The Detroit Foodie

You know those Pure Michigan ads? Well, they’re NOT lying. Traverse City definitely captures the essence of ‘Pure Michigan’ with a plethora of breathtaking views, serene waters, rolling hills, and other lovely attractions!

Beyond the pristine blue waters & white sandy beaches (reminiscent of the Caribbean), the Cherry Capital also offers visitors some great dining options!

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Patisserie Amie is a must when visiting Traverse City!

What i love about this place is the fact that it’s away from the main cluster of all the kitschy downtown dining places AND it’s a fantastic little place to grab a delicious meal anytime of day (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).

I highly recommend ordering their scrumptious Kobe Burger (pictured above), layered with a sunny-side up egg, bacon, sun-dried tomato remoulade, lettuce, fresh tomato, and served with a side of fries. Oh, and def leave room for dessert - my favs are their chocolate hazelnut tart & citrus tart!

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A French-esque Big Boy knock-off is the best was to describe Amical : /

Service was spotty, seating was uncomfortable with neighboring tables & chairs crammed tightly together, and the food (a smörgåsbord of frozen, premade, and microwave ready dishes) was completely unappetizing!

Their Tomato Soup served as a puff pastry (pictured above) wasn’t completely thawed out (making the dough tough), and the tomato broth was a sickly Pepto Bismol-y color with an equally disdainful flavor. As for my Reuben Sandwich, mediocre at best!

Bottom line: SKIP Amical and go elsewhere in TC for far better food & service!

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Dim lighting. Exposed brick walls. Decanters & wines set on tables. Flickering candlelight. Vibrant colored artwork adorning the walls. All these elements give Trattoria Stella an intimate rustic & inviting feel, while offering diners a daily changing menu of fresh local & seasonal Italian foods.

A P P E T I Z E R

Pacific Octopus: Char-grilled octopus served atop rice beans, tomatoes, and house-made Calabrese sausage. Absolute perfection!!! Beautifully charred (nice and tender) with an incredible harmony of flavors! This definitely set the bar on any octopus dish i try from here on out. Really incredible!!!

E N T R E E

Mezzaluna: Tortellini like dumpling filled with goat cheese, and served with an eggplant & heirloom tomato sauté. The dumplings were airy pillows of deliciousness and the fresh eggplant & heirloom tomatoes complimented the goat cheese filling - fantastic!

If you’re in Traverse City, pay a visit to Trattoria Stella and don’t forget to also check out the awesome little art gallery just down the hall from the restaurant! : )

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Absolutely breathtaking! 

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is a true Michigan gem! The picture above doesn’t do it any justice - it’s just one of those moments that you just have to be there to experience. Standing atop the Sleeping Bear Dunes you get a sense of peace & tranquility - maybe it’s the white sand, the encompassing sky, or the waves pulling in & out of the waters below…whatever it is, you feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world overlooking what seem to be endless blue waters & skies!

Fact: The dunes are actually located in Glen Arbor, about an hour outside of Traverse City. Once inside the park, make sure you visit each stop along the ride, so you can take in all the amazing views that the park has to offer! : ) 

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Red Ginger made for a pleasant & delicious dining experience!  

The service was excellent - our waitress was attentive and hospitable! Our food was flavorful & fresh - great Pad Thai (pictured above), tasty Pad See Ewe (Seaweed Salad), deeeelish Unagi (Eel) Rolls, and an amazing Coconut Rice Pudding dessert (below)!

Lovely space + Great service + Fantastic food = We’ll def be back!

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Alas, our vacation came to a close…but, our last night in TC ended with this amazing amber colored sunset - another reason to visit this lovely city! : )