off a great afternoon. We already knew what we were getting, a Pecan Titan with Butter Pecan Ice cream: 2 scoops of ice cream topped generously with hot fudge, hot caramel, and toasted pecans….so good! This retail store carries a full line of Sanders candy, toppings and baked goods, doesn’t a piece of Bumpy Cake sound good right about now? We polished off our sundae and glasses of water, content as could be. There are several stores throughout the metro area again, Sanders is a true Detroit original.

Tags: Blufin Sushi, Detroit Blog, Grosse Pointe Theatre, Russell Alger Jr House, Sanders, War Memorial

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Categories Visit

DETROIT: Dakota Inn Rathskeller, The Redford Theatre

6 Jan

It was the weekend before Christmas, It’s A Wonderful Life was playing at the Historic Redford Theatre; old theatre, old movie, we had to go somewhere old for dinner. The Dakota Inn Rathskeller fit the bill perfectly. Opened by Karl Kurz in 1933 the Dakota Inn exudes Bavarian charm; servers wear traditional German-style clothing, dark wood paneling and furniture combined with stone block walls, wrought iron and German style chandeliers give this place an old-world feeling. Family pictures and animal heads hang on the walls, a collection of beer steins are scattered about, hand-painted German scenes fill the faux arch windows.

Along with its delicious food the Dakota Inn is famous for its sing-alongs. In the main dining area what looks like a huge wooden barrell lays on its side as a stage, as the piano that sits inside is played, a man with a long pointer taps out the words to the song that hang on a plaque on a nearby wall. The first time Kris and I were here we had a great time and told our parents all about the place. Come to find out my parents had been regulars at the sing-alongs in the early 60’s, Kris’s parents had dined there maybe a decade earlier. We had the opportunity to take them there, each was amazed by the fact that time had changed nothing at the Dakota Inn.

We had arrived well before the sing-along, we needed to be at the theatre at 7:30, so there was enough time to have dinner before people with reservations would start filtering in. We always have to have an order of potato pancakes, they are scrumptious, puffy and loaded with shredded potatoes, we like ours with sour cream. You can’t miss with the Jager Schnitzel, tender pork cutlet breaded and fried, topped with mushroom sauce, served with mashed potatoes, vegetables and soup or salad. Ok, here’s the thing, you can’t have soup OR salad at the Dakota Inn; they have this incredibly delicious hot bacon dressing, so the salad is a no-brainer, but they also make a Reuben soup that is out of this world; a cream based soup with chunks of corned beef and cabbage, topped with swiss cheese and pumpernickel croutons, you have to try it! The restaurant is still owned by the Kurz family and is operated by the second and third generation. It’s nice to know some things never change! Next time your looking for a good German meal you know where to go. Super Yum !

The Redford Theatre opened January 28, 1928 as a neighborhood movie theatre. The architectural design was unique in that it was done in a Japanese garden motif. I came to know The Redford Theatre on my Birthday many years ago. Kris was taking me out, but I didn’t know where to. I love old movies, especially musicals; I grew up on a steady diet of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Busby Berkley and George and Ira Gershwin. Stars like Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Shirley Jones and Debbie Reynolds seemed like old friends, black and white or Technicolor, I thought they were all wonderful. So when we pulled up to the Redford Theatre’s marquee with the words “Tonight: Dean Martin and Judy Holliday in Bells Are Ringing”, I couldn’t wait to get inside.

We bought our tickets outside at the ticket booth the proceeded inside to the outer lobby. Two people handled the job of taking tickets, tearing them in half, and returning half to patrons. The space was clearly in the restoration process, a glass case for donations was half full of paper dollars and change. What work had been done gave insight to how lovely it would be when completed. We passed through the red doors to the lobby and concession area,the first thing I noticed were the chandeliers. Hanging from the second floor barrel vaulted ceiling, they are constructed of glass panels painted with a delicate bird design, lit from the inside they have a scalloped edge that is also studded with small lights. There are medallions where each intersects the ceiling. A carpeted stairway on each side leads to balcony seating and are connected by a walkway that overlooks the lobby. As for the concession stand, a group of volunteers wait on customers handing them popcorn, soft drinks, and other movie theatre treats like Snow Caps, Twizzlers and Dots. You haven’t seen prices like this for decades! While we were milling about the lobby checking things out I heard the Barton Theatre Organ come to life, what was that they were playing? Let Me Call You Sweetheart….We poked our heads into the theatre just as a group of senior citizens started to sing along, men and women with grey hair and lined faces held hands and sang the words. Right then I was hooked!

We ascended the left stairway to find seats in the balcony, once situated we sat back and enjoyed the rest of the organ overture. When 8pm came the curtain opened and an old Bugs Bunny cartoon began to play on the screen, yes, just like the old days, they show a cartoon before the main feature. As for “Bells are Ringing”, it was teriffic, a little singing, a little dancing, light-hearted and fun. As we left the Redford that night with “Just In Time” playing in my head I knew we had found some place special.

We have continued coming to the Redford for years, we have brought friends who then came back and brought more friends. Once we took both sets of parents to see the Wizard Of Oz, how cool is that? The restoration has continued and looks marvelous; new carpet and seats, stencils have been repainted. Keeping with the outdoor Japanese Garden theme the ceiling is painted like the sky; pale blue with puffy white clouds, and the best part, it is filled with twinkling stars. Extending out from the walls on each side of the stage area pagoda-style tile roofs, figures in Asian dress are also painted on the walls. The Redford never sat empty, so they are lucky enough to still have the original Barton theatre organ, complete with dragons. On this night Christmas decorations gave the theatre a festive glow, old train sets traveled through a tiny village and a tall tree filled with lights sat on the stage. When the evening was over the song Auld Lang Syne filled our heads, and we thought, yes, it is A Wonderful Life.

Tickets for films are only $4.00, show times are Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm, with the organ overture beginning at 7:30. The Saturday matinee is at 2:00pm, with a 1:30 overture. The prices at the concession stand are low, making it an affordable night out. They have a 50/50 drawing during the intermission that includes cash and prizes. This is an all volunteer organization, all the money from the concession, tickets and 50/50 goes towards the restoration and maintenance of this historic gem.Through the years we have seen the attendance grow as a new and younger audience discover this special place. For us this night was as close as we could get to actually going back in time. Click on the link to see the film schedule, there’s sure to be an old movie you’d like to see!

Tags: Dakota Inn Rathskeller, Detroit Blog, German food in Detroit, Historic Movie Theatre, Redford Theatre, Vintage movies

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Categories Visit

Christmas At Historic Trinity, Elwood Bar & Grill

3 Jan

Located on Gratiot near Eastern Market is Historic Trinity Lutheran Church. Each December on the Saturday before Christmas they hold a Christmas Open House and German Market; we have gone a few times now, and I look forward to it every year. The architectural style of the church is 16th Century Pier-and Clerestory Gothic, it is opulent, magnificent and impressive. Erected in 1931, it has been the cathedral church for Detroit Lutheranism since its inception. The building is constructed of granite and Indiana limestone, the tower itself is a copy of the tower of the Monastery of Erfurt Germany, and soars 104 feet into the sky.

Once inside you will find the beauty of the church awe-inspiring. The alter rises 24 feet high and is the focal point; oak is intricately carved depicting bible figures and stories, the alter stone and baptismal font made of Botticino Marble from Italy are elegant. The light fixtures are amazing, large in stature and majestic looking they came from the Martin-Gibson Company of Detroit. The stained glass windows are incredible; designed and made by Henry Lee Willet of the Willet Glass Company of Philadelphia, the colors are vibrant jewel-tones that vary in intensity with the exterior light, the contrast between the stone walls and multi-colored windows is striking. The “Ruth” window is the only one of the twelve windows that bears Henry Willet’s signature. The Nave seats 300, if you have a seat in one of the pews you will notice all figures and decoration are scaled above eye-level, it was planned this way as to not distract from the ceremony of mass, I have to admit, I would still find myself looking up and about at the splendor of my surroundings. The original organ, a Skinner from Boston sits above in a loft, the organ pipes are are mounted on the wall to the left. To our delight the organist played Christmas melodies, treating us to the sounds only a pipe organ can make. The ceiling is a masterpiece of wood beams hand painted in traditional German patterns, get a good look at them from the second level.

Being the Christmas season, the church decorations are glorious! Holiday banners jut out from the side walls of the nave, a towering Christmas tree sits near the alter decked out in multi-color L E D lights, it is quite a sight. The decorations continue throughout the church; all together there are over 50 decorated Christmas Trees, 650 Angels, 250 Creches, and a variety of other decorations and doll houses. This is all spread out over several levels, be sure and go up to the organ loft, the overview of the church is stunning. The Christmas German Market is located on the second level, and worth every stair you climb. Large round tables are set up giving you a chance to sit and indulge in the free cookies, coffee and punch provided. A table selling traditional Christmas goodies such as Stollen and Strudel is always surrounded by eager customers waiting in line to buy some to take home to family and friends. Other tables sell specialty foods and imported items, you can even sit down and learn to make German paper crafts. Music was being played by the Motor City Sax Quartet and gave the room a festive feel.

There are many hallways and rooms to wander through, we like to take our time so we don’t miss anything. Tiny details are everywhere; a pretty light fixture at the end of a hall, Pewabic Pottery tiles scattered about in the floor, the stone pulpit and brass collection plates. The acoustics of the church are wonderful, I can only imagine how terrific a choir would sound. If you ever have the chance to visit, don’t pass it up.

The Elwood Bar and Grill is a 1936 Art Deco diner that sits on the corner of Adams and Brush behind the Comerica Park scoreboard. Originally located at the corner of Elizabeth and Woodward, which is how it got its name: El(izabeth)Wood(ward), owner Chuck Forbes had it moved in 1997 to it’s present location to make room for Comerica Park. This place is great! From the exterior of cream and blue enameled steel to the interior of light wood, terazzo entry way and globe shaped light fixtures, this place screams Art Deco. We parked for free at the adjacent parking structure and went inside for some lunch. After we arrived it started to get busy, as their was a matinee at the Gem/Century theatre. We sat at a high-top table near the window and looked over the menu, we decided on the Sunrise Salad: baby spinach and spring mix, topped with cashews, almonds, mandarin oranges, blood oranges and poppy seed dressing; the portion was large and it was very tasty. We also had the Club sandwich served on herb foccacia: along with the usual “club” fillings they put a wasabi aoli on it for a nice kick. The sandwich was large, enough to split, along with a generous portion of fresh hand-cut fries, soooo goood! The place underwent a complete restoration after it was moved; from the unique enameled steel fascade to the interior, Chuck Forbes always does things right. When you enter Elwood there is a cool terazzo floor with the year 1936 inlaid, if you look up there is a recessed map showing the streets of downtown where Forbes owns properties in the city; The Gem and Century, The Palms/State/Fillmore, The Colony Club and of course The Elwood. On a nice day you can sit outdoors, even better when the Tigers are in town, you can hear the game from the patio. Be sure and check the website for hours as they change from season to season. Next time you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind place for a meal, a snack, or a drink, check out the Elwood Bar and Grill.

Tags: Art Deco in Detroit, Elwood Bar & Grill, Historic Churches Detroit, Historic Trinity, Lutheran Cathedral, visit detroit

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Categories Eat, Visit

Detroit: Historic Boston Edison Holiday Home Tour

27 Dec

Detroit is home to several historic neighborhoods; through the years some of these neighborhoods have put together annual home tours, one of my favorites is the Boston-Edison Holiday Home Tour. The Boston Edison Historic District is made up of over 900 single family homes encompassing four streets: W. Boston Blvd, Chicago Blvd, Longfellow and Edison between Woodward and Linwood. Most of the homes were built between 1905-1925, popular architectural styles of the time include: English Tudor Revival, Greek Revival, French Provincial, Italian Renaissance and Prairie style. The location of the neighborhood and close proximity to Henry Ford Hospital made it a desirable place to live, many of the wealthy movers and shakers of Detroit took residence here: Henry Ford, SS Kresge, B Siegel, Horace Rackam, Ira Grinell, James Couzens, Ty Cobb, 4 of the 7 Fisher brothers, Joe Louis, Berry Gordy, and Walter Briggs, to name a few…….They say that Mr. Sanders and Mr. Vernors, who both lived on Boston Blvd, one day combined Sanders Vanilla Ice Cream and Vernors ginger ale, they liked it so much they decided to name the concoction after their shared street, thus creating The Boston Cooler.

The home tour is a fundraiser for the Boston Edison association, proceeds go to their general fund, with a portion put aside for beautification projects in the neighborhood. This is a well organized tour; tickets are only sold in advance, you choose your tour time when you order your tickets. The tour begins at Sacred Heart Seminary; here you check in and trade your ticket for a tour book, at your designated tour time you climb aboard an awaiting school bus that takes you to all five homes. Tours are limited to 30 people, you have your own personal tour guide who actually lives in the neighborhood, they can tell some great stories! As the bus travels through neighborhood streets your guide will point out significant houses; The Charles T Fisher house at 18,000 sq ft is the largest house in Boston-Edison, the SS Kresge home built in 1914 in the Mediterranean Villa style is the largest lot in the neighborhood, on your left is the former home of JL Hudson, you get the idea…..the list of families who lived here is quite impressive.

We had brought along a friend who is working on getting her architecture license, we were sure she would enjoy the homes as much as we would. Our first stop was on Longfellow Ave, a charming 3-story home built in 1920. Purchased only 4 months ago, the current owners have done a lovely job making it their own. The Pewabic tile fireplace surround is superb. Over to Boston Blvd next, first occupied in 1920, the current owners have lived here for two years, this house still has its original built in Frigidaire, and a stunning Pierpont mirror in the upstairs hall.The decorative plaster in the living room is splendid and gives the room a formal feel. Chicago Blvd was next, this home was built in 1919 in the Georgian Revival style, current owners have lived here since 1994. Through the years they have done an amazing job keeping the original features of the home while personalizing it, they have wonderful whimsical collections all through the house. This home retains its original tile roof and window shutters. Just across the street was house #4, a gorgeous English Tudor built in 1928. I have a soft spot for the Tudor style, and this one took my breath away. Heavily textured plaster work throughout the home, the fireplace mantel and surround in the living room features an intricate design that matches the molding around the ceiling, the dining room boasts 2 sets of french doors and a raised plaster design that forms a ring on the ceiling. The current homeowners bought the house five years ago. The last home on the tour was on Edison Ave, built in 1914 the current owner has lived here since 2003. While the exterior is an example of American Eclectic style, the interior has definite Arts and Crafts influences, another style I love. I’d have to say the dining room was my favorite room in the house, the Arts and Crafts style prevailed here, from the stained glass light over the dining room table, to the furniture itself and the leaded glass windows. The french doors leading to the living room carry over the same leaded glass pattern as the windows and are enchanting. I was glad to see our friend was as enthused as we were in each home. Many people are unaware of the the array of historic homes and neighborhoods in Detroit.

After visiting the last home on the tour, our bus took us back to Sacred Heart Seminary; here we could have cookies in the Cardinal Mooney room, and check out old photos of the historic district and it residents. When finished, we walked down the hall to the seminary chapel. Bishop Gallagher had the seminary built in 1924 in the English Tudor and Gothic architectural style. The chapel itself is Gothic and features stunning stained glass windows imported from Munich Germany. The Fisher brothers were chief donors in the building of the sanctuary, I would say no expense was spared. The sanctuary furniture, choir stalls and credence table are all carved from solid oak, the craftsmanship is incredible. The floor from the front pew forward to the wall is Pewabic Tile, I have never seen it so shiny! The sanctuary window above the alter is a true piece of religious art, I can’t imagine how astonishing it would look with the bright sun shining through it. It’s the kind of place you walk in and the pure sight of it makes you draw in a breath, after staring for a little bit you begin to breathe normally again. I have been in here maybe a dozen times and I still do that. I like to take a seat near the entrance and watch the look on people’s faces as they enter the chapel, everybody seems to have the same reaction, like they can’t believe what they are seeing. Every inch of the chapel is beautiful, from the ceiling panels and chandeliers to the alter piece and floor.

The cookies seemed to rev up our appetite, we wanted to take our friend somewhere she had never been for lunch before, so we chose Traffic Jam & Snug on Canfield and Second. The menu is huge and vegetarian friendly so everybody can find something they like here. Inside there seemed to be a buzz, it was more crowded than the typical Sunday afternoon, then I remembered: Traffic Jam was recently featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This place is wonderful; the large interior is decorated in an eclectic style, vintage items hang on the walls and sit on shelves. They have their own in-house bakery, micro-brewery, and dairy….they make their own beer, cheese and ice cream! Traffic Jam was actually the very first Brew Pub in the state of Michigan. We were seated in a roomy booth and given the task of deciding what to eat, they have their regular menu and a specials menu, they don’t make it easy do they?

Between the three of us we ordered the Traverse City Salad, the Tex-Mex Lentil Burger, and the Pork Loin Kamatsu Salad. The Kamatsu Salad was featured on D,D & Dives; it’s a panko encrusted pork loin pan fried, topped with salad greens, arugula, berries and red onion. It is dressed with a fresh herb vinaigrette and garnished with hot sauce jelly beans, it is excellent! The pork loin is fork tender and the combination of flavors really works. The burger was large and very tasty, as was the TC Salad. Kris enjoyed a cocktail and we girls reveled in the house brewed Java Porter. It has that nice deep porter color and flavors of coffee and chocolate, so good! Our favorite Traffic Jam dessert is the Carlotta Chocolatta; a slice of rich chocolate cheesecake topped with the best coffee ice cream I’ve had, all doused in house made dark chocolate hot fudge. Though our mouths said “get it”, sadly none of us had any room to spare in our stomachs. There’s always next time!

Tags: Boston Edison Home Tour, Gothic Architecture in Detroit, Historic Chapel, Historic home tour, Historic Neighborhood, Sacred Heart Seminary, visit detroit

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Categories Happenings

Rochester’s Big Bright Light Show!

23 Dec

For the last six years the city of Rochester has been putting on an extraordinary light show from Thanksgiving weekend until January 1st. You’re probably picturing a typical Main Street scene with old-fashioned light posts wrapped in garlands, holiday wreaths and those lighted plastic outlines of figures, well stop right there, this is no typical Main Street display!!

Every year Kris and I get to downtown Rochester at least a couple of times to see the lights. For block after block illuminated buildings line Main Street as cars drive up and down from just south of the bridge on Rochester Rd to Romeo Rd. Oddly enough parking is never too hard, and I prefer walking the sidewalk and peeking in shop windows over simply driving by. The first time I saw it I was mesmerized; I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard Of Oz when she went from the black and white of her house into the Technicolor of Munchkin land. Remember years ago when Warren Beatty made the Dick Tracy movie using all of the comic strip colors? That’s sort of what it’s like. Each building is covered from top to bottom in LED lights, each one is a different color, most are solid colors but a few buildings are the multi-color. It’s quite a sight; red, yellow and purple colored shops, the blue gives off an interesting glow, orange, green and multi color, all are beautiful and festive. Stand in place and take in the street scape, I feel as though I am in a make-believe world. The city of Rochester website claims they have over 1.5 million lights, I believe it.

After we walked a little bit we stopped in at Sumo Sushi for dinner. There are very few places outside of Detroit that we eat at; Sumo is one of our favorites, their sushi is excellent! We start off with a house salad, crisp chunks of iceberg lettuce topped with carrots, cucumbers, and ginger dressing. Next up is the Age Dage Tofu; cubes of tofu with a crunchy coating deep-fried and sitting in a bowl of tempura, so good. If you’d like to try tofu, this is a good dish to start with. Our sushi arrived looking appetizing and pretty. Spicy California roll, Cucumber and Avocado Roll and a Veggie Heaven, this one is uniquely tasty; a tempura roll of mushroom and avocado sitting on a bed of ginger sauce, topped with sweet soy and spicy mayo, a vegetarian’s dream come true. We have liked every roll we ever tried here, everything is super fresh. The wait staff is generally made up of enthusiastic 20-somethings that are friendly and attentive.

The street was less crowded after we ate, better for taking pictures. Again we walked up and down Main, this time at a more leisurely pace. Store front windows have gorgeous displays of Christmas trees, Poinsettia, sparkling ornaments, and darling little elves. Merchandise is arranged in eye-catching arrangements making me wish the store was still open so I could wander inside. The Big Bright Light Show continues down 4th Street from Walnut to Water, corner buildings are decorated on two sides. The lights come on at 6pm, they turn them off at midnight. From Christmas eve through Christmas day they will be lit 24 hours. There are plenty of restaurants lining the street, and you can grab a coffee or hot chocolate at Bean & Leaf to keep you warm as you look around. Come on out to Rochester for a magical light-filled evening.

Tags: Christmas Lights in Metro Detroit, Downtown Rochester, Sumo Sushi, The Big Bright Light Show

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Categories Happenings

DETROIT: The Gem Theatre

20 Dec

Keeping with the Christmas spirit, we planned an afternoon with friends to see The All Night Strut Holiday Show at the historic Gem Theatre. The Gem and Century have a fascinating history; The 20th Century Club was built in 1903 by a prominent group of civic-minded women in Detroit, it was actually the first building permit issued in a woman’s name in the city, 24 years later the Century Club completed construction of the adjoining building, the Little Theatre. In 1928 the theatre was leased to the Motion Picture Guild, which operated the Little Theatre Chain, the theatre showed the first foreign film in Detroit. In 1933, because of the Depression, the women’s group was forced to leave the building. A beer garden then leased the rooms of the Century Building, it was called The Russian Bear, complete with a Russian menu and balalaika music, it operated throughout the 40’s.Through the years The Little Theatre had seven names including the Rivoli, Drury Lane, the Europa, and the Vanguard Playhouse. During the time it was the Vanguard, the theatre housed the professional residential theatre company founded by George C Scott. The Vanguard Playhouse continued to put on experimental theatre into the 60’s. In 1967 it was renamed the Gem and operated as an adult movie house, that closed in 1978. In 1984 Chuck Forbes purchased the Gem Theatre for $5,000, he also purchased the 20th Century Club; after an 18 month, $2.5 million dollar restoration the building was returned to its original Spanish Revival-style magnificence, on New Year’s Eve 1991 the Gem Theatre officially re-opened. When plans were announced to build Comerica Park and Ford Field the Gem and Century once again faced demolition. Fortunately for all of us the building completed it’s five block move to its current location on November 10, 1997, breaking the Guinness Book World Records as the heaviest building ever moved on wheels. The Gem Theatre celebrated its grand re-opening in the fall of 1998.

We arrived at the Gem and parked in the structure behind it for free. A walk around to the front reminded me of what an elegant building this is; reddish-brown brick with lots of stone details, the Gem has a wide entrance for theatre patrons arriving for a show. Three windows with elaborate stone work and balconies add drama to the facade. Six steps take you up to the lobby with its gorgeous pewabic tile floor and wainscoting, wooden beams and golden-colored walls give this area a cozy feeling. Enter the magnificent cube shaped theatre itself; the carpet was re-created from scraps of the original found in the basement, the opulent lighting fixtures and theatre seats were salvaged from the Ambassador Theatre in St Louis. The main floor features 4-person cabaret-style tables, the mezzanine is made up of 250 red velvet seats. Exquisite ceiling and proscenium panels have been reproduced in gold, ruby and sapphire, it’s absolutely amazing!

We grabbed ourselves a drink from the adjoining bar in the Century, took our seats, and the show began. The All Night Strut has played off and on at the Gem since 1991 and it’s always a hit. Four singers take you back in time to the 1930’s and 40’s with songs like Chattanooga Choo Choo, White Cliffs of Dover, Minnie The Moocher and I’ll Be Seeing You. Dressed in vintage clothing, they look perfectly at home in this beautiful historic theatre. From the first song on you will be totally entertained, they sing, they dance, they make you forget all the things you may have been thinking about when you entered the building. After the intermission a large sleigh was placed on stage, the actors were now wearing Christmas outfits, and the songs were holiday favorites. While the quartet sang and danced three musicians were also on stage playing the music live; there was a piano, bass and drums, they were awesome as well. Time flew by quickly and before I knew it the show was over.

With Christmas songs still playing in my head we drove over to Broadway for dinner at Angelina’s Italian Bistro. The four of us walked in the door to an empty restaurant, the host asked us if we had reservations, I looked around and thought “do we really need them?” Turns out many of the tables were reserved as Detroit theater was hopping! Between The All Night Strut at the Gem, Sister’s Christmas Catechism at the Century and Wicked at the Opera house, reservations were a good idea! We sat at a table by the window and watched the rain come down, it was just before 5pm but because of the weather it looked much later. The dining room is floor to ceiling windows, in the summer they open them up making it feel as if you are eating outdoors. Overlooking Grand Circus Park, The Detroit Opera House and Comerica Park, there is always something going on. The restaurant has a contemporary look and feel to it, in addition to tables they have a full bar that seats 35 and serves up many of Detroit’s local brews. The menu is filled with appetizers, small plates, house made pastas, pizzas and full entrees. At our table we enjoyed the Bibb Lettuce Salad; candied almonds, grapefruit and red onions over a bed of tender bibb lettuce, dressed with a tasty honey mustard vinaigrette. The Smoked Chicken Pizza was delicious; basil pesto on a thin parmesan crust with smoked chicken, mozzarella and caramelized red onion, excellent. One of our friends ordered the Seafood Risotto, it looked wonderful with plump shrimp and scallops in addition to the vegetables, he said it was very good. Oh, and I can’t forget the Butternut Squash Ravioli, simply to die for.

It was such a lovely way to spend a day; good friends, a good show, and good food. If only every day could be like this! Both the Gem and the Century offer wonderful entertainment in a spectacular atmosphere. Adult beverages and small plates are available before and during show times. In addition, the Century Club serves lunch and dinner at The Century Grille Restaurant located on the lower floor. The All Night Strut Holiday Show runs from now until December 31, don’t miss it! As they say….Have A Kool Yule!

Tags: Angelina's Italian Bistro, Dinner Theatre, Historic Theatre, The Gem & Century Club, visit detroit

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Categories Visit

DETROIT: Noel Night

15 Dec

Each year Kris and I look forward to Noel Night in Midtown Detroit’s University Cultural Center. It takes place the first Saturday in December, from 5:00-9:30 pm, this year was the 39th annual. Noel Night is one of those things you really have to experience for yourself, for as hard as I try to describe what an amazing event it is, I can’t do it justice.

We started the evening with cocktails and Dim Sum at Shangri-La on Cass Ave, it was just after 4 and the place was already jumping. Fellow patrons were perusing their Noel Night program to try to decide how to cram in as many activities possible in the allotted time frame, it’s impossible to do everything! We started by walking a few blocks over to the DIA, in addition to the spectacular collection of art, the museum was hosting all kinds of entertainment and activities. You could decorate Gingerbread cookies, listen to a marching band, do some gift shopping in the Museum Shop, have a photo taken with Santa, watch a dance ensemble or like us have a seat in Rivera Court and listen to Paul King & The Rhythm Society Orchestra. The band is huge, the music classic big band, and the venue, wow! If you’ve never seen a big band perform in person, you don’t know what you’re missing, it’s like going back in time. The full band will play and then individual soloists stand and play their part, always followed by a loud round of applause from the audience, the music takes you over, you can’t help but tap your toe and smile.

When they finished we scooted out the back entrance, crossed John R to the CCS Student and Alumni Art Sale at the Walter B Ford Building. If you like to shop, and are looking for something unique, this is a great stop. It takes place over 3 floors of the building, it’s always crowded. Prices are fair, the variety of mediums is great, and the students love it when you buy something. Outdoors on the campus were blacksmithing and glass blowing demonstrations, the temperature was quite comfortable, so you could watch without freezing. Next over to the Scarab Club on Farnsworth, I love this building, the brick and stone exterior is gorgeous, the second floor is my favorite; a gorgeous fireplace and large wooden beams make it feel cozy. WSU Press was having a Holiday Book Sale, artist designed wreaths were for sale, you could grab a hot cocoa or have something off the Caucus Club menu. We walked through the open artist studios located on the third floor before making our way back down the stairs and through the exit.

We breezed into the International Institute on Kirby, they were between performances, so we browsed the Holiday Bazaar and then it was back outdoors. Just a couple of doors down is the Hellenic Museum of Michigan, we had never been, so we took a peek. The House itself is beautiful, the woodwork is dark, the staircase curving and elegant. We enjoyed a glass of punch and a few cookies as we looked at pretty pictures of Greece, then it was time to move on. The next block over is Ferry Street, here a group of restored Victorian homes makes up The Inn on Ferry Street, Detroit’s premier Bed and Breakfast establishment. We have had the pleasure of staying here, I highly recommend it; the homes are impeccable, the service top-notch. No two rooms are the same, and each is stunning. Two houses were open to the public to ramble through, potential guests wandered in and out of standard rooms and suites trying to decide which one they’d choose as holiday music by Trio Fiori played softly in the background. Out back one of the carriage houses was open, you could purchase a beer, and have a seat to regain your momentum. We had never seen the rooms above before, so that was a treat. We dashed into the Park Shelton, a new shop just opened on the first floor called The Peacock Room, selling new and vintage clothing and accessories, the shop was a hit with visitors. The space it occupies is lovely; ornately detailed plaster, large arch shaped mirrors, and elegant marble floors. The Park Shelton has really come to life in the last couple of years with a mix of retail, Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes, and a new coffee shop, so good to see!

You may have noticed by now the amount of activities to do and buildings to see is staggering. We like to jump around from place to place, but others may spend the entire evening at one place. We crossed Woodward and listened to a church bell choir at the Bank One Plaza outside the Detroit Historical Museum, this group is great, we always try to make time to catch a couple of songs. Inside the museum was packed, they had several choirs performing throughout the evening in addition to the Sweet Adelines and a dance performance. We zipped across Kirby to the Detroit Public Library, if you’ve never been, this is another building you need to see, the architecture is fantastic! The original structure was built in 1921, be sure and climb the marble stairs to the third floor; the ceiling detail is out-of-this-world. Don’t leave without visiting Strohm Hall, it’s exquisite. The building was bustling with activity, singers, dancers, a puppet show, Thornetta Davis performed in the auditorium. Remember, all of this is yours for FREE.

We went in and out of beautiful, historic buildings all night long, we saw breath-taking churches and decorative art work, we listened to children’s choirs, talented musicians and Christmas carols being sung on Woodward Ave. There were crowds of people smiling and having a good time, little ones sat on Santa’s knee and asked for their hearts desire. We had cookies and wine, popcorn and punch. We saw the African-American History Museum decked out in holiday lights, a live nativity scene and the Green Garage. Yet we still didn’t come close to seeing all there was to see. Noel Night is the best event of the entire holiday season; it’s authentic Christmas without commercialization.

The activities ended at 9:30 pm, so it would be a late dinner for us. You can always count on something being open late in southwest Detroit, so we hopped in the car and headed for Mi Pueblo. We have favorite dishes at each restaurant we frequent, at Mi Pueblo it’s their Botana. We ordered a small one with no meat, added a llomo tostada, and a tinga taco, with all the snacking we did this would be enough for two. Everything arrived simultaneously, it looked scrumptious. The botana is a stack of corn chips smothered in melted white cheese and refried beans, then it is topped with tomato, onion, green pepper, pickled jalapeno and avocado, it’s incredible. Llomo is spicy pulled pork, tinga is spicy pulled chicken, both were excellent. We sat there eating our spicy and salty dinner washing it all down with icy cold diet coke, thinking, Life Is Good!

Tags: Christmas in Detroit, Detroit Blog, DIA, Midtown Detroit, University Cultural Center

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Categories Happenings

A Night On The Town: Baker’s Keyboard Lounge Detroit

12 Dec

Weeks ago Kris was checking schedules and found a show at Bakers Keyboard Lounge we’d both enjoy, the square representing that Friday on our calendar was blank, so I quickly filled it in. We had the perfect place in mind to have dinner beforehand. The area of Livernois from 6 to 8 Mile Rd is known as the Avenue of Fashion. This commercial boulevard was the place to shop back in the day; storefront after storefront offered the finest fashions and accessories. Though still fashion-oriented this area of Livernois is now home to multiple galleries, independent businesses, cafes and Restaurants. 1917 American Bistro is located on Livernois at Outer Drive and is a great place to dine and listen to live music. We arrived before the rush, parking is offered in an adjacent lot or on street, we were greeted as we walked in the door and seated immediately. The dining area feels light and airy, large pieces of original artwork hang on the walls, the band was setting up in the front window space. The menu has a nice variety of entree’s, as we watched plates being delivered to tables we noticed the catfish was extremely popular. Offered Cajun style or blackened, both looked delicious so we ordered a piece of each, served with smashed potatoes and vegetable, we added the Veggie Stir Fry and shared both dishes. The catfish was fantastic, the Cajun had a wonderful crunch to it, the fillet itself was delicate and moist, the Cajun spice adding just the right kick. The blackened is smothered in spice and cooked in a cast iron pan, cooked perfectly it flaked easily with a fork and had wonderful flavor. The smashed potatoes had a hint of garlic that was just right, the veggie stir fry was excellent; fresh vegetables tastefully seasoned, cooked just right retaining a bit of crunch, piled high on a bed of rice, delicious! As we ate we noticed a line of hungry patrons beginning to form, the music was set to begin shortly. We finished up leaving no room for dessert which was probably a mistake as the selections looked divine, oh well, there’s always next time.

We would spend the rest of the evening at the legendary Baker’s Keyboard Lounge on Livernois in Detroit. Originally named Bakers in 1939, it is said to be the oldest Jazz club in continuous operation in the United States, how cool is that? Opened by the Baker family as a sandwich and beer restaurant in 1934, they soon added entertainment by local pianists. In 1939 son Clarence took over the club after his father suffered a stroke, in addition to local musicians he began booking folks from outside Detroit turning this neighborhood spot into a full fledged Jazz Club with shows nightly. The club was enlarged and in the 50’s the name was changed to Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the club’s trademark was the piano shaped bar with mock piano keys lining the edges, it’s really something to see. Baker’s became a regular stop on the American Jazz Circuit and hosted many Jazz greats; Fats Waller, Tommy Flanagan, John Coltrane, Oscar Peterson, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Woody Herman, Nat King Cole, even Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn sang here. The 7 ft Steinway piano was a gift from Art Tatum who picked it out in New York and had it shipped to Detroit. Liberace even made the trip just to see the infamous bar. I knew that Baker’s had an amazing history, but the more I researched and read on the internet the more fascinated I became. The Baker’s website has a nice piece on the history of the club and is where I garnered much of my information. In 2011 new owners took over BKL and are in the process of bringing it back to life, from what we saw Friday night, they are doing a marvelous job.

Local artist Sky Covington would provide the evening’s entertainment with a Billy Holiday Review. We arrived early, as this intimate venue seats only 99. As soon as we walked in the door I could feel a change; the interior possesses an atmosphere all it’s own, like somehow the walls have absorbed and retained all of the memories of the past decades. We have been here before but I still love to pause and take in the bar, I like to imagine it back in the day when the who’s who of Jazz probably sat here until the wee hours of the morning, having a drink and telling their stories, I picture the room dim and smoky. We continued on and were seated in a tiny three-sided booth facing the stage. It looks just like what you’d imagine if you are a fan of old movies; Tiny booths lining the length of the room, a few cocktail tables set near the stage, towards the back of the room are tables where larger groups can assemble. Old photographs and paintings hang on the walls, the black ceiling is exclusive acoustic tile providing superior sound quality. The band took the stage and began to play, I knew we were in for a treat.

After a couple of numbers by the band which consisted of a piano, drums and upright bass, Sky took the stage. She had a warm rapport with the audience, she began by telling us a little bit about herself and a little bit about Billie, and then she began to sing. What came out of her was the heart of Billie Holiday and the soul of Sky Covington. She did not imitate Billie, though her voice had similar qualities, it was more like her interpretation of Billie. Her voice is clear and soulful, soothing and melodic. The room was becoming increasingly more crowded, many seemed to know her and would stop at the stage for a quick embrace. The first set went by too quickly so we decided to stay for the second. Many visitors used this opportunity to order their dinner; I have never seen so many plates of fried catfish come out of a kitchen! Plates were piled high with golden colored fillets, sides of yams, mac and cheese, fries, and greens accompanied them on large trays. Patrons dug into their late evening meal with a look of satisfaction across their faces. The second set began to a packed house, there was standing room only in the bar. Once again Sky’s voice filled the room with music and emotion. The crowd was more lively by this time and individuals would would talk to the singer from their seats. She performed Billies best know pieces like: My Man, Lover Man, and I Cried For You, her voice draws you in from the first note, songs less familar were equally sensational. We sat there completely engaged for several hours, thoughts never straying from outside the room. The other musicians on stage with Sky were equally talented, the piano player was outstanding, the Bass player, superb, the drummer played effortlessly. Each received loud rounds of applause after individual solo pieces. The entire evening was magnificent, I look forward to our next visit. If you like Jazz, you have to come to Baker’s and experience what Detroiter’s have been lucky enough to have in their own back yard for over 75 years.

Tags: 1917 American Bistro, Avenue of Fashion, Bakers Keyboard Lounge, Jazz in Detroit, visit detroit

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Categories Visit

Ferndale Funky Finds

7 Dec

Thanksgiving had passed, to get in the holiday shopping mode we took a drive over to downtown Ferndale. Located off the Woodward corridor this hip, urban city has a little bit of everything. Earlier in the year The Rust Belt Market took over the space formerly occupied by the Old Navy Outlet, we have been curious to see what it is all about, so it was our first stop. It was pouring rain, like every other car driving around we were hoping for a close parking place, we found one not too far from the entrance. We noticed many other people heading to the Belt and wondered if there was something special going on inside.

Pass through the entrance and you immediately know that yes, there is something special going on. A young couple took this large, mundane retail space and have worked a little magic. Completely unrecognizable as it’s former chain retail self, the interior has been transformed into a year round home for artists and entrepreneurs. A platform sits near the center and is a stage for musicians who perform each weekend. When we arrived a young woman with a lovely voice sat at the piano and played her songs; the volume was perfect, you could clearly enjoy her performance and still carry on a conversation with vendors. This is no Flea Market or Consignment Shop, there are no cheap or imported goods sold at the Belt. The vendors are hand picked, each vendor or shop, as I like to think of it, is run by the owner; the people who make the product are the same ones selling it.

I was completely taken in as soon as I came in the door; the set-up is very appealing, each little shop has it’s own distinct look, the aisles are easy to navigate without being set up in straight rows, the variety is fantastic. The goods offered are high quality and unique, yes there are vintage items but they are collections sold by people who collect and curate full time. Artists sell stunning paintings and photography, designers of jewelry and clothing show off their talents, one shop sells americana and vintage items unique to Michigan and Detroit; how about a candle made from an old Town Club pop bottle? I saw jewelery made from typewriter keys and old silverware, gorgeous carved clay tiles, handmade soaps and lip balms inspired by classic cocktails, people are so creative!

No market is complete without edible offerings, we grabbed some cookies from Butter & Flour & Sugar, oatmeal white chocolate with cranberries, Yum ! The Belt is also home to Henrietta Haus Coffee Roasters, Perkins Pickles, Pete’s chocolate from Hamtramck, and the place that stopped me in my tracks: Rock City Pies…..Yes, I literally stopped and stared at these awe-inspiring pies for about a minute, then of course I took a step closer so I could look some more. Whole pies are displayed in covered glass plates, you can buy them by the slice or take a whole one home. If I remember correctly they had Pecan Bourbon, Salted Caramel Apple, Pumpkin Whiskey, and a Cranberry something, it had a few slices removed revealing extraordinary height and a beautiful cranberry colored filling, how’s a person supposed to choose? We hadn’t had dinner yet, so we forced ourselves to walk away and continue considering our options.

I have to say The Rust Belt Market was a wonderful surprise to me, what a fantastic arrangement; 30 vendors every weekend, live music, amazing edibles and endless gift possibilities. I also appreciate the fact that for every dollar I spend here 100% stays in the local economy. The market is open Saturday and Sunday from 11-7, and an occasional Friday for a special event. I will definitely be back.

Looking at all the food made us realize how hungry we were, The Blue Nile just a ways down 9 Mile was calling our names. The restaurant is very attractive inside, soft lighting, beautiful woodwork,and the bright colors and art work of Ethiopia. If you’ve never had Ethiopian food, I highly recommend it; before you try it there are a few things you need to know: First, everyone eats from the same platter, basically it resembles an extra large round pizza pan, it has a layer of injera (Ethiopian bread made from Teff and water) which is then covered by mounds of specialty dishes. Second, you do not use silverware; this is where the injera comes in. Along with the platter you receive a basket of what appears to be large, very thin undercooked pancakes torn in half and folded. This is your fork; tear off a piece, hold it in your hand and scoop up one of the many delicious dishes. We go vegetarian here; yellow split peas cooked till tender in berbere sauce, collard greens, mixed vegetables including potatoes, carrots and green beans, I think the split red lentils are my favorite, delicious with a kick of spice. Don’t hesitate to just dig in and try everything, each dish is unique and flavorful. Kris has to have the Honey Wine with his meal, he says it compliments the seasonings of the vegetables perfectly. I am crazy about the Ethiopian Spiced Tea, there is no cane sugar in Ethiopia so they use a mixture of ingredients like Rose Hips, Cinnamon, Chamomile and citrus peel to make the tea naturally sweet, I like it both hot and cold. When you order the vegeterian feast they will bring you as much as you want, we had 2 servings of everything. Getting out of the booth we realized we should have stopped eating sooner…

A little window shopping was in order to try and walk off some of the fullness. Ferndale has a great mix of unique and independent shops; from apparel and jewelry to health food and home furnishings the shopping is plentiful. There’s a great store called Mother Fletchers, recently having moved a few spaces from their original location, they specialize in vintage clothing and accessories. I love walking up and down the aisles browsing through their well organized selection of goods. After wandering in and out of storefronts we found ourselves back at Rust Belt Market standing in front of, you guessed it, Rock City Pies. As full as we were visions of pie kept taunting us. Lucky for us the market was still open, though there wasn’t even a crumb left of the cranberry, Salted Caramel Apple was still available. We had a piece wrapped to go and made the drive home. Later that evening we indulged in our purchase, scrumptious! The top crust was chewy and almost cookie like, covered with melted caramel and coarse salt, it works perfectly with the sweetness of the thinly sliced apples, this choice was a winner.

Shopping in Ferndale is fun, come see for yourself!

Tags: Blue Nile, Detroit Blog, Ferndale, Rust Belt Market, Shopping in Detroit

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Categories Eat, Shop, Visit

Lansing Michigan

5 Dec

Centrally located in the southern portion of the mitten, is the capitol city of Lansing. Currently Michigan’s 5th largest city, it is home to the Michigan State Capitol Building, the State Supreme Court, the Library of Michigan and Historical Center, Thomas M Cooley Law School (the nations largest law school), various museums, and of course, nearby, Michigan State University. Detroit was originally the capitol of Michigan; In the War of 1812 Detroit was captured by the British, the United States re-captured Detroit in 1813, but fears remained about the capitol city remaining so close to British-controlled Canada. The capitol of Michigan was moved from Detroit to Lansing in 1847.

Faced with another mild November Saturday, we pointed the car west for a day-trip. Located along the banks of the Grand River, downtown Lansing features many of the things you find in a typical city; beautiful historic buildings, museums, a farmers market, little business districts, they also have a delightful zoo. Potter Park Zoo has 20 acres with over 100 different species of animals. It is open year-round, admission is free from November 1 to March 31. Parking in the huge lot was a breeze, being Thanksgiving weekend most folks probably weren’t thinking about visiting the zoo. The exhibits begin pretty close to the entrance and you don’t have a great distance to walk from one resident to the next. The river otters are usually entertaining to watch, unfortunately for us they looked as though they had just eaten a big lunch and were a snuggled in their hollowed log napping, they were still cute. Peacocks wander freely throughout the zoo, you’ll see them everywhere; on the ground, perched on fences, overhead on anything they can rest on. Their colors are stunning, from the classic turquoise and blue to pure white, they seem to get along with everyone. The meerkats were out in number and very active, they behave as though they are as interested in us as we are in them. Since I love animals we always visit the feeding and petting area, or Farmyard Edventures as it is called here. Pigs, burros, chickens, a yak, and goats; I was particularly fond of a very friendly goat with an underbite. Check out the Aviary, besides housing birds it’s a cool old building . All the major animal species are represented; Lions, penguins, rhino’s, 3 new Amur Tiger cubs were born in September. It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors and visit with nature.

The R E Olds Transportation Museum opened to the public in 1981. Located on Museum Drive, it is dedicated to Ransom E Olds; inventor, entrepreneur and financier. Ransom Olds founded 2 local companies: Olds Motor Works in 1897, and REO Motor Company in 1904, you and I would know the latter as simply Oldsmobile. As the museum takes you through the history of the automobiles it also defines the history of Lansing itself, Oldsmobile operated in Lansing for 70 years. In addition to beautiful vintage automobiles, exhibits include personal effects of R E Olds and his family, multiple engines, dealer advertising, and items significant to the city. For a time R E Olds even made lawnmowers! In 1987 they added “Transportation” to the title of the museum, it now includes many of the Lansing area’s contributions to transportation such as wheels and other makes of automobiles. It’s a great museum and surely worth a visit.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE VINTAGE AUTO PHOTOS

You may have noticed by now that we like old things; with that fondness in mind we had lunch at Clara’s on Michigan Avenue. Built in 1903 it was originally the Michigan Central and Pere Marquette Railroad Station, thanks to preservationists it has been turned into a charming restaurant. The outside is Romanesque in design, it’s quite elaborate with cut-stone arches and towers, the inside is enchanting! The interior has a distinctly Victorian feel about it; softly lit by a series of crystal chandeliers and stained glass light fixtures, magnificent antiques reside throughout the space. The cathedral ceiling is made of wood, a bronze chandelier hangs from above. If you climb the steps to the second level you get a wonderful overview. The antique pieces come from a variety of sources; many are local to Lansing, when some of the mansions were torn down, pieces were salvaged and have found a new home at Clara’s. Other pieces have traveled across the Atlantic from places such as Belgium, Venice, Paris and England. Tiny white lights decorate the wooden trim for the holiday season and add even more loveliness. Since it is a restaurant, I guess I should talk about the food….The menu is HUGE, they serve everything from starters, burgers, soups and sandwiches to pizza’s and full entree’s. They also have a large selection of adult beverages. We had the Santa Fe Chicken Salad and it was delicious, the chicken was grilled and tender, the salad itself had a nice variety of ingredients and was nicely dressed. We had a BLT served with their special potatoes; they take a baked potato slice it into thick slices, then deep fry, really good! It was a very enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Before we left town we still had time to stop in at the Lansing City Market. We always enjoy visiting the local farmers market when we are in another city, it’s fun to check out the different local offerings. Sitting alongside the Grand River, the market is housed in a nice size, new, indoor building with places to sit and eat, or just rest for a bit, in the nice weather vendors set up outdoors as well. You can always count on at least a few samples of something sweet at a market, it made for a nice little dessert after our big lunch. Browse the aisles; produce from local farmers, gourmet foods, garden art and jewelry all vie for your attention. Vendors are friendly and like to engage in conversation. Because they not only sell, but either make or grow the product, they can answer any question you may have, that’s always a good thing. Booths were decorated for the holidays making it feel a bit festive. There’s so much to see and do in Lansing, we’ll be back another time to tell you about more. In the mean time, come see it for yourself.

Tags: Car Museum, Clara's, Historic Train Depot, Lansing Michigan, MI Capitol, Potter Park Zoo, RE Olds, Vintage Oldsmobile, Visit MI

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Categories Visit

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