06 Aug 2009
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Food, Restaurants Tags: Ann Arbor, Food, restaurant, Zingermans
Ever since one summer as a college student in Paris, sipping cappuccino on the Champs Elysees, I’ve been looking for that same type of European, al fresco atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re on vacation. But so often, outdoor dining means you’re just steps from a busy street, inhaling car exhaust.
What’s the best place to capture that feeling in Ann Arobr? Zingerman’s Roadhouse, of course. You know, the one at the corner of Jackson and Stadium, less than 300 yards from I-94. So what makes it one of the best outdoor dining establishments (aside from the food)?
…wobbly tables and hard, rather uncomfortable seats…
…the descent of tiny bugs on our remaining food at the end of the meal…
…noise can be a problem outside. When crowded, it is virtually impossible to hear your fellow diners amid the din.
I think there should have been some standards set forth before reviewing restaurants where you’d dine al fresco.
Don’t get me wrong, we drop a C-note at that place once a year because of the food. We don’t, however, go there for the atmosphere. Putting Zingerman’s on a list of the best outdoor dining establishments in Ann Arbor is disingenuous at best.
via Restaurant review: Zingerman’s Roadhouse – AnnArbor.com.
09 Feb 2009
by ryanin Ann Arbor Tags: Ann Arbor, Wolverine Tower
Looking north from the tenth floor of Wolverine Tower in Ann Arbit, MI.
27 Oct 2008
by ryanin Politics Tags: Ann Arbor, dutch, election, endorsement, plaatsvervangende schaamte, Politics
I would to introduce you to one of my favorite Dutch phrases: plaatsvervangende schaamte. Here’s how to pronounce it (no, that’s not me).
So, what does plaatsvervangende schaamte mean (if you haven’t clicked that link above)? It means “place exchanging shame”, or, the shame I feel because you aren’t ashamed of what you’re doing. You know, like when you’re friend is singing terribly but thinks they sound like a pop star?
Or, say, when you’re the biggest newspaper in the most liberal town in the state, and you can’t even find your dignity to choose a candidate to endorse for one of the more important Presenidential races in history. Yet that’s what I feel today for the editorial board at the Ann Arbor News.
Granted, this is the paper that twice endorsed George W. Bush. But, today less than 2 weeks before the election, the AA News endorsed… no one. In 816 words they managed spit out every Republican talking point, most of the Democratic points, a smear or two, and still say absolutely nothing.
As one commenter put it, this is the “coward’s way out”, which indeed it is. We haven’t subscribed to the News in many years and I see there’s no reason to give them another look. What a waste of an opportunity and potential.
Plaatsvervangende schaamte.
For president: flawed candidates, no endorsement
30 May 2008
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Made Me Laugh Tags: Ann Arbor, cheescake, superiority
The Old World Bakery in AA has Ann Arbor-style cheesecakes. What, pray tell, are these things? As always, we check the font of all knowledge, Wikipedia:
Ann Arbor-style cheesecake Old World Bakery in Ann Arbor, Michigan, features a graham cracker crust which covers both the bottom and the 8 cm (3 inch) high side of the cheesecake. The lighter and creamier texture, which comes from a cream cheese and sour cream base, exhibits Ann Arbor’s famous air of superiority. [cite]
Bwuhahahahha! That made my day. Thanks AAiOR and leighton for the laugh.
04 Feb 2008
by ryanin Ann Arbor Tags: Ann Arbor, idiocy
Damn it, is there anything Ann Arbor can do right? Cool business? Check. Favorite place at which townies and student alike hang out? Check. Greedy-assed landlords pricing out successful 10-year-old business? Double-check.
Straight from Todd, Leopold’s is gone by this summer. Thanks a lot as-yet-unnamed landlord; you’ve made Ann Arbor a little more soulless than before, which isn’t saying much, really.
As the first commenter in the thread linked below says, there will be a huge backlash against the NIMBY’s; it’s already happening.
ann arbor is overrated. » Blog Archive » Mistakeholders
31 Jan 2008
by ryanin Ann Arbor, Politics Tags: Ann Arbor, football, Michigan, pandering, Politics
Good to see some old fashioned pandering going on at the State capital. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) has proposed “Bo Schembechler Day” as an official State day (whatever that means). It would be the same day as the first UM football home game (natch), as if that day isn’t already a High Holy Day in AA already.
Bo’s was a nice guy and all, but I think the hero worship angle is pretty well covered at this point.
WOODTV.com – Schembechler might get own official day in Michigan
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