525. Womxnhouse Detroit – October 2, 2021 – Detroit, MI

What a powerful place Womxnhouse Detroit is! The house at 15354 St. Marys Street in Detroit has been transformed into an exhibition space for the work of 14 female artists. From the bedrooms to the bathroom, the back porch to the front closet, the house bursts with thought-provoking, visually dazzling displays.

Womxnhouse Detroit was inspired by Womanhouse, the groundbreaking 1972 installation of feminist art by female artists curated by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro, founders of CalArts’ Feminist Art Program.

The Womxnhouse Detroit exhibit was curated by local artists Asia Hamilton (who owns the Norwest Gallery of Art) and Laura Earle. I was fortunate to visit when both of them were there and to receive a tour of the exhibition from Laura. She walked me and the other women visiting at the time through each piece, explaining the inspiration for and symbolism of each. I’m grateful to Laura for taking the time to do this; it made the art that much more impactful, to have intimate knowledge of what went into creating it!

Womxnhouse Detroit launched in mid-September 2021. This weekend (October 30-31, 2021) is the last one to see the exhibit. Future plans for the house include an artist-in-residence program.

The photos above give a sneak-peek of the exhibit. The picture of the house’s front porch showcases a piece by Asia Hamilton called Fall in Love. It represents the fairy-tale version of love so pervasive in our society, especially in messaging intended for women and girls. THE AWAKENING (also by Hamilton), is a response to that piece. It resides on the back porch and is a portrayal of marriage many viewers will find to be a much more realistic one.

The second photo shown above, of the kitchen, is of a piece called Antepasados by Rosa María Zamarrón. It’s a beautifully immersive experience that showcases the kitchen as a sacred space, one where Rosa’s mother imparted family recipes – and thusly, elements of their Latin heritage. I was moved by this exhibit: by the vibrant warmth and intimacy of the details that make this kitchen a home – from the crimson and gold papers flowers festooning the ceiling to the sounds of Zamarrón’s mother talking and cooking (yes, there is an audio component!). It reminds me of times I practiced elements of my family’s culture with my beloved grandmother, when we made Italian cookies in her kitchen.

I could recount more of the art I experienced at Womxnhouse Detroit – art showcasing themes of grief and healing and abortion rights and the gender pay gap and forgotten women . . . and so much more. But my words would pale in comparison to the experience of witnessing it firsthand; the exhibit begs to be experienced. If you’re in the Detroit area this weekend and into art that’s both culturally significant and visually stunning, do yourself a favor and visit Womxnhouse Detroit! Admission to the exhibit is technically free, though donations are encouraged if you’re able to give. Proceeds from the exhibit will fund the artist’s residency.

I’m excited to see what art this incubator of creativity serves up next. Thank you, Womxnhouse Detroit, for being the facilitator of such magical experiences!

15354 St. Marys St.

Detroit, MI 48227

www.womxnhousedet.com

524. Supergeil – September 24, 2021 – Detroit, MI

Friday night in Detroit: my heart thrills at the thought! Though of course, I love Detroit any day of the week – and I know I would love visiting Supergeil any day of the week, too. With its fantastic food, drink, and ambiance, there was no way I wasn’t going to fall in love with it.

Supergeil is located in Corktown, just a stone’s throw from Two James. And that’s probably not a coincidence, considering that the owner of that magical bar/distillery also owns Supergeil.

According to its website, Supergeil is “inspired by the energy and food of Berlin’s Kreuzberg district,” where a prominent Turkish population resides. What does that mean for us here in Detroit? Delicious döner sandwiches and cocktails inspired by the flavors of that vibrant German neighborhood.

Even if Supergeil’s cocktails weren’t inspired by Kreuzberg, I know they’d be great, because Supergeil’s bar manager is amazingly talented. He served my friend and I during our visit, as we sat at the bar. When my friend couldn’t figure out what drink she wanted from the menu, he offered to surprise her with off-menu offerings based on her preferences; both drinks he made for her were phenomenal. I loved the drink I ordered from the menu, too, the I’ll Halva Mai Tai. It’s a dreamy concoction of Two James’ Grass Widow Bourbon and Dr. Bird Rum, orange liqueur, a tahini-and-pistachio orgeat, lime juice, a cardamom-and-vanilla tincture, angostura bitters, and baharat spice.

“Well-balanced” was the phrase that kept coming to mind as I sipped these drinks. Some craft cocktails are more a pile-on of liquor than expressions of flavor. But not Supergeil’s. They are potent, yes, but they don’t just taste like booze; they’re beautifully nuanced, a kaleidoscope of discernable flavors that play off and complement each other. They are wonderful! Though because they feature Two James’ spirits, they would likely still be wonderful even if they were all booze.

The food at Supergeil is just as delightful as those carefully crafted cocktails. Of course I had to have a döner during my visit. Having been introduced to that enticing sandwich by my visit to Balkan House in 2019, there was no way I was going to pass one up.

Supergeil offers three different kinds of döner: a lamb-and-beef, a chicken, and an eggplant. I got the lamb-and-beef version and relished its tender shaved meat stuffed in a pocket of fluffy pide flatbread and topped with crunchy cucumber, tomato, lettuce, purple cabbage, garlic sauce, and wonderfully spicy hot sauce. It was SO good!

Even more tasty were Supergeil’s fries, a basketful of which I totally crushed. Wonderfully crunchy, flecked with chilies and drizzled with aoili and scharf sauce (which, I gather from the internet, is a type of German hot sauce), they were utterly delicious and almost impossible for me to stop eating.

Can we talk about Supergeil’s ambiance, too? With its warm lighting illuminating the space of brick walls and peeling sage-green paint, profusion of hanging plants, and vibrantly tiled bar, it feels cozy yet contemporary. The young, hip-looking clientele populating the place on the night of my visit made it seem like the kind of bar where all the cool kids go – the cool cool kids, not the snotty ones. The vibes were good; the employees I encountered were friendly and welcoming. Supergeil is most definitely the kind of place you want to make your neighborhood hang – even if you don’t live in the neighborhood.

2442 Michigan Ave.

Detroit, MI 48216

www.supergeildetroit.com

523. PizzaPlex – September 19, 2021 – Detroit, MI

Is there anything better than a summer’s day in Detroit? I think not – especially when it’s spent on PizzaPlex’s patio, enjoying one of its INCREDIBLE pies!

The pizzeria is located in Southwest Detroit, in delightful proximity to Clark Park, El Club, and Mexicantown Bakery. Besides that of being located in one of my favorite Detroit neighborhoods, it holds an honorable distinction: it’s a certified maker of authentic Neapolitan pizza. This accreditation is awarded by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, an organization dedicated to preserving the method of pizza-making that originated in Naples, Italy.

It’s a big deal to be certified by the AVPN, which has specific rules around what constitutes a true Neapolitan pie; see its regulations around everything from cooking temperature to dough thickness to how peeled tomatoes are crushed (by hand). There are fewer than 900 AVPN-certified pizzerias in the world, according to Pizza Plex’s most recent newsletter – and only two in Michigan.

Such a certification means nothing if the taste isn’t there. But I’m here to tell you that the taste is wholly present at PizzaPlex!

I was in the mood for an outdoor lunch on the day of my visit. So I sat at a table in PizzaPlex’s backyard seating area: a delightful little hideaway. There I listened to the breeze rustle branches while admiring a mural featuring monarch butterflies and vibrant swirls of color.

I decided to forego a drink but admired PizzaPlex’s collection of beers, craft cocktails, digestifs, and Italian wines. I started instead with its side salad, a super-fresh mix of greens and cherry tomatoes drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and deliciously pungent Parmigiano.

Then came my pie: a Margherita. PizzaPlex’s rendition of the classic pie was phenomenal. Its fresh basil leaves, tomato sauce, drizzles of olive oil, and ample chunks of mozzarella had the pizza bursting with flavor. But the real showstopper was the crust.

I’m not typically a pizza-crust person. I eat it, but it’s not why I’m there. When it comes to PizzaPlex’s pie, though, I’m most decidedly a crust person! It has to be the best I’ve ever eaten.

This Margherita’s dough was fire-kissed on the outside, yet so sumptuously doughy and chewy. It’s hard to put into words how something so seemingly simple could taste so wonderful; it begs to be experienced. The Neapolitan spirit was in full force in this pizza dough!

Another element of PizzaPlex where that Neapolitan spirit is fully alive is in its pay-it-forward program – sospeso, as it’s called in Naples. It allows patrons to pre-purchase meals for future guests. What a win-win it is to visit PizzaPlex when you can allow both yourself and a fellow human to enjoy its delicious pies!

4458 W. Vernor Hwy.

Detroit, MI 48209

www.pizzaplex.com

522. River’s Edge Brewing Company – August 14, 2021 – Milford, MI

Dining on River’s Edge Brewing Company’s patio was a deliciously relaxing way to end a busy day.

The locally-owned brewery in downtown Milford showcases a selection of house-made beers. These include its PSAle (an IPA described on its menu as “Pineapple. Citrus. Hoppy.”) and a stout named Fritter Frank, whose flavor profile includes autumn-esque elements (coffee, donuts, cider, and cinnamon). Several hard ciders from Northville Winery & Brewing Company are also offered.

I enjoyed one of those ciders during my time at River’s Edge: the Blue River. A smooth, not-too-sweet mix of blueberry and apple, it went down easy. It was summer in a glass!

I also had an excellent Greek salad at River’s Edge. It was a fresh and flavorful medley of mixed greens, seasoned chicken, pickled red onion, yellow pepper rings, olives, tomato, cucumber, feta, and a zesty house-made vinaigrette. The brewery’s food offerings include hearty sausages, wraps, and sandwiches – the perfect accompaniments to ice-cold brews. Pop-up menus offered by outside entities such as Barlow’s Gourmet BBQ and Burger Burger are regular occurrences, as well.

125 S. Main St., Ste. 400

Milford, MI 48381

www.riversedgebrew.com

521. Bakehouse 46 – August 14, 2021 – Rochester, MI

Here’s Bakehouse 46, offering up a sweet serving of collaboration! And cupcakes, and donuts, and cider . . ..

Located in downtown Rochester, Bakehouse 46 marries Blake Farms (of cider mill and hard cider fame) and Cupcake Station (whose eponymous treats have been delighting Metro Detroiters since 2006) with a sleek style that’s all its own. If you’re familiar with these beloved local businesses, you already know this is one EPIC mash-up!

I visited Bakehouse 46 during a jaunt in mid-August that had me bustling around downtown Rochester: to Catching Fireflies, The Home Bakery, and the farmer’s market. All that shopping worked up a hunger in me. Enter the Bakehouse Club: a delightfully soft Everything bagel sandwiching layers of bacon, ham, turkey, arugula, tomato, cheese, and scallion cream cheese.

WOW, was that sandwich delicious! What a melding of flavors: rich cheeses, smoky meats, juicy tomato, and zesty seasonings. And arugula! Bakehouse 46, you had me at the Everything-bagel sandwich – but add fresh, peppery arugula to the mix, and my taste buds are kvelling!

Bakehouse 46’s menu showcases several breakfast- and lunch-oriented bagel sandwiches. It also sells bagels sans the sandwich filling, plus coffee and the previously mentioned cupcakes, donuts, and cider. Check the shop’s online menu for its enticing – and numerous! – cupcake offerings, which include Snickers, Chai Latte, and Bump-a-licious (Bakehouse 46’s riff on Bumpy cake).

As someone whose grew up on Blake’s donuts (donuts so fresh as to make you cry tears of joy when you bite into them!) – I know Bakehouse 46’s are bound to be special. Blake’s cider (the best of the best!) is served there, too. There are also caramel apples made from Blake’s apples, and Blake’s jams and maple syrups. Other baked goods such as cheesecake bars, cookies, and brownies are sold at the shop, as well.

Let’s talk about the shop itself. Bakehouse 46’s interior is an ultra-modern, ultra-gorgeous amalgamation of glistening white tile, slate-blue walls, wood floors and furnishings, and buttery leather furniture. Potted plants, accent pillows, and a red Oriental rug provide pops of color. It’s a feast for the eyes – the perfect counterpart to the culinary feasting facilitated by Bakehouse 46’s menu. Here’s to harmonious collaboration!

205 S. Main St.

Rochester, MI 48307

(With an additional location in Birmingham)

www.bakehouse46.com

520. The Home Bakery – August 14, 2021 – Rochester, MI

The Home Bakery: purveyor of sweet treats for over 90 years!

The bakery based in downtown Rochester has been in business since 1930, according to its website. It mixes up all manner of baked goods, including beautifully imaginative cakes (check out the Zombiecorn and PB&J cakes on its website!).

Have a craving for a cupcake, cookie, cannoli, or eclair? The Home Bakery has you covered. How about a donut, danish, muffin, or pie? The Home Bakery makes those, too! It also bakes up one of the most wonderfully decadent desserts I’ve ever eaten: the cronut.

The Home Bakery’s cronut is a hefty iteration of the donut-croissant hybrid that had so many going gaga at its 2013 debut. This cronut’s layers of flaky croissant are formed into a square shape, dusted with vanilla-infused sugar, and thickly coated with vanilla bean glaze.

When I bit into that cronut, my taste buds exclaimed with joy! The juxtaposition of the deep-fried, sugar-kissed, vanilla-glazed exterior and the flaky-soft interior was SOOO good.

And that wasn’t all! Hiding inside The Home Bakery’s cronut was the pièce de résistance: a creamy filling the bakery’s website describes as “vanilla bean pastry cream.” I describe it as “WOW!”

All of these elements melded together to form one supremely rich, SUPREMELY DELICIOUS dessert.

At $4.50 apiece, The Home Bakery’s cronuts are not cheap. But they are worth every penny. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks that, as they routinely sell out (as I learned the first time I attempted to buy them). Calling ahead of your visit and ordering over the phone is an option – one you likely won’t regret!

300 S. Main St.

Rochester, MI 48307

www.thehomebakery.com

519. Catching Fireflies – August 14, 2021 – Rochester, MI

I was enticed inside Catching Fireflies not by its namesake bug, but by bubbles!

The shop based in downtown Rochester bills itself as “a whimsical gift gallery.” That value of whimsy was on full display when I stumbled upon its storefront one Saturday in August. Streams of bubbles danced in the air.

I followed the bubble trail to an open mailbox planted near Catching Fireflies’ entrance. A machine housed inside the mailbox spewed batch after batch of the soapy orbs – and kindled my curiosity about the shop. How could I not visit this whimsical gift gallery with a bubble machine and turquoise exterior?

I succumbed to spontaneity, entering the shop – and a treasure trove of goodies. It was filled with neatly curated collections of greeting cards, candles, soaps, socks, books, toys, knick knacks, magnets, and more. Beautiful items, quirky items, hand-crafted items – they were all there. It was everything a great gift shop should be: a wonderland of delights!

As would any gift shop of its ilk, Catching Fireflies made me want to buy gifts – for myself. I purchased a “Michigan Things” magnet that features such local institutions as party stores and “using your hand as a map.” I also snagged a copy of the Sister Pie cookbook, which I’d coveted for years! Visiting Catching Fireflies gave me an excuse to buy it. After all, I had to show my support for the whimsical gift gallery and its bubble machine – bubbles certainly don’t grow on trees!

203 E. University Dr.

Rochester, MI 48307

(With additional locations in Ann Arbor and Berkley)

www.catchingfireflies.com

518. The Proving Grounds Coffee & Ice Cream – August 12, 2021 – Royal Oak, MI

I’m primed for a revisit of The Proving Grounds Coffee & Ice Cream! Fickle fate cut short my original visit to The Royal Oak location of this family-owned coffee brand.

Actually, fate wasn’t so much to blame for my premature departure as technology. I couldn’t get my work computer to connect to The Proving Grounds’ guest wifi (the laptop’s security protocols didn’t seem to like the way it was configured). Alas! I had to abandon The Proving Grounds’ inviting, rustic-chic interior for home (where the interior is less chic but the wifi connection is generally reliable).

At least I had the parting gift of the iced lavender latte I ordered before I left – which was definitely not a consolation prize. The rich espresso laced with creamy milk and subtle floral sweetness was delicious!

When I return to The Proving Grounds, I’d love to try another of its lattes. The coffee shop offers that iconic combination of espresso and steamed milk in a variety of flavors, including Beetroot, Caramel Maple, and Activated Charcoal (that last one has my mind going all, “???! I must try it!”). Other compelling items on The Proving Grounds’ coffee menu include the Cafe Miel (espresso infused with steamed milk, honey, and cinnamon) and the Nitro Cold Brew Coffee. These drinks are made from The Proving Grounds’ roasted-in-house beans.

Also made in-house is fresh, flavorful-sounding food. The Proving Grounds’ menu includes breakfast fare, salads, and sandwiches such as the Pere Marquette (turkey breast layered with radishes, roasted red pepper, a vegan garlic-and-roasted-red-pepper mayo, and McClure’s Sweet and Spicy pickles) and the James Cracked Cheese (a grilled cheese made with gruyere, cream cheese, and sourdough bread). Pastries are offered from Fenton’s Crust Bakery. And, as The Proving Grounds’ name suggests, there is ice cream! It’s from locally-owned, artisan ice cream makers Brown Dog Creamery, so you know it has to be good.

As you can see, there’s a lot for me to return to at this delightful indie coffee shop. May fate – and the technology gods – smile upon my next visit to The Proving Grounds!

417 S. Washington Ave.

Royal Oak, MI 48067

(With an additional location in Milford)

www.provinggroundscoffee.com