Saltwater at the MGM Grand Hotel in Detroit

Saltwater within the MGM Grand Hotel, is an award-winning outstanding restaurant in Detroit. Egyptian-born Celebrity Chef Michael Mina, known by foodies in San Francisco and Las Vegas, developed this one and the Bourbon Steak House in the MGM Grand as well. On the New Year's Eve menu tonight is is his signature caviar appetizer or you might want to go for the five pound Maine lobster entrée!  The desserts are masterpieces. This coconut sorbet with lava cake was the finishing touch to a perfect dinner we had here. Wherever you dine tonight, we wish you all a Happy 2011. 

Buick Gallery in Flint

The Buick Automotive Gallery is contained within the last remaining building of the entire Buick plant in Flint. Amidst antique pumps and a Vernors Wagon are dozens of classic Buicks and Chevrolets including many concept cars. On display is the Hellcat Tank Destroyer which was used in World War II and built by Buick. It is part of the Sloan Museum, but although the Sloan Museum is open on Sundays, this special Buick Gallery is open Monday through Saturday only. Did you know that the founder of Buick, David Buick, was born in Scotland in 1854? He moved to Detroit with his parents as an infant. He and Benjamin Briscoe formed the Buick Motor Company (the oldest American car manufacturer) in 1903 when David was 49 years old. Taking a stroll through the Buick Gallery is like walking back through history.

Meyer May Home in Grand Rapids

The Meyer May Home in Grand Rapids is the most completely restored Frank Lloyd Wright house in America! Built in 1909 for a well-to-do Grand Rapids businessman, it was Wright's first important architectural project in Michigan. Vacant and having fallen into disrepair, the company Steelcase purchased the home and painstakingly restored it in 1987 after considerable research.  Tours of the home are free and they are well worth it.  Seeing the sunlight dancing through the stained glass windows or the hollyhocks on the dining room wall as well as his open spaces and minimalist style surely make you appreciate a man who was way ahead of his time. Frank's spirit oozes from its walls.

Honeyflow Farm in Dryden

Michigan may experience more than its share of dark and dreary days, but we have learned to make our own sunshine. The Honeyflow Farm in Dryden raises bees and sells their own honey and pure natural beeswax candles (with 100 styles to choose from). It is also the largest producer of grapes in Southeast Michigan. People buy them to make their own jelly, juice and wine. Some buy the honey to make mead! We purchased their candles on-line, but they gave us the option of saving shipping by picking it up at the farm. We couldn't resist taking a peek yesterday!

Fox Theatre in Detroit

Did you catch the production of Dreamgirls last night at the Fox Theatre? How fitting that they performed on the same stage that saw The Supremes! A stone's throw from the Detroit Opera House, it was built in 1928 by the same architect, Charles Howard Crane. At the time, it was the second largest theatre in the world and it had a heck of a run.  Mike Ilitch, whose Little Caesar's Headquarters moved here, was its savior in 1987, manning a $12 million dollar renovation. Known as "the Temple of Amusement", it has an opulent 10 story lobby! Restored to its 1920's glory, you have to see it to believe it.

Detroit Opera House

The Detroit Opera House is home to the Michigan Opera Theatre which puts on several operas per year like La Bohème last month and the Magic Flute and Rigoletto, playing this Spring.  The world premier of Cyrano De Bergerac, written by MOT's director David Dichiera, was held here in October 3 years ago. This venue also hosts some fabulous dance and ballet companies. The Nutcracker was just performed here and coming up is the Joffrey Ballet and Alvin Ailey. The musical Mary Poppins ("Magic on stage" according to the Free Press!) is currently performing through January 2, 2011. The building, which dates back to 1922, was extensively renovated by the MOT and reopened in 1996 and is a pretty glorious showplace.

Merry Christmas from Livonia

The Free Press declared this home in Livonia as one of the best Christmas displays of the year.  Synchronized to music, if you put your radio station on 88.5 you can listen to the carols and messages spoken which honor the birth of Christ while blinking lights dazzle and dance. Blessings to all.