Lynda Wheatley | Author

5 "Exotic" Escapes to Take Without Leaving the State

March 20, 2021

If you’re reading this, chances are good you’re not lying prone on a beach by the ocean somewhere south or west of here. But take heart: Being stuck in Michigan for spring break isn't the same as being stuck. In fact, we found five easy in-state outings to help families with k... Read More >>

Lost Village Pierogi's … everything

March 20, 2021

Before you drive off to spring break destinations unknown, drive first through The Great Northern Michigan Pierogi & Polish Food Pop-up Drive-Thru Festival, to be held Sunday, March 28, in Traverse City. Only the third time the Petoskey-based pierogi- and Polish-food-maker has brought... Read More >>

Windy City Blues Blowin’ In

March 20, 2021

The Dennos Museum Center and The Ramsdell Center for the Performing Arts (RRCA) are collaborating on a special Windy City Line Up, bringing local audiences free performances and live Zoom sessions with two Chicago Blues musicians: Davy Knowles (pictured above left), at... Read More >>

Ethanology’s Hipster Tap Water

March 13, 2021

Let the kids have their green beer. You, mature hipster, need neither artificial food colorants nor a kiss-entreating T-shirt proclaiming your adopted-for-a-day national pride. You need only a sweater befitting mid-March in Michigan and a short glass of Ethanology’s Hipster Tap Wate... Read More >>

Taproot’s Toum

March 13, 2021

If you can forgive the fact that our half-Lebonese editor smeared it atop Costco-bought falafel balls (trust us; they’re better than any she’s managed to make herself), we urge you to get yourself some of the tastiest salsat toum in town.

An authentic taste of the ... Read More >>

Nittolo’s Napoli

March 6, 2021

You want a medium round with extra mozz, pepperoni, and canned olives? Go somewhere else for your pizza. “This ain’t Build-a-Bear workshop,” says Chef Eric Nittolo. “No choosing toppings.” But if you want a 14-inch hot-from-a-wood-fire flavor revelation, made... Read More >>

Folgarelli’s Piccini Memoro d’Italia

March 6, 2021

Because Nittolo’s pizza reminded us just how outstanding Italian food can be, we capped off the afternoon with a run to Folgarelli’s for a bottle of Italian wine, of which the Traverse City gourmet grocer has many, many bottles — often so many, they’ll stack a few ... Read More >>

Oban’s 14-year Single Malt Scotch

Feb. 27, 2021

Yeah, you could buy yourself a whole bottle of Oban’s 14-year-old single malt at the grocery store. But if you don’t want to set yourself back $89 (the cheapest we could find, at Meijer), we recommend a far richer but less costly experience to toast our incoming ides of March:... Read More >>

Dinghy’s Smoked Barbeque Ribs

Feb. 27, 2021

Dinghy’s Restaurant & Bar in downtown Frankfort was hit particularly hard by the pandemic restrictions. “We don’t have a patio, and the City of Frankfort prohibits sidewalk tables. Because Dinghy’s is a very small restaurant, compliance with the social dis... Read More >>

Tiny Pink Bubbles

Feb. 20, 2021

Hey, ladies, do we have the pink drink for you: Aerie’s Tiny Pink Bubbles. With a taste and body as delicious as its name and presentation is darling, this fanciful concoction masterminded by manager Alex Truck is utterly worth our obsession.

A foundation of botanical be... Read More >>

Small Batch’s Mon Chou Chou

Feb. 13, 2021

Bet you thought this hot stack of delicious was a dessert. Think again, you lucky breakfast champion. This is Small Batch at the Cupola’s homemade cinnamon roll French toast. It’s served with a creamy cheese glaze, fresh sweetened strawberries, a snowball’s dollop of whi... Read More >>

Rolling Oak’s GoodAle Chocolate

Feb. 13, 2021

Blink and you’ll miss one of Rolling Oak Brewery’s seemingly endless array of libation creations concocted with donuts from legendary Grayling bakery and neighbor, Goodale’s bakery. The brewery recently blew our minds (and resolved our inner beer v. dessert battle) with ... Read More >>

On the Line

Feb. 13, 2021

At the outset of the pandemic, it’s likely none of us knew just how surreal it would feel to go weeks, months, and — for some of us — nearly a year without gathering inside a restaurant.

The simple act of bellying up to a bar, cozying up in a booth, or tucking in... Read More >>

Tabone Vineyards' 2017 Estate Red

Feb. 6, 2021

Though the family owned Tabone Vineyards has been quietly tending to its grapes for nearly two decades, their tasting room didn’t open until spring of 2019. Less than a year later, the world around all of us changed, but it seems this young winery’s patience proved a formidabl... Read More >>

Third Coast Bakery’s Bounty of Valentine Treats

Feb. 6, 2021

We think it’s safe to say that Third Coast Bakery in Traverse City loves — like really, really loves — Valentine’s Day. And we’re loving that, because they’re not stopping at these heart-shaped pans of cinnamon rolls (shown above; pre-order two days in ... Read More >>

Firefly’s Wildflower Martini

Jan. 30, 2021

January’s mild temps notwithstanding, who Up North couldn’t use just a nip of springtime now and again? On a recent gray day, we slipped into one of Firefly’s toasty little greenhouses — literally toasty; a small space heater in the back enabled us to slip off all ... Read More >>

Blue Tractor’s Pork Mac & Cheese

Jan. 30, 2021

Though the pandemic prevented us from bellying up to the Blue Tractor bar every Sunday to watch the Lions play, when restaurants open again Feb. 1, we can look forward to recapturing at least one part of that our longstanding tradition: Sitting in one of Traverse City’s coziest foot... Read More >>

Join the Marley Party, Mon!

Jan. 30, 2021

Marley music, Jamaican jerk chicken tacos, hot dogs, cocktails, hot cocoa, sledding, snowshoeing XC skiing, bonfires, igloos, and more — and the whole family is invited? Believe it. From noon to 6pm Saturday, Feb. 6, Jacob’s Farm in Traverse City is hosting Love Live, a free o... Read More >>

7 Monks’ Sprouts

Jan. 23, 2021

You know what goes unbelievably well with beer? Brussels sprouts. Specifically, the Sprouts starter available for carryout from 7 Monks Tavern in Traverse City. Hear us out. In the vein of glazed or saucy chicken wings, salty fries dipped in vinegar or ketchup, or even the almighty burger... Read More >>

Hilbert’s Honey Co.’s Maple Syrup

Jan. 16, 2021

March might be maple syrup-making season, but if you ask us, winter is maple syrup-gorging season. We pour it on our weekend waffles and pancakes, we mix it in our Friday night cocktails (try a spoonful in a glass of bourbon on ice with a splash of ginger ale and two fresh sprigs of ... Read More >>