Tastemakers: Amical Gourmet Caramel Apples - Andechser Dopplebock

Amical Gourmet Caramel Apples
Caramel apples are not just a treat to be enjoyed during the color season; they are great anytime of the year. In fact if you visit Amical on Front Street in Traverse City, they are part of their dessert menu. These tart Granny Smith apples are dipped in rich caramel with toasted pecans and drizzled with ribbons of white and dark Belgian chocolate.
When proprietor Dave Dennison opened Amical 10 years ago he was looking for that unique dessert item on the menu and he found it. So popular are these Gourmet Caramel Apples that they ship them all over the country. Many people order extras after dinner to take them home to enjoy. They go great by a roaring fire with Apple Brandy from Black Star Farms.
Now, going in and just ordering two of these to enjoy with your significant other may seem a little awkward... No worries: come into Amical for either lunch or dinner first. Chef Jon has several specialties and if you are looking for just appetizers, drinks and dessert, try the Thai Crab Cakes with a Chardonnay from their featured wine list, or for dinner the Lamb with Nut Pesto and a nice Cote du Rhone. Another popular feature at Amical is their cookbook series where they create special menus from popular cookbooks. Up next is “Jamie’s Kitchen” from the popular “Naked Chef“ Jamie Oliver with selected recipes being prepared during the week
of April 4 – 10. Regardless of your meal choice, finishing with the Caramel Apples is a must, and yes, you may come in for just them; don’t worry you won’t be the first
to do so.

bottoms up
Andechser Doppelbock

A couple of weeks ago Hermann Dornemann of Germany passed away. Just shy of his 112th birthday, he was considered to be the world’s oldest living male (the oldest female is currently 125). Dornemann credited his longevity to drinking one dark beer a day, something he claimed to do for 95 years. Among his favorites was Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel brewed by the Andechs Monastery Brewery just south of Munich, Germany.
Andechs knows a little something about longevity as they have been brewing beer since 1455. Germany is just finishing up “Starkbierzeit” (strong beer festival), a two-week festival where Germans are allowed to take a break from the Lenten season and enjoy hearty fresh bock beers. Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel is among the favorites and is so popular that it is brewed year-round.
Brewed using the traditional “triple mash” procedure, this beer is not only hearty – it packs a 7% alcohol punch. This beer has a beautiful ruby-brown hue to it and while syrupy thick, it is hearty versus heavy. Flavor components vary while sipping with hints of chocolate caramel and dark fruits coming in both the aroma and finish. Some rating systems rank this beer as high as 11th best of all beers made. Simply put, this is a good one to find anytime of the year. Pair with hearty game dishes like venison, or enjoy with earthy style cheeses such as Camembert or Fontina, and it can be served alone for dessert or with a slice of Death By Chocolate cake. No guarantees that having one of these a day will keep you around to 112 but it is sure worth trying. Well, off to Brazil to find out what beer this 125-year-old woman likes.


Found objects
TRAFFIC FURNITURE BY CODY HINZE

Graphic designer Cody Hinze lives in Lansing where he designs and constructs furniture in his garage. Less than a year ago, he began creating his “Traffic” line, a collection of furniture and home decor items all made from recycled materials, particularly road signs.
“Traffic” debuts April 2 and runs through the month at River Street Gallery in Manistee. The exhibition features Hinze’s latest work, including coffee and kitchen tables, chairs, clocks and lamps made from road signs circa 1995.
Hinze says his inspiration came from frequent visits to a local scrap metal yard. “I never go into the scrap yard knowing what I’m looking for,” he said. “You never know what you’re going to find. That’s the best part of it. You can find some random part from a machine at a GM plant, take it home and make it into a chair. It’s almost as if the part finds me.”
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