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.

"Buying cheese is an art." Pierre Androuet [Guide du Fromage]

Mimolette
Origin: Lille, France & The Netherlands
Cow Milk, Pasteurized
Aged 2 months to 2 years.

This cheese is fantastic.  It is slightly salty with butterscotch and hazelnut nuances.  It is firm-yet-buttery in texture.  Mimolette pairs well with IPAs and Ales.  It is also delicious with salami and red wine, particularly a bold cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir.       

Parrano
Producer: Uniekaas
Origin: Holland, The Netherlands
Cow Milk, Pasteurized
Aged 5 months

This is a perfect balance of sweet, salt and cream.  It is easy to shred, slice and melt thus making it a versatile cheese.  Parrano's flavor complements Italian cuisine.  It is delicious with Sopressata Peppata and Sopressata Abruzzese.       

Manchego
Origin: Spain
Region: La Mancha
Sheep Milk, Pasteurized
Aged 3 months

This cheese is soft, nutty and grassy with a mild finish in comparison to the more aged Manchegos.  This is delicious on its own or shaved onto an arugula salad.     

Saint André Triple Crème
Origin: France
Region: Coutances, Normandy (traditionally crafted)
Cow Milk, Pasteurized

This cheese is SO good.  It has a soft-buttery texture and a tangy edible rind.  This intense "brie" has hints of mushroom and grass with sweet clover nuances.  We like spreading this on a toasted baguette with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.  It's also delicious served on crackers with Dalmatia Fig spread or Mitica spanish wild lavender honey.         

Zingerman's Creamery

Manchester
Made in Michigan, USA
Dutch-belted Cow Milk, Pasteurized

Manchester cheese exhibits the seasonal changes of the Dutch-belted cow milk and its distinct flavors.  The flavors range from an earthy nuance in the spring time to creaminess in the winter.  This is a creamy and velvety cheese.  Its delicious on its own.


Bridgewater
Made in Michigan, USA 
Cow Milk, Pasteurized

Bridgewater cheese is so flavorful.  This is one of my favorites.  This is a super-rich double cream cheese with Tellicherry black peppercorns.  The peppery notes complement its earthy and citrus nuances.  Bridgewater is best with unflavored crackers.  As it ages the peppery notes become more flavorful and works well sprinkled on salads and soups.  I like pairing this with some thinly sliced prosciutto or jamon ibérico and a glass of Beau Vigne Juliet.

Point Reyes Original Blue 
Origin: California
Cow Milk, raw
Aged minimum of 5 months

Point Reyes Original Blue won Best Cheese/Dairy product in 2011 by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, NASFT.  It is all natural, made with raw milk and vegetarian (microbial) rennet.  If you're looking for a Kosher-certified & gluten-free cheese, this is it.  This cheese is sweet and creamy and is a mouthful of "blue" notes.  I have only enjoyed this with red wine, but I can imagine the original blue complementing steak, salads, dips, and port very well.          

Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog
Origin: California
Goat Milk, Pasteurized

This creamy cheese is rich in flavor of herb, floral, and citrus notes.  The intensity and depth of flavors continue to develop with maturation.  It pairs excellently with Ales, IPAs, Stouts, and Porters.  Humboldt Fog also pairs well with sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, zinfandel or pinot noir.  

This cheese is delicious as a topping on roasted sweet potatoes with pecans, celery and dried cranberries (link to the recipe).  It's an instant crowd-pleaser at Thanksgiving meals!   

Kerrygold 

Origin: Ireland

Cow Milk

Kilaree cheddar

Aged minimum 15 months

Vintage Dubliner

Aged 12 months

Kerrygold cheeses have notable distinctive creamy tastes.  Kilaree is a firm, rich, and smooth cheese.  Vintage Dubliner has the characteristics of a mature cheddar, the bite of an aged parmesan, and the nutty nuances of swiss.  Both are excellent with Pillar's Caliente Salami.

Seaside
Origin: England
Cow Milk, Pasteurized
Aged for up to 15 months

There isn't much more literature on Seaside cheddar aside from what the labeling dictates.  It is matured on the Ashley Chase Estate in England and made with vegetarian rennet.  The cheese is delicious and doesn't need any further explanation.     

P'tit Basque
Origin: Pyrenees Mountains, France
Sheep Milk, Pasteurized
Aged for 70 days

P'tit Basque was created and introduced in 1997 by Lactalis, a multi-national dairy product corporation in France.  This cheese is very tasty.  It has a mildly sweet and nutty note.  This is delicious by itself or paired with anything tasty.  This is one of my favorites.    

Cotswold
Origin: Gloucester, England
Cow Milk, Pasteurized

If you love chives and garlic in your cheese, then this is a must-try!  This is a very rich flavored cheese therefore enjoy sparingly.

Clockwise from 11: Sopressata Peppata, P'tit Basque, Pillar's Caliente, Mimolette, Sopressata Abruzzese,  Parrano, (unknown in middle)

You can find these cheeses at: Whole Foods Market, Zingerman's Deli and Morgan & York in Ann Arbor.   

Zingerman's - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Zingerman's Delicatessen
422 Detroit St, Kerrytown - A2
Zingerman's Facebook 

Open Everyday 7am-10pm
734.663.3354

What is Zingerman's? 

We were introduced to Zingerman's Deli by my wife's colleague, Dorothy.  That was many years ago, since then we have been regulars.  When Dorothy was teaching in the UK, she would fly back for a weekend just to eat at Zingerman's.  At first I thought she was insane, but now knowing how amazing this place is I would do the same.

This is a foodie's paradise.  They have 71 different sandwiches: corned beef, chicken, turkey, pork, beef, pastrami, fish and 10 are vegetarian.  They have authentic jewish foods: Matzo ball soup, baked potato Knish, potato Latke, noodle Kugel and blintz.  They make their own cheeses and gelato at Zingerman's Creamery.  They roast their own coffee beans at Zingerman's Coffee Company.  They bake their breads and pastries fresh daily at Zingerman's Bakehouse.  If you want really good American Food visit Zingerman's Roadhouse.  The chef, Alex Young is 5-time James Beard nominated Best Chef in the Great Lakes region, winning the title in 2011.  You can have food catered by Zingerman's for graduation, weddings, and business meetings.  They have seminars and adult baking classes.     

Everything is so delicious. #00 D-$ Cuban Conundrum (Pork) and TNT Cowboy Reuben (BBQ beef brisket) are my favorite sandwiches.  Don't just let my words persuade you, take a look at the pictures below, browse their websites and if you don't like traveling you can always do a mail order - Yes! Zingerman's will ship the goodies to you.     

I hope you stop by soon, who knows maybe you'll see me there too!
Quality of Food: 97
Quality of Service:100
Value: 98
Atmosphere: 100
Overall: 98 (Excellent - A Must Try!)

Get your Coffee, Pastries, Gelato, Chocolates here.

Everything CHOCOLATE! 

Free Samples, Just ASK!!!

Jams, Preserves, Honey (Sage Honey), Coffee from Zingerman's Coffee Co., etc...

Sardines, Razor Clams, Tuna, Mackerel, Anchovies, etc (Use Sardines and Anchovies in Bigoli Pasta recipe)

Custom Smoked Salmon and Fish from Durham's Tracklements and Smokery

Baked Fresh Daily from Zingerman's Bakehouse

Massive Selection of Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars

Free Samples, Just Ask! (Anything in the store!)

Jamón ibérico  is amazing! Make sure you get an ounce or two!

I love their Lemon Scone - buttery and flaky, YUM!

Mediterranean Experience (Small)

Our NEW favorite: #84, Benno's Birdie, Amish breast chicken, Ligurian Pesto, Oven-dried Tomatoes, fresh handmade mozzarella on grilled rustic Italian bread! YUMMY....

#46 Stan's Canadian Hotfoot (bottom-left) and #51 Bob & Roz's Fiesta (top-middle)