Downtown TC Chili Cook-Off 1/16

January 12, 2010

Chili Cook-Off to Heat Up Downtown Traverse City

 

Warm up your winter at the 16th Annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off on January 16. Participants can sample the mild to the wild as the area’s top restaurants vie for awards in various categories.  Northern Michigan’s ultimate chili challenge takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Park Place Dome in Downtown Traverse City. 

Area restaurants will be cooking up their special recipes as they compete in eight different categories – 1, 2 and 3-alarm, white, vegetarian, no bean, seafood and ethnic as well as the coveted “people’s choice” award.  The event will also be feature two organic chilies!

Chili lovers can choose a sampler of eight chilies for $8 or single bowls of their favorites for $4.  Pepsi products will also be available.  All proceeds from the event help support such Downtown community activities as Friday Night Live, the Halloween walk, the Downtown Art Walk, holiday activities and many other free downtown events throughout the year.

In an effort to reduce waste at community events, in 2009 the DTCA made an investment into trays for the Downtown Chili Cook-Off, eliminating cardboard pizza boxes. Previously, over 1,100 pizza boxes were disposed of and recycled when possible at the event. The plastic trays make for very little waste to be created at such a large event. All plastic bottles and soda cans are also recycled.

 

Here’s a peek at who will be competing:

Blue Tractor Cook Shop                                Oryana                                  
Catch Island Grill                                           Red Ginger
Cherry Republic                                             Scalawags
Freshwater Lodge                                         Schelde’s Grille & Spirits
Lil Bo Pub & Grille                                         Serenity Tea Bar & Cafe
Minervas                                                        Slabtown Burgers & Cafe                  
Mt. Holiday                                                    Travino Wine & Grille          
Omelette Shoppe                                
                                               
 
Morsels Bite Sized Bakery & Gourmet Coffee will be serving cornbread morsels to compliment the competing chilies.

The Annual Chili Cook-off is hosted by the over 200 merchants, restaurants and businesses who are members of the Downtown Traverse City Association.  For more information or to volunteer, call the DTCA office at (231) 922-2050 or email colleen@downtowntc.com.

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Attractions, Events, Restaurants, Traverse City | Leave a Comment 

Ethnic Night at The Bluebird 2010 schedule

January 8, 2010

The Bluebird card imageLooking for a dinner with a twist, check out Ethnic Night at The Bluebird in Leland

 

Foodies across the area look forward to Wednesday and Thursday nights each winter for one reason: the fine wine and food pairs at Leland’s oldest family restaurant, The Bluebird. Tempting dishes from Greece to South America, Thailand to France, give us something warm and spicy to celebrate when the bitter winds blow.

 

If you haven’t been out for one of these festive events, you might want to take a look at the schedule and plan ahead. Here’s the list. Let the mouth watering commense.

 

The Bluebird 2010 Ethnic Nights
Wednesday and Thursday nights, 5pm - 9pm

Jan. 13 – 14  Mediterranean – Southern Spain, France, Italy, and Greece

Jan. 20 – 21  45th Parallel Feast – Food and Wine bounty from our region

Jan. 27 – 28  South American Cuisine – Focus on glorious Malbec from Argentina

Feb. 3 – 4  Chinese/Thai – Sparkling wines and aromatic whites from Leelanau

Feb. 11 – 12  France – Celebrate Valentines Day, great food and the wines of Bordeaux

Feb. 17 – 18  New Orleans – Wines you have never heard of. We will root out hidden gems.

Feb. 24 – 25  The Cuisine of India – A sampling of this aromatic, delicious, healthy cuisine.

March 3 – 4  Southwest – The “real” Tex/Mex

March 10 – 11  Asian Fusion – A glimpse of China, Japan, Thailand, etc.

March 17 – 18  St. Patrick’s Feast – Local Beers from Short’s and Right Brain Breweries

March 24 – 25  The American South – Recipes from “Southern Living” and regional wines.


April 7 – 8  Greek Islands – As always, great food, toss in some outstanding Greek wines

April 14 – 15  New England – Enjoy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Burgundy and America

April 21 - 22  France – The Rhone Valley – Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote Rotie, Hermitage

April 28 – 29  Greatest Hits – An amazing array of Cuisine, and legendary wine sale.

 

The Bluebird Restaurant is located in Leland, Michigan. To make a reservation call 231.256.9081. For more details on the ethnic night dinners visit their website at www.leelanau.com/bluebird

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Check This Out, Leelanau, Restaurants | Leave a Comment 

Celebrate the Snowflakes at Buds 12/5

December 1, 2009

It’s a Snowflake Christmas at Bud’s in Interlochen

 

Winter is coming, along with snowflakes and Santa. Celebrate this Saturday, December 5th with fun activities for the family at Bud’s in Interlochen.

  • Breakfast with Santa 9am-1pm
  • Meet two of Santa’s reindeer
  • Live music from Barbara Jordan 12pm-3pm
  • Snowflake crafts
  • Sample treats and specialty foods all day
  • Free gift wrapping

 

Stop in and start celebrating the magical season. Buds is located on M-137 in Interlochen. For more information on Buds upcoming events check out their website: www.budsisback.com.

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Benzie, Check This Out, Events, Restaurants | Leave a Comment 

Fustini’s Wine Dinner at Hanna Featuring Black Star Farms 11/17

November 16, 2009

Enjoy the flavors of fall with a wine dinner at Hanna Bistro Bar

Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars is pairing up with Black Star Farms to host a wine dinner this Tuesday, November 17th at 6:30 at Hanna in Downtown Traverse City. Chef Carrie has created a 5 course meal featuring some of the new flavors at Fustini’s. Lee Lutes, winemaker at Black Star Farms, will be on hand to discuss the evenings pairings.

Reservations are required. Call 231.946.8207 to reserve your spot today. The five course gourmet meal is $55/person. To view the menu on-line, click here.

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Events, Restaurants, Traverse City, Wineries | Leave a Comment 

Fustini’s Hosts Wine Dinner at Hanna 9/22

September 22, 2009

Fustinis card graphicFantastic Evening of Food, Olive Oils & Balsamics, & Wine

Join Fustini’s owners Jim and Lane for a special meal prepared by Chef Carrie at Hanna Bistro Bar in downtown Traverse City, on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30pm. Each course accompanied by Spencer Stegenga’s Bowers Harbor Winery wine.

Reservations are requested. Here’s a look at the amazing menu

1st course:
Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut Squash, Very Mild Ancho Chile soup drizzled with
Fustini’s Blood Orange Fused Oil.

2nd course:
Salad of Arugula with Pine Nuts, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese
with Fustini’s Fig Balsamic & Manzanillo Single Varietal Oil Vinaigrette.

3rd Course:
Pan Seared Opah w/ warm peach chutney, bacon, watercress
marinated in Fustini’s Peach Balsamic and Garlic Oil.

4th Course:
Chipotle & Persian Lime Chicken with Spanish Rice
made with Fustini’s Chipotle and Persian Lime Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

5th Course:
Cheese Stuffed Poached Pear
Wrapped in puff pastry with Fustini’s Blueberry Balsamic reduction

 

COST PER PERSON $55
FOR RESERVATIONS and MORE DETAILS
CALL HANNA BISTRO - (231) 946-8207
Downtown Traverse City, Michigan

Posted by Brandy Wheeler | Filed Under Check This Out, Events, Restaurants, Traverse City, Wineries | Leave a Comment 

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