Jefferson Market and Our Wedding Cake

One of the things that I love about my neighborhood is Jefferson Market. It is a little bakery around the corner from my house, a throwback to the days when the neighborhood was peppered with small businesses among the homes. 

On Saturdays and Sundays Jefferson Market is open for brunch from ten until one. People from all over the neighborhood pour into the small bakery and seating both inside and outside quickly fills up. Frank always gets the same thing when we go, a Mount Rushmore Plate (a fantastic hash brown and egg scramble) with a side of bacon.

I, however, usually opt for one of the specials. Every month there are two new specials, one savory and one sweet. I've enjoyed everything from brie stuffed French toast to strawberry rhubarb pancakes to root vegetable hash.

When Frank and I got married last year we decided that of course we should order a cake from Jefferson Market. They offer a fantastic selection of cake flavors and fillings.

We tried a bunch of samples and really enjoyed them all, finally settling on black magic cake with salted caramel filling and buttercream icing. 

I ordered the cake and dropped off a few succulents and some navy ribbon for them to decorate the cake. When I picked up the cake I quickly snapped the picture of it below and they helped me pack up the cake for the drive up north.

Unfortunately, this is the best picture that I have of the cake at our reception, which is a shame, but it was really delicious and everyone loved it.

Since we had a tiny wedding of only fourteen guests, we served the bottom tier at the wedding and took the top tier home to freeze for our anniversary.

This past Sunday marked a year since our wedding so of course we started the day by heading over to Jefferson Market for brunch. I got one of the specials, banana walnut pancakes, while Frank ordered his standby Mount Rushmore plate with a side of bacon.

We didn't do much the rest of the day due to the fact that on my flight home from Japan on Friday I had managed to contract a nasty cold, but we did thaw out our wedding cake and enjoy a slice of it together in the evening. Honestly, I was pretty surprised that it tasted so good after a year in the freezer. 

I can't believe that a year has past since Frank and I got married. Among other things it has been a busy year for us traveling: Domincan Republic for our honeymoon, New York in the fall, Arizona and Atlanta over the winter break, Las Vegas in January, Florida to see my grandparents and go to Tigers Spring Training in February, Indianapolis for the NCAA Regional Final, our extended trip to see Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland with a stop in Amsterdam this spring plus several business trip for us both including Japan, Chicago, Las Vegas and Seattle for him and twice to Japan plus Charleston, LA, Arizona, Kentucky and Northern Michigan for me. While we've had a ton of fun traveling together we've also enjoyed our time at home going to our favorite places and working on our home renovations. We both love living in Ann Arbor and taking full advantage of all the amazing things our little town has to offer together. The year has flown by quickly for us and I hope that we have many more like this one ahead...

I ♥ A2: Midnight Madness

On Friday night Frank and I walked downtown after dinner for Midnight Madness where everything in Ann Arbor was open late for holiday shopping and winter festivities.

We decided to start our evening at Bill's Beer Garden, which recently opened up in October of this year and is located at the Downtown Home and Garden store. They have a small kiosk that they serve a variety of drinks from with picnic tables and chairs set out for patrons to relax with their beverages.

This weekend was the last weekend that the beer garden was open for the season and it was jam packed with people. There were a few fire pits set out to keep people warm and in addition to the normal beer and wine they had hot cider and mulled wine on the menu.

Frank had a beer and I of course had mulled wine since I was so chilly. It was a really fun and festive atmosphere and I am looking forward to going there next summer when it is warm out.

After finishing our drinks we ventured out to Main Street. Everything looked so pretty with the trees along the street festooned with white twinkle lights and all of the shops decorated for the holidays. 

The streets and shops were bustling and it was so crowded that we decided not to venture into any stores and check things out another day. The atmosphere was great and we did a walk up and back on both sides of Main Street peeking in the glass display windows. All in all it was a fun winter evening and got me into the holiday mood.

Is your town decorated for the holidays yet? Do you have any holiday fairs or events that you have been to or are coming up? Have you started your holiday shopping or are you slow like me?

Cider & Doughnuts & Block's Stand

Autumn in Michigan means that it is cider and doughnut time. There are several cider mills in the area and visiting a few of them throughout the fall is one of my favorite traditions of the season.

This morning Frank and I headed to Apple Charlie's which is the cider mill that he went to as a kid. We were both hungry so we made a beeline straight for the cider and doughnuts getting a variety of both plain and cinnamon sugar dusted doughnuts. Nothing tastes like fall more than hot apple cider and it was delicious.

Warm and full, we then took a look around the cider mill. There were the typical activities for kids of hay rides and an area to pet animals. They also had windows where you could peek in and see the doughnuts and apple cider being freshly made. Delicious!

We also took a look at all of the pumpkins and gourds they had for sale. I especially love all the bumpy ones and the colorful little minis.

On our way out we took a little stroll through the pumpkin patch. It was such a gorgeous morning with the sun shining and the bright blue sky full of puffy clouds.

After Charlie's we headed over to Block's Stand & Greenhouse. Block's is an amazing place full of wonderful deals on seasonal plants and produce. In the spring I buy most of my garden plants there and then in the summer and fall they have amazing produce. I really have no idea how they can sell things so cheaply. My biggest problem is that I have to contain myself from over buying and letting things go to waste.

I couldn't resist getting a variety of apples to make some applesauce as well as some cucumbers for pickles. The apples were between $0.89 and $0.99 per pound depending on the variety and I got an enormous basket of pickling cucumbers for $5.99. I can't grow things that inexpensively.

On the pumpkin front I bought six nice sized pie pumpkins to make puree for fall recipes as well as some fun decorative pumpkins and gourds for around the house.

Last but not least I bought two enormous pots of mums as well as some beautiful purple flowering kale to plant out front. Depending on how mild the fall is I have had luck with some of my fall plantings lasting until the end of November. It's nice to have some color outside as long as possible before winter sets in.

After coming home I am now surrounding with bags of fruits and vegetables that I need to can or freeze as well as a bunch of plants that need to get in the ground. So much for a relaxing Sunday!

Do you love cider and doughnuts? What fall traditions do you have where you live? Do you have any plans for canning or planting this fall?

Reason I ♥ A2 # 48: Taste of Ann Arbor

Summertime is closing in which means it is the start of the festival season in Ann Arbor. This past Sunday was the annual Taste of Ann Arbor event which I love. Main Street is closed to traffic and restaurants from around town set up stands with two or three small samplings of dishes to showcase. You purchase blocks of tickets for $0.50 each and then items are usually between three to eight tickets.

The event is fun because you can sample a lot of different food for a great price. There is also a stage in the middle with local acts performing music for entertainment. It is a great time and the street is always packed every year.

Since I live just a few minute walk from Main Street Frank and I walked over and had fun trying a bunch of things. I enjoyed fried polenta with mushrooms from Silvio's Organic Pizza, a raspberry macaroon from Cafe Japon, an asparagus and parmesan crostini from Arbor Brewing Company and a shrimp skewer from Real Seafood. All of those were delicious but my very favorite was the fish taco I got from Black Pearl. The tortilla was perfect, the fish was wonderful and I loved the sauce. Delicious! I always head home wishing that I had more room in my stomach to try more things.

Do you have any favorite local festivals or fairs that you go to in the summer? What are your summertime favorites?

Reason I ♥ A2 # 18: The Ravens Club Brunch

Frank and I love to go out for brunch on the weekend and Ann Arbor is not lacking in wonderful options. One of the places that I really love is The Ravens Club. They have a fabulous brunch menu that never disappoints. They have awesome omelettes and if you are in the mood, the best Bloody Mary in town.

The Ravens Club also has a wonderful beef hash with heirloom potatoes topped with a poached duck egg. My very favorite brunch option there has to be the lamb and pork belly cabbage rolls with basmati rice. It is a wonderful combination of comfort food with a fun twist. Yum!

If you ever find yourself in good old Ann Arbor town on a Sunday morning, try visiting The Ravens Club. You won't be disappointed!

If you are interested, check out the other reasons I love Ann Arbor here: I ♥ A2 Blog Posts

Reason I ♥ A2 # 24: Ron's Roadside Barbecue

Having gone to undergrad in North Carolina I really love good pulled pork. After moving upon graduation it's something that I definitely crave partly because it is delicious and partly because it reminds me of my college years. Sadly, outside of the South I haven't had much luck in finding good pulled pork.

Yesterday that all changed when Frank and I decided to try Ron's Roadside Barbecue. It's in Ann Arbor Township outside of town in the middle of nowhere. A small place, mainly geared toward catering and take-out, Ron's did have a single table inside so we thought we would eat in.

Of course I chose to get a pulled pork sandwich. It was amazing with tender pork and delicious sauce on a brioche bun. I can honestly say it was the best I have had outside of the South. Frank decided to get the Memphis Throwdown, a combo with pulled pork, smoked brisket, ribs and chicken. It was absolutely huge and I think he only ate half of it. All of the meat was tender and juicy he thoroughly enjoyed it. For sides we got the amazingly creamy mac and cheese and delicious German potato salad.

In addition to the fabulous food, everyone who worked there was wonderfully friendly. The owner even popped out from the back to see if we were enjoying the food and stopped to chat with us for a while. Needless to say we will be back and I happy to have found some place local to satisfy my pulled pork cravings. 

If you are intereseted, check out the other reasons that I love where I live: I ♥ A2 Blog Posts

Reason I ♥ A2 # 37: San Street Pop Up

It's no secret that I love living in Ann Arbor so I thought that I would start sharing some of the things that make it such a special place for me.

One of the things that make Ann Arbor so great for me is the food. This past summer a food cart courtyard, Mark's Carts, opened up just around the block from my house and I was in heaven. This being Michigan, the food carts are closed for the winter for obvious reasons.

One of the food carts that I love, San Street, (amazing pork buns!) has periodically been doing a pop up restaurant at Zingerman's Events on Fourth and last night was my first chance to go. The pop up typically runs from 5 until 9:30 pm but we had heard they usually run out of food early so Frank and I headed over at 6:30.

I love the Zingerman's Events on Fourth space. It is really charming and intimate with lovely exposed brick and used to house Eve which was one of my favorite Ann Arbor restaurants prior to its closing. Run by Eve Arnoff (who was on Top Chef Season 6) the menu was full of amazing dishes including my favorite, curried mussels. As a random aside one time when I was having dinner there with my friends, Erin and Andy, I saw Emilio Estevez. Actually, I only kind of recognized him.

Me: That guy that just walked in with all those people looks like Emilio Estevez
Erin (turning to look): That is because it is Emilio Estevez
Me: Oh

Yeah, I am a dork. Anyway, enough with my side tangent. The pop up had a cool set up with the bar and serving staff being provided by Zingerman's and San Street providing the food. Everything looked great on the simple menu but Frank and I decided to each get a bowl of the pho bo and an order of chicken buns. The chicken buns were fabulous and definitely gave the San Street pork buns a run for their money. The soy garlic marinade was awesome and I loved that they were a little spicy. The pho was fabulous as well. The bowl was packed with noodles that were perfectly cooked and the broth was very flavorful. 

After eating Frank and I were tempted by the almond cookies on the menu, but decided to walk over to Zingerman's Next Door for some gelato. They make wonderful gelato locally at their creamery and the flavors change seasonally. February is chocolate gelato month at Zingerman's and we were not disappointed by the chocolate options. Frank immediately chose the turtle while I tried tastes of the chocolate basalmic strawberry and cherry chocolate chip before settling on rocky ride (dark chocolate with peanuts and marshmallows). It was a sweet way to end a nice night out.