Food
The Canned Cocktail Craze
A local-centric look inside the most popular beverage trend in the U.S.
By Craig Manning | Nov. 29, 2025
Amidst a nationwide decline of craft beer, Right Brain Brewery owner and brewer Russell Springsteen found a bright spot in 2025: ready-to-drink cocktails. Last year, Right Brain’s distribution team approached Springsteen and encouraged him to try his hand at creating an in-house version of a long drink. For the uninitiated, a long drink is a Finnish cocktail, historically made with gin and grapefruit soda and concocted with higher fluid volume—and lower strength—than … Read More >>
The Blue Bird Is Back
New digs, new eats, and a new vibe for the Leland staple
By Art Bukowski | Nov. 29, 2025
Skip Telgard is resting a little easier these days—literally. It’s not that his work in the brand-new version of Leland’s beloved Blue Bird restaurant is done. Far from it. It will be a few more months, at least, before all of the loose ends are tied up and the space is to his liking. But getting paying customers through the door in mid-October was a huge hurdle to clear, and Telgard is … Read More >>
¡Tequio!
Midwest roots turned into West Coast success for this beverage-making duo
By Nick Cooper | Nov. 29, 2025
More than two decades ago, Louis-Pascal Walsh and Frederick “Flick” Mooradian met as children, and they have been nearly inseparable since. Fast-forward 20 years, and the Harbor Springs natives’ entrepreneurial dreams have come to reality as their tequila seltzer drink Tequio has found popularity in California and earned five-star ratings throughout the United States. “Flick and I have a unique relationship. Our parents are very close friends, so we spent a lot … Read More >>
Embracing the Mocktail Moment
Local businesses share their successes with NA cocktails
By Anna Faller | Nov. 29, 2025
It’s no secret that the U.S. has entered a dry spell when it comes to alcohol enjoyment, with factors like health concerns and economic constraints driving consumption down in the last few years. This increase in teetotalers, however, doesn’t negate the demand for a tasty drink. Enter: the rise of the mocktail. Per Missy Leverett, owner of Malted Vinyl in Petoskey, the thirst for non-alcoholic options is on the rise, with zero-proof … Read More >>
Crocodile Palace's Hot Pot
Tastemaker
Nov. 29, 2025
If you’ve never had a hot pot dinner before, think of it like fondue but with broth in place of cheese and veggies, noodles, and meats in place of bread or other dipping items. Crocodile Palace is putting their spin on the tradition on Thursdays at The Little Fleet in TC. This is a meal made for sharing, and ours easily served four (along with an order of their Smashed Cucumber Salad). … Read More >>
Lake Ann Brewing’s Trinidad Scorpion Pepper Porter
Bottoms Up
By Anna Faller | Nov. 29, 2025
We’re all about finding ways to stay toasty as winter weather arrives, and Lake Ann Brewing Co. is bringing the heat with their Trinidad Scorpion Pepper Porter. A delightfully-drinkable twist on the pub’s OG Platte River Porter, this one-two-punch features the same toasty malts and medium body, kicked up a few-dozen Scovilles by means of the Trinidad scorpion pepper (one of the world’s hottest chilis!). Combined with the rich notes of chocolate … Read More >>
What’s Cooking at Little Bay Gourmet
Inside the eatery’s deli, catering, and holiday menus
By Geri Dietze | Nov. 22, 2025
Chef Sarah McDonnell of Little Bay Gourmet seems uniquely prepared to helm her Petoskey deli slash meal service slash catering enterprise. Her curriculum vitae speaks for itself: The Petoskey native graduated from CMU in 1998 before moving on to culinary school in Chicago. McDonnell called the Windy City home for the next 20 years, beginning with her first position at the Union League Club, then tenure as executive chef with a leading … Read More >>
Suttons Bay Trading Company’s Grill Seasoning
Tastemaker
By Anna Faller | Nov. 22, 2025
Karen and Kimberly Pontius were looking decades—and miles—into the future when they established their spice-blending house, Suttons Bay Trading Company, in 2000. If your next destination is as imminent as dinner, we recommend starting with their top-selling Suttons Bay Grill Seasoning. Meticulously crafted using the shop’s own recipes (as are all of their blends), this multitasking spice was created to be delicious on just about anything, from the grillable meats its name … Read More >>
Short’s Brewing’s Bloody Beer
Bottoms Up
By Craig Manning | Nov. 22, 2025
Ah, the Bloody Mary. A delectable brunch treat for some, a true abomination of the cocktail arts for others. You’d think that, for those of us who land on the latter side of that divide, a Bloody Mary-inspired beer would be a nightmarish prospect. But trust us when we say that, even if you do happen to loathe the very idea of a Bloody Mary, Short’s Brewing Company’s Bloody Beer is still … Read More >>
Locals Lake Leelanau’s Tiger Pizza
Tastemaker
Nov. 15, 2025
Locals Lake Leelanau is known for its local touch (thus the name), and its Ole Provemont Pizza selection delivers. On a recent visit, we ordered the Tiger Pizza ($23), so named for a logging-era steamship that once navigated the Narrows. This pie combines a little bit of smoke and a little bit of spice for smooth sailing. It starts with a pimento cheese spread as the base, topped with mozzarella cheese and … Read More >>
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