| User Options |
|
|
| About |
|
|
| Advertisement |
|
|
| |
|
3/10/10 Experience Ireland at Merchant's Fine Wine
It’s the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, and many of you reading this are gonna want to pick up some Guinness Stout beer, or maybe some Jameson, to celebrate your Irishness, even if you’re Italian or Polish.
So if you do, in fact, plan on picking up some alcoholic Irish goodies this weekend, might I suggest heading over to Merchant’s Fine Wines around, say, 5:00p on Saturday.
Why wait til then? Well, in addition to getting some great deals on Guinness and other Irish beers and booze, you’ll have the distinct pleasure of hearing a genuine Irishman in a kilt playing bagpipes. Full story...
Steve Veldheer |
3/9/10 Get in the mood for spring with the Home and Garden Expo this weekend
The Dearborn Board of Realtors (DABOR) is hosting a free Home and Garden Expo on Saturday, March 13 from 10a to 5p at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Avenue.
The City of Dearborn is partnering with the Realtors on this second annual event.
The Expo will feature more than 50 booths staffed by home improvement and gardening professionals to inspire renovations, repairs and additions. Seminars, demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions will cover the latest home and garden topics and trends.
Also part of the day is the First Time Homebuyers Seminar presented by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Full story...
Project Staff |
2/15/10 Experiencing modern industry
For my birthday, I was recently treated to a day on the town by my wife. This included things like lunch at Top Dog Coney Island, shopping at Dearborn Music, and dinner and drinks at Roman Village. But probably the coolest part of the day was going on a tour of the Rouge Factory—yes, you heard me right. Watching them make F-150s was the highlight of the day.
In case you weren’t aware, Ford builds its F-150 pickup trucks right here in Dearborn, at the Rouge Complex which was built by Henry Ford in 1919, in the Southend of Dearborn. And The Henry Ford, 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, offers daily tours of this historic industrial marvel, where you can watch honest-to-goodness UAW workers put together pickups on the famous Henry Ford assembly line.
Tours have long been a tradition at the Rouge factory. They ran from 1924 until 1980, and then resumed in 2004.
The tour starts out at the Henry Ford Museum, where you buy your tickets ($12.75 for members, $15 for non-members) and hop on a bus that takes you to the Rouge. Once there, you file into a theater and watch a mini history of Ford and his factories. After that, you file into theater #2, where you play witness to the beginning-to-end production of a truck, from the molten steel to the final assembly. What makes this experience unique is that the theater is set up with seven big screens that line the perimeter of the room, seats that swivel, heat lamps that flash when the molten steel hits the screen, and water misters that lightly spray you when the paint guns coat the trucks. If you aren’t expecting a multi-sensory experience when you enter the theater, feeling the heat and mist is a little alarming, but cool. Although, now that I’ve told you about it, you probably won’t be surprised by it. Sorry. Full story...
Steve Veldheer - 5 opinions posted |
Chris Houghton covers 'Milton the Monster 1' - Original (left) credit is unknown; Gold Key 1966 |
|
|
1/7/10 New art exhibit to open at Green Brain Comics
It’s always interesting when bands cover other bands’ songs—hearing how one band puts their own “stamp” on a piece of music we’re already familiar with.
But what about a different kind of “cover?” What if artists “covered” other artists’ famous works—offering their own interpretation of an already famous painting or drawing? An interesting idea, to say the least.
Well, if you take that idea one step further, and have artists cover famous comic book covers, you’ve got the potential for a really interesting art exhibit (and a great play on words).
Green Brain Comics, 13210 Michigan Avenue, has announced the opening of a new art exhibit entitled "COVERED" on Wednesday, January 13. The exhibit will be on display in Green Brain Comics's recently-named art gallery, Headspace.
Inspired by a website run by Los Angeles-based comic artist Robert Goodin (www.coveredblog.blogspot.com), Headspace curator Dan Merritt has assembled several pieces by artists that have brought their own touch to famous and infamous comic book covers from several different decades.
"The theme for this exhibit has really sparked a creative flame." says Merritt "Each of these pieces has been lovingly recreated in tribute to the original art and the original artists that created them." Full story...
Jennifer Brash - 3 opinions posted |
12/16/09 A Tale of a Christmas Spirit
It’s almost Christmas week, and with the final weekend before the big day fast approaching, I found myself in the mood for some fancy-pants holiday drinks. Now, normally I’m a beer kinda guy, but something about this time of year turns me into a cocktail man. In past years, I’ve experimented with everything from spiked egg nog to hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps. This year, I thought I’d try something a little different. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I figured a half-hour wandering around Merchant’s Fine Wine, 22250 Michigan Avenue, would ignite my holiday spirits.
After some browsing (and even a little gift shopping), I came across two very interesting-looking liqueurs—both special for the holidays. First Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice: a 30-proof liqueur described as having the taste of pumpkin pie filling, with hints of graham cracker, vanilla and cinnamon/nutmeg. And second, Hiram Walker Gingerbread: another 30-proof liqueur, this one offering the flavor of sweet and spicy brown sugar, ginger and vanilla.
Now, I’m a big fan of pumpkin pie, so the Pumpkin Spice was a rather tempting option. But pumpkin feels a bit too much like Thanksgiving, so I gave in to the Gingerbread option instead. To me, gingerbread cookies and houses are the very definition of Christmas desserts. Full story...
Jacob Miller - 7 opinions posted |
11/3/09 Facebook facilitates a sweet love connection
I recently became a friend of Stucchi’s Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt on Facebook, and until I got the friend request, I didn’t even know we had a Stucchi’s in Dearborn. We do, and it’s located at 1338 N Telegraph, just south of Ford Road.
In the past, I’ve had to drive out to Ann Arbor to get a taste of Stucchi’s ice cream—and it’s been totally worth it—but now it’s great to know that I can enjoy it without having to even leave the Dearborn city limits. Stucchi’s has been open in Dearborn for about a year, and because of the cooler-than-average summer we had, ice cream business was a bit off. And with winter fast approaching, the owners decided to start offering something besides ice cream to lure customers in.
And lure me in, they did. Full story...
Steve Veldheer - 2 opinions posted |
10/5/09 Great vibe, drink specials at The Well
The Well, 22229 Michigan, had its grand opening just over a week ago in the heart of downtown west Dearborn, and drinks have been flowing regularly since.
I went there a week ago Saturday to watch the end of the Tigers’ game, and although I got there before the evening’s entertainment (a DJ), the place was already filling up nicely. And what struck me most about the place was how everyone just seemed to know each other. Even though it had only been open for a week (the “soft opening” had taken place the previous Friday), patrons were greeting staff with hugs and the wait staff already knew many people by name. Of course this probably has something to do with the fact that many of those customers have been regulars at The Well’s Detroit location for years, and have become friends with the owners (one of whom, Ross Varacalli, a Dearborn resident, was previously a bartender at the Double Olive just down the street). But regardless, the atmosphere was friendly, comfortable and a great fit for the neighborhood—not too big, not too small, a pub vibe during the week, and a place to dance the night away on the weekends. Plus, guys, the waitresses are hot. Full story...
Jacob Miller - 6 opinions posted |
Hot deal on hot wings |
|
|
8/23/09 You don't have to pay full-price on your next meal out
Money might be a bit tighter these days, but there’s still one luxury I can’t seem to shake: dining out. It’s nice to take a break from my kitchen, and get a little something other than my usual menu of mac & cheese, grilled burgers, spaghetti, fish sticks and cereal.
I try to limit my meals out to once a week, but I admit it’s hard, after a long day at work, to come home and think about making dinner. (Working moms, I don’t know how you do it.)
So to keep myself from going broke, I’m always looking out for dinner specials, coupons and other deals to rein in the cost of eating out.
My sister recently told me about Restaurant.com, a site where you can buy gift certificates for a fraction of the face value. There are thousands of restaurants participating nationwide, and you can search the site for places by city, state, metro region and Zip code.
There are seven restaurants in Dearborn offering up deals, some better than others, so I’ve decided to rank them from “Hot Deal” to “Don’t Bother.” Full story...
Jacob Miller - 2 opinions posted |
8/10/09 Satisfy your cravings 24-hours a day at Leo's
There aren't many round-the-clock restaurants in Dearborn. Which is kind of a shame.
Who hasn’t had a craving for a loaded Coney dog at 3 in the morning? Or a plate of pancakes and bacon at dinnertime? For me personally, after a night of heavy drinking, I can think of nothing better than a greasy Patty Melt and fries, washed down with a nice cup o’ Joe.
For all of these culinary cravings, one has to look no further than the corner of Greenfield and Ford Road, to the newest Leo’s Coney Island to open in the metro area-- a great 24-hour diner.
This Leo’s, 5575 Greenfield Road, opened for business in early June at the site of the old Baker’s Square, and it’s been hopping ever since. (Best part of all? It’s 100% smoke-free. A rare find in this town.) Full story...
Jacob Miller - 7 opinions posted |
What a one-pound burger looks like after it's been eaten |
|
|
7/12/09 Fame eludes this writer at Famous Hamburger...but the burgers are great
I wanted to write only great things about Famous Hamburger, 5808 Schaefer Road. I really did. Unfortunately, I can’t. But more on that later.
Hamburgers are my Achilles Heel; they will be my downfall. They are the one food I could eat every day for the rest of my life (and if I attempted this, my life probably wouldn’t have many more days left in it).
So the prospect of a locally-owned hamburger joint that boasts 19 different varieties of fresh gourmet (and halal) burgers? Well, they had me at “Hamburger.”
I’ve eaten at Famous Hamburger a number of times since it first opened in east Dearborn in 2005, enjoying several different burgers on the menu—a couple of my favorites have been 1/3-lb Inferno Burger (pepperjack cheese and jalepenos; $4.49) and the Guacamole Burger (homemade guac and Swiss cheese; $4.49).
And just this past spring, they added another favorite of mine to the menu, this time a dessert: S’mores. Real, honest-to-goodness S’mores. They bring a little cast-iron pot of flaming Sterno out to you with a couple of marshmallows, Hershey’s chocolate bars, graham crackers and skewers. Then you toast your marshmallow right there at your table. It’s the most awesome idea for dessert I’ve ever seen. (Four S’mores for $7.79; eight S’mores for $13.99).
Well, I went to Famous Hamburger this past week with a plan in my head, a goal, a mission. And that mission involved devouring a one-pound monster of a burger, called the Wall-of-Fame Burger ($7.99). This thing had caught my eye on a previous visit, and the menu claimed that if you “finish this burger by yourself, we’ll take a picture of you and post on our Famous Wall of Fame located on our website.” Full story...
Steve Veldheer - 7 opinions posted |
6/6/09 The Post Bar patio: A great place to spend an afternoon... without having to spend much cash
You know summer’s here when restaurant patios start buzzing on weekday afternoons. There’s nothing quite like taking a late Friday lunch, grabbing a burger with friends, and getting a slow buzz on to start your weekend.
And the Post Bar, 22065 Michigan Avenue, is a perfect place for doing just that. Drink specials? Check. Hot young waitresses in short shorts and tight t-shirts? Double check. Two-dollar lunch specials? Oh, hell yeah.
Well, this past Friday seemed the perfect day to blow off my afternoon work schedule and enjoy the gorgeous June sunshine with a cold beer and hot burger. And that giant banner hanging over the Post announcing those $2 lunch specials just seemed to be calling my name.
I started things off with one of their monthly draft beer specials: a tall, cold Molson—a one-pound (sixteen ounce) thirst-quencher for only $2. Full story...
Jacob Miller - 5 opinions posted |
6/1/09 Leo's Coney Island opens in Dearborn
Leo's Coney Island opened their newest location in Dearborn on June 1, in the old Baker's Square location on the southwest corner of Ford Road and Greenfield.
There are almost 40 other locations throughout the metro Detroit area, including one in Allen Park at the plaza on the corner of Outer Drive and Southfield, in Dearborn Heights at The Heights shopping plaza on Ford Road, and at Comerica Park.
Full story...
ProjectStaff - 1 opinion posted |
4/29/09 At IMAX: Set in the 14th century, 'Journey to Mecca' is an extraordinary look at a young man's historic first Hajj
An eastern story is brought west; an ancient story is brought to modern-day movie-goers.
‘Journey to Mecca’ tells the tale of a young Moroccan law student who, in 1325, set out from his native Tangier on an epic trip to Mecca, the historic and cultural center of Islam.
What makes this film so compelling, though, is that it’s presented on the giant-screened IMAX. Plus, it’s a story largely unknown in the western world of the young Ibn Battuta, who in the course of 29 years, logged more than 75,000 miles in his world travels.
Filmed in Saudi Arabia and Morocco, in both English and Arabic, the film tells the amazing story of Ibn Battuta following his first pilgrimage between 1325 and 1326. His perilous journey resonates with adventure while presenting an unforgettable picture of Islamic civilization during the 14th century, culminating with Battuta’s first Hajj.
The story is book-ended by a close-up look at the contemporary Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca that draws three million Muslims from around the world every year who perform rituals that have taken place for over 1,400 years. And for those of us who will never make the pilgrimage to Mecca, which includes all of us who aren’t practicing Muslims, this movie is as close as we’ll ever get to witnessing the custom.
Battuta chronicled his journeys, which took him from Africa to Europe to Asia to India to China, and through most of the Muslim world of the time.
‘Journey to Mecca’ is playing at the Henry Ford IMAX, 20900 Oakwood Blvd, though June 23. Tickets for adults are $10, $8.50 for Henry Ford members. Visit the Henry Ford IMAX webpage for showtimes. Full story...
ProjectStaff - 1 opinion posted |
4/20/09 Going Deutsch in Dearborn
While the hype seems to fall upon the new, trendy restaurants around town, I’m always fascinated by the old school eateries and watering holes amongst us. The Elmhurst Tap Room, Millers Bar, Dearborn Tavern, Howell’s and Kiernan’s Steak House spring to mind. For these places to have lasted as long as they have, the owners must be doing something right.
Another great old foodie landmark in Dearborn is Richter’s Chalet, 23920 Michigan Ave.
This family-owned restaurant has been serving up traditional German favorites since 1970. And although many of those years were alcohol-free, you can now wash down your Kraut and Wiener Schnitzel with a tall German ale or glass of wine.
Last Friday was my first trip to Richter’s. I had to talk my wife into actually going with me, as she had a bad experience with German food in Frankenmuth a few years ago. I think she went into the evening prepared to eat nothing but salad. Full story...
Steve Veldheer |
4/8/09 As we categorize all of Dearborn's restaurants and nightspots, some trends emerge
The Counter Project editorial staff has been sitting around marveling at our new Wine and Dine listings recently—it is the most complete and up-to-date restaurant and bar guide for Dearborn that you’ll find anywhere, if we do say so ourselves. (And FYI, there's a permanent link located at the top of the page, in the green navigation bar.)
Well, during the course of our marveling, we’ve come across some trends in Dearborn's dining and drinking establishments. Some of those trends are quite expected, while others have left us scratching our heads just a little.
First, the obvious: We have a lot of Middle Eastern restaurants to choose from, as well as hookah lounges. And that’s awesome! That fierce competition is what ensures that Dearborn offers the most authentic Middle Eastern experience you’ll find anywhere (outside the Middle East, or course).
Also not surprising is the great amount of pizza joints we have in Dearborn. It’s not surprising because Dearborn, historically and currently, has quite the sizable Italian population. From the east side to the west side, from deep-dish to thin crust to everything in between, from quick and easy to slow and gourmet, carry-out, delivery and dine-in: Dearborn’s pizzerias got it all. And we got them all in the Wine and Dine listings.
So now for the surprising trends in the Dearborn culinary scene. Full story...
Project Staff - 2 opinions posted |
3/28/09 Decisions don't come easy at Salad Wrappers
To me, the worst thing about Salad Wrappers, 1041 Howard St, is that there are so many good-looking choices on the menu, it’s a little tough to decide what to get. Especially if there’s a line behind you at lunchtime.
They market themselves as having “Refreshing salads and wraps,” and when you’ve got as many sandwich and wrap eateries as Dearborn does, you really better deliver on the goods. Or I’ll just go to the sandwich and wrap joint over there next time. Or the one over there. Or the one over—you get the point. We’ve got a lot of sandwich places in Dearborn.
But Salad Wrappers is different. They do deliver on the fresh, and as I noted above, the choices. My wife and I went there this week, and before going, I checked out their menu online so I wouldn’t be wasting any time staring at the menu on the wall once I got there. I was fully confident that I was going to get the Cabo Lime Chicken wrap (grilled chicken, tequila lime spices, lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded pepper jack cheese).
But once we got there, I noticed the taco wrap up on the menu (iceberg lettuce, lean ground beef, tomatoes, black olives, red onion, tortilla strips, salsa, sour cream, hot sauce and shredded cheddar cheese).
I thought, “Hmm, I could go for a little red meat right now.” So I called the audible and got the taco wrap instead, on a spinach lawash. Full story...
Steve Veldheer |
2/16/09 Best kept secret in east Dearborn
More than just the largest Middle Eastern grocery store in the metro Detroit area, Super Greenland is a lunchtime destination, but not many people outside of east Dearborn are aware of the wide variety of delicacies awaiting them inside. Aside from picking out fresh fruit and veggies for half-off every Wednesday, Super Greenland houses an enormous food court and delicatessen in the back, where you can load up on authentic Middle Eastern goodies without dropping a lot of your hard-earned cash. Full story...
Project Staff - 2 opinions posted |
Thai steak |
|
|
10/1/08 Thai me up: Bangkok 96 stirs deep cravings
There was a time when I didn't care much for Thai cuisine. On a good day, my basic feelings toward it were "Meh." That's on a good day, mind you.
When I lived in Chicago, my friends were constantly trying out new Thai restaurants all over town. And there are a lot of Thai places in Chicago. I'd tag along, just to be social. They'd suggest something on the menu they thought that I'd like. So I'd order it, eat it, smile, all the while thinking ahead to that burger I'd pick up on the way home.
Then I met my wife, who is the biggest fan of Thai I've ever met. Needless to say, she was more than a little disappointed that I didn't share in her Far East food passions. When we were in Chicago, she'd constantly want to try out a new Thai restaurant, and some of the time, I'd tag along, ordering whatever she thought I'd like, eat it, smile and think about that burger. Full story...
Steve Veldheer |
9/20/08 $100 shopping spree at Merchant Fine Wines
So here's the challenge I've been given: To get as much cool stuff as I can at Merchant's Fine Wines, 22250 Michigan Ave, for exactly $100.
One-hundred smackers.
I thought, "Is this my brithday? Is it Christmas already? I love Merchant's!"
You wanna see what I can buy for $100 at Merchant's Fine Wines? And then have me write about it? Awesome! Bring it on!
I mean, really, what's not to love about this place-- booze, rows upon rows of domestic and imported beer and wine, a gourmet deli, snacks and dips and sauces from all over the world, all kinds of cheese and crackers, sweets and seasonings... Full story...
Sean Duffy |
Brick oven pizza |
|
|
9/10/08 Lava Java Cafe is red-hot dining spot off the beaten path
Believe it or not, there really are fine places to grab a bite to eat in Dearborn that aren't located on Michigan or Warren Avenues. Take, for instance, the new Lava Java Cafe on Greenfield Road. A bold little eatery that offers an eclectic menu of Middle Eastern and Italian goodies.
Previously known as the Brick Oven Bistro, the Lava Java is tucked in a little strip mall on the city's east end, just north of Michigan Ave. They're still fine-tuning the menu, and might even ask for your opinion on certain dishes. For instance, our hummous and fresh pita was served with crispy oven-baked pita triangles. After we had finished off the crispy wedges, we were given a pita refill, this time with a stack of soft pita. As we were leaving, my dining partner and I were asked which we preferred; I said I like the crispy, my wife said she preferred the soft. So a fat load of help we were, I guess.
Full story...
Steve Veldheer |
7/8/08 Kickin' it Old Style
There are more than a few consumables out there that epitomize Chicago: Italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs "dragged through the garden," deep-dish pizza, and...Old Style Beer.
When I first moved to Chicago, I was imediately drawn to the red-white-and-blue backlit signs mounted to neighborhood bar after neighborhood bar, proudly proclaiming that they had Old Style Beer on tap. Just what was this "Old Style," and why should I care if it's on tap?
But the neighborhood bars aren't the only place you can get Old Style in Chicago. Old Style has become synonymous with Chicago Cubs baseball, as it's been the official beer of Wrigley Field since 1950. Full story...
Steve Veldheer |
5/30/08 Buddy's is Detroit-style pizza at its best
Chicago-style and New York-style Pizzas get all the attention. But that doesn't mean Detroit's way of making a pizza is any less remarkable, or unique.
Didn't know there was such a thing as "Detroit-style pizza?" Well, if you've ever had a square deep-dish pizza with a golden brown edge around the crust, and sauce on top of the cheese, you've already experienced it. I guess around here we just call it "square" or "deep-dish," or even "Sicilian." Full story...
Project Staff |
|
|
