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)

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.

Wine & Foodie Learning Curve

Novice to Knowledge: 

Swallow This - The Progressive Approach to Wine

Mark Phillips

I have been searching for a book like this for years and I'm glad I found it (I picked up this book at Borders, weeks after they announced bankruptcy).  WHY is this book special and not the thousands out there?  Well, in my opinion, this book is more FACTS than fiction - meaning the author isn't only giving you his or her "two-cents."  

This author knows how to engage and draw-in his audience.  His book is littered with hilarious anecdotes and personal stories, easy to comprehend facts, and it reads like a conversation (between you and Mr. Mark Phillips).  At the end of the book I hope you will realize, as I did, that being knowledgable in wine is less important than knowing how to enjoy it.

My favorite chapters are:

3. Why the Ratings are Silly
4. Different Shaped Glasses are a Waste of Money
12. How Wine Shops Work
13. What Wines I Like and How I Buy Wine
16. Buying Expensive Wine is Stupid
17. Wine at Restaurants
23. Bum Wines


Hungry? Expand your Knowledge NOT just your Waistline:
Zingerman's Guide to Good Eating -how to choose the best bread, cheeses, olive oil, pasta, chocolate, and much more
Ari Weinzweig

I got this book as a Christmas gift from my brother two years ago and just recently started reading from it.  If you're a foodie fanatic and love to learn about the history of different foods, varietal differences, preparation techniques, recommendations, awesome recipes and so forth - this is the book for you.

Ari Weinzweig is the founding partner of Zingerman's Community of Businesses: includes Zingerman's Delicatessen, Zingerman's Creamery, Zingerman's Bakehouse, Zingtrain, and Zingerman's Mail Order.

"Hailed by the New York Times, Esquire, and the Atlantic Monthly as one of the best delicatessens in the country, Zingerman's is a trusted source for superior ingredients - and a supplier of indispensable information about food."

 

Contents:

1. oils, olives, and vinegars

2. grains and rices

3. cheeses

4. meat and fish

5. seasonings

6. honey, vanilla, chocolate, and tea

Stadium Market - Ann Arbor, Michigan

In my opinion of the numerous liquor stores in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Stadium Market is the best.  They have a MASSIVE collection of liquors and if you can't find what you're looking for - they will find a way to order it for you.  Stadium Market is owned by brothers Victor and Vernon.  They are both very knowledgable in the products that they sell, including bourbon and scotch whiskey.  I have had the pleasure of meeting them both and they have been instrumental in helping me learn more about bourbons (Jefferson's Reserve, Blanton's, Woodford Reserve, etc) and scotch whiskies (Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Oban 14, etc).  

They even have Macallan 25 in stock! (After seeing Richard Gere drink Macallan 25 in the movie Arbitrage, I was ecstatic when I saw this at Stadium Market).

1423 E. Stadium Blvd - Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Hours: Monday - Friday 9am -12am, Saturday 10am - 12am, Sunday 10am - 11pm
734.761.9650
stadium.market@gmail.com
stadiummarketcatering@yahoo.com
Stadium Market Facebook

Quality & Variety: 98
Quality of Service: 93
Value: 90
Atmosphere: 100
Overall: 95 (Excellent - A Must Try!)
***The Quality of Service is inconsistent, when owners are present: 100

Ann Arbor - Michigan

Great selection of Scotch, Bourbon, etc.

No one in town has a better variety of minis

Note: Pictures were taken with permission from the owner.

Frank Family Vineyards

Elegance in a glass or in a mug, whichever vessel you decide to drink this from - will exert the same qualities of the bottle from which you've poured.  Frank Family 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep purple in color with aromas of chocolate espresso, sweet black fruit and a touch of spice.  It's pure elegance.  The complexity of layers cannot be described well enough, it's a must try.  

Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon is 94% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot, and 3% petit verdot.  It is produced and bottled by Frank Family Vineyards - Calistoga, California.  The 2007 vintage was my favorite. Wine Enthusiast 90 points. 

$47 

Overall: 94 (Excellent - A Must Try!)

Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel

Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel will forever be in my top 10 wines.  It could be my every day wine.  I was introduced to this bottle by Rishi from International Beverage Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  My first experience was terrible, but it was entirely my fault.  I had poured the bottle into a decanter and thought the wine would "open up" after a couple of days.

Every vintage is as good as the last.  It is produced and bottled at the Klinker Brick Winery in Acampo, California.  This is a very fruit forward wine, deep and rich with earthy, chocolate nuances.  It has won several gold medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.  I believe this is a great bottle to break out for guests who are just trying wines for the first time or for those who have no idea what Zinfandel is.  Overall, it's a treat for everyone!        

$17

Overall: 92 (Very Good)

   

Beau Vigne Juliet

We met at The Wine Seller on Plymouth & Nixon in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  This is a bold and elegant cabernet sauvignon from Stag's Leap Ridge - Napa Valley, California.  It is bottled and vinted by Beau Vigne Winery.

The 2009 vintage is 81% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 2% petit verdot, and 2% cabernet franc.  I had the opportunity to enjoy the 2007 which was 100% cabernet sauvignon.  Both vintages were amazing! This is one of my favorite "special occasion" wines.  It's certainly a crowd-pleaser, but I would keep this for yourself and break out a less expensive wine.  Wine Advocate 91 points.  

$58 

Overall: 94 (Excellent - A Must Try!)