Take a drive out to the farm!

This place defines my "hidden away" category.
The Farm House Bakery & Restaurant near Vandalia is really out in the country and is actually located on the farm! I really like breakfast places that are also bakeries because the toast is so good. Add to that the donuts, pastries, bismarcks, cinnamon rolls and apple fritters, you may have to take some of your omelet home. This place is a store, bakery and restaurant. Nice lunches and great breakfasts. The bread is made with hand ground grain for each batch! The salad dressings are all made in house and are available for sale. I liked the sweet and sour. All this is good but their real specialty is their pies! Several choices all made from scratch in house. Have a nice breakfast or lunch, then purchase some bread, dressings and pies to go. Neat place with very nice people operating it right on their farm. Sometimes you may even get to go on a horse drawn buggy ride. Check their website for special events. Check the guide for all the details.

Fine dining destination added!

This top rated restaurant in Tecumseh seems like it belongs in a big city. We are glad this top chef chose this small town to open Evans Street Station. Chef Alan Merhar was doing farm to table before it became the latest craze. He negotiates with local farmers and suppliers for fresh local products. This place has been written up in all the nearby papers like Toledo, Ann Arbor, Detroit and even AAA. Rave reviews from diners and food writers. This chef/owner had prior stops at Detroit area top spots like the Tribute and Forte'. The only evidence from the building being the former fire station is the siren on the roof. The fieldstone fireplace inside along with an open kitchen gives it great style. They also have outdoor dining. This is fine dining at its best in both quality and presentation. My strip steak with a cabernet reduction sauce was amazing! One of the few places that makes everything from scratch inhouse with local ingredients. Known for great crabcakes, baked brie, Michigan potato chowder soup, lamb shank, bacon wrapped amish chicken, flat iron steak, lobster, great wine list, martinis, microbrew beers and housemade desserts like capuccino creme brulee. Everything here is good, fresh and from local ingredients. 60% of their business is from out of town people, so make the trip through Tecumseh to this destination restaurant. Check the guide for all the details and more review.

Terry’s Guide to Michigan dining and drinking kicks off second summer season with updated website

Try this newer place in South Haven

This place is behind Clementine's on a side street, however many people have found it. So much so that they have doubled in size in only a couple of years. The menu is large, mostly homemade and fresh.
Maria's A Taste of Italy has really done things right. Lasagna is their best seller. I really like the pasta shells. Pizza is hand tossed with homemade sauce and lots of topping choices. Don't miss the sweet pepper crab soup on weekends or the mussels in red sauce under the seafood section. Many go just for the salads. How about a tuscan chicken caesar or a traverse city salad. During the season try Maria's antipasto. Great breadsticks as well as a large sandwich assortment. Try the italian beef or sausage. Maybe both for a combo. The capaccio comes with hard salami, cappicola and pepperoni. How about the johnny D which is an open faced homemade meatball sandwich covered with their marinara and cheese then baked! Palazzolo's gelato, crane's pies and homemade cookies can be purchased there or to go. Click the highlighted name above for more details.

Smoking ban causes some new additions to guide!

I really like the food at some places that used to be a little too smoky to go in the guide. I am now adding them since the smoke free law starting May 1st. The smoke didn't bother me too much, however I know it bothered some of you. So now check out Barney's Bar in Bedford. This place has great hamburgers! Several other good sandwiches like a wet beef, philly beef or french dip. A grilled or deep fried chicken sandwich. Lots of "munchies" as well as steak or shrimp dinners. Nightly specials and very good pizza! Prices are great and food is good. My kind of place!

Mother's Day at a Mansion?

Lots of places have great Mother's Day specials. Great brunches and dinner specials all over. Check some of your favorite places that are not usually open on Sunday and you may be surprised. How about a special place at some of the mansions around our area. W.K. Kellogg Manor House is very nice check www.kbs.msu.edu/visit/manor-house located on Gull Lake. In Jackson check out Cascades Manor House at www.cascadesmanor.com where they always have Sunday brunch. In Eaton Rapids check out The English Inn at www.englishinn.com or in Saugatuck check out The Belvedere Inn at www.thebelvedereinn.com. Just a few special places. I am sure there are many more. No quarantee they are not already booked so good luck!