Pilar's Tamales - Ann Arbor, Michigan

My wife and I have been wanting to try Pilar's Tamales since we saw their food cart last weekend at the Ann Arbor's Farmer's Market.  It was such a treat meeting the owner, Sylvia.  I loved her hospitality and she was very enthusiastic about her Salvadoran cuisine and South American drinks.  Sylvia is especially proud of her hibiscus tea and horchata.  I'm not much of a hisbiscus tea drinker, but my wife loved it and my brother enjoyed the tamarind drink.  Since we were first-timers, Sylvia recommended the tamale special: one tamale, casamiento, fried plantains, curtido, and a house drink.  The meal was very good.  I can't wait to try the pupusa which is a handmade tortilla filled with meat, cheeses, and refried beans then grilled.                 

Pilar's Tamales is named after Sylvia's Aunt Pilar.  Sylvia and her mom pride themselves in using the freshest ingredients including organic, locally-grown produce, and meat (free of antibiotics and hormones).  They offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.  Everything is home-made and delicious!  Pilar's also offers full-service catering.  Make sure you stop in soon and visit Sylvia at her cafe location or you can also enjoy her tamales at the Ann Arbor's Farmer's Market or at the Westside Farmer's Market - every Thursday (3-7pm) from June 6 thru September 26.

Pilar's Tamales
2261 West Liberty Street, A2
734.929.4161
Hours: 
Closed on Mondays
Tuesday - Friday: 10-7pm
Saturday: 10-6pm
Pilar's Facebook Link

Quality of Food: 90
Quality of Service: 94
Value: 94
Atmosphere: 90
Overall: 92 (Very Good)

L to R: Hibiscus Tea, Tamarind Juice, & Horchata 

Chicken Tamales served with: Curtido, Fried Plantains, & Casamiento

Black Bean & Cheese Tamales: Organic black beans & special blend of cheeses

Chicken Tamales: filled with chicken, olives, potatoes, capers

Shalimar - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I was a Michigan State sophomore when I first tried Indian cuisine.  My friend Kathy was a vegetarian and she LOVED Indian food.  Her enthusiasm and excitement for this cuisine was contagious!  I ended up loving Indian cuisine as much as she did and I'm so thankful that she had made this introduction. 

When my wife started teaching in A2 - 7 years ago, her mentor (Dorothy) introduced us to Shalimar.  Our first experience was ridiculous, I had ordered way TOO MUCH food! We still laugh about what the other patrons must have thought when they saw our "buffet-style" meal.  If you are curious, but hesitant on trying North Indian, Tandoori, and Mughlai cuisine then their lunch specials are perfect for you.  You won't have to spend "dinner prices" to try something new and exciting!  The spice levels can be adjusted (from mild to hot, we enjoy our dishes at medium plus).  We have tried all the Indian restaurants in A2 and this is the best.
   
Shalimar - Cuisine of India - 307 S. Main, Downtown A2 48104
p:734.663.1500
f: 734.929.9129
Hours:
Lunch: Daily 11:30 to 3pm
Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5-10pm, Friday & Saturday: 5-11pm

Quality of Food: 94
Quality of Service: 90
Value: 93
Atmosphere: 94
Overall: 92 (Very Good)


Downtown A2 on Main St. Between Liberty and William



Lunch Special: Dal Soup (Lentil soup with fresh herbs and spices)

Lunch Special: Lamb Chettinad with naan

Lunch Special: Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower & Potatoes, ginger, tomatoes, spices) with naan.

Dinner Menu Take out: Murgh Saagwala, Dal Panchratan, Methi Malai Matar, & Baigan Bhartha.

Mani Osteria & Bar - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Mani Osteria & Bar  341 E. Liberty, Downtown A2 - 734.769.6700

Hours:
Closed Monday
Happy Hour: Tues - Fri 4pm-6pm
Tues - Thurs: 11:30am-10pm
Friday: 11:30am-11pm
Sat: 4pm-11pm
Sun: 4pm-9pm
Mani Osteria & Bar Facebook Link

To me, excellent pizza is about creating the perfect marriage between the dough and its toppings.  In my opinion, there are only two places in A2 that have mastered this art: Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and Mani Osteria & Bar.  Mani's pizzas are prepared via wood burning ovens.  They use high quality ingredients and most are locally sourced.  I appreciate their vision of simplicity and creativity with their dishes.  We love their Wood Fired Pizzas - they are all so delicious!

Our friends (Jon and Fi) rave about their handcrafted pastas and Antipasti dishes.  We look forward to enjoying the pickled tomatoes, pastas and calamari - of which Fi talks so highly about!  Mani offers a fantastic lunch special which includes a salad or soup with either pasta, sandwich or pizza. They also have a kids menu.  They offer a full bar with craft beers, old world wines, specialty cocktails and a good selection of scotch and bourbon whiskeys.  I am consistently impressed with Mani's fabulous hospitality, knowledgable staff and AMAZING food!                

Quality of Food: 98
Quality of Service: 100
Value: 97
Atmosphere: 100
Overall: 98 (Excellent - A Must Try!)

Corner of Liberty & Divison, Downtown A2

Blanton's, Glenlivet 12, Basil Hayden, Oban 14 etc. and 5 beers on tap!

The View from the Bar

Roasted Eggplant & Cauliflower with mint

Margherita (Fior Di Latte, San Marzano Tomatoes, Basil)

Red Onion & Pistachio (Goat Cheese, Rosemary, Chili Flakes)

Spicy Italian (Provolone, Pickled Chilies, & Finocchiona)

Arugula & Prosciutto (Scamorza, Ligurian Olive Oil, Sea Salt)

The Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant - West Bloomfield, Michigan

The Shangri-La is a nostalgic place for me.  As a teenager, I remember our commute from Jenison, Michigan JUST for Dim Sum with my parents and grandparents.  The quality of food was certainly better 20 years ago, but that's just how I remember it.  If you're craving dim sum and Chicago is just too far of a drive, then this is the next best thing.  If you're not into dim sum, they do have a Chinese menu that you can order from.   

If you're in Chicago - I recommend spending a few hours in Chinatown and enjoying dim sum at Three Happiness Original Restaurant or Phoenix Restaurant.  Then going to Chiu Quon Bakery for some delicious Chinese pastries!  

The Shangri-La
6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield 48322
248.626.8585

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am-2am
Sat-Sun: 10am-2am

Quality of Food: 80
Quality of Service: 80
Value: 80
Atmosphere: 80
Overall: 80 (Average)
***In my opinion, Dim Sum is more authentic in larger cities (Chicago, San Francisco, New York & Toronto) that have a larger demographic of Chinese/Taiwanese residents.  The taste wouldn't be compromised to "fit" certain palates.



Dim Sum Carts




Dumpling with Chives, Taro Dumpling, Rice Noodle Roll with Shrimp 




Braised Chicken Feet




Rice Noodle roll with shrimp and BBQ Pork Buns




Shumai




Egg Tart




Turnip or Daikon cake




Steamed BBQ Pork Bun



Pita Pita Mediterranean Grill - Ypsilanti, Michigan

The Pita Salad and hummus (pictured below) from Pita Pita is fantastic.  It comes packed to the brim with chicken shawarma, fresh romaine lettuce, house dressing and a delicious spicy cheese.  The garlic sauce that comes with this salad is amazing too and it comes with plenty of pita bread.  

The chicken shawarma and spicy eggplant sandwiches are also very very good.  I'm sure whatever you order from Pita Pita, you won't be disappointed (as long as you have a "open-minded" palate).  =)  My colleagues and I enjoy ordering from Pita Pita because not only do they have delicious food, they also deliver! 

Pita Pita
2649 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti 
734.528.3333

Hours:
Everyday 10am-11pm 

Quality of Food: 87
Quality of Service: 94
Value: 100
Atmosphere: 86
Overall: 91 (Very Good)                 

Pita Salad and small hummus (original)

Baklava

Babo: A Market By Sava - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Babo reminds me of the Bodegas that litter every street corner throughout New York City, with the exception that its layout and products are wonderfully unique.  This store is one-of-its-kind in A2.  Babo's ambience has a simple-yet-refined metropolitan feel to it. In the summer, the sidewalk patio opens up allowing patrons to enjoy refreshments (beer and wine) along with their meals.  

Babo carries coffee beans from three of my favorite places: RoosRoast, Mighty Good Coffee Roasting Co., and The Ugly Mug.  They carry baked goods from Avalon International Breads and you can even find gluten-free products in the store.  If you love spicy pickles, McClure's is the best and you can find it near the wine & beer section.  Make sure you stop by during Happy Hour (3pm-6pm daily) and get 20% off when you mix your own 6-pack.  My wife and I love their fresh squeezed juices and can't wait to try Babo's Juice Cleanse!

Babo
403 E. Washington St. A2
734.997.8495
Babo's Facebook

Hours:
Everyday 8am-10pm

Quality & Variety: 96
Quality of Service: 100
Value: 94
Atmosphere: 100
Overall: 97 (Excellent - A Must Try!)


403 Washington Street - Downtown Ann Arbor

Even the decaf coffee is delicious! (Colombia - Packaged for Babo - roasted by The Ugly Mug)

My brother, Dan.

McClure's Pickles & the Necessities: beer, wine, bitters, etc.

Cheese Platters: 20% off during Happy Hour: 3pm-6pm Daily.

RoosRoast Lobster Butter Love, Mighty Good Coffee varieties, Babo blends (roasted by The Ugly Mug)

Fresh Squeezed Juice is SO refreshing!!! (Red Grapefruit) & (Orange Juice, Carrot, Watermelon, Ginger)

Seaweed Salad, Turkey Meatballs in Sriracha Buffalo sauce, Tomato & Eggplant Rice, Peppers stuffed with Chorizo & Rice, Pesto Caprese Tomato salad - Super Delicious!

If you LOVE goat cheese -Bonne Bouche is very very good.