Vinology

A few weeks ago, I went out with my family to celebrate my birthday at a restaurant downtown called Vinology.

I'd heard about this place for years from various friends who all said it was amazing, but I'd never really worked up the strength to pull myself over to Main Street and try it.

When my birthday rolled around, I decided it was finally time to see what it's all about.

I need a fellow food adventurer with me, so I brought Matt along.

The restaurant was surprisingly a lot smaller than I thought it would be. Only twenty or so tables inside, with an enormous bar and some quaint decorations. It was clear from the beginning that this place is focused on creating a small and intimate dining experience.

Of course, a round of appetizers was necessary to start. We went with a white cheddar cheese plate with crackers and an arugula and strawberry salad.

Perfectly smooth cheese, crispy crackers, and a touch of sweetness from the berries. I tried my best to pile everything together, as you can see, to appreciate the blend of flavors.

When it came time to order entrees, I went with something new and adventurous. The bison steak.

Several slices of rare bison steak on a bed of spicy greens with a side of sweet barbecue sauce. Complimented by a few sticks of fried okra and a blackberry blue cheese tart. 

The flavor mix was phenomenal. The bison tasted fairly similar to steak, and the heat from the sauce underneath the meat was instantly complimented by the sweetness of the barbecue sauce. Never having tried okra before, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the taste. And I don't even like blue cheese, but the tart was creamy, tangy, and delicious.

My dad and Matt got the same dish - salmon on a bed of veggies with fried goat cheese balls.

To be honest, the goat cheese alone would have been enough to draw me into this dish.

My mother went for a classic dish revamped - seared ahi tuna with a bed of stewed cherry tomatoes and veggies.

I may be a bit biased, but I think my choice was definitely the best.

Despite going through that huge plate of food, trying dessert was an absolute necessity (particularly considering the occasion). I glanced at the dessert menu, but my mind was made up as soon as I saw the Nutella bread pudding.

Easily one of the best desserts I've ever tasted. Fluffy, yet creamy, chocolatey yet not too rich, swimming in a pool of caramel sauce and sprinkled with peanuts. If dinner at Vinology seems a bit too adventurous for you, I'd recommend coming in for coffee and a slice of this bad boy.

All-in-all, a great dinner and a great birthday. And the next day I made sure to wear my favorite present....

A new pair of Hunter boots to tackle the rain and snow!
Nevermind that it wasn't raining the day that I wore these....

Tweet

21 Foodie

Yesterday was my 21st birthday, so I was understandably excited for this week to begin. After all, here in America, there are only a few milestones in your life that you can be truly excited about. Turning 16 is eventful, because you get to drive a car, symbolizing your freedom. Turning 18 is eventful, because you're considered a legal adult, symbolizing your independence. Turning 21 means you get to drink, symbolizing the hangover that will last for the next 70+ years of your life.

Unfortunately, since my birthday fell on a Monday (which happens to be my busiest day of classes), I didn't get to celebrate my 21st with hours and hours of binge drinking like most of my friends plan to do.
But, in order to make the most of my day, I decided to do a spree of birthday deals leading up to my birthday and on the special day itself.

For those of you fortunate enough to own a Starbucks card, be sure to register your card online and sign up for their rewards program. Just signing up makes you eligible for a free drink on your birthday - any drink, any size.

I started out my birthday morning joyously with a venti Salted Caramel Mocha - yum!!

Unfortunately, the fun was halted shortly after when class, studying, a work training meeting, and more studying interrupted my otherwise delightful birthday.

Fortunately, when the evening rolled around, the fun was finally able to begin. I spruced up quickly and opened up a round of presents. One of my favorites was this tiny whisk necklace from my sister.

 After presents, my family, Maria and I went off to dinner.

The Jolly Pumpkin is one of Ann Arbor's best gastropubs. With its own line of home brewed beers and a selection of quality food, it's the perfect place to go when you want excellent food and excellent drink without snobby waiters raising their eyes when you don't order a wine or cocktail.

These kitchen utensil chandeliers were my favorite part of the decor - I'd love to have one at my place!

Maria and I overlooking the huge menu. This place has a separate book just for beers, cocktails, and seasonal menu items.

Since I just couldn't bear to pick only one drink for my 21st celebration, I got five of them!

The beer list from right to left is listed on the coaster below. The Bam is their classic and a very smooth light beer, but the chocolate stout was the most surprising. With an after bite similar to dark roasted coffee, it was definitely a memorable taste.

We selected an appetizer of truffle fries - thin shoestrings topped with truffle salt and rosemary. At only $5, these were absolutely to die for.

Next up came our entrees. Maria selected a delicious looking brie and chicken sandwich with a side salad...

I got shrimp and grits with succotash... 

Mom got whole-wheat gnocchi and veggies...

And Dad got an amazing carnivore pizza that came with slab bacon on top...

For dessert, I selected the vegan chocolate cake and coconut milk chocolate ice cream. Absolutely sinful.

Maria grabbed herself these adorable little pumpkin whoopie pies with a cream cheese filling.

Clearly I was very excited about something Maria said.... but I composed myself for a dignified portrait.

After I said goodbye to my parents and Maria, I headed over to Lisa's house for some champagne on the porch to celebrate my 21st and Eammon's 25th.

And eventually, I crawled back into my bed and recognized my newfound adulthood.

For those of you who liked the pics of the Jolly Pumpkin, be sure to stop in sometime. Most of their pizzas and sandwiches are around $10-$15, which is incredibly cheap given their quality, but their seasonal menu gives you a classier dish for a slightly higher price.

Also, if you'd like to get some extra freebies on your birthday, be sure to sign up for Brueggers, Coldstone, and Noodles and Co. rewards that send you e-gift coupons for free stuff (usually lasts up to one week before and after your birthday).

Also, if you're an Ann Arbor local, sign up for an Ashley's bar Friends-of-the-Owner card and get a free pizza loaded onto your account for use during the month of your birthday!

I'm off to go be an adult!

xx

Tweet

Steve & Rocky's

It's incredibly difficult to find good seafood in the midwest. With no oceans nearby, shellfish must be flash-frozen and trucked across the mainland, hiking up the price. As a result, most restaurants opt for the cheaper and less-tastier options, like boxed and frozen fish.
However, in this barren space of land and lakes, several beacons of culinary mastery taste as though they have their own ocean somewhere back in their vast kitchen.
One of these beacons is Steve and Rocky's.

Their newly re-vamped decor matches the underwater luxury of their menu. Everything is light, wavy and feels as though you're dining just off the coast.

This restaurant has been a favorite of my parents' ever since they moved here from Florida. So, naturally, it made sense when my mom invited me to Steve and Rocky's for my dad's birthday dinner.

Here's the birthday boy!

The menu at Steve and Rocky's changes daily, but I had to check out their extended summer menu. (Psst! Note the lunch prices! This place serves excellent dishes for lunch at more-than-reasonable costs)

While the summer menu was certainly tempting, I had to try one of their traditional entrees.

First up - fried green tomatoes and prosciutto in a creamy tomato-basil sauce.

It tasted a bit like a fried tomato parmesan!

Next, the dinner entrees. Mom opted for salmon..

The birthday boy got the 28 oz filet and potatoes...

And I got the scallops and gnocchi..

Remember how I said good seafood is hard to get in the midwest? Well, scallops are particularly difficult to keep light and soft without soaking them in salt water, which makes them taste gross. These scallops were so silky and buttery, I felt like I was back in Florida dining off of Lido Key.

Of course, it's not a birthday without dessert, and you really can't pass up Steve & Rocky's dessert menu.

A mascarpone cheesecake for Dad...

And a hot chocolate cake for me and Mom!

An ooey-gooey mug cake with a liquid center and a dollop of melting vanilla ice cream on top. Want to know how molten and delicious this cake was?

Yeah, that molten and delicious.
If you decide to stop by, just get the whole dessert tray sampler! That's my plan for next time I'm in town.

Tweet