Handmade paper?
From an ad we recently saw for Kerrytown Market, which we will pass along without comment:
How to acquire the Ann Arbor mystique [under one roof.]
Grass-fed meats. Specialty products. Wine. Children’s clothes. European cuisine. Jewelry. Cookware. Imported clothing. Handmade paper. Home accessories. Fish. Furniture. Sushi. Creative toys for kids. Cooking classes. Bim Bim Bop. Everything that makes Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, without leaving the building.
I just died a little inside, and I live in East Lansing.
posted by Big John on November 15th, 2005 at 9:38 pmwhat in the name of god and all things holy is “bim bim bop”?
posted by Joy on November 15th, 2005 at 9:53 pmActually it’s Bi Bim Bop (at the Kosmo). Yummy Korean dish.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 15th, 2005 at 10:04 pmDoes this building have a couch on its porch?
posted by Dave on November 15th, 2005 at 10:28 pmann arbor is one of the best cities in the world. whoever created this site or posts comments on it regularly needs to quit bitching and get a life.
posted by a2 republican (thats right bitch) on November 15th, 2005 at 10:34 pmI’m calling shenanigans on the above poster. Errbody knows there’s no such thing as an “A2 Republican”.
posted by Doghouse on November 15th, 2005 at 11:04 pmthat guy needs to quit bitching and get a life
posted by peter honeyman on November 15th, 2005 at 11:08 pmWait, where’s TAPROOT?
posted by Brandon on November 15th, 2005 at 11:18 pmWon’t cave to the troll.
I figured bim bim bop was just supposed to be a sound, like that wonderful feeling that is AA (pukes) or somesuch. Good spot, OFW.
posted by Big John on November 15th, 2005 at 11:24 pmbtw …
i’ve never been much for crafts … kiln-fired ceramics that look like thinly painted vomit, balsa cars that list and wobble, model rockets that sputter and fizzle.
and yet … one day not long ago …
the extremely patient assistants at hollander’s walked me through the essentials of japanese stab binding (?), equipped me with a beginner’s book, needles, colorful twine, luscious handmade paper, and plenty of encouragement. about three hours later (with the help of a power drill, ahem), i had a fairly passable book in hand. actually, it was more than fairly passable — it was passable. damn passable. it is a damn passable book.
made out of handmade paper.
posted by peter honeyman on November 15th, 2005 at 11:29 pmDamn, I love Bi Bim Bop. Had it over the summer for the first time at University Cafe and at the place on Plymouth - both of which I’d choose over the Kerrytown counter, but you can only ask so much for a tiny place like that.
Is the “European cuisine” Eve? How expensive is that place, anyhow? I’ve been told it’s probably of the “if you have to ask you can’t afford it” variety, but their outdoor seating overlooks a parking lot and all.
Note that nowhere in that building is there any essence of students. They don’t make Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, I suppose.
posted by Jen on November 15th, 2005 at 11:30 pmi’m with Jen: what’s that comma doing in Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor?
posted by peter honeyman on November 15th, 2005 at 11:44 pmJen, I’d say Eve is in the middle range of prices (when it comes to food, as far as wine they do have a okay selection by the glass and a page in their list dedicated to under $25 a bottle). Check it out on a Thursday night, when they put out free appetizers after 9:00PM.
posted by FAA on November 15th, 2005 at 11:44 pmWhen the 1963 Jack-in-the-Beanstalk colored brick mosaic mural at Arborland was about to be demolished (as part of one of the old mall buildings), Joe O’Neal rescued it and reinstalled it in Kerrytown.
It was little noticed at Arborland. Originally built on an outside wall, enclosure of the mall had left it in a side hallway, the top section concealed by ceiling. I had always admired it, and when the building was scheduled for demolition, I induced an Ann Arbor News reporter to write a story about it. That’s what brought it to Joe’s attention.
In the new Kerrytown location, it’s somewhat the worse for wear, but still a very cool piece of early 60s public art. Seven feet wide, 40 feet tall.
And the strings of the harp are done with darkened mortar joints!
posted by Larry Kestenbaum on November 16th, 2005 at 12:36 amYou can get “Essense of Students” at the Co-op, but it has tea tree oil in it.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 16th, 2005 at 7:27 amJen, it’s a shame that your first experience w/bi bim bop was at the University Cafe b/c it’s actually supposed to be orders of magnitude better than that (and in fact closer to what the Kerrytown diner makes).
posted by Anonymous on November 16th, 2005 at 8:44 amImported clothing.
Isn’t nearly all clothing imported? I don’t think that’s particularly spectacular.
Grass-fed meats cracks me up. Animals can eat grass; meat cannot. To prove it, I’m going to cover a meatball with lawn clippings see how long it takes the meatball to eat it all, just to provide some evidence that there is no such thing as grass-fed meat.
Hollander’s is a neat store, and I think the fact that it exists and has expanded to its current size suggests that there is a certain crafty element in Ann Arbor. Maybe that’s what they were getting at.
posted by Chris on November 16th, 2005 at 9:01 amYou do see a lot of kids walking around with creative toys inn ann arbor, don’t you?
posted by Real Big on November 16th, 2005 at 9:42 amI would say that Eve is high priced. Also, stick with the fish. I tried one of the grass-fed free range filet mignons, and it was really tough and chewy. I’m going back to corn-fed beef, thank you very much (prions and all).
posted by JCP2 on November 16th, 2005 at 10:07 amHow is Eve’s? I’ve been curious, but the ambience seems too bright, and I’ve been too often disappointed by Ann Arbor restaurants that charge NY or CA prices for meals that maybe allude to interesting aspirations but don’t actually achieve them.
posted by anno on November 16th, 2005 at 10:17 amI have yet to go to Eve, but some friends whose opinions I respect said it was good. I don’t know what they ordered, though. In other words, this comment is completely useless, so ignore it.
posted by Dave on November 16th, 2005 at 10:56 amIt’s on! Let the Bi Bim Bop wars begin! I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Best Bi Bim Bop as voted by the Holy Toledoan: 1) Seoul Korner 2) Kosmo’s. Bring it!
If there’s one thing Ann Arbor has is good Korean food. And it’s cheap. When I was a student I existed on Bi Bim Bop from Steve’s Lunch and Coffee Break. At Coffee Break it cost $4.50. This was ten years ago but it’s still cheap.
posted by Holy Toledoan on November 16th, 2005 at 11:16 amwell, it’s good to know that we don’t need a university to make Ann Arbor Ann Arbor.
posted by Steve on November 16th, 2005 at 11:26 amMy kid totally digs the toy store, Mudpuddles, and I love it there because they let her play with almost everything. There are toys there that I just can’t get at those terrible consumer palaces like ToysRUs or KMart–toys that actually encourage her to think and to use them creatively, rather than single-purpose plastic crap. And not a Cinderella or Cinderella-related item in the joint!
Kosmo’s grilled cheese is about the best in town–fast and cheap.
My daughter is 1/4 Eritrean and I was involved in divesting my college from South Africa back in the ugly apartheid days; we try to support African-based businesses. My daughter loves the clothes at Keedo, and they wear like iron. Pricey, yes, but they last through multiple children. My sister-in-law and I split the price and the clothes have easily lasted through three busy non-girly girls and have gone on to Once Upon A Child.
There’s no better place for fresh fish and meats.
Hollander’s in a little bit of paper heaven for those of us who still write letters by hand and prefer to use distinctive pre-printed cards.
As for students at Kerrytown, you can’t swing a book-bag (or diaper bag, in my case) without hitting some kid from Commie High. Real, home-grown students. Who says only college students count?
posted by BlogLurker on November 16th, 2005 at 11:33 amthe extremely patient assistants at hollander’s walked me through the essentials of japanese stab binding (?), equipped me with a beginner’s book, needles, colorful twine, luscious handmade paper, and plenty of encouragement.
Honeyman, I was sure that was going to end with, “after three hours of labor, my geisha had nicely bound feet.”
posted by Anna on November 16th, 2005 at 11:48 amLiving down the block from Eve, I can’t help but be somewhat of a regular… My advice is don’t spring for the entrees (some of which do fall under the category of “interesting aspirations but don’t actually achieve them”) unless you feel like you need to try everything on the menu. You can have a great meal comprised of an app or two (and dessert and booze, but I shouldn’t have to type those givens).
posted by FAA on November 16th, 2005 at 12:12 pmAnno,
At Eve’s, the service was good and the decor was nice in a minimalistic way. There is only one booth in the back, and you have to make a specific request for it, as it’s quite popular. The front bar area is more bustling, with occasional live music and wine and cheese tasting. I thought it was a good restaurant, but I like Pacific Rim, West End Grill, Common Grill, and (gasp!) Chop House better.
posted by JCP2 on November 16th, 2005 at 12:15 pmIs it me or does everyone on this blog go totally upscale when it comes to talking about food, when the rest of the time we seem to bash yuppity gourment pretentiousness? You’ll all fit right in in Annarbour. I’m going back to Big Ten Burrito.
posted by Brandon on November 16th, 2005 at 11:06 pmok, let’s go downscale.
where have you been poisoned lately? (bandito’s and silvio’s organic pizza would be my answer.)
i have never been poisoned at the place i eat most often, cafe verde’s hot bar.
posted by peter honeyman on November 16th, 2005 at 11:49 pmFor every artisinal cheese moment, there is a big ten burrito moment… thus is the movement of the tao.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 16th, 2005 at 11:50 pmBrandon, if you like, you can buy a LARGE pizza for only $5 from the gelato place (that is always empty) next to the co-op. I’m sure it’s fabulous.
(when I am having a junkfood moment, I go to Tios or Red Hot Lovers.)
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 16th, 2005 at 11:57 pmI think the phrase “Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor” is a subtle hint that Ann Arbor is not only a city, but a country as well. At least that’s how I see it, because I’m a foreigner here (I’m American).
For you Bi Bim Bap fans, make sure you order Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap next time you go to a Korean restaurant (pronounced DOLE-SOTE). It’s the same thing, but cooked in a small stone pot that stays hot for about an hour after the cooking is finished. It makes the rice at the bottom nice and crispy.
posted by keith on November 17th, 2005 at 1:18 amBrandon, not everyone can live off of (obscenely large amounts of) coffee, granola and vegetarian burritos. I’m getting you a multivitamin for Christmas.
posted by Heidi on November 17th, 2005 at 3:55 amI often get my lunch in mid to late afternoon at Cafe Verde’s salad bar (usually the hot food items are gone by then). I don’t think I’ve seen another salad bar where the items are so consistently fresh.
posted by Larry Kestenbaum on November 17th, 2005 at 8:24 amBrandon, the question was about Eve’s. It’s not about being pretentious. What’s the point of going out to a “downscale” place to eat if I can make an equivalent or better meal myself?
posted by JCP2 on November 17th, 2005 at 8:33 amI’m just looking for a decent dining experience for my money. And with my student days long behind, the Big Ten Burritos of the world hold decreasing appeal for me. I agree with JCP2, if I want to eat a mound of meat and cheese, I’ll just put something together myself. Somewhere out there has to be a happy medium between, say, the Fleetwood and, uhhh, Gratzi, for example.
posted by Dave on November 17th, 2005 at 10:37 amI bought a bottle of “Ann Arbor Vineyards” wine that says on the label: “Sophisticated, yet casual…this wine is the perfect reflection of Ann Arbor itself.”
I am NOT shitting you.
posted by Buzz on November 17th, 2005 at 10:52 ambuzz, where’d you get that wine? i want some, because no one will believe me if i tell them without concrete proof.
posted by joy on November 17th, 2005 at 11:44 amAnyone want to take a guess at the price tag of acquiring the Ann Arbor mystique? It sounds expensive.
posted by Nick on November 17th, 2005 at 11:53 amBuzz, how was the wine? Night-Trainesque or OK? I’m not wild about wine in Michigan/Ontario, though some of it is OK.
I have never heard of Ann Arbor Vineyards.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 17th, 2005 at 12:59 pmNo location, no contact, just this little blurb is on the internet machine:
“Ann Arbor’s first and oldest commercial vineyard and winery was created in the year 2000 by four dedicated individuals. Specializing in both red and white grape varieties, Ann Arbor Vineyards produces premium wines from the estate owned vineyards. Visit our tasting room to sample our variety of excellent wines. Both the vineyards and winery are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Our first 2000 vintage will be Chenin Blanc, a clean, crisp, non-oaked white wine promising refreshing floral and citrus flavors. Enjoy.
Lindsay Graham, Harry Granito, Stephen Loney, Joseph Thomas”
posted by FAA on November 17th, 2005 at 4:01 pmOoh, such collective beat-down from Brandon with such a short comment. A+. I still don’t eat burritos though, so you’re not getting me into Big Ten. J Gardens, yes.
I just save up a list of expensive restaurants that I can break out when my professor wants to take us out to eat (which is how I found the lovely Korean place on Plymouth by Busch’s) or when the relatives are in town. My mom totally wasted her birthday dinner (and mine, as we’re four days apart) on Macoroni Grill. Sigh.
By the way, if we’re going to start name-dropping cheap places to eat, I highly recommend Red Sea Ethiopean in Ypsi (on the right side as you’re heading from AA towards the water tower, after the DQ). If you get 3 dishes a person, it’s $10 including tip, and you’ll have eaten as much as you would at Blue Nile. Which is highly overrated. I’ve only been to 3 Korean places, and can’t really say much, but I’ve done multiple visits to 5 Ethiopean joints, so let me pretend I can speak on authority. As a Detroit Suburban Polish-American Raised Student with Little Cash, I prefer the Ypsi place.
As for the Gelato pizza, I’ve had it once and only once. $5 is decent, albeit, but I’d recommend Trader Joe’s frozen pizzas or the Bell’s pick up special, honestly.
posted by Jen on November 17th, 2005 at 10:43 pmThat would be 3 dishes for 2 people.
If you get 3 each, you’ll have leftovers for the entirety of the next day. And although it’s good, injera doesn’t heat so well in the microwave and you’ll have to eat it all with a fork.
posted by Jen on November 17th, 2005 at 10:44 pmThanks for all the reviews of Eve and other recommendations. I love to eat out, but I resent wasting my money and the newspaper reviews don’t offer as much guidance as I might hope for.
As for Kerrytown, regardless of how they market it, I still love the place and the people who work there. Every time I shop there, I learn something and I come away feeling, if not a better person, at least a bit more knowledgable. If that makes me bourgeois, upscale, or elitist, I’m happy with the label.
The worst elitism I’ve encountered in Ann Arbor was at the U, from the students and people who work there & who seem to believe, based on their association with the place, that they are some superior form of humanity. I’ll never forget stopping by the U some years ago to pick up information about grad school–this was way before the Internet–and being told, before anybody even knew anything about my accomplishments, gpa, board scores, anything, that the school I was interested in was VERY competitive, and I was left with the impression that I would be oh-so-lucky if they even read my application, much less accepted me. At every other university, their first response was: thanks for your inquiry, what are you interested in doing? Can we send you more information? Much more cordial.
posted by anno on November 18th, 2005 at 7:36 amThat Gelato chain and it’s awful interiorly-lit signage can suck it, along with “Smoothie King.” I’ll take the dang boutiques with less-glaring facades anyday.
Red Sea is in Ypsilanti Township, technically…
Who got up on the right side of the bed?
posted by Brandon on November 18th, 2005 at 9:44 amSpeaking of bad signage, anyone seen Great Wraps! on State Street? At least Noodles & Co. TRIES to work within the context of the building and street they are located in/on.
posted by Brandon on November 18th, 2005 at 9:45 amAgh. I should be mad at you about the nitpick, but it explains why my friend got errors when she tried to Mapquest the thing, I suppose. Even though Mapquesting it was totally unnecessary in the first place.
I remember seeing that Gelato sign going up, right before I moved into my place, and getting kinda pissed off. If it was open until, say, 2 AM, I’d be more OK with it. But they close at 11 and that sign is totally unnecessary.
posted by Jen on November 18th, 2005 at 11:53 amI was only kidding about eating the $5 pizza. I can’t believe someone actually tried it. I went in to try the gelato however. It totally sucked. Too much sugar and food coloring. blech.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 18th, 2005 at 2:14 pmI’m guilty of trying the $5 pizza. Yep, it sucked. But, you get what you pay for, and everything. Well, actually, I guess that’s not always true in Ann Arbor.
Anyone know of any good Thai places in/around town?
posted by Dave on November 18th, 2005 at 3:09 pmno.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 18th, 2005 at 3:16 pmHere’s to the last game of the season and being held prisoner in our homes while untold numbers of parents, alumni and others suck up all of the parking spots downtown and seats at restaurants. It’s lame when, on a Friday night, you think “hmmm, a burger at Casey’s sounds good…” but it’s a game weekend which means 45-1 hour waits starting at 5:30p. Sorry to winge, this is my first time living in a college town and I am not used to having such limited places to go with such massive groups of people flooding town.
I am so with Anno regarding the marginal food quality at NY/CA prices. Maybe all of this will become more blurred (and less painful) the longer I live here (we’ve only been here 4 months), but I think the most overrated part of Ann Arbor is the restaurant scene. Sure, our friends tell us the best food in the city is at the Earl, but it’s obscene to me to pay $30/entree for good food, esp if that is the one spot people can point to for a guaranteed high-quality dining experience.
posted by transplant on November 18th, 2005 at 4:44 pmI’m with you about the overpriced food here. I never go to the fancy restaurants anymore because they are so incredibly disappointing.
I cook a lot, and there are plenty of places to get great ingredients, which is a plus. There are also some great, non-fancy places that don’t disappoint (Casey’s being one).
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 18th, 2005 at 5:24 pmActually, to clarify that last remark…there is some pretty good food available at restaurants here in town, it’s just not worth the insane dollars. Not even close.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 18th, 2005 at 5:32 pmThe best place to eat is at OFWi’s house.
The Earle is good for happy hour — get there before 6:30 and get a couple plates of mussels for $5.
posted by Dave on November 18th, 2005 at 6:30 pmComing as a spy of the out of the anti-Z, anti-Slow Food, pro-local food contingency, I would say that EVE is wonderful. The best R intown except the pan-asian on liberty. YES, it’s overpriced—but, you know, let the “good-guy” ride the Z price level for once! Everyone else makes mediocre food in this town & charges those prices. Actually, Zola is great–so is that pan-asian place on liberty. Gotta get the 20-min cake.
I think Big10B would be a better taste of A2. BUT this is talking to the TOURISTS of A2. The IMAGE A2 retailers uphold to charge such high prices for SUB-AVERAGE fare.
BTW the fish distributor for the market at KT is the same that BUSCH’s uses. The meat-guy at KT is awesome.
If you can ignore the “stationary” & “scrap-book” displays– Hollinger’s does have good prices on book board & covering papers/cloths. BUT their Davey board is HUGELY overpriced. Try www.talas.com instead.
Have you seen the menu discriptions in this town lately? They are getting outrageous.
posted by felice on November 19th, 2005 at 9:55 amYou are totally wrong about Monahan’s fish in Kerrytown. I used to work there (I also worked as a food and wine consultant for Busch’s) and they are MILES apart. They may get a few items from Euclid or United Fish (which also supplies Busch’s) but don’t slag people when you don’t know. Monahan has go pick up fish at the airport a few times a week (flown in from all over the place).
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 19th, 2005 at 11:08 amanother few factoids about Monahan’s…Eve herself also used to work there. It was also on the Saveur list of “our top 100 places” in 2004. There is not another fish place within hundreds of miles that can even come close. Bring your wallet, but if you want a great variety of fish (including whole fish and shellfish), it is the only game in town/the state.
(and yes, I know there are plenty of places that sell super-fresh walleye and whitefish, but I’m talking about an amazing variety).
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 19th, 2005 at 11:23 amDave: For Thai, in order of quality: Tup Tim; Lotus Thai; Siam Square; Old Siam; Bahn Na; Siam Kitchen. In order of value: Siam Square; Tup Tim; Bahn Na; Lotus Thai; Siam Kitchen; Old Siam.
posted by js on November 19th, 2005 at 2:19 pmThat is quite a sad list of Thai restaurants. I’ve heard many people rank Tup Tim as the best around here - but that would be the worst Thai food I’ve had in my entire life.
posted by FAA on November 19th, 2005 at 4:27 pmA friend of mine mentioned a place in Plymouth that is supposed to be pretty good, but I haven’t been there yet and don’t know the name. It’s on Ford Road somewhere, maybe Canton, not Plymouth. Anyone know that one?
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 19th, 2005 at 4:41 pmIf you’re in and around Detroit, there’s a great Thai place on John R. and 10 mile. Hole in the wall type deal, only 6 seats, but they got top ratings from the News and Free Press and the food is ridicuously awesome.
I love my random cheap good ethnic food.
posted by Jen on November 19th, 2005 at 8:33 pmWhat kind of food is not “ethnic.”?
posted by Dale on November 20th, 2005 at 11:30 amOFWi - are you thinking of the Thai Bistro at Ford Road and Canton Center? I have eaten there several times and it’s a very good Thai restaurant. I haven’t been there lately, though.
posted by tom on November 21st, 2005 at 12:40 pmI think that’s it. I haven’t been there, but was told it is very good by some food snob friends of mine.
posted by OFWinsurgent on November 21st, 2005 at 2:20 pmJust a comment on the elitism of Ann Arbor–as a doctor working for the University of Michigan, I’m still looked down upon. I’ve been told that if you want to work for U of M, you have to pay them. Otherwise, I can’t complain about Ann Arbor. There are a lot of things to do on any given weekend.
posted by Kristin on December 23rd, 2005 at 2:02 amSilvio’s Organic Pizza is the best Pizza in all the Land! Finally, a real Pizzeria within the AA city limits. Order now and let your tastebuds start their recovery from years of Domino’s Pizza crap. Cheers.
posted by Arborite on December 27th, 2005 at 4:57 pmi really enjoyed my first meal at silvio’s … but not my second.
make sure they serve their re-warmed slices EXTREMELY HOT — do not accept lukewarm slices that have been sitting around for hours incubating e. coli.
i ANTI-ENJOYED that experience.
posted by peter honeyman on December 27th, 2005 at 6:07 pmI really like living in Ann Arbor but we just went to the worst restaurant ever. It’s called Old Siam or Siam Kitchen or something like that in the Westgate plaza and it was AWFUL. I would tell everyone to stay away. The food was unflavorful…the portions were small…the lunch menu was ridiculous. They even screwed up the tom kha gai soup. The pad thai was atrocious and the thai fried rice (which I didn’t even realize came with the lunch meal) tasted like it was made with stale Minute Rice. It was more like Chinese food and it would have been really bad Chinese food as well. And to top it all of, it was way overpriced.
posted by Tara on February 24th, 2006 at 3:47 pmIf you want good Thai, go to Lotus Thai.
I don’t particularly like Tup Tim either.
I make my own handmade paper for drawing. It is a lot of work though, and I would like to find a good supplier.
posted by Karl Zipser on April 6th, 2006 at 10:03 amWe love handmade paper…and pad thai!!
posted by Heidi on April 7th, 2006 at 10:41 amYou know, you can say wats grrrrreat bout ann arbor instead of being negitive. GET A LIFE!
posted by afdjklsjf;kasjdfklasjdlk on April 27th, 2007 at 8:20 pmwhat a sad waste of time you all engage in.
posted by Louise on April 30th, 2007 at 7:10 pm