Kalamazoo Beer Exchange (for Dinner)

A few notes before we dive into this exciting post...

1) This is our first sponsored post! Thanks, Downtown Kalamazoo, Inc. for your support of Kalamazoo Foodies. You like us, you really do! ;)

2) I am excited to introduce the newest addition to the Kalamazoo Foodies blogging team... PAUL, aka Mr. Foodie.  Mr. Foodie joins me for most meals, and though he won't accept the title, is also a total foodie. I believe he will bring a great new perspective considering he is male AND he eats red meat - not exclusively, but sometimes. . . like at this meal where he had the meatloaf!

Little Foodie checking out the beer board

What Kate Ate: Bar Chips with House Made French Onion Dip and Roasted Wild Mushroom Crepes

 This was not our first trip to the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange. We went a few years ago for Paul's birthday and had appetizers and beer. We've also been a few other times for drinks. We have always liked the beer menu as we typically are able to find some of our favorites, but had not really had much off the menu. We had a free evening and the opportunity to dine in Downtown Kalamazoo, so we thought that we would give the menu a shot.

As you can see, Little Foodie was along for the ride. You may be thinking, 'a baby at the Beer Exchange? That seems inappropriate!'   You know, we weren't even sure about it, so we called ahead to make sure they had high chairs. What do you know, THEY DO! This place is GREAT for kiddos. It's loud enough that your child doesn't bother others with noise. There are lots of things to look at and distract them. Only warning... when the market crashes, there is a very loud siren that may startle your child. Hopefully, they will rebound quickly like ours did, but it definitely was scary for a minute or two.

Bar Chips with French Onion Dip

Alright, onto the food... we splurged a bit and went for the Bar Chips mainly because, well, we don't get out a whole lot anymore and they sounded good. GOOD SPLURGE. When they arrived, Paul and I looked at each other with that, 'there is no way we will eat all of these .' However, we made a pretty sizable dent. The chips are perfectly seasoned, not too greasy, just the right cut/thickness and hard to resist. Add the French onion dip and you have an unbeatable combo. I highly recommend this zero calorie (yeah right!) treat!

Roasted Wild Mushroom Crepes

Now let's talk dinner. I was intrigued by many things on this menu. There are some tasty sounding sandwiches, a salad or two that had some prime ingredients, but the Roasted Wild Mushroom Crepes just kept calling me back. One reason... the caprese salad on the side. You know how I feel about a caprese salad, right? Then, the description of the crepes themselves (spinach, boursin, balsamic drizzle) contained all things I love. So, the crepes it was. This dish was really great and really unexpected. Previously, when I thought of the Beer Exchange, I thought about bar food, maybe glorified bar food at best. So wrong. This plate could have been served at any number of fine dining establishments. The caprese was fresh and really everything you could want in a caprese - thick slices of fresh mozzarella. Huge basil leaves. Firm but still juicy tomatoes, and a balsamic drizzle that danced over the crepes as well. And the crepes? I took my first bite and was floored. No ingredient stands out, they dance together nicely wrapped up in the light crepe. Only possible complaints were that the mushrooms took FOREVER to cool down, and the spinach was in large pieces which slid out when trying to grab a bite. The spinach issue may be fixable. Mushrooms stay hot, I get that. But, honestly, this dish was a real surprise and one that made me move the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange up on the list of places to go for a great meal in Kalamazoo.

And, special shout out to Cody, our fantastic server. He was super  knowledgeable about both the beverage and food menus, made great recommendations, seemed like he is a big fan of the food (which I think shines through clearly for some servers and is something I love to see personally), and was really friendly. He even got some huge smiles and played "peekaboo" in with Little Foodie.

All in all, a great dining experience. I do believe we will be hitting up the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange again -  hopefully soon!

four golden forks out of five

What Paul Ate: Bar Chips with House Made French Onion Dip and Home-style Meat Loaf

I would echo Kate's take on the Bar Chips.  They were just the right thickness, seasoned perfectly, and fried without being greasy.  I could have eaten them all night long.

Great outdoor seating... perfect for festival watching

Now as to my entree, I happen to be a meatloaf connoisseur, or at least think I am.  I've had it in lots of greasy spoons and in many a sports bar.  My mother makes a good meat loaf and I make a mean turkey meat loaf (yes, I still consider that meatloaf).  The Beer Exchange's version happened to be very good, but it was the sum of the parts that made it great.  

The meatloaf was seasoned nicely without overpowering the meat itself.  The mushroom and onion ragout had a deep, dark, red tint and unique taste, almost like they deglazed the pan with burgundy.  The garlic mashed potatoes were fluffy and delicious.  The peas and carrots were, well, peas and carrots.  However, they didn't have that fresh from a can taste; they actually tasted fresh.  

There was so much on my plate I could not finish it all.  I'm sure that gorging on Bar Chips prior to the main course had something to do with that, but this is a meal that will certainly leave you satisfied.  

I will also say that Cody was a great help, especially with beer selection.  I am sure a lot of you may disagree with me, but hoppy beers are awful.  Much to my chagrin, it seems like the "it" thing for brewers to do is add as many hops as they can to their beer.  Some day they will brew quintuple hops brews and I will cry.  But I digress...I told Cody what I did and did not like in a beer.  Cody suggested the New Belgium Heavenly Feijoa, and he was on the money.  Crisp, clean, refreshing, slightly fruity, tart, and completely pleasing to the palate. It went well with both the chips and the meatloaf.  I will have to track this one down in the future.  The only bad part was that I purchased it prior to the price drop a few minutes later when it was $2.00 cheaper.  That's what you get when you play the Beer Market, I guess.

I had a great time and a great meal.

four golden forks out of five

Little Foodie endorsed!

Check out the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange for yourself!

Crow's Nest

What I ordered-Captain's Ration Omelet with seasoned red skin potatoes and an English muffin

So as you can see by this post, I had visited the Crow's Nest before. A long time ago. Like almost 5 years ago (woah! Have I really been in Kalamazoo this long?). And, was unimpressed. For awhile now, Mr. Foodie has been saying that we needed to go there for breakfast. That opportunity finally arose when we both had a day off and dropped Little Foodie off at daycare so we could be productive. First stop, the Crow's Nest.

The decor and atmosphere is just as I remember it. Kitschy. Cutesy. Divey. And other words ending in "y". The menu,  however, seemed different to me. My  memory of this place is VERY divey. With a plastic cover menu with too many things on it. That is not what we got on this visit. So, now I am asking myself if my memory is way off, or if things have changed a lot in the last 5 years!

The breakfast menu is so awesome sounding, in fact, that I had trouble deciding what to order. A lot of trouble. I landed on this gem of an omelet with basil walnut pesto mixed into the eggs, sausage, sun dried tomatoes, and provolone inside, and a really great red pepper aioli on top. Add the side of potatoes (YUM) and the house made English muffin (SUPER YUM) and you've got yourself quite the breakfast.

The omelet was truly fantastic. The flavors all came together in such harmony. Not one really stole the show, though the pesto stood out. But, if you know me, you know I love pesto! The sausage was great and added to the hardiness of this meal. I really probably shouldn't have finished this whole thing but (don't judge me!) I did!The potatoes were really well seasoned and with a little of the housemade ketchup were really yummy. I tried them with the red pepper aioli too... that was super tasty.

I was really blown away by the English muffin. I LOVE English muffins and have never ventured into the English muffin making place. And, knowing that these gems are available around the corner makes me not want to. The outside had the right amount of crisp. The inside was the right amount of chewy. So, so very good.

One surprise was the pricing. With this being such a hot spot for college students in the area, I expected it to be uber cheap. It was not. I didn't have to take a loan out to pay for breakfast, but it was pricier than I expected. It is absolutely worth the money, but that took me a back a bit.

Had this been my first trip to the Crow's Nest, I probably would have gone with 5 forks, but I can't forget that other trip. So, let's average it out, and 4 it is.

four golden forks out of five

Frona's Pantry, Richland

What I ordered- Housemade granola, fruit and yogurt cup with a side of bacon and coffee

Little Foodie and I met a friend for breakfast at this little place on Gull Lake. I had never heard of it, but she highly recommended it. I tell you what, we will be back!

A little off the beaten path, Frona's sits right next to the lake. The decor is kitschy with the feel of an old diner. The pastry counter beacons when you walk in with yummy looking treats. Though, I did get the sense that this is where the locals really are. So, when I walked in, I felt like the whole place, which isn't really that big, looked at me wondering who we were. But, I got over the pretty quickly.

We found a table and waited for our friend. The one high chair they have was in use, so Little Foodie and I played a bit until it was available. I also tried to look at the menu when he wasn't trying to put it in his mouth and was immediately torn. Prices are GOOD. Really low. And, once I say the servings sizes, I realized they are really low as you get a good plateful of food. So many things sounded good. Pancakes? French toast? Housemade bagel? What did I want????

It came down to decision time and I, of course, still had no idea, so I went with what I looked at first. And this, my friends, was the granola (also housemade),  fruit and yogurt cup. But, wanting so more protein, I opted for a side a bacon as well... GOOD CALL!

My goblet of goodness arrived with my granola on the side. Fresh strawberries and bananas over a very creamy and thick vanilla yogurt. The raisin-free (this is a thing for Mr. Foodie) granola was loaded with nuts. I dumped it on top and mixed it all together. Now, maybe I was super hungry. Or maybe this was one spectacular start to my day! Light and fresh and creamy and yummy. I could eat this every day!

And, let's not forget about the bacon. I am new to bacon eating. Until recently, the last year or so, I was a turkey bacon girl. I have been converted, however, and this bacon tops my list of best bacon I have had so far. Thick cut. Slightly peppered. Crispy. Substantial. So good.

While I didn't order the most complex or special thing on their breakfast menu, I was thoroughly pleased. The ingredients were of high quality. The service was good. And, I understand that when the weather is warmer, they have a lot of outdoor seating, which sounds like a dream.

We will be back to Frona's Pantry. There is no doubt in my mind.And, you should go too! It is worth the drive.

four golden forks out of five

East Egg (Richland)

That One Breakfast with Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, House Potatoes with Cheese and Onions, and a Pancake (First and Second Visit), and Crepes with Strawberry Compote and Yogurt with Granola (Third Visit)

This post is long overdue,I realize. As are a few others (can we say "anniversary dinner in December!?!"),  but better late then never, right?

I had been to East Egg once before. The one in Portage. For lunch. And, was unimpressed. Nothing too fancy. The food was ok. I wasn't planning on going back.

During our first visit after a lovely hike with our friends!

Then our friends who also have a little one suggested a morning of fun including a family hike and breakfast at East Egg in Richland. Sounds fun, right? So, off we went on our adventure. And, an adventure it was. We got really turned around on our hike and ended up having to walk a large section on a busy road. Oh well, as ended with no incidents. Next, it was off to breakfast.

East Egg was highly recommended by them. And, we love breakfast, truly we do. I was not surprised by the bright and cheery decor. It was much like the location in Portage. Bright colors. Lots of sun. A nice spot to wake you up! They also recommended several items from the menu including corned beef hash. Mr. Foodie jumped on that option, while I declined and ordered a large breakfast for my hungry self.

The food was delivered to our table, and it didn't look unlike other breakfasts I had. And, in many ways, it is a common breakfast-type joint. But, the difference is the care that goes into crafting these plates and the fresh ingredients they are using.

Visit #2! Eating pears with Grandma Marme.

The house potatoes with cheese and onions (there is an upcharge for that) were OUTSTANDING! So good. My mouth is watering now thinking about them. And, holy pancake, Batman! I love pancakes, and this one is up near the top of my list. Fluffy. Flavorful. A perfect sponge for the maple syrup. YUM!

I was so blown away with East Egg for breakfast (did I mention that all their breakfasts are under $7???) that we went back the following weekend when my parents came for a visit. And, I ordered the exact same thing. (And, note the picture, Lil' Foodie was in on the fun this time!)

I was there again this past weekend with a group of other mom friends and their babies and branched out to try the crepes with strawberry compote and the yogurt with granola. Another home run. The crepes were thicker than I am used to with crepes, but they were soft and the strawberries were the perfect compliment.

 All that said, I would go back to the one in Portage to try breakfast, though the Richland location is more conveniently located to our home.

Do not overlook East Egg. There are several locations in the area. The breakfast is outstanding!

four golden forks out of five

 http://www.easteggs.com/

Foodies on Vacay: A Trip to OH for my Sister's Wedding

My baby sister just got married! She is the last of the girls to walk down the aisle.  I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Paul and I headed to my hometown, Dover, Ohio for the last weekend I can travel during this pregnancy. It was a wonderful weekend, full of happiness, love, and connections with family and friends. Of course, there was some eating too! We couldn't get out of town without some Park St. Pizza, but, we tried some new places too!

My sisters and I just after the ceremony

 

Sammy Sue's Barbeque: Dover, Ohio

Trips to Dover often involve seeing as many people as humanly possible. This time around we lucked out and got to have lunch with two of my best friends, Jen and Abby (who I don't see NEARLY enough!). Jen lives in Dover; Abby lives in Columbus and was in town for the day.  Paul and I met them at a new BBQ place in Dover, Sammy Sue's. 

Sammy Sue's is located near downtown Dover and is now occupying the building that used to house Rosie's, a Dover institution. I am not quite sure what happened to Rosie's as I haven't lived there for years, but, alas, Sammy Sue's is there now. 

The atmosphere is dive, without question. In fact, it looks like a place that Guy Fieri would visit. Mismatched tables, chairs, and booths. Not a lot of decor on the old wood paneling. Not a lot of space for folks to dine. It's charming in its own way, I suppose. Ms. Sammy Sue herself is there most of the time and usually does a round of the dining room to introduce herself every hour or so.

The menu is pretty standard for a BBQ place. You can enjoy chicken, brisket, salmon, ribs, and pulled pork all out of the smoker with Sammy Sue's sauce. The sides are also pretty standard. Fries, BBQ Chips (which I found out AFTER we ate there that we should have tried), many other potato options, rice, veggies, coleslaw, baked beans and mac and cheese. There are sandwiches, salads, baskets, etc. Usual fair. 

I went for a grilled chicken sandwich. Since I am trying to avoid smoked meats while pregnant, I thought this was a safe bet and probably on the way to being healthier than anything else. I opted for coleslaw as a side thinking, 'man... coleslaw on a bbq chicken sandwich is usually pretty good.' Sadly, I feel I had a miss on this one. In a word, my meal was bland. Not a lot of flavor to anything on the plate. In fact, I was quite disappointed because everyone else at the table was oohing and ahhing over their meals. 

Based on my experience, I would likely not go back. I mean, the chicken was tender. That is the best thing I can say about what I ate. There was just nothing else there. However, Mr. Foodie was in awe of the brisket and mac and cheese that he ordered, which makes me think I need to go back and order differently. 

So, from me, we get a "meh" but I will try it again, especially since the prices are right, the portions are large, and my husband and besties dig it. 

three golden forks out of five

Jen, me (32 weeks pregnant!), and Abby outside Sammy Sue's

Nervous Dog Coffee Bar: Stow, Ohio
On our way back to MI, we stopped just south of the turnpike to visit with our friends, Brian, Jen, and their little guy Sam. Brian chose the Nervous Dog as our rendezvous spot as it is right off the freeway and is a place he loves. Sounds good to us!


Though I hadn't necessarily planned on eating while we were there, my stomach had decided otherwise, and I went up to order a sandwich. Again, pregnancy food limitations include lunch meat, so I was looking for a vegetarian sandwich option. There was an intriguing grilled cheese sandwich with cream cheese, but feeling I needed something a bit healthier, I opted for the Elysian Fields sandwich. 

This sandwich includes spring mix, pecans, dried cranberries, feta, cucumbers, and a balsamic drizzle on good wheat bread.  Man, was I pleased with my menu choice. I mean, how can you go wrong with those ingredients? I would have NEVER thought to put them on a sandwich together, but I will now. This sandwich hit the spot, and eating it didn't make me hate myself. Plus, they serve Zapp's chips (from Louisiana) on the side, which is never bad. I picked up a bag of the Dill Gator Tators (I think that is what they are called) which we took on the road and enjoyed later on the drive home. 


I did order an iced coffee drink (decaf, of course) to go. It was good. It didn't blow my mind as I expected it to. It was the Coco's Caramel Drizzle with dark chocolate and Ghirardelli caramel, which sounded amazing. It was good, but there other coffee spots that I like better. That is where the lack of the 5th fork comes from, but we will keep this as a rendezvous spot with our friends.  I will order that sandwich again, for sure!

four golden forks out of five

http://nervousdog.com/

Yo Go Delite

Kate: Texas Peanut Butter Yogurt with Reese's Pieces, Pecans, Sprinkles, and Semi Sweet Chocolate Drops
Lately, we have spent a lot of time on Westnedge Ave. in Portage, MI. Whether it is trips to Babies R'US or to Motherhood Maternity, we just keep ending up over there. So, we saw that there was a new frozen yogurt place going in, and we were intrigued. 


I have been eating A LOT of ice cream type treats. I have a lot of sweet stuff cravings, and the cold, creaminess of ice cream usually is the answer to the calling. But, I have been trying to eat more frozen yogurt than ice cream so that there is at least some redeeming nutritional value to my treat. So, a new frozen yogurt place was something this pregnant lady wanted to try. 


The final class in our Prepare for Birth class series ended early, and, what do you know, we were on that end of town. So, to celebrate, we though, 'let's stop in for some yogurt.' It was their Grand Opening week and they were offer 30% too. So, we walked in and were amazed at how busy it was. We stood there for a minute, a bit confused (where do we go? I don't see yogurt at the counter. Do they serve you? What is this place?), until a young gentleman came up to us and asked if we had been there before. Nope. So, he gave us the "tour". 


He took us back to the back where there were about 20 ice cream machine handles sticking out of the wall with different flavors listed above, and behind that, a bar, if you will, with fresh fruit, flavored syrups, candy pieces, nuts, etc. He explained that they have over 140 flavors that they offer, and that each day they feature the 20 in the store. You get a cup, fill it up, and pay by weight. It is that simple. You are the boss. You can mix 5 different flavors together if you want. And, put whatever toppings sound good. 


So, we went to town. I struggled, a bit, on choosing a flavor. The base is so important. Plus, did I want to do a "healthy" version, with fresh fruit, or a more indulgent version with candy pieces. Since I have been craving Reese's Pieces like it is my job, I opted for the the more indulgent version. After much deliberation, I decided on the Peanut Butter yogurt. Boy was that good! And, I covered it with the ingredients listed above. 


Now, I didn't fill my cup all the way up. Here is the trick... even the small cup is HUGE. And, no one needs to eat all that. So, I tried to be somewhat responsible. I watched others not care so much about that, but for me, it was the way to go. 


Here is the other trick... that stuff adds up. We were lucky it was 30% off. It is not a cheap treat. If you are looking for that, head to McDonald's. But, I tell you what, quality-wise, it is worth it. The yogurt is delicious, and to be able to add all those toppings that you choose, in the amount you want, it is an experience. The only bad thing... if you put some stuff together because you THINK it will be good, and it ends up tasting like trash, you are kind of stuck with it, especially at that price. 


But, we will go back. We will take friends. And, we will tell everyone about it. Plus, this girl, not surprisingly, was in the clean plate club again!

four golden forks out of five.

Foodies on Vacay: The Up North Babymoon

Paul and I headed "up north" (it's a Michigan thing...) for our very own Babymoon. That's right, our perceived last chance to getaway before the arrival of our first child. Yes, yes, I realize I am not due until August. But, we aren't supposed to travel after we reach 32 weeks (mid June). April and May are pretty darn booked up with baby showers and work-related events. And, June, well, my sister is getting married in June. So, March it is.

Fortunately, we SUPER lucked out with the weather. We booked this trip over a month ago. With NO IDEA that the weather would be more like June than March. So, for that, we feel that is was meant to be. We also managed to have a pretty darn amazing weekend. So, again, meant to be.

Also, we stayed at this amazing Bed and Breakfast thanks to an amazing wedding present (a BedandBreakfast.com gift certificate!) and had a phenomenal stay. If you are looking for a cozy place with the best B&B hosts ever, definitely check this place out. And, the breakfast was pretty darn great too.

But, anyway, we had to eat on our trip, right? So, here is what we discovered.

Stone House Bakery and Cafe, Leland, Michigan

Our first food stop, other than the Taco Bell that we ate on the way out of town on Friday night (don't judge) was for lunch in Leland, MI at the Stone House Bakery and Cafe. We were looking for a light and somewhat healthy lunch. And, since it was early March, not everything was open, but Stone House sure was. So, after a little exploration of Leland, particularly Fishtown, we stepped into Stone House Bakery and Cafe.

Now, I am still trying to pack on the nutrition, even in things that are less healthy for me by way of super food-type ingredients. In this case, the Garden Panini seemed like it was a home run. With tomatoes, fresh spinach, red onion, and artichokes, as well as hummus and dill harvarti, it seemed like most of those ingredients are pretty good for me. Served on focaccia and grilled to perfection, this sandwich really was a hit.

I took my first bite, and though, 'man! This is GOOD!' I know, very descriptive, right? But seriously, the ingredients all played together very well on the playground. For me, it was the artichoke that made it. The acidity added such a nice, distinct flavor that it took it from being an ordinary sandwich to pretty darn extraordinary.

The bread was a star too. Baked in house. The right density. Crispy/crusty from the grill. And hearty enough to hold the ingredients inside. Right on!

Paul also thoroughly enjoyed his Chicken, Bacon, and Smoked Gouda panini. In fact, he told the lady who made it that it was one of the top 5 sandwiches he ever had. And, Paul doesn't make stuff like that up.

This little gem was definitely worth the long drive up the coast from Frankfort. And, I suspect we will want to visit again when in the area. And, you should too!

five golden forks out of five

http://www.stonehousebread.com/index.html

Grocer's Daughter Chocolate, Empire, Michigan

So, this is not a place you would go and dine, but for any foodie-type, it is definitely worth the stop. This charming place (and BRIGHT GREEN building) came to us via a suggestion from our friend, Hillary. And, we trust Hillary when it comes to food suggestions, among other things, so we thought, 'we better stop'. So, after our very satisfying lunch in Leland, and the 30ish minute drive back down the coast, we found ourselves at Grocer's Daughter... not quite sure what to expect.

We wandered in, and I will admit, at first, I was like, 'eh... what's the big deal.' Then, moments later after seeing the selection of local and organic products on the shelf, Mimi, the grocer's daughter herself, came to talk to us. And, we were mesmerized. She is so knowledgeable, and stocks such great products, we just couldn't stop chatting it up with her.

As others wandered in as well, regulars by the way they engaged with Mimi, we struck up conversations with them as well. My growing belly was a good starter, but from there, there were all kinds of cool things we learned and heard about. We even met someone who's brother-in-law in Kalamazoo is someone we know!

There were samples a plenty, and believe me, we sampled. We left with a modest stash, but the highlight of the visit was when we told Mimi about the amazing hot chocolate we had on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. Well, she wanted to know if her's was better. So, she made us each a little cup... and SHE WON! Wow! What amazing stuff! And, we told her that too!

So, for real, if you are in north western Michigan... and near the town of Empire, go to Grocer's Daughter's Chocolate. You will not be disappointed. I promise.

five golden forks out of five

http://www.grocersdaughter.com/

A. Papano's Pizza, Frankfort, Michigan

Well, our Saturday night dinner plans kind of fell through. So, instead of indulging on bar food (on St. Patrick's Day, no less) we decided to go for some local pizza. Now, honestly, I love trying local pizza. I have had some pretty amazing pies in some pretty unlikely places, and this is no exception.

A. Papano's was within walking distance of the B&B. So, we went for a little exploratory walk and decided that we would order two small pies. We were both pretty hungry after all the walking we had done that day, and pizza leftovers are NEVER bad. So, we went for it. One small Venetian Veggie (with pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, green pepper, and roasted garlic) and one small Chicken Parmigiano (with seasoned chicken, roasted red pepper, and Parmesan cheese). The wait was not long, so we walked back to the house, chatted with the B&B owner for a bit, then headed back to pick up our pies.

When we opened up those boxes, and took the first whiff, I knew we were in for a treat. The ingredients were high quality and in generous amounts. And, oh, I forgot to mention, we opted for the sesame seasoned crust, which was a PERFECT choice.

I started devouring the Venetian Veggie. It was the perfect combination of flavors, and the pesto, rather than a red sauce, was the right choice. The Chicken Parm was also delicious, though I did like the Veggie a bit more. My only complaint on these pies were that they were a bit greasy. I know some folks like that. It is not my favorite thing. The grease ring in the box was pretty outstanding. But, the flavor was great. The toppings were in the right proportions, and for $25 (rather than the $100 we probably would have spent on dinner at a nice restaurant) we were happy campers.

There are several locations of this pizza eatery, and I will go out on a limb and say that if there is one nearby a future trip, we will likely grab a pie!

four golden forks out of five.

http://www.papanos.com/

All in all, a fantastic trip to the great white north. I am not sure if they actually call it that, but for our purposes here, we will go with it. Great food, beautiful weather, and a chance to kick back and relax. Just what the doctor, not mine but someone's, ordered!

P.S. We stopped at Hop Cat (see our previous review HERE) in Grand Rapids on the way home. I actually DID NOT order my usual, the Hippie Wrap. Not because I don't love it, but because I wanted to try something else. You know what else is amazing on their menu... The Stoner Tacos! Woah! Totally yummy!

Foodies on Vacay: Espana (Fernandina Beach, FL)

Welcome to our very first Guest Blogger, Miss Niki V.! Niki and I met at a conference held in Amelia Island, Florida. After we quickly established our mutual love of food... we decided to grab a meal together. And, here are both of our takes on that experience!

Kate and Niki's menu for the evening: Goat Cheese Salad-that evening's special (with goat cheese medallions, beet chips and caramelized onions and curried mustard vinaigrette), Gambas Costa Brava (Shrimp sauteed with spicy homemade piri piri and brown sauce), and Tortilla Espanola (layers of thin sliced potatoes, roasted vegetables, and cheese stacked and bonded with a seasoned egg mixture).

Niki's Take

It was great to dine with my new friend Kate downtown. We worked with our great concierge, Gary on choosing a great spot, but nothing too filling because we had an epic lunch. After walking around in some kitschy shops, we found ourselves in quaint, festive Espana.

They had us at goat cheese! We both had to give the goat cheese, beet chips, caramelized onion and romaine salad a try. I chose mine with balsamic vinaigrette and it was just delicious. The cheese had a nice effect on the rest of the salad and two round patties were just enough to have a little flavor in every bite. The beets were a little chewy but gave a nice saltiness to the overall dish. Our bowls were empty not before long.

For our next course, we chose to split (2) tapas plates – (1) potato tortilla and (1) spicy shrimp. I liked the tortilla, but found it to be a little bland. Being layered potatoes and a little egg, there wasn’t much flavor but the shrimp more than made up for that. It was sautéed in this delicious butter, olive oil, pepper and onion broth that was perfect to spoon and eat on its own. We each had (4) shrimp, which I thought was a nice, generous serving. We dipped some bread into the sauce and that was just perfect and the bread was fresh too!

We skipped dessert knowing that we had infamous “Ritz Carlton s’mores” coming our way and soon left to get to our bonfire. It was a great meal with a new wonderful friend. I’m really glad that we got to share good food and stories.

Kate's Take

Niki has summed up our experience so well, there is little to add. But, you know me, I will try!

I opted for curried honey mustard vinaigrette that came with the salad. And, boy, am I glad I did. I think Niki missed out (sorry, Niki!). It really brought the salad together so nicely. The creaminess of the goat cheese, with the crispiness of the beets, and the crunch of the romaine made this a textural masterpiece. Flavor wise, you had the softness of the cheese, the bite of the onions, and then the dressing which stole the show. I could have eaten three of these salads. Honestly. It was complex in all the right ways, and very satisfying. Thank goodness for amazing salads!

I have to agree with Niki on her take of the Tortilla Espanola. I was a bit disappointed. There really wasn't much flavor to this dish. And, texturally, it was pretty bland. So, that was a bit of a miss. BUT, the shrimp more than made up for it. The perfect blend of heat and flavor. And the shrimp were fresh caught that morning. Wow! They were yummy. The fresh bread was the perfect medium to sop up the extra sauce (which we both agreed would have been delicious on pasta!).

The staff at Espana were very helpful (making recommendations and sharing some information about the restaurant) and the ambiance was perfect for a beach town spot. I would love to go back to this spot when I have a bit more of an appetite and dive into some of the amazing looking entrees that are on this menu. We were told that you can get fresher seafood that you can here!

And, I am so thankful to have been able to share this meal with a new friend who also has an appreciation of good food. It truly was a lovely evening!

http://espanadowntown.com/

four golden forks out of five.

Mi Pueblo

Kate: Enchiladas Poblanas
We were hungry. Had little to eat in the house, and didn't really have the energy to prepare dinner, so we decided to venture out for a cheap dinner. I consulted our Super Book and found a coupon for Mi Pueblo which is right down the street from where we live. We'd been before, and liked what we had, so we thought, 'what the heck' and headed out.

As far as Mexican cuisine goes, Mi Pueblo strikes me as pretty authentic. They don't have the standard menu that almost all Mexican restaurants do, which was the first indicator that they might do things a little differently. The complimentary chips and salsa are good. The chips are a little thicker, heartier, than you typically see in the basket, and they are well seasoned. Not over-salty which I think happens often at these places.

The menu is not huge. There are plenty of options, but it is not overwhelming like they can be at Mexican places. And, they offer a lot more choices for what the filling/topping is in their dishes. It is not restricted to beef or steak, almost every dish says "your choice..." which I like. So, I ordered the Enchiladas Poblanas (red sauce) with two chicken and two cheese. Paul enjoys the Enchiladas Suizas (green sauce) so I thought I would change it up a bit.

The portions are moderate, which I appreciate. My plate included my four small enchiladas (in corn tortillas) some lettuce with tomatoes on top (which didn't look incredibly appetizing, I'll be honest) and Mexican rice and beans with a sprinkling of cheese. I started with the chicken enchiladas. Pretty good. I liked the red sauce. It wasn't overly hot, but had good flavor and when you combine it with the cheese on top, yum! Now, I moved on to a cheese enchilada next, and man was that good!

I love Mexican cheese. I think it melts perfectly every time. It is creamy. It has great flavor. It is delicious. And, I was now regretting not getting four cheese enchiladas. The chicken ones weren't bad, but the cheese ones were great. The bottom was even a little burned, making the cheese crispy, which is something I love. The beans and rice were good too. Again, nothing spectacular, but good. But, those cheese enchiladas were something else.

I like supporting this place. It seems to be family owned. Every time we have been in, the same server has been working the whole place on her own. She is very friendly, and makes great recommendations. And, everything seems fresh here. It never feels greasy. We will go back to Mi Pueblo. And, if you are looking for good, authentic Mexican food, you should too!

four golden forks out of five.

Foodies on Vacay: Parc (Philadelphia, PA)

Kate: Goat Cheese and Leek Tart and Mozzarella and Tomato Baguette
We ventured into Downtown Philly for the afternoon while visiting our friends in Jamison. There were SO many tasty looking places to choose from, but Parc was a personal favorite of Chris's, so that is where we landed for our lunch.

It is located on Rittenhouse Square, so it is a beautiful setting. And, as most of the places in Philly do, the front and sides of the place open up to allow for sidewalk seating as well as to let the fresh air into the place. We, of course, chose an outdoor table, perfectly shaded, and started perusing the menu.

This was another one of those times where I had trouble making up my mind. So many things on this menu sounded delicious. And, unlike what I can get at home, honestly. But, the Mozzarella and Tomato Baguette, though simply, just kept calling my name. I was super glad when Paul suggested ordering the Goat Cheese and Leek tart. I mean, we all know how I feel about goat cheese.

So, we sat in the shaded spot and had some of the BEST people watching ever. A wedding party came by to get pictures taken. We were right at a busy intersection so there were some interesting vehicles and vehicle conversations, if you will. So, we got some entertainment while we waited for our food.

The Tart came first, and man, was it delicious. On a light, flaky, phyllo crust, with the perfect combination of leeks and goat cheese. So tasty. I could have eaten a whole one of those by myself. But, I didn't. Because I knew what was coming.

Now, much like my friend and fellow blogger, Kristin, I am a sucker for a caprese salad. And, the combination of mozzarella and tomato is one of my faves. Then, add basil with it, and I'm in. Plus, it was all being served on a fresh french baguette. Seriously people. This is like my dream come true. And, Chris said it was one of his favorite things on the menu. And, I can see why. The bread was a little warm, and soft inside, and crusty on the outside. And, there were nice thick slices of both tomato and mozzarella. Oh. It was delicious.

But, despite the fact that the food was wonderful (and they had my favorite wine, the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc on the menu), I am not I would go back. I mean, if I moved to Philly, I can see myself spending more time there, but there are so many other places to explore. Had the food knocked my socks off, I might be more inclined to revisit it, but, at least one sock was still on. Plus, it is a little pricey. I am sure everything in Philly is pricier than Kalamazoo, but the bill for that lunch was a little high that I would like to see. But, it is definitely worth checking out if you are around. And, given the chance, I would order something even a little more French the next time...

http://www.parc-restaurant.com/

Now, the cannolli that we got at Termini Brothers to take back home with us... those knocked my socks off! WOAH! Check them out here:

http://www.termini.com/termini.htm

four golden forks out of five.

Bangkok Flavor

Kate: Pad Thai with Tofu
We moved! We no longer share our building with 200+ college students. We are in a grown up apartment. And, today, we picked up the keys! YAY! My parents are coming in to town tomorrow to help with the move. And, the furniture delivery guys will be here tomorrow as well. So, it is just Paul and I tonight (after Brian, my boss, very amazingly helped up bring over our load of large stuff including our couch. I think he was really pleased to see we are in a third floor apartment!). We have been working hard all day, so we decided to get some carry out and share a meal in our new place.

Paul had already been to Bangkok Flavor. As a heat seeker, and one who works with other heat seekers, he has lunched here once or twice. But, I have not. So, we pulled out the menu that he printed off of the internet and called in our order.

I love it when I am conflicted on what to get... this was one of those instances... there were so many things on the menu that sounded great. And, then, this is what I love, Paul said, 'You should get Pad Thai. You know, for blogging purposes. So you can compare apples to apples.' Love it! So, I did. Pad Thai with tofu of course!

So, we called in our order and drove over to pick up our food... NOTE: You can dine in at Bangkok Flavor. There is a smallish dining room that is nicely decorated. But, what is lacking is space to wait either for a table or for your carry out order. My goodness. One other person walked in and we were cramped. Oh well. Let's see if the food is worth it.

And, it was! YUM! Really fresh tasting ingredients. Good heat (almost too much, actually for me). Well seasoned. Really good. As Pad Thai goes, I believe this is the best I have found in Kalamazoo. I am looking forward to a second go of Bangkok Flavor and trying something else on the menu. And, since it is right next door, that shouldn't be too hard.

four golden forks out of five.

North 11

Kate: North 11 Pizza with Jalapenos
It was the 3rd CARES Annual Dining Out to Fight Aids night, and Paul and I felt like getting out and supporting the cause. Knowing that we are moving to this end of town soon, and having never heard of North 11 before, we thought, 'what the heck!?! Let's check this place out.' So, we did. We headed the long way up Gull Road to find North 11 nestled in a plaza with a Papa Johns, Gull Road Pharmacy, a Chinese Take Out place and more.

I have to say, I was kind of surprised when we walked in. The decor is modern. Chic, if you will. And not what I was expecting from a place in a strip mall. We were seated quickly and start checking out the menu. The menu is broad. It is not overwhelmingly huge, but they cover a lot of ground on it. From wood-fired pizzas, to wraps, to bison burgers, to entrees. There are plenty of options. And, many that are (or could be) vegetarian friendly. They also have an extensive drink menu. In fact, I believe it is bigger than their food menu, offering specialty martinis, a wide range of beers and wines, etc. And, they have great happy hour specials.

I was torn between a few items on the menu, and asked our waitress for her recommendation between the few I was thinking about. She informed me that her favorite is the North 11 pizza, but that she adds jalapenos. Why not take it from some one who works there, right? So, that is what I ordered. And, it was scrumptious.

As Paul said, they don't skimp on the jalapenos when you add them. And, they add the perfect heat to this already tasty combination of toppings (roasted garlic, grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke, and olive oil). YUM! Since there is no red of white sauce, it is a lighter pizza. The crust is thin, but not too thin. Not crunchy. I has that delicious wood-fired flavor. And, it was a pretty good size. You could EASILY share one of their pizzas with a friend. Or, do like I did and take it home for lunch the next day.

We have been a few times since our first visit. We are so excited to have found this gem near our new home. I am really looking forward to bringing out of town guests to North 11, especially since it won't cost you and arm and a leg to get a good meal!

www.north11.com/

four golden forks out of five.

Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

Kate: Beer Battered Fried Pickles and Atwater's Vanilla Java Porter

Ok... so I didn't really eat much at the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange on this occasion. We ate before we went to save a little money. And, then ended up destroying an order of nachos at Shakespeare's afterwards. But, I can talk about HOW COOL this place is. And, what I tasted was delicious.

So, I don't want to go into a lengthy explanation of how the beer exchange works, but it is like the stock market. The have a menu of beers (a big one, with really good beers) and the prices depend on how well the beer is selling that day, sort of. I mean, PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon for those that like to see it spelled out) stays pretty low, as does Miller/Coors Light, despite the fact that I would guess people are drinking them, but what do I know. I went for a new favorite, the Atwater Vanilla Java Porter and watched the price go up as we ordered more. BUT, every hour or so, THE MARKET CRASHES! And, when that happens, for five minutes, all, the beers are about half the price that they were before the crash. And, the servers are good about getting to your table and getting your order in while the market is down. It is a super cool concept. And, we were able to enjoy an evening out for a lot less than we would somewhere else drinking beer as good as we were drinking.

So, like I mentioned, all I ate there were the beer battered fried pickles. They were great. Well battered (with a light crispy batter), good juicy pickles. What more can you ask for in a fried pickle? There was a delicious, creamy and cool dipping sauce as well. I honestly only ate like 2. But, we will go back, and I will blog fully on my food experience.

In the meantime, the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange is DEFINITELY worth checking out. A great space. A cool concept. And great beer!

http://kalamazoobeerexchange.com/

four golden forks out of five.

Foodies on Vacay: Skillet, Columbus, Ohio

Kate: Turkey and Green Chile Hash and Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
It was the day after my "bachelorette" party (quotation marks because it was more of just a fun night out with good food and good wine), and my friends and I wanted a good brunch before we made the trek back to Kalamazoo. Brandlyn suggested this newer spot in German Village. Being a fellow Foodie, I knew we should heed her advice.
This place totally has the "dive" atmosphere. First of all, it is tiny. I think maybe only 30 or so people could be seated at once in this place. And, its got a rustic feel. Exposed brick walls. A big window/counter that lets you see back into the kitchen that is two times the size of the seating area. You have to go through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. There is cool art on the walls. The "rustic" and the "urban" in their tag line definitely fit.
One of the reasons this place doesn't get the fifth fork is because of the lack of seating. We were told we would wait 20 minutes. 45 minutes later, we were still standing out in the cold (since the place is too small to wait inside). There was also a very obnoxious group with kids there that greatly affected my experience. Seriously, who brings kids to this place? Check out the menu and tell me if this seems like a kid friendly place
Anyway, I ordered the fresh-squeezed orange juice, or course. And, as fresh squeezed orange juice goes, it was delicious. Tasted just like an orange, just like I like it!
I did order one of the day's specials, rather than from their regular menu. Turkey and green chile hash sounded super appealing and like it would totally hit the spot. It had a good bit of heat to it. Well seasoned. Hearty. A perfect brunch item. I was pleased with my choice, though everyone else's plates looked pretty good too.
Brandlyn ordered a cinnamon roll to share. Now, I am typically a fan. But, at that time, they had some citrus-y frosting on it. Not my thing. So, I took a bite, and will attest to the greatness of the roll, but could do without the icing. It looks like they have a caramel icing now, which I would be much more interested in.
I would definitely want to check out this place again. Though, there is A LOT of meat on their menu. But, they know what they are doing with food, and I want to try more.

http://www.skilletruf.com/index.html

four golden forks out of five.