Tastemakers: mona‘s Veggie at Flatiron Deli - Black Star farms Hard Apple Cider

Sept. 14, 2005

Mona‘s Veggie at the Flatiron Deli

Mammoth sandwiches served in a small space are a specialty at the Flatiron Deli on the corner of Howard Street and Park Avenue inMmmm Petoskey. Named after its architectural building style and reflecting similar landmark buildings in New York and San Francisco, the Flatiron offers counter dining inside or venture out into neighboring Pennsylvania Park and its picnic tables.
Try Mona’s Veggie sandwich, a garden delight packed with Swiss and Colby cheeses, lettace, tomato, onion, sprouts, peppers, cucumber, and deli sauce served on your choice of seven bread options. We went for the whole wheat, which was incredibly thick and fresh,
The Flatiron has seven other sandwiches to choose from featuring turkey, ham, roast beef, corned beef, salami, chicken,tuna, or egg salad, as well as an assortment of chips, tortellini or fruit salads, cold drinks, and cheesecake. -- by Peg Kuchin.


BLACK STAR FARMS HARD APPLE CIDER
In recent months all the local focus has been on the successful cherry harvest and in the coming weeks, what appears to be a record grapeII harvest – but what about apples? After all, apples, (the number one legal crop in Michigan) will generate over 91 million dollars in sales for the 1,000 apple farms in the state. According to the Michigan Apple Committee there are over 8 million apple trees on 41,000 acres that will yield 840 million pounds or 20 million bushels of apples this fall. That is a lot of applesauce. Better yet, how about taking some of those apples and making a great hard apple cider. That is exactly what winemaker Lee Lutes is doing at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. He is blending 8 different cider apples and producing Black Star Farms Hard Apple Cider. Now before you rush to judgment and start thinking about that stuff Grandpa made in the cellar that was 100 proof and tasted like turpentine, remember Lutes isn’t your Grandpa, he is one of the handful of young aggressive winemakers helping to put this region on the vino map. This hard cider is made from a winemaker’s perspective, light, with lots of fresh fruit flavors and aromas, versus the English ciders that are malty and at times sweet and even harsh. At 7% alcohol (cider laws require 7% or less) and with light bubbles the Black Star Farms Hard Apple Cider is a casual beverage and works great in all settings. This is perfect for the tailgate party and pairs well with all tailgate items like brats, kabobs, wings and other spicy foods. Having an adult Halloween party?
Fill a metal tub with a case of the hard cider and place several apples infused with Black Star Farms Apple Brandy and quickly see how popular apple bobbing will become at your party. Look for Black Star Farms Hard Apple Cider at local wine shops and groceries that support area wines or visit the winery – the one with the Big Red House.---Rick Coates