Anna Faller | Author

Brew’s Cucumber-Mint Gimlet

July 30, 2022

As its name suggests, Brew in downtown Traverse City knows a bit about quenching thirst. Their raw-brick ambiance beckons first thing in the morning for coffee and espresso creations (try the chai tea latte and thank us later) and invites you to settle in for the afternoon with a glass of w… Read More >>

Hearth & Vine Cafe’s Black Bean Burger

July 23, 2022

Did someone say “beer and a burger?” Hearth & Vine Café will do you one better. Transformed from a farm market in 2010, this seasonal bistro at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay offers casual farmstead fare, all crafted to complement a glass (or two) of wine. As for tho… Read More >>

Townline Ciderworks’ Fresh Strawberry Cider

July 16, 2022

“Homegrown” gets a whole new meaning at Townline Ciderworks in Williamsburg. Opened in 2017, this tasting room and production facility features hand-crafted wine and cider sourced from surrounding Altonen Orchards. While there’s certainly no shortage of heritage apples (th… Read More >>

Brengman Brothers’ Michigan BBQ Lettuce Wraps

July 9, 2022

For an afternoon of sun-drenched sipping, Brengman Brothers at Crain Hill Vineyard is an ideal place to take root. Established in 2003, this regionally-focused winery has an ethos all about showcasing local terroir, from its array of top-notch wines to its just-released tapas menu, led by c… Read More >>

Down by the Docks

July 9, 2022

Since Pier M33 on the Cheboygan opened in June 2011, its eclectic eats and easy vibes—not to mention those killer waterfront views—have made for an impressive splash in the deep end of northern Michigan dining.

Join us (the water’s fine!) as we dive beneath the sur… Read More >>

Short’s Brewing’s Thirst Mutilator Hop Water

July 2, 2022

Short’s Brewing Company has just released its first non-alcoholic beverage, and it gives the term “porch pounder” a whole new meaning. Please welcome Thirst Mutilator Hop Water to the stage! Created in collaboration with Michigan’s own Billy Strings (who got his Gram… Read More >>

Nauti Inn Barstro’s Lake Trout

June 25, 2022

Summer staycation vibes come to life downtown Cheboygan’s Nauti Inn Barstro. Opened in 2017, this bar-meets-bistro’s maritime twist, complete with alfresco seating and wood-plank accents, brings a day spent dockside ashore—minus all that extra sand. Known for its variety o… Read More >>

Cherry Picking

June 25, 2022

In 1989, Bob Sutherland founded Cherry Republic as a T-shirt brand from the trunk of his car. Fast-forward nearly 30 years, and that one-man business has since evolved into six retail stores throughout the state, not to mention a huge online presence. But, the cherry on top (pun totally int… Read More >>

Stormcloud’s One String Puppet

June 18, 2022

Ever heard of Phantasm thiol? It’s made from powdered New Zealand white grape skins, and it makes a pretty delicious beer. “It’s a brand-new product on the market,” says Stormcloud Brewing Company’s lead, Chris Schnapf. The moment he got his hands on the stuff,… Read More >>

Murdick’s Cherry Fudge Flavors

June 11, 2022

If northern Michigan were a building, fudge would form the bricks and Doug Murdick’s Fudge would be the sugar-spun cement. Murdick’s namesake sweets begin with half-and-half, whipping cream, and plenty of sugar. From there, each mixture is melted to temperature (each of which is… Read More >>

On a Mission

June 4, 2022

Whether it’s beer, Irish fare, BBQ, or fine dining, local boys turned business associates Greg Lobdell and Jon Carlson know how to make a restaurant shine. Under Mission Restaurant Group’s operation, the duo have five local eateries in Traverse City: North Peak Brewing Company, … Read More >>

Holesome Bites’ Strawberry Buttermilk Cake

May 28, 2022

Imagine, if you will, the ultimate pastry-case perfection, packed and waiting on your porch. Drooling already? We don’t blame you. Enter: Holesome Bites in Manistee. Opened in 2021 by pastry chef Kaitlyn Huber and her partner Marc Qualls-Sanchez, this by-delivery bakery is all about m… Read More >>

Blackrocks Brewery’s Honey Lav

May 21, 2022

What do you do when your day job pulls the plug? For homebrewing duo David Manson and Andy Langlois, the answer was to hone their hobby. “We thought at retirement we’d dabble more professionally in [brewing],” says Manson. “It just came around earlier than anticipate… Read More >>

Don’s Drive-In Big D Burger

May 14, 2022

Opened in 1958, Don’s Drive-In is a Traverse City staple. Specializing in hand-dipped shakes and hearty sandwiches, Don’s menu is old-school carhop fare served with a heaping side of nostalgia. It doesn’t get much more Americana than Don’s classic Big D Burger. Serve… Read More >>

The Sea Bird in Central Lake

May 14, 2022

Chris and Merrie Corbett are experts at spotting a hidden gem. Since starting their first northern Michigan business—Adams Madams boutique in Central Lake—in 2002, the pair has wasted no time in amassing a whopping 10 other area properties.

Their leisure and retail locat… Read More >>

Coffee by Steph’s Samoa Cookie Draft Latte

May 7, 2022

What do you get when human connection meets craft? For West Coast transplant Stephanie Mora, the answer is an outrageous cup of coffee. A java junkie since college, Mora’s highly-caffeinated career was sealed by her experience on Central American coffee farms, where she saw first-hand… Read More >>

Alley Cat’s Eats & Sweets’ Massaged Kale Salad

April 30, 2022

At Alley Cat’s Eats & Sweets, mama-food is the name of the game. Founded in May 2021 by hospitality veteran Allie Gualco and her mother, Kristen “KJ” Joppich, this no-frills food truck is fully committed to filling your belly and fortifying your soul. “I don&rsqu… Read More >>

A Swim in Grand Traverse Bay in the Rain

April 30, 2022

Esteemed author and essayist George Saunders arrived rather late to the literature party. “I’d always liked reading,” he says, “and I had this idea of myself as being a writer, in the tradition of Hemingway, having adventures.” His South Chicago background, how… Read More >>

MI Brew’s Bee’s Knees

April 23, 2022

While warm weather in northern Michigan is only starting to arrive, there’s no reason we can’t all be on a white sand beach if we squint hard enough, and the image gets a little clearer when accompanied by a handmade cocktail. This is where Grayling’s Michigan Brew comes i… Read More >>

Banana Bread French Toast at The Iron Skillet

April 16, 2022

Every small town has its distinguishing dive, and for residents of Mancelona, that spot is The Iron Skillet. Helmed by hospitality veteran Mike Nygren, the café opened its doors in 2011 to an array of kicked-up diner classics. Since then, the Skillet’s from-scratch kitchen, not… Read More >>