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Ed at Olive Garden

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Review: Super Mercado De Guanajuato

Oh how I love Chicken Enchiladas with green sauce from an AUTHENTIC Mexican restaurant, and who would ever believe that I found such an establishment in Ionia, Michigan of all places?  Enter Super Mercado De Guanajuato on Main Street and step into a little Mexican grocery store.  Mexican DVDs on display, a Spanish soap opera on the television, those little packages of gum the kids try to sell you when you cross the border, corn tortillas wrapped in paper, it's like you are THERE.

I had driven by this place several times and never stopped.  One day, being particularly hungry for some good Mexican food, I noticed the sign had "tacos" on it and thought how tacos aren't the kind of thing you normally find in a grocery store.  I stopped in and inquired, in my most convincing Spanish accent, "Hola Senor, que est de word 'tacos' ona tu sign?  Dos tu serva de lunch ora justa groceries?"  Pointing to the rear of the store he said, "de restaurante in back".

Voyages Deli and Coffee Shop

Yesterday afternoon I headed over to Voyages Deli and Coffee Shop in Lowell to grab lunch and get some light work done.  I had Z and E with me and they kept themselves entertained with the Nintendo DS and some books.

I've only come here to work a couple of times, but it's moving up on my list of afternoon work destinations because of their delicious sandwiches and espresso.  The chocolate cream cheese muffins are pretty good, too!  It's a decent place to work during the day.. not too busy and the music isn't too loud.  They have wireless internet, but that's actually a bit of a pain because it's not "open".  You have to ask for a username and password to login, and then it expires after an hour or two, so then you have to ask for a new login.  It's a pain to have to ask the first time and a double pain to ask again.  They should just make it open.. I can't imagine they have that many people expecting to come in there and just use the wireless without at least buying a coffee.

Petoskey & Harbor Springs

We have some friends who are planning a trip to my favorite part of Michigan, Petoskey and Harbor Springs.  I just typed a long email telling them all my favorite things up there and thought I'd post it for anyone else planning a trip.  Follow the link for where to stay, where to eat, and what to do!

Kava House

My favorite coffee shop in Grand Rapids is Kava House on Lake.  I go there about once a week now to spend the day working out on their patio and enjoying a strong Latte.  I went there today.. walked up to the door and pulled.. locked.  Oh no.. out of business.. ugh.  But wait!  There's a sign on the door which reads: "Closed after 11:45AM for the annual Kava House Employees Canoe Trip."  Now how cool is that?  A canoe trip!  What a great reason to be closed.. not "we ran out of milk" or "rats carried away the espresso machine," but a canoe trip.  What a great place.

Review: Kava House

Today I'm working from Kava House in East Grand Rapids, a comfortable little hang out place on the corner of Lake and Genesee.  I'm betting this location was a gas station a long time ago.  It's got a huge covered area in front with lots of patio furniture and good shade.  It's cool enough sitting out here drinking an iced vanilla latte even though it's a hot day.

No sandwiches, so it's just bagels and soup if you come here for lunch, but do come for the espresso and to hang out in a patio chair and enjoy the breeze.  They close kinda early (for me) at 10pm, and I've only gotten to come here once in the evening.. but it's such a nice place to sit and talk outside.  Strong wireless signal, too.  Recommended.

Pellston Market

Today we took a drive to Pellston Market, just 20 mins or so north of Petoskey on Hwy 31.  It's not much to look at with a small cozy dining room and a garden area in back, but I really didn't go there for the atmosphere.

I read once upon a time in Northern Express about the "Traveling Gourmet Chef" who imports ingredients from around the world to make the most wonderful dishes.  Since I was there with three hungry kiddos, I was in the mood for something quick and lite rather than a sit-down meal.  The Molinari sandwich was just the thing, and it was awesome.  Being one who eats sandwiches pretty often makes me qualified to judge.  I'm not a food critic and am not familiar with all the fancy ways to describe the sandwich, but it was good.  I ate it all.  I wanted to eat a second and they weren't small sandwiches.  I'll make a special trip to get one next time I'm in the area.  Really.

Vacation Headquarters

Here's a peak at American Spoon in Petoskey, Michigan.. my wireless work spot while on vacation.  They have several locations in northern Michigan, but this picture is the actual one I'm in right now.  That's right, I still do work while on vacation.  I know it's terrible.. but it's how I get to take so many lengthy vacations!  This happens to be one of my favorite spots up here anyway.. they have gelato (like ice cream, but better) and espresso drinks, which I love.  They're open later in the summer so I've been coming up here in the evenings to do work stuff which I actually enjoy doing anyway, so don't feel too sorry for me!

Breakfast at Waffle House

The pecan waffle was good, but the waitress had a mustauche and her hands and fingernails looked like she had just performed a valve job on her pickup out back in the garage.

Dining: Banter

Kevin, Zachary, and I had lunch at a nice little place called Banter, located downstairs and three doors over from my office, one block off the town square in Denton, Texas.  Pictures of Banter are here.  The food is much improved since new owners took over and changed the name (formerly Brickhaus).  They also cleaned the place up a bit, getting rid of the "grunge and smoke" atmosphere.

They have several sandwiches to choose from along with Tapas (spanish word for "appetizer"), espresso, and wonderful breakfast tacos.  With the front doors open, it's a relaxing cool place to have a liesurely lunch (my favorite kind) on a warm day.  Friday and Saturday nights you'll most likely find a local band or a college student on stage for Open Mic night.  Check it out if you're in Denton.  Recommended.