Tastemakers: NJ‘s Grocery - Union Street Station Local Wine Menu

NJ’s Grocery Indian Cuisine
Grocery stores have become hot stops for picking up pre-made meals when one is on the run. The focus is usually on classic American fare such as ribs and chicken, unless the stop is at NJ’s Grocery in Lake Leelanau. Established in 1912, NJ’s is located in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula and has all the typical wares expected of a small town grocery plus authentic Indian cuisine.
A recent stop found the deli case loaded with all sorts of Indian classics. The Samosa’s are often served as a snack in India and the crispy pastries may have all sorts of fillings. At NJ’s they load them with potatoes and assorted spices such as coriander powder, red chilies powder and pomegranate. The mixed vegetables with various traditional Indian spices were perfect packed into a Paratha (Indian flat bread). Indian cuisine typical has some zip to it so enjoy with Chateau Fontaine Gewürztraminer or any of the other local whites NJ’s carries.
Want to learn how to prepare Indian Cuisine or looking for something a little different for that next party? Then call NJ’s -- they offer Indian cookery classes and also cater parties. Stop in and pick up a menu or give them a call
(231) 256-9195.


Union Street Station
Local Wine Menu
 
 
Since its inception, Union Street Station in Traverse City has been known as a shot-and-beer bar. For the past 25 years it has been one of the focal points for the local music scene with cats like Kenny Olson cutting their teeth on the open mic stage. Now Dave & Kate Van Ocker are looking to expand their reputation as a wine destination. Not just any wines. They have pulled all of their California-based house wines and replaced them with all local wines. By the end of June they plan to have 10 wines all from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula available by the glass.
Kate, a long time wine enthusiast, believes that someone in the region needs to step forward and start a trend of only serving local wines. She points to the numerous award-winning wines produced locally and the fact that many local wines are actually superior to those being brought in from elsewhere.
VanOcker’s decision is a big victory for the local wine region. Don Coe of Black Star Farms likens it to what happened in California 30 years ago. “Restaurants in Napa and Sonoma starting pulling French wines from the menu and replacing with wines from the region. It is customary in all the great wine regions like Napa or Bordeaux that when visiting there you drink only the wines made there.”
VanOcker plans to encourage others to do the same including serving local wines at dinner parties. “The local wineries are attracting lots of visitors and these visitors are coming into our pubs and restaurants looking for local wines, it looks bad when we don’t have them, especially since they are so good.”
Currently Union Street is serving a local Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay along with an every day table red from Good Harbor. Kate jokes that they “have SEX in the basement for special occasions,” referring to L. Mawby’s popular sparkling wine. So who is next to step up to plate?

(When not writing for the Express Rick Coates is the spokesperson for the
local wine industry.) View On Our Website