Anna Faller | Author

Tap 30 Pourhouse’s Iced Cinnamon Roll

Jan. 6, 2024

While you might know Tap 30 Pourhouse in Petoskey for their dozens of rotating craft beer selections, it’s their spin on spirits that’ll have you hooked—and their signature Iced Cinnamon Roll cocktail always hits the sweet spot! A spice-infused take on the classic White ... Read More >>

Mental Health First Aid

Dec. 23, 2023

If you witnessed a medical emergency—someone with a broken leg for instance, or a co-worker choking on their lunch—most of us would know just what to do: call an ambulance, administer the Heimlich, and maybe even start CPR.

But, would you be able to pinpoint a person s... Read More >>

Sugar 2 Salt's Chai Coffee Cake

Dec. 23, 2023

Treating yourself is always in season, as is the Chai Coffee Cake at Sugar 2 Salt in the Grand Traverse Commons. An S2S staple and crew creation, this twist on the classic breakfast pastry ups the flavor ante with house-made chai—that’s a milk-powder base mixed with cozy spice... Read More >>

Hill Top Soda Shoppe's Naughty Elf Latte

Dec. 16, 2023

We know Santa’s keeping tabs, but sometimes, it just feels good to be bad. The Naughty Elf Latte at Hill Top Soda Shoppe in Benzonia is so good, it ought to break some rules! Inspired by a house-favorite flavor combo—the cafe is a sugary mecca of donuts, ice cream, and hand-cr... Read More >>

Roasted Cafe's Biscuit Sandwich

Dec. 9, 2023

As the name suggests, everything at Roasted Café in Cadillac—from pastries and coffee, to brunch and beyond—sees a little exposure to heat. Their just-released winter menu is no exception, and the pulled-pork Biscuit Sandwich sure brings the fire! The real star of the s... Read More >>

Rhuby from Starcut Ciders

Dec. 2, 2023

Forget the boughs of holly—this year, we’re decking our halls with effervescent cider, and Starcut Ciders’ just-released Rhuby is an irrefutable holiday gem. Dreamed up by the flavor masters at Short’s Brewing Co., this juicy dram starts with a bone-dry base of the... Read More >>

Food for Thought's Blueberry Lavender Preserves

Nov. 25, 2023

While we’re all for a little holiday flavor, bonus points go to seasonal treats we can actually feel good about eating. Enter: Food for Thought’s flavor-packed dressings and sauces. Founded more than two decades ago, this Traverse-based company hangs its hat on scratch-made ac... Read More >>

Help for the Holidays: Four Nonprofits Share Their Community Wish Lists

Nov. 18, 2023

In the immortal words of Andy Williams, the holiday season is “the most wonderful time of the year.” For families across northern Michigan who have fallen on hard times, however, it can often be a difficult season of stretching dollars and extra stress.

To lighten that... Read More >>

Aurora Cellars' Mulled Wine

Nov. 18, 2023

Celebration is the name of the game at Aurora Cellars in Lake Leelanau, where boutique wines and picturesque views are a haven for weddings and special events. As for a celebratory beverage? We’d go with a steaming-hot mug of Mulled Wine. A fresh take on the cold-weather classic, th... Read More >>

City Park Grill’s Mediterranean Linguine

Nov. 11, 2023

’Tis the season for warm and nourishing eats, and dinner doesn’t get cozier or more classic than the Mediterranean Linguine ($18.95) at City Park Grill. (History lovers, take note: The location that houses City Park Grill first opened as a restaurant in the late 1900’s&m... Read More >>

Seeking Help: Students and Mentors Reflect on Local Teen Mental Health Survey

Nov. 4, 2023

It’s no surprise that mental health in American teens has seen a recent decline. In fact, according to national data, about 15 percent of middle and high school students experienced a major depressive episode in the last year, and more than a third (about 37 percent) reported persis... Read More >>

WaterFire Vineyards' Riesling

Nov. 4, 2023

As temperatures (and leaves) start to fall, you can find us cozied up in the tasting room at WaterFire Vineyards. Opened in 2017, this intimate Torch Lake winery combines homegrown fruit with high cellar standards to craft its pristine wines in small batches. It’s also the first vin... Read More >>

Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast’s Pumpkin Souffle

Oct. 28, 2023

Built on a former apple orchard just outside downtown Bellaire, Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast draws guests in for its charming rooms and relaxing spaces (complete with a coffee and hot chocolate bar). It’s the gourmet breakfast spread, though, that’ll have you hooked, and... Read More >>

Playa Bowls' Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Oct. 21, 2023

Calling all pumpkin pie lovers! There’s an old adage that says you should eat dessert first, and we couldn’t agree more. We’ve got a little cheat for you, though, and it’s creamy, cold, and comes with a straw! The Playa Bowls’ Pumpkin Pie Smoothie is inspired... Read More >>

Adventure Travel, A-Frames, and All-Consuming Wanderlust

Oct. 14, 2023

In a world where travel influencers inundate our social media feeds, it’s easy to envision ourselves on a faraway beach for our next vacation. Michigan, though, is its own destination, with plenty of picturesque towns, pristine scenery, and tasty eats more than worth exploring.

Gilchrist Farm and Winery’s Malloreddus Pasta

Oct. 14, 2023

It doesn’t get much more farm-to-table than Gilchrist Farm and Winery in Suttons Bay. Nestled on 85 picturesque acres, this homegrown oasis is all about using local ingredients to create craveable flavors (and complement their top-notch wines!). This fall, find us fork-deep in a bow... Read More >>

The DAM Shop’s Pumpkin Spice White Russian

Oct. 7, 2023

Empty tank after a day on the river? The DAM Shop in Elk Rapids has you covered. Opened in 2021, this marine pro store turned local hotspot has expanded to include an on-site food truck, craft espresso, and even a rotating cocktail lineup…complete with a twinkly outdoor patio! This... Read More >>

Fear, Failure, and Redemption

Sept. 30, 2023

Bestselling author Victoria “V.E.” Schwab wants to make you believe in magic. “I’m inspired by speculative elements of our world—that it’s bigger or stranger than it is,” she explains.

Reality, though (think: power, politics, and people), ... Read More >>

Cupcake Mafia’s The Good Fella

Sept. 30, 2023

Mobile bakeshop Cupcake Mafia & Co. is all about extravagant sweets. Opened last year, this family-owned operation specializes in scratch-made desserts and offers rotating menus from cookies to brownies and even customizable pastries. This month, they’re upping the autumnal ante... Read More >>

Love Thy Neighbor

Sept. 23, 2023

Local homeowner and architectural designer Sam LaSusa isn’t a “tall fence” person. “I want to engage with the community,” he says with a laugh. “I want to meet my neighbors!”

A born-and-bred Traverse City local and graduate of St. Francis ... Read More >>