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Sunday, January 20, 2013

Saturday Schnitzelbank?

Last night was my first time at the Dakota Inn (can't believe that!) and I want to go back again...already.  It was so much fun!  From the moment you walk in and see the architecture and the hear the whole place singing a song together (the words are projected on the wall), you know this is going to be a great place.

Dakota Inn--Located on John R in Detroit..Not far from Hamtramck , is Detroit's only authentic German restaurant and bar.

Since I was there with a group Germans (Jaegers and Koenigbauers) they guided me through the menu of traditional dishes.  We quickly ordered a pitcher of the Dakota Inn Red  and a cheese and sausage board which was served with pretzels and mustard.  Yum! Perfect! The cheese was a mellow Gouda and the "chub" of Summer Sausage was served with the the skin still on.  I loved it and so did everyone else at the table because it was gone quickly.

German Artwork on wall

And, now the piano player takes a request!  YAY...so, we heard a rendition of "The Entertainer" and many people in the crowd sang along.

Dinner is served!  I ordered the Kassler Rippchen.  A smoked pork chop, served with hot German potato salad and red kraut...outstanding.  The pork chop was like biting into a thick piece of ham.  We also ordered potato pancakes for the table.  They may have been the best potato pancakes I have ever had.  I could taste the butter they were sauteed in and the edges were so crisp.  My husband ordered the Rouldan, which is round steak wrapped around pork, onions and a pickle.  And, we ordered the Knackwurst for the kids.  I was not a huge fan of the Rouldan. I couldn't really taste the individual flavors, but I could see the appeal of the dish.   The Knackwurst was very good and tasted and smelled just like a good German sausage should.  I would like to taste the Bratwurst next time.

And, now...what we have all been waiting for SCHNITZELBANK!

What is a schnitzelbank?
"A Schnitzelbank is actually a woodworker's bench. One of the great Dakota Inn traditions includes a sing-along about the Schnitzelbank. This is a classic German drinking song. Every night, someone leads the crowd in a song that uses the Schnitzelbank as its centerpiece."

 
The words to Schnitzelbank displayed on the wall
 The crowd loved this song...we all sang along and I know I said every word incorrectly, but I don't care.  It was fun!  The man who lead the song, used an old cane to point the the next word.  So, fun!

And, to top it all off, they had a snowflake cutting contest.  They even supplied the paper and scissors.  All of the snowflakes are then displayed on the walls!

I love the Dakota Inn.  I will be back and I am going to practice the Schnitzelbank before I return!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Consuming Sunshine

Running on the Riverfront is a perfect way to end your day with sun like this! Get out early and enjoy!!

Surprisingly quiet and not too many people...come on all you auto show visitors, get out here!

Gotta ruuuunnmn....

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Bacon...Why I am not a Vegetarian

Where can you get the best bacon?  I am talking about prepared bacon with your meal.  Do you like thin and fatty?  Thick and meaty?  Peppery? Mapley? (Mapley is not a word)

I can't help it.  The Original Pancake House has my vote for the best restaurant bacon.  I would really welcome some comments on other establishments that offer good bacon, so I can try them out.  I am sure there are others out there and I want to make sure that I am making the best judgement.



Their bacon is thick and mapley with a little pepper taste on the backside.  It is sooooo yummy and even better when you dump some warm syrup over it.

My favorite bacon can be bought from Crestwick Farms.  It is Apple with Sea Salt and it is sooooo good. Crestwick Farms is located in Ravena, Michigan, but delivers to locations in the metro-Detroit area and some products are carried at Vince and Joes Market and other locations found on their website. At Crestwick Farms they have 100% naturally raised livestock, so you can feel good about your bacon!  AND, their products are Nitrite/Nitrate, MSG, Soy and Preservative Free and are created within their own facility and smokehouses.

On the subject of bacon, there is a strange phenomenon that happens when I eat bacon and drink coffee.  If I do them both simultaneously, my coffee tastes horrible.  This is a HUGE bummer as I love both coffee and bacon and most often just suck it up and drink bad tasting coffee.  I googled this and came up short.  Apparently this doesn't happen to anyone but me.



Good luck on your bacon and let me know if you find some really good restaurant bacon in Detroit and I will go eat it.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Ode to the Everything Bagel

The bagel that tempts me on the file cabinet...you know I hate you right?

I ate a vegetable laden, healthy lunch followed by a dream to hit the streets for a run, but then you looked my way and now I can't forget about you.



So, I gave in,  I did it.  I couldn't help it.  I ate you and now I hate you. 

I didn't need you...not at 3pm in the afternoon.  Nope.  But you sat there staring at me all day. 

Everything bagel, your ego is large as you try to be all bagels at one time.

You have won.  


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Sweet and Spicy Jazz and Seaweed Salad

Jazz is in my ears and everything is right.  Each night (no kidding, ask my kids) I turn on 90.9 WRCJ to listen to the sweet sounds of Jazz.  Nothing is finer than ending the day with the sweet sounds of the instruments that sound so good together.  Weekday evenings are my favorite with Tony Mowad, who is the President and Founder of the Pittsburgh Jazz Society and also serves on the board of the American Federation of Jazz Societies. He plays great jazz (Pub Jazz) and has a great voice.  I love it.  My grandfather, David Saad was a true lover of Jazz.  He loved to sit and listen to live and recorded jazz, and used to tell stories of seeking out jazz overseas when he was serving in WWII.  I like to think I have his ear for music, especially Jazz.

While I sit and listen to Jazz this evening, I am eating seaweed salad and it occurred to me that Jazz and seaweed salad have a lot of similarities.  The are both silky yet have some texture and depth, they can be both sweet and spicy at the same time and they don't fill you up too much, so you always have room for more.

Try the two together or apart.  But if you get a chance, turn on WRCJ, close your eyes, lay back and enjoy the sweet sounds...





Good Morning!

Black Organic French Roast...a good bean, makes a great cup!



Monday, January 7, 2013

Barbeque, Baklava and a Bike

I realize it is the middle of January, but I was day dreaming of Spring the other day (yes, already) and all of this came to mind....
There is no doubt in my mind, I seriously love barbeque.  And, I am sure the thing I love about it the most is eating smoked fat.  Sure the meat part is good too, but I really like the fatty ends of just about everything, so chicken does not fit into my world of barbeque at all...unless I am eating the skin (Slow's has some smoked wings that are very good) then forget the chicken.

That being said, I have been to my fair share of Detroit barbeque establishments and I have one problem.  I like different things at each one.  If I were to build my perfect meal, I would have to go to several restaurants to do so.  And, maybe one day I will.  So, here is my ideal barbeque meal, complete with beverages and dessert.

My vision is this...me on a bike (basket on front) in the spring, traveling around the city, filling my basket with all of my barbeque meal components.  Once they are collected, I will take my goodies to the Detroit Riverfront, on the patch of grass next to Milliken State Park where there is a large hill.  I will sit atop the hill on a blanket and devour my meal while watching the freighters go by. Ahhhh....dreams.

The meal:

Beverage:  Since there are seasonal beers on tap everywhere, I will just put my favorite here. LaGunitas IPA.  It is very hop-py but very delicious! (It has been on tap at Green Dot Stables in the recent past)

Appetizer: Slow's BBQ Wings and Burnt Ends (Brisket) from RUB BBQ Pub.

Main Course:  (I am making my own combo meal here) Texas Style Beef Brisket from Slow's BBQ and a half rack of St. Louis Style Spare Ribs from Red Smoke Barbeque.

Dessert:  Baklava from Astoria Bakery-Greektown

Enjoy!!

Baklava from Astoria Bakery

St. Louis Spare Ribs from Red Smoke

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the Consume Detroit blog.  I am creating this blog to share my passion for eating and seeking out new, fun and exciting things to do in Detroit as well as other tidbits.  I can't wait to share my thoughts views and the growth of one of the best cities around.  I consider myself a novice when it comes to restaurant and food reviews, but one with passion for eating, cooking and living and because of that, you may be able to relate to what I have to say here.  Thank you for visiting.  I hope to see you around town.