Food
Your Spring 2024 Restaurant Guide to Northern Michigan
Flavor, Fusion, and Fresh Concepts
By Northern Express Staff & Contributors | May 4, 2024
Let’s talk about a perfect loaf of bread. Out-of-this-world paninis. Mexican-Anishinaabe fusion tacos. And the beers and other beverages that pair just right with our favorite meals. Welcome to your spring 2024 restaurant guide. Here, we’ve pulled together seven stand-out eateries we’ve visited in the last few months to help you make the call on your next night (or lunch) out on the town. All we ask in return…don’t leave a single ... Read More >>
Northern Michigan’s Most Iconic Eats, 2024 Edition
Legendary dishes to put on your must-eat list
By Craig Manning | May 4, 2024
Rich, chocolatey fudge has been a staple in northern Michigan for decades. Authentic Vietnamese pho is a more recent addition to the local food scene. But what do these two (very different) culinary delights have in common? Both are part of the 2024 class of Northern Express’ Iconic Eats series. Back in 2018, we started cataloging local dishes that we thought fit into northern Michigan’s foodie hall-of-fame. You know the kind of ... Read More >>
Brandy’s Harbortown Sails into Bay Harbor
Restaurateurs Dock a Trifecta
By Geri Dietze | May 4, 2024
The Morrisons—Bryant and Jamie, Philip and Laura—are the inventive restaurateurs behind Bay Harbor’s popular Maple + Batter, home to superior offerings for breakfast and brunch, and NOMAD., elevated, shareable plates inspired by world flavors. Now the Morrisons, along with new partner Rick Iceberg, build upon this success with their third venue, a spanking new cabana bar and restaurant occupying a prime site in Bay Harbor Village at the edge of Bay Harbor ... Read More >>
The Science and Soul of Kombucha
A journey from fermentation to flavor with Cultured Kombucha
By Hanna Lee-Kleb | May 4, 2024
Amidst the bustling world of health-conscious beverages, Traverse City’s Cultured Kombucha has emerged as a rising star. This certified woman-owned business has not only captivated taste buds with its drinks in the last decade, but it has also captured hearts with its commitment to social good. (One percent of all Cultured Kombucha profits are donated to anti-human trafficking efforts.) Now, with its recent distribution deal with SpartanNash, Cultured Kombucha is poised to ... Read More >>
The Cantina’s Quesadilla
Tastemaker
May 4, 2024
Cinco de Mayo, here we go! There’s a lot to love on the menu at The Cantina in Charlevoix. Do you pick the Cantina Sampler or the Crispy Potato Taco? Do you go for a special or the tried-and-true Baja Fish Taco? The best answer is you get them all, and don’t miss their quesadilla (starting at $11). This dish hits all the gooey, cheesy notes tucked into crispy golden shells, and ... Read More >>
JAX Northside’s 6th Green Cocktail
Bottoms Up
By Anna Faller | May 4, 2024
Time to dust off those argyle socks, everyone! It’s officially golf season, and JAX Northside Food & Spirits in Charlevoix is a gimme for pre-game fuel. This local favorite specializes in scratch-made American fare (including an epic salad bar), paired with an array of craft libations, and the 6th Green cocktail is an easy ace. This pastel green-hued drink, which perfectly complements the views of the Charlevoix Municipal Golf Course next door, ... Read More >>
A Fresh Take on Tradition
La Catrina Mexican Nishinaab blends two cuisines and two cultures
By Rachel Pasche | April 27, 2024
Fusion restaurants are not a new concept; the joining of cultures in unique food creations is a practice that’s been around (and popular) for a while. What is less common, however, is finding a restaurant that creates surprising and distinctive menu items from two cultures that are not traditionally combined. That’s exactly what La Catrina Mexican Nishinaab of Manistee is doing with their Anishinaabe and Mexican fusion menu. Northern Express spoke with ... Read More >>
The Flour Pot's Cherry and Cheese Danish
Tastemaker
By Anna Faller | April 27, 2024
Classic treats meet modern flair at The Flour Pot Bakery and Coffeeshop in Elk Rapids. This sugary mecca has been cranking out baked goods for decades, and though its name has changed, the recipes haven’t. We especially love the Cherry and Cheese Danish ($3.50) for spring. A perfectly sweet and buttery balance, this cult-favorite pastry is made from a layered dough—which takes about four days to create!—that’s been hand-rolled and sprinkled with ... Read More >>
Third Coast Bakery's Ruby Ginger Cacao
Bottoms Up
April 27, 2024
Can your morning beverage actually be good for you? The folks at Third Coast Bakery in Traverse City think so. Meet their superfood latte, the Ruby Ginger Cacao, complete with Vegan Sweet Cream Vanilla Cold Foam. The gluten-free sip is made with health-boosting ingredients like organic beetroot powder, raw cacao, ashwagandha, and real spices, creating a refreshing and velvety-rich drink. We’re talking all the good stuff for this latte: organic, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, ... Read More >>
Upping the Ante at Room 94 Taps and Bourbon
Odawa Casino bets on a different kind of customer with their newest restaurant
By Greg Tasker | April 20, 2024
For gamblers and non-gamblers alike, the dining options at many casinos are often lackluster—a sandwich shop, small café, or a standard all-you-can-eat buffet. Odawa Casino in Petoskey is out to change that dynamic. The casino is upping its food and drink game with a new venture, Room 94 Taps and Bourbon. Located in the casino’s former buffet space, Room 94 exudes an inviting, welcoming vibe with an eclectic menu, a solid selection ... Read More >>
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