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.

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here atwww.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

1. Venison.
?2. Nettle tea.
?3. Huevos rancheros.?
4. Steak tartare.?
5. Crocodile?
6. Black pudding.? – ug
7. Cheese fondue.?
8. Carp. ?
9. Borscht.?
10. Baba ghanoush. ?
11. Calamari.? – love it
12. Pho. ?- maybe? had something very similar, but it wasn’t Vietnamese. 
13. PB&J sandwich.? – serioulsy? 
14. Aloo gobi.?
15. Hot dog from a street cart. ?
16. Epoisses.?
17. Black truffle.?
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes.?
19. Steamed pork buns.?
20. Pistachio ice cream.?
21. Heirloom tomatoes. – There aren’t many tomatoes I haven’t tried
22. Fresh wild berries.?
23. Foie gras.?
24. Rice and beans.?
25. Brawn, or head cheese.?
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper.?
27. Dulce de leche.?
28. Oysters.?
29. Baklava.
30. Bagna cauda.?
31. Wasabi peas.?
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl.?
33. Salted lassi.? – coworker brought this in for a potluck once
34. Sauerkraut.?
35. Root beer float.?
36. Cognac with a fat cigar. – oh, college?
37. Clotted cream tea.? – individually, yes, but together? Huh. 
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O.?
39. Gumbo.?
40. Oxtail.?
41. Curried goat.? – wouldn’t bar-b-qued goat count? 
42. Whole insects.? – would lobster count? 
43. Phaal.?
44. Goat’s milk.?
45. Malt whiskey from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more. – far too many times?
46. Fugu.?
47. Chicken tikka masala.?
48. Eel.?
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut.?
50. Sea urchin. – not a chance. when even sushi lovers say this is an aquired taste.. no way.?
51. Prickly pear.?
52. Umeboshi.?
53. Abalone.?
54. Paneer?
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal. ?
56. Spaetzle. ?- Ann Arbor folks, go to Metzer’s on Zeeb
57. Dirty gin martini.
58. Beer above 8% ABV.?
59. Poutine.?
60. Carob chips.?
61. S’mores.?
62. Sweetbreads.?
63. Kaolin.?
64. Currywurst.? – where oh where can I try this?!?!
65. Durian.?
66. Frogs’ legs. 
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake.
68. Haggis.?
69. Fried plantain.?
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette.?
71. Gazpacho.
72. Caviar and blini.?
73. Louche absinthe.?
74. Gjetost, or brunost.?
75. Roadkill.? – Deer hit by a car, made into sausage. Wasn’t bad, actually. 
76. Baijiu.?
77. Hostess Fruit Pie.?
78. Snail.?
79. Lapsang souchong.?
80. Bellini.?
81. Tom yum.?
82. Eggs Benedict. ?
83. Pocky.?
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.?
85. Kobe beef. ?
86. Hare.?
87. Goulash.?
88. Flowers.?
89. Horse.?
90. Criollo chocolate.?
91. Spam.?
92. Soft shell crab.? – so good on a sandwhich
93. Rose harissa.?
94. Catfish.?
95. Mole poblano.?
96. Bagel and lox.?
97. Lobster Thermidor.?
98. Polenta.?
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. 
100. Snake.

61/100… not too shabby.

Link

Richman’s review is, shall we say, petty, as he happily claims to bust a hostess lying to him and his companion and ripping on Bourdain who hasn’t cooked in the restaurant in 8 years (save for one night for his show).  The remainder of the “review” is a self-indulgent trip into a thesaurus as Richman tries to upstage his own ego in an attempt to cloak his true purpose in going to Les Halles.

Guess Richman is a little bitter about winning the Douchbag award from Bourdain.  Classy of GQ’s man, though, to take a shot at revenge by shredding the restaurant instead of responding to the criticism. Guess some critics really are just bitter douches.

GQ’s Alan Richman Blog

THE DOUCHEBAG
For the best example of twisted, repressed, or compromised “I’d rather be making lemon bundt cake with My Cat, Mr. Mufflesworth” journalist who actually HATES food and hates the people who make food even more

Nominees: Alan Richman for taking a big Dump on New Orleans at the worst possible time. And for his totally disingenuous piece on celebrity chefs not being behind the stove when Alan chooses to dine;

(Reference material: The hit job in question, Time-Picayune article on same)

Check out the other nominees. I think The Doucebag (the Doucey?) is all wrapped up already, so tune or surf  in Friday for the other winners.

The 2008 Golden Clog Nominees Announced!