Showing posts with label Dining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dining. Show all posts

Friday, January 10, 2020

WHERE TO GET SUNDAY BRUNCH IN ANN ARBOR

Whatever the reason for your Ann Arbor trip, Sunday brunch is a staple to any vacation or excursion to a new city. It’s a chance to treat yourself to eggs benedict and mimosas, as well as a chance to see the city and the locale from a new angle. There are plenty of places to enjoy Sunday brunch in Ann Arbor before you go back to your life, but here are just a few of our favorites:

Avalon Cafe and Kitchen

This quirky cafe is known for its bread with 100% organic flower, but when it comes to breakfast and lunch, they have just about everything you could want. Favorites like avocado toast, burgers, breakfast scrambles, omelets and more can all be found here. They have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options and they’re committed to their organic, fresh ingredients. They also have selections of wine and tap beer. Best of all, brunch lines are usually short, so you’ll be able to find an easy, laid back brunch here.

The Jefferson Market

The Jefferson Market is something of a hidden gem in the Old West Side ownership, but it’s been going strong since it opened twelve years ago in 2008. Like Avalon, they offer exclusively breakfast, lunch, and of course, weekend brunch. You can try a simple breakfast here or go for something spicier like huevos rancheros made with house-made chorizo. They have vegan options, too, such as tostones and avocado toast.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

Zingerman’s is a famous Ann Arbor staple. What started as simply Zingerman’s Deli eventually expanded to be a characteristically diverse and entirely local food chain, including Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Zingerman’s Creamery, Zingerman’s Catering, and of course, Zingerman’s Roadhouse. The Roadhouse is known primarily for its barbecue, but their brunch selection is also quite popular, incorporating elements from Zingerman’s Bakehouse and other Zingerman’s businesses. Enjoy the coffee cake, house-made biscuits, or classics like eggs benedict or grits.

Gandy Dancer

You won’t be able to miss Gandy Dancer, located in the stunning historic Michigan Central Depot. But there’s more than just stunning architecture here. Gandy Dancer is well-loved for its seafood and pasta, but if you’re looking for a Sunday brunch that truly feels like a special occasion, you’ll want to check out their white cloth brunch from 10am to 2pm. Here you can enjoy artisan bread and pastries, salmon lox, Belgian waffles, and Martha’s Vineyard salad. This is the kind of brunch to which you’ll want to book a reservation beforehand.
Still, looking for a place to stay during your Ann Arbor vacation? University Inn Ann Arbor is conveniently located near the University of Michigan campus, near all the amenities you could need — shops, restaurants, hospitals, and more. And don’t forget, when you book direct with us, we can offer a 10% discount to students and parents visiting the University of Michigan campus or parents of athletes for both UM or Eastern Michigan University. Contact us today for more information.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

WHERE TO FIND SWEETS IN ANN ARBOR

As the temperatures drop, we’re all looking for ways to create a sense of coziness. Sometimes that’s about more than staying warm. For many, autumn and early winter presents the early time to indulge their sweet tooth. There’s no risk of treats that melt in the heat and the right sweets can pair perfectly with a warm cup of cocoa or apple cider. When you’re visiting Ann Arbor, make sure to satisfy your need for sugar. Here are a few places you can go for your sweets and dessert fix in the area.
Located on University Avenue, Sweeting is the perfect stop for those visiting the University of Michigan college campus who want to stop for something sweet. They offer a variety of bubble teas and home-rolled ice cream as well as their own unique desserts. Consider their deep-fried ice cream, topped with sprinkles and a chocolate drizzle. Their menu has heavy Asian influences, such as fruit wrapped mochi, rice balls, and a wide variety of taro balls.
Simple Pleasures Baked Goods is the place to be for those who have a sweet tooth but also want (or need) to eat responsibly. Here you can find eggless dessert bars, gluten-free and vegan cakes and pies, and even sugarless muffins. In fact, the owner of Simple Pleasures was inspired by her brother’s own need for a sweets fix, which came into conflict with his vegetarian eating habits. She took to alternative baking that allows everyone to indulge, without having to feel guilty or potentially risking their health to do so.
A classic, laid back ice cream parlor serving scoops of homemade ice cream, Blank Slate Creamery is one stop that sweets lovers won’t want to miss. Their flavors change daily listed on their website as well as, of course, in-store. You can even order pints and quarts to take home. But if you’re looking for alternative options, don’t worry. Blank Slate offers several dairy-free flavors every day and even has gluten-free and vegan options.
Sometimes you want to go somewhere you can count on for a particular kind of sweet. When you see a name like Cupcake Station, you can rest confident that they know how to make really good cupcakes. At Cupcake Station, you can find fresh daily cupcakes in flavors with creative names like “What’s Up Doc,” “Bumpalicious,” and “Station’s Samoa.” They also offer cookies, caramel bars, and pudding — as well as cupcakes, for dog lovers!
Zingerman’s is famous as a local, wildly diverse food group. There’s the deli, the roadhouse, the coffee shop, but the one you’ll want to check out here is Zingerman’s Bakehouse. Here you’ll find cakes, cookies, pastries, and more that are uniquely and distinctly Ann Arborian. They even have their own cookbook!
Looking for a place to stay after you’ve indulged yourself in all the sweets you can eat? University Inn of Ann Arbor is conveniently located near the University of Michigan campus and offers discounts to students and parents visiting UM. Contact us today for more information.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

4 PLACES TO FIND PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES IN ANN ARBOR

Autumn is officially here, and with it, all the beautiful sights smell, and, of course, tastes. Since 2003, pumpkin spice has been perhaps the favorite flavor of fall, combining the rich spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and a little bit of pumpkin puree. And while you can find pumpkin spice in almost anything now, the most popular option remains the pumpkin spice latte. Is your mouth watering yet? Here’s where you can find pumpkin spice lattes in Ann Arbor:

Literati Coffee

You may recognize the name Literati from the well-loved local independent bookstore, Literati Bookstore. When you make your way through the bookstore — undoubtedly with arms full of books, you’ll find Literati coffee, a fully-fledged coffee shop that has a delicious seasonal menu. Among that menu is their *Literally* Pumpkin Spice Latte, made with their own house-made pumpkin syrup. Not only will you find pumpkin spice here, but you’ll find a pumpkin spice latte that can’t be found anywhere else — and you might even find the perfect read while you drink it.

The Common Cup

Come autumn, The Common Cup is filled with the tempting scents of hot apple cider, chai, cinnamon apple donuts, and pumpkin spice lattes. But The Common Cup is more than just a coffee shop. It’s an extension of the University Lutheran Chapel and committed to serving the community both in providing a space to meet and being environmentally responsible. They even offer 5% off when you bring your own coffee mug. This is a popular spot for college students to meet, given the convenient location. The walls are adorned with art from local artists.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is a Ypsilanti coffee shop that has already become a franchise. They have a wide range of coffee, tea, espresso, and more options. That variety expands when autumn comes around and they start to offer their own pumpkin spice syrup. Blogger Cecilia Irene of A Large Cup of Tea and a Long Book declared Sweetwaters’ pumpkin spice latte to be her favorite, calling it “the perfect mix of sweet and savory.”

Bearclaw Coffee

Bearclaw Coffee is one of our personal favorites, our neighbors as well as a delicious place to enjoy a cup of coffee. They have a warm, rustic sort of ambiance as well as the “nation’s largest fleet of mobile coffee trucks,” so you may have seen them at local events. Bearclaw Coffee also offers a delicious autumn menu every fall, including pumpkin spice lattes and authentic Bearclaw Chai.
Starbucks may have created the pumpkin spice latte and popularized it, but they’re not the only place to go for your pumpkin spice fix in Ann Arbor. Don’t neglect the local coffee shops with their own unique takes on this delicious fall drink. Need a place to stay while exploring all the pumpkin spice goodness that Ann Arbor has to offer? Contact University Inn Ann Arbor today to book your stay or for more information.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

AL FRESCO DINING IN ANN ARBOR


You’re on vacation in Ann Arbor and want to check out the local food scene. It’s a beautiful night with mild temperatures, and the idea pops into your head of eating outside. Maybe it’s a date or a family meal, or maybe you just want to treat yourself. The question is where to go? With so many options, the answer will depend on what you’re craving on a particular night. Here are a few of our recommendations for great al fresco dining in Ann Arbor.

Bill’s Beer Garden

If you’re looking for a refreshing brew, tasty mixed drink, or glass of wine, Bill’s Beer Garden is perfect. This is a fully outdoor courtyard with a stand where you can order drinks. This isn’t a good place to go for a meal, as they primarily just serve drinks. However, you can order a pretzel or other tasty snacks to go along with your drink. Whatever you order, the atmosphere is laid back and open and the community is cheerful. Read more here...