100 Years! Amazing.

Hard to believe, but Cascarelli's of Albion has reached the unimaginable milestone of 100 years. I was lucky enough to be invited thru my friend Ed H. to the invitation only party of about 300 to celebrate this momentous event. The party was nice with great food and a special 100 year anniversary ale made specially for them by Bell's of Kalamazoo. A nice Jazz band set the mood with a full house.

If you are in the area in the next 5 months, they are running many specials with old fashioned recipes and prices. I highly recommend you stop for a visit. Congratulate Jim Cascarelli and his family.

100 years! They must be doing something right. Try the pizza. Check the guide for more details.

This place is not common

The Common Grill is not in Southwest Michigan, however it is such a good place I thought I should tell you about it in case you pass through Chelsea sometime. This restaurant was started in an old downtown department store building by Jeff Daniels father who owns the local lumber company. It opened on the same night as Jeff's popular Purple Rose Theater. They tapped a top chef from the Chuck Muer restaurants (Charley's Crab, Big Fish etc.) Craig Common is the chef and namesake to this top Michigan restaurant. The food is mostly Seafood with steaks & chicken offerings as well. They are also famous for salads and desserts, but don't miss the seafood chowder and the homemade dinner rolls. You can get any of this at the carryout as well. On my recent visit the day before Thanksgiving with my daughter, Jeff Daniels was sitting at the counter talking with his friend Craig Common. We left him alone like the people in Chelsea do. The meal was great and you have to try this place when in the area. Many think it is better than any place in Ann Arbor. The prices are a little high but well worth it. Casual dress and full bar.

New Addition

This place has a neat atmosphere with high ceilings and a second floor loft area. The chef puts his touch on every dish at the Riverfront Cafe' in Niles. I had the crab bisque soup for lunch which was very good. The sandwich was cuban pressed pork, also very good. They had a unique idea for lunch with miniature desserts. My german chocolate cake was in a cylindrical form, but was delicious and at that size, costing only $2, made sense. Dinner is made up of steaks, seafood and other fine dining entree's. All chef prepared.

Two Bakeries Added

I went to two bakeries this week and added them both. I have walked or driven by this little bakery a hundred times and never noticed it. Jim T. told me I was missing the boat so I stopped. He was right! Louie's Bakery in downtown Marshall may be a hole in the wall, but what great food! They are known far and wide for their cakes and pies. I have read other reviews that rave about the lemon merenque. I also heard they had the best creme horns anywhere so I tried one and I agree! They are most famous for their nutty rolls. I had one of those later. This looks like a cinnamon roll with a light brown buttercream frosting filled with chopped peanuts...unbelievable. I will have a hard time going anywhere near Marshall now without stopping in Louie's. More details in the guide.

Other Bakery Added

The other Bakery this week is Continental Pastries and Deli in Battle Creek which is a favorite of its home town. This place has rolls, donuts and cakes, however, they have a large cake decorating business that is really impressive. Go to their web page for a picture gallery. They have many harder to find confections such as strudel, napoleons, petit fores and baklava. It is also a Deli and has a nice lunch menu with indoor seating. To finish it off they are also an Ice Cream parlour. Very nice place and don't forget the french pastries! More details in the guide.

New Addition-Old Favorite

Since 1961. Bill's Steak House is a famous place that most of you have probably heard of. It is located on the east side of Bronson right on US 12. I had not been there in 20yrs. It is bigger and busier than ever. We had to wait for over one hour, but it was worth it. I don't think you can eat here normally without some wait. This place is known for giant steaks. The porterhouse can come as large as 30 ounces. I got the small 26 ounce one. They are known also for ribs and fish. Walleye, perch, blue gill, crab legs and lobster tail. They have desserts but I can't imagine having room for any. I would have to get them to go. Also, known for margarita's. Check the guide for more details.

New Kalamazoo Sandwich Place Added to Guide

I have heard about this new sandwich place but just got to it today. It is called B'wiched Deli & Microcatering. Located in a strip mall at Drake and West Main in Kalamazoo. Everyone has been talking about how good these sandwiches are and I was not disappointed! Deli quality meats and their own baked breads which can be purchased by the loaf or half loaf. Homemade sides and chips. Bakery cookies and desserts. Homemade soups and don't miss the eppee rolls. Dinner rolls brushed with olive oil, garlic, herbs and topped with poppy seeds and kosher salt. May be nice for Thanksgiving! I had the pastrami on an onion roll. Very good. My wife had the turkey on dill bread. Both would make us go back.