Anna Faller | Author

Five Shores’ E Machine

Aug. 21, 2021

Some of the world’s best ideas are born over a pint — or two or three. In the case of Five Shores Brewing co-founders Oliver Roberts and Matt Demorest, that idea just happened to be, well … beer. Since opening their historic quonset building doors last January, Five Shore… Read More >>

John U. Bacon Gets Out of the Way

Aug. 14, 2021

John U. Bacon is a man of multiple hats. A celebrated writer and educator, he is the author of a whopping 12 full-length titles, five of which are New York Times bestsellers, including "Bo’s Lasting Lessons" (in collaboration with the esteemed University of Michigan football coach Bo … Read More >>

Birch & Maple’s French Toast Monte Cristo

Aug. 14, 2021

For your weekly breakfast fix, look no further than the French Toast Monte Cristo at Birch & Maple in Frankfort. Founded and co-owned by fine-dining veterans Nick and Natalie Crawford, this cozy kitchen and cocktail spot first opened its doors in 2018; since then, its modern take on cla… Read More >>

Ethanology’s Crimson Commander

Aug. 7, 2021

What elevates a cocktail from “ehh” to “exceptional?” At Ethanology, in Elk Rapids, the secret is — spoiler alert! — scientific research. Well, that, and a years-long commitment to top-quality tipple. Founded by Michigan natives, Nick and Geri Lefebra, Et… Read More >>

Short's Brewing Company's Mosa

July 31, 2021

Since its inception in 2004, Short’s Brewing Company has prided itself on its cutting-edge mastery of craft beer. So when chief innovation officer Tony Hansen discovered an untapped passion for cider in his staff, a new drink endeavor was a no-brainer. Enter Starcut Ciders. Founded in… Read More >>

Small Batch’s Superior Sandwich

July 31, 2021

For a truly entertaining dining experience, look no further than Small Batch at the Cupola in Harbor Springs. A combination catering biz, bakery, and full-service cafe, Small Batch is the brainchild of proprietress and full-blown foodie, Lauretta Reiss. A former designer-turned-artistic che… Read More >>

The Plot Twist of M.I.T. Science Grad-Turned-Mystery Writer Megan Miranda

July 17, 2021

Internationally acclaimed author Megan Miranda got her start as a self-proclaimed scaredy-cat. “I was one of those kids who was afraid of everything,” she says. “Literally, everything.” Suffice to say, those fears were short-lived. Now a New York Times bests… Read More >>

The East in Eden

July 17, 2021

For decades in northern Michigan, folks with a craving for Asian cuisine had few options — generally, a Chinese buffet or two on the outskirts of town. But as the region’s population and demographics have expanded, so too has its cultural reach. Thai and Asian-fusion eateries in… Read More >>

Bee Well Zoot Suit Riot

July 17, 2021

Find yourself craving cherries, even after Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival has folded up its tents? Fret not: The staff at Bee Well Mead and Cider in downtown Bellaire have your fix on tap. The brainchild of brothers Chris and Jeremy Vansice, Bee Well Mead and Cider was found… Read More >>

2 The Moon Bakery’s Foldover Pastries

July 10, 2021

For the ultimate in sweet-tooth satisfaction, we heartily recommend the Foldover Pastries at 2 The Moon Bakery in Lake City. The brainchild of husband-and-wife duo, Nathanial (aka Chef Ziggy) and Chelsie Sigsbey, 2 The Moon began as a catering company in the spring of 2019, shortly before t… Read More >>

North Perk’s Cafe Miel

July 3, 2021

On the hunt for a balanced morning buzz? Christine at North Perk Coffee in downtown Petoskey has you covered. This community coffee shop’s winning combination of exceptional brews and friendly baristas has made it a favorite among locals since 2013. Featuring both medium and dark-roas… Read More >>

Mundos Eat House’s Cheddar Lime Waffle

July 3, 2021

Waffles: They’re what’s for breakfast. And at Mundos Eat House in Suttons Bay, you can have some of the most inventive topper combos to hit the hash pattern. Open since late May last year, this take-out utopia has been cranking out clever comfort foods that, with its sister coff… Read More >>

Dear White Male Friends of a Certain Age

June 26, 2021

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, acclaimed author and advocate Dax-Devlon Ross found himself in the midst of a message onslaught — the majority from the white men in his life.

“I appreciated them reaching out to me, but I thought it was peculiar,” h… Read More >>

Take a Mini-Vacation with Author Emily Henry

June 19, 2021

On the hunt for the perfect warm-weather companion? New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry joins the National Writers Series on Thursday, June 24, and she’s about to take your beach bag by storm. Her newest novel, “People We Meet on Vacation,” follows the protagonis… Read More >>

Trattoria Stella’s Agropolitan

June 19, 2021

For a sweet-and-tart start to the longest night of the year — June 21 — or any other summer night, look no further than the Agropolitan at Trattoria Stella. Nestled snugly in the basement of the Grand Traverse Commons, Stella’s been garnering street-cred for both its stand… Read More >>

Land Stories

May 29, 2021

Looking for reasons to leave your house? Consider this your open (air) invitation. While we all have our favorite parks and hikes, as summer edges in and more tourists and townies descend, it’s worth keeping a few lesser-trod landscapes in your back pocket. Here we highlight three of … Read More >>

Disappear into the U.P.’s Copper Mines this Summer

May 22, 2021

For acclaimed author Mary Doria Russell, moral dilemma is a must when it comes to good writing.  “I like gray areas,” she says, “and characters who do the right thing, and then find out it wasn’t as simple as they thought.”

In her newest nove… Read More >>

"Every important person was once a child."

May 8, 2021

A nationally syndicated columnist and near two-decade veteran of the Detroit Free Press, Rochelle Riley has spent much of her career telling stories that might otherwise have gone unheard. “A lot of what I write has to do with issues affecting African Americans, or of interes… Read More >>

Sneak Peek: Chris Bohjalian to Talk with Locals Before Next Novel Drops

April 17, 2021

Award-winning author Chris Bohjalian is one of those people who was born to write. A schoolroom hobby-turned-carefully-honed craft, Bohjalian credits his earliest compositions for his attraction to the darker side of life would come to define his future stories.

“They were… Read More >>

Redefining the Next Northern Homescape

April 10, 2021

The best designs are based on déjà vu. At least, that’s Angelo Adamo’s approach. A transplant to the Grand Traverse area and Creative Director at Design Elemental, Adamo’s philosophy for crafting quality spaces is focused on the evocation of emotion — w… Read More >>