Stray Dog Bar and Grill in New Buffalo

We are so happy to hear that the roof top opened at the Stray Dog Bar and Grill in New Buffalo this past week. It totally rocks with a view over the downtown area and Lake Michigan. It was just a year ago that the Stray Dog was destroyed by fire. It's rebirth is very cool with a bar downstairs and one on the deck. Their patio out back also offers al fresco dining with intimate tree lighting.  It is definitely a favorite watering hole in this beach town serving veggie tacos, turkey burgers and blue cheese bacon burgers, blackened chicken pitas and lots of Michigan craft beers from a very friendly staff.

Detroit's Great Lakes Coffee

We were served a perfect cup of cafe latte at Detroit's Great Lakes Coffee in Midtown this week on Woodward at Alexandrine. The beans are roasted to perfection and served with pride. It is very spacious with high ceilings, attractive décor and wifi and lots of outlets to plug in laptops and charge cell phones. Many people frequent this place! Beer wine and cocktails also served in the Woodward location. They also have java shops in Bloomfield Hills and Lake Orion. El Guapo serves tacos on Tuesdays.

Zuckey Lake Tavern in Pinckney

Zuckey Lake is part of a chain of lakes that lies between Ann Arbor and Brighton. Serving the cottages and homes surrounding the area is Zuckey Lake Tavern in Hamburg Township --close to Pinckney. It rises like a mirage at the end of a dirt road called Girard. Their history goes back all the way to prohibition, but their more recent upper open deck is a dream come true overlooking the water skiers and boaters. They offered an all you can eat Mexican buffet Tuesday night al fresco for a reasonable $7.95, a homemade gazpacho, and excellent thin crust pizzas, too. The rail trail adjacent to the property is pretty awesome, also, and the bike parking provided by the restaurant is a nice touch.

Knot Just a Bar in Bay Harbor

Talk about inviting, Knot Just a Bar which overlooks the Marina at Bay Harbor, begs for you to step through their doors. Any place that offers outdoor seating with a view in the summertime already earns beaucoup points.  There are many tempting options on their menu like fish tacos, smoked whitefish pâté, rosemary hummus, veggie burgers served with aioli and cucumber mojitos. If that isn't enough, they have live entertainment Thursday and Saturday evenings, too. You can catch the Tigers battling Cleveland at 4pm for first place on their TVs, also. Anibal is pitching.

St Helen's Firehouse Restaurant

Happy Father's Day from the Firehouse Restaurant in St Helen, a very manly hangout with lots of fireman gear and paraphernalia all about. Even the bar is done with what appears to be the siding of a firetruck.  The first row of parking is reserved for those who courageously fight the blazes. A four alarm pizza is available for the lovers of spice and peppers.  We opted for the whitefish sandwich which was outstanding.

Rodin in Detroit

Love the new little bar/eatery across the street from Detroit's DIA called Rodin in the retro Park Shelton building. It stands in the shadow of The Thinker created by artist Rodin on Woodward. Chef Kate Williams offers many interesting dishes.  We tried a few small plates and they were all delectable. Rodin opens at 4pm and offers only French wines which were most delicious also. Sunday brunch is from 11-4pm. Owner Torya Blanchard also runs the crêperie Good Girls Go to Paris next door.

Metrotimes Blowout

Billed as North America's Largest Local Music Festival, the Metrotimes Blowout takes place in several venues.  Last weekend it was in Detroit and Hamtramck and this coming weekend in Ferndale. Smalls was one of 11-12 places where live music was blaring all night long in Hamtramck at the corner of Caniff and Conant last Friday. They kicked it off with the band Twine Time at 9:30pm, followed by The Kickstand Band, Mod Orange, Timothy Monger State Park and finishing up at 1:30am with Hard Lessons. The action in Ferndale starts Thursday, May 2 on ten stages which include Cosmos (upstairs), the Ferndale Library, Found Sound, Go Comedy, New Way Bar, One-Eyed Betty's, Rust Belt Market, Sakana Sushi Lounge, The Loving Touch and Woodward Avenue Brewers.

Bad Brad's Barbecue in Shelby Township

Word-of-mouth travels fast and that's how we came upon Bad Brad's in Shelby Township. We loved the ambiance and service, but the food was the pièce de résistance with sliders and ribs and a choice of delicious sides that does not end. The have a large selection of Michigan craft beers, too.  If that weren't enough, check out our dessert in the lower right hand corner.  You'd think you were at the Whitney! Hats off, cowboys. They have a second location in New Baltimore also.

Old Shillelagh in Detroit's Greektown

It's recognizable by its green awning and green bus that shuttles people to sporting events in Detroit. The Old Shillelagh has been around for 38 years, having started and is still run by the Irish Brady family. Their rooftop is open year round and is especially nice in warm weather. Did you catch Chef Michael Sauer on Fox 2 New last week?  He was showing how he makes their very popular FAB burger.

Z's Villa in Detroit

On Piquette Avenue off Woodward in the New Center area you'll find Z's Villa in an historic home dating all the way back to 1892. The bar/grill venue is unique and popular and the food is very good.  We've eaten the nachos and the perch, hamburgers and chicken strips, fries, a slim jimmy, catfish and quesadillas.  Everything has been given our seal of approval. We think highly of the waitstaff, too.  It's family-owned and they just seem to have their heart in it. When the weather warms up, there is outdoor seating. They have a shuttle that will run patrons to various sporting events.

Andrew's on the Corner in Detroit

If you are looking for a shuttle to the Tiger game against the Yankees this afternoon, there is always Andrew's on the Corner in the Warehouse District. A fixture in Detroit run by the Andrews family since the early 1900's, they have a secure parking lot (no charge) and the sports bar food is very good with a selection of burgers and salads, perch and strip steak, as well as homemade soups. There's an upper open deck on top in the back that overlooks Chene Park and the river.

Detroit's Ye Olde Tap Room

Circa 1912 is a bronze plaque posted at the front door of Ye Olde Tap Room.  There was an animated crowd there tonight and it was fun. They have a myriad amount of beers organized in two ways---on a sheet of paper by country, or up on the chalkboard by style. Their prices are decent and the peanuts are free. Located on Charlevoix at Outer Dr (a.k.a. Alter) on the cusp of Grosse Pte Park, this centennial hangout has a lot of history on all three floors. Bravo to the Beer Snobs of Michigan and their ugly sweater meet-up here this evening. Thanks for introducing us to a real Detroit gem.

Piper's Alley in Clinton Township

They are already in the Christmas spirit at Piper's Alley Bar and Grill on Gratiot. Located in Clinton Township south of 15 Mile Road, we stopped in here for conversation and were very pleased with the excellent service, the beverages and especially the calamari.

Stone Lodge in Port Sanilac

The Thumb of Michigan can be hit-or-miss with places being open during the week after Labor Day.  Some even close up until Memorial Weekend! We found a gem of a restaurant/bar in Port Sanilac called the Stone Lodge. A sign proclaiming Go Tigers out front and a carved critter greeting us by the front door seemed promising. The rich wood and stone decor inside and chatty patrons at the beautifully adorned bar on a midweek afternoon added more pluses.  With Bud Light Lime specials for $1.50 and a terrific walleye dish, we knew this would make "the blog". They were even able to broadcast the Sunday Tiger playoff game that so many had to listen to on the radio! They are open seven days a week at 11am.

New Dodge Lounge in Hamtramck

Love the New Dodge Lounge in Hamtramck! If you go in the men's room (ladies, they will take you on a tour!), they will show you through a glass covered window the tunnel where bootleggers delivered their hooch during prohibition. It is a very friendly place where bartender Maria proudly shows you their canoe that was used during the Labor Day races this week.  They came in second! Live entertainment tonight.

AJ's Salt Docks in Marine City

We found AJ Salt Docks in Marine City through word-of-mouth. Sit on their patio, have a two dollar beer, watch the boat traffic on the St Clair River and enjoy these last few days of summer. Very friendly and attentive service.

The Volt Lounge in Detroit's GM Tower

The Volt Lounge is  fun place we recently discovered. It is up on the third floor of the GM Tower adjacent to the registration desk of the Marriott Hotel. Bartender, Tony, knows everything about Detroit and seems to genuinely love his job.  The food is great and the views of the Detroit River and Jefferson Avenue from its massive windows are inspiring. They have couches for lounging and touch screen computers for patrons' amusement.

Norm's Field of Dreams in Troy

Yesterday was Wednesday and we just happened to be driving by on Rochester Road at 5:30 last night.....and saw the sign where they offer burgers for a dollar at Field of Dreams on Wednesdays 5-8pm. How can one resist? We thought they'd be just  sliders, but no! They were hand formed patties and about a third of a pound --and they were delicious! They also have lots of flat screens for sports entertainment and Norm's bus heads down to the Tiger games once a month.  For $45 you get free parking, a meal before the game at Norm's, your game ticket and beer on the bus.

Woody's Rooftop Bar in Royal Oak

What a beautiful night we had to enjoy the rooftop lounge at Woody's in Royal Oak with a great view over the downtown. Wedged between Fifth St and Center right next to the railroad tracks, the whole place rumbles when a train roars by. Food is typical bar fare featuring burgers and burritos, but there is something for everyone on any of the three floors including live music, pool tables, jukebox and live radio broadcasts by 98.7 AMP Radio on Saturday nights.

Mackinaw Brewery in Traverse City

Traverse City is home to the Mackinaw Brewing Company. Having begun operations in 1997, they offer some amazing hand craft brews like a cherry lager, an oatmeal stout, their peninsula pale ale and summer love, which is a wheat beer served with a slice of lemon. Open seven days a week, they smoke their own meats, providing lunch and dinner daily. They also make their own cider and mead. Even their historic Beadle Building is unique...built in 1892 as a harness shop by John Beadle himself.