Let’s Do Munch: Ann Arbor, Michigan
ECOVORE: http://www.theurbn.com/category/feature/ecovore-feature/
Last edition from Ecovore: Mansion Views: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Turkish coffee at Ayse's. Photo by Robin Tierney
Ann Arbor, Michigan gives the thinking glutton many places to feast. During a recent visit, I embarked by bicycle on a scavenger hunt of sustainably, locally sourced meals.
Ann Arbor is close to yet worlds apart from Detroit. In this college town, real-food disciples worship at the altar of local sustainable seasonal. Cheap eats are scarce, but by measures of nourishment and flavor, you get your money’s worth.
New local sustainable eatery on Packard. Photo by Robin Tierney
My discoveries focus on low-on-the-food-chain fare, with a number of taste combinations I’ll be trying at home.
Silvio’s Organic Pizza. This family-run enterprise uses hyper-local ingredients such as basil from Silvio Medoro’s hydroponic garden. To top a whole wheat crust (gluten-free also available), I chose soy cheese, chewy mushrooms and rapini. Lightly sauced, it was great when consumed fresh and warm. The vegan+gluten-free chocolate mousse: sublime. Some nights, live bands play; others, dancers tango. Anytime, positive people fill the place, including staff like John Everett (“It would be so cool if everyone were a vegetarian”) and Angelic Vasquez (“whatever you get here you know is healthy and good”).
Kale peanut salad at Seva. Photo by Robin Tierney
Seva. The cheery setting makes for a great place to hang out whether you’re dressed up or in jeans. I didn’t share the locals’ passion for the yam fries, though they make good mops for the gingery dipping sauce. But the salad of minced roasted peanuts, kale, carrots, yellow and red peppers and peanut-cider vinaigrette was a deeply satisfying experience. I’ll return for one of the highly praised vegan and gluten-free entrees – and the ginger dairyfree-cream tart. Looking for laughs? Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase is in the same building.
Luscious tomatoes found at Frita Batidos. Photo by Robin Tierney
Frita Batidos. Chef Eve Aronoff’s new eatery reflects her passion for superbly seasoned, winsomely presented Cuban street food-inspired fare combining super-fresh ingredients. Oh, the tomatoes! Vegan choices include the delectable ginger-lime juice claimed to have healing powers, coconut ginger rice with cilantro lime salsa, and tropical fruit-nut salad with greens dressed with smoky guava vinaigrette and festooned with pepitas, macadamias and shaved coconut, served on a banana leaf. Side with zippy black bean with chipotle and slender plantain curls. The long white family-style tables add to the fun.
Jazzy Veggie orange couscous. Photo by Robin Tierney
Jazzy Veggie. Small portions but big bright flavors at this downtown vegan eatery. Spring for the chewy-crispy vegan take on crab-cakes with a lemon-cilantro tartar analog. The couscous orange salad combines garbanzo beans, raisins, sliced almonds and aromatic ginger-lime. The saffron artichoke soup is amazing. I also heard raves for the quinoa-sweet potato burger, portobello-dressed bread fresh from Zingerman’s Bakehouse and veggie pizza. Good job, Ananth Pullela.
The Lunch Room - new vegan food cart. Photo by Robin Tierney
The Lunch Room. After a well-received first season, Phillis Engelbert and Joel Panozzo will resume serving all-vegan comfort food in April at the Mark’s Carts courtyard by Downtown Home & Garden. BBQ tofu, Pad Thai, rice paper-wrapped summer rolls, tangy slaw, and for dessert, carrot-flecked orange chewies.
Ayse's simply delicious white bean Turkish salad. Photo by Robin Tierney
Ann Arbor covers the ethnic front with fine eateries that include:
Ayse’s Turkish Café. A few miles north of town, Ayse Uras seasons her tasty creations with joy. Among sensations: a rich tomato and swiss chard soup, white bean salad with parsley and bell peppers, lightly sauteed yellow and red peppers, an earthy lentil-cabbage-squash stew on rice accented with dill. While other diners praised the wine, I sucked down traditional sour cherry juice. In the interest of thorough reporting, I ordered “Noah’s Ark,” one of the vegan desserts. Wheatberry and walnut bits in a creamy rose water spiked sea. Very inspired – and densely divine. So is Ayse’s baked pear, a glossy dome redolent of cloves.
Earthen Jar. Adored by locals, this mostly vegan Indian buffet features fine dal, eggplant and tofu and spinach dishes – accompanied by Bob Marley tunes.
Tios. This family-run tequila bar serves tasty portabella mushroom tacos and edamame tacos.
Jerusalem Garden. The stuffed grape leaves toms currants, tabbouleh quinoa and hummus come highly recommended.
Arbor Brewing Company Brewpub. Go for great beer tastings, stay for the veggie comfort food. And I hear the cafe opened by Jolly Pumpkin’s brewmaster has tasty vittles as well.
Locally baked goods at People's Food Coop. Photo by Robin Tierney
Cafe Verde and People’s Food Coop. Salad bar and hot bar, soups, juices, Roos roast and other local brews just steps from Kerrytown Market.
But wait, there’s more. Ecovore will post on the Ann Arbor tea and dessert scene and maker-shakers in the coming weeks. Keep watch.
Ecovore bikes: Rent a ride from Campus Student Bike Shop: http://campusstudentbikeshop.com/services.nxg in business since 1961.
Veggie and fruit bike racks. Photo by Robin Tierney
Ecovore sleeps: The Holiday Inn, south of town on Boardwalk Drive is a really clean, quiet, friendly haven and an easy bike ride from downtown.
Un-crab cakes, plant-based, at Jazzy Veggie. Photo by Robin Tierney
Thanks for the RoosRoast props
Your coffee is some of the best in the world. How I wish I had it to jumpstart cold mornings!
Hi Robin, Thanks for stopping by here at Silvio's! What a great article about Ann Arbor dining, we hope to see you again soon! -Silvio's Organic Ristorante e Pizzeria
I hope to get back when berries are in season so I can add them to my *next* Silvio's pizza. And your vegan chocolate mousse rocks!
Great article! Looks like you really explored the Ann Arbor area and found some great gems! Even though I'm not a vegan, the food shots really entice me to try all these places :)
Don't forget to go to http://www.visitannarbor.org if you're planning a trip to Ann Arbor. Great article, Robin! You've got Ann Arbor buzzing!!
Pilar's Tamales also focuses on local ingredients with tamales featuring flavors such as tempeh, blueberry, apple, yam, and many more! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pilars-Tamales/187...
Pilar's Tamales sounds super-delicious. I am definitely visiting them when I can get back to this fine city. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks so much for a great article, we loved reading what you wrote about us and our colleagues in Ann Arbor! Wishing the happiest of holidays and all the best in 2012 (and come visit us again soon!) - Ayse
You too, Ayse. I look forward to trying more dishes, but I don't know if I can resist ordering the same wonderful dishes I had on my first visit! Happy holidays to all.
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