Logan: An American Restaurant. An Ann Arbor Culinary Must!

Logan is family owned and has just ranked as one of "America's Top Restaurants" in the 2011 national Zagat guide.  If what I'm about to tell you doesn't inspire a trip to Logan, this distinction must! 

Anyone who's known me for more than five minutes knows that I have mad love for my hometown, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Minus the Winter, it is the perfect place, in my humble opinion.  Great music venues, bookstores, shopping, yoga, movie theatres and yes, great food, all wrapped up in a cozy, tree lined hamlet.

The last time I visited, a dear friend took me to Logan for my birthday lunch.  I am embarrassed to say that I had passed by Logan many times, having no idea what I was missing.  With institutions such as Zingerman's and The Earle, and the quite decent (although the service and acoustics leave much to be desired) Cafe Zola right across the street from Logan, my full belly didn't give it much thought.  That will NEVER happen again.

An intimate, quiet dining space that is at once elegant and comfortable greeted me.  The service was attentive, yet casual.  I already knew what I wanted because I'd perused the menu online before arriving (good foodie):  Roasted asparagus sandwich with sauteed mushrooms and gruyere cheese.  Sold.

My lunch companion ordered gnocchi for her entree, but first we started with fresh corn chowder and a shaved fennel salad.  The chowder was super light and tasted like amplified corn on the cob, with bright chopped chives on top, bursting with mellow onionness.  The fennel salad was a revelation.  I told my friend I was not a fennel fan, and she encouraged me, like a good mama, to try a bite.  I LIKE FENNEL!  Or, at least, I like this fennel.  Shaved so thin you can see through it, mixed with shards of earthy cheese and tossed in a lemony vinaigrette, I could have eaten the entire plate, but I was polite and shared.

Then, the sandwich arrived.  Back to Zingerman's for a moment.  No love lost for my cherished Zingerman's, but this sandwich owned any sandwich I've had there.  Maybe comparing pastrami to roasted asparagus enveloped in sherried mushrooms and bubbling gruyere is like apples and oranges, but I don't care.  One thing that sets apart the Logan experience is the attention to detail.  I am someone who appreciates when the chef takes the time and truly shows the love with each component of a dish.  In the instance of their perfect sandwich, the bread was perfectly toasted and lightly slathered with vinaigrette, the mushrooms sauteed to perfection in a sumptuous sauce, the asparagus was seasoned and roasted so that it was hot, a tiny bit crusty and tender, but not mushy, and the cheese was melted and plentiful without overwhelming the veggies or bread.

I loved this meal so much, I ordered it again, times two for my mom and I to inhale on her first day home after a successful knee replacement surgery.  She ate half her sandwich, all of her house made potato chips, and promptly fell into a blissful sleep while I finished my sandwich.  And hers.

The Making Of The Perfect Sandwich

 I promise you an exquisite dining experience.  Off you go.

Lately Food Ventures, including Andrew's Cheese Shop. Yum.

What are you looking at?  Red organic grapes rolled in goat cheese and crushed, roasted pistachios.  These were inspired by my lovely friend Samantha.  She made a version of these for an Oscar party she hosted and I made a huge pig of myself with them.  Naturally, they were a no brainer for a Fourth Of July BBQ.

Husband's mom bought us this deviled egg tray, to which I initially scoffed.  I was SO wrong.  I've used this lovely tray more times than I can count for appetizers, cookies, truffles...I love you, Mama Lisa.  One day I may even make your son some deviled eggs (he lurves, me, not so much).

I made two new dishes for some clients today.  This one was beyond delicious, and I think I need to make it for myself tout suite, minus the shrimp (allergic).  It is a Vietnamese rice noodle dish with carrots, sugar snap peas, peppers, cilantro and bean sprouts.  Served cold or room temperature, the dressing makes it, which is a combo of fish sauce, rice vinegar, lime, sesame oil, a little sugar, jalapeno...YUM!  So refreshing.

This is my version of Chicken Saag.  I like, but don't love Indian food.  I like spice, but not overly spiced, and I don't enjoy chewing on whole coriander seeds or fennel seeds or mustard seeds...you get my drift.  So I cook "Indian light", meaning less fat and less spice, so you still get curry and ginger and chili without drowning in it.  I made this for my client last week and she requested it again!  Love that.

The other new dish; flank steak rolled with veggies and cheese, Italian style.  I sauteed garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, carrots, spinach, and red peppers.  When the veggies were tender, I mixed in mozzarella and Romano cheese, topped with chopped fresh parsley and stuffed the steak, which I tenderized and marinated in a bit of olive oil and Worcestershire sauce.  I hope the steak is tender...it looked good!

I had some coconut cake...

...and CHEESE (not in the same meal).  I'm obsessed with cheese lately (more than usual), and decided after my cook session I had to finally check out Andrew's Cheese Shop (I've listened to him on Good Food and have fantasized about going for over a year-yeah-I don't get out much).  Andrew did not disappoint.  He was friendly and confident and bold with his cheese choices for moi.  I told him I was hungry and the only cheese eater in my house (husband is lactose intolerant) and could he hook me up with enough cheese to gorge myself for the next week or so.  He picked three (and gave me info on them-check it out):

Brillat-Savarin (the brie at the top of the plate):
Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin was a French lawyer who became renowned as a food critic.  He was the author of the great book, "The Physiology of Taste" (1825).  The cheese was created in his honor in the 1930s by Henri Androuette, founder of the world's greatest cheese shop.  This is the original triple-creme.  The cheese is made in Normandy and the flavor is as rich as it gets with a gentle hint of mushrooms.

Tomme Dolce (next to the brie with the orange rind):
Tomme Dolce is one of many extremely small production cheeses from Andante dairy in Petaluma, CA.  Soyoung Scanlan, the cheesemaker, creates a variety of handmade artisan dairy products with musical names.  Tomme Dolce is made from goat's milk and the cheese is given a bath of brandy and plum jam which is where the smell comes from.  The flavors are fruity with hints of honey, cinnamon, cloves and anise.

Kirkham's Lancashire (the crumbly one):
Curds from three days of cheese making are combined to make Kirkham's Lancashire.  The texture is moist, rich, crumbly and creamy with what's locally known as "buttery crumble".  Don't be alarmed if you see some bluing in this cheese; it's a mark of distinction here as it is in other English farmhouse cheeses.

This was my dinner:  sugar snap peas, cucumber, grapes, pears, pickles, crackers and CHEESE.  So happy.  Could this be the new "ritual meal"?  Hmmm...

What are you craving?

Weekend In Solvang

 

Our dear friend, Marnie, invited us to a wine tasting birthday weekend in Solvang, California.  Done.

We actually did the same thing with Ms. Marnie two years ago and it was fun (Marnie is always fun.  A Marnie party is a guaranteed good time. She is the opposite of me).

We drove up with another dear friend, Rachel, and we stopped at El Torito for lunch.  Those are some El Torito chips right there.

  

Husband and Rachel discussed apps while eating apps.  Hee hee.

  

I normally get the fajita salad, but there was an intriguing picture of this Mexican lasagna looking thing.  Enchilada Azteca.  Husband and Rachel both wanted me to order it, and I was like, word.  It was delish, actually.  

  

Rachel had a combo.  I was jealous of her "sweet corn cake".  I actually found a mix of El Torito "sweet corn cake" at the grocery store and I'm just waiting for an occasion to bake it up and eat the entire thing.  Yummmmmmm carby.

 

Husband's chicken enchiladas with beans and beans (he's not a rice fan).  He shared his sweet corn cake with me.  Nice husband.

  

Ahhh, Solvang.  So stinking cute.  After we checked in to the swanky Holiday Inn Express (the rest of our friends were staying at the Wine Valley Inn. We slummed it), we walked around the town, which takes about an hour.

  

Lots of little shops were all ready for Valentine's Day.  Made me want chocolate.

  

And pastry.  Lots and lots of pastry.

  

We also stumbled upon a shop that sold socks.  Like, a lot of socks.  More than you think would be necessary.  

If you know me, you know that I'm a knee sock and leg warmer slut, so I was kind of giddy.

  

I did not buy anything.  Due to my freelance lifestyle, I feel rich or poor depending on the moment.  $20 knee socks were not on the agenda last Saturday.

  

This was the view from the parking garage of the Holiday Inn Express.  V nice slum.  I think I see a gnome!  Or a hobbit!  Or both.

  

Okay.  The Hitching Post II.  This is where Marnie chose to enjoy her birthday dinner and I love her just a little bit more for it.  Holy mother of God, they know how to cook meat. 

  

The chef behind the glass spied me spying him and gave me a show.

  

Our happy birthday crew.  Husband is on the bottom right, and his actual birthday was Saturday.

  

I started with a cup of split pea soup.  It had a touch of cream and a some nice spice.

  

Husband ordered the quail appetizer out of curiosity.  The squash puree was kinda weird but the quail was money (and a lovely preview of what was to come).

  

Small house salad.  The croutons were very herby and I loved the vinaigrette.

  

I ordered the New Zealand lamb chops with fries (husband's request-I hate fries-hee hee).

  

Husband ordered the flat iron steak, which I was going to order after hearing rave reviews from one of our fellow diners who had been to The Hitching Post previously.

Husband and I decided one would order lamb, the other steak, and we would share.  Now, the lamb was very, very good, BUT, the steak stopped me in my tracks.  The first bite, I had to stop everything, close my eyes, and moan inappropriately.  I am drooling on myself thinking about it.

After husband and I licked cleaned our plates, we ordered dessert, because we have a serious problem were still hungry.

We endured many an "oooh/aaah/I can't believe the ordered dessert/what is that?" from the peanut gallery, and it was completely worth it.

I didn't take pictures because I was busy scarfing my final sin:  apple crisp a la mode (husband had chocolate peanut butter pie that was equally orgasmic in a wholly different way).  That freaking dessert was worth the 3 hour drive from LA alone.  Valentine's Day is coming up...

  

The next morning, I went for a run in order to make room for brunch.  Deciding not to quit while I'm ahead, I ordered the French toast with vanilla cream and maple syrup.  Gorgeous.

  

Husband had eggs, potatoes, some really good chicken sausage, and blueberry pancakes.  Yah, we're big eaters, and we have friends who know how to pick good restaurants!  Lucky, lucky us.

Woodranch Grill! It's Been Too Long...

Another eventful day in Unruh land.  I met a client in Westlake Village, then proceeded to Thousand Oaks to meet husband and Austin for an orthodontic consultation.  Time for braces, it is.  Poor buddy has to have two teeth pulled and several cavities filled before he can get said braces.  He was remarkably calm and collected through the whole thing.

We had a late lunch at Woodranch Grill, which you know I love love love.  Above Austin is taking an exaggerated sip of his rootbeer before he tears into his house salad (by tear I mean 2 bites).

 

I've heard their garlic rolls are the bomb.  I have not tried them because I always know that I will eat my entire salad and an entire side of buttery mashed sweet potatoes.  Crazy thinking, clearly.

 

Husband ordered buffalo wings.  Random.

 

Austin dug right in.  Evan thought they were too vinegary, almost "bitter".  Austin thought he was being a baby.

 

My salad.  It's a chopped salad with black beans, tomatoes (which I always pick off), corn chips, corn, cheese, marinated portobello mushrooms with a light ranch dressing.  It's delicious.

 

One of my favorite dishes in the world.  Smashed sweet potatoes.  I'm sure these are full of butter, cream and brown sugar and I don't care.  Amazing.

 

Husband's rib "sampler", which just seemed like a small rack of ribs.  Nothing sampler about it, but he said they were mighty tasty.

 

Austin's sirloin steak and smashed sweet potatoes.

This was a very wonderful, cheap $85 dollar lunch.  We talked cookies so it's a write off, right?

Saturday workout:  30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels-Level 1 and 2

Weird Bay Cities Sub And Chew Tastings

Weird dinner. We had two very successful meatball subs from Bay Cities not too long ago and were ready for a repeat performance. I decided to take advantage of their online ordering system, and it asked me if I wanted "the works" on my meatball sub. I stupidly assumed this meant cheese or something.




Well, it did have cheese. It also had tomato, lettuce, pickles, roasted peppers, onions, lettuce, mustard and (I think) mayonnaise. Super ew. I scraped most of it off but did not enjoy the sub the way I wanted to. Bummed, but I guess I learned my "the works" lesson.



For dessert I sampled my Choconutty and Lemonutty chews. I'm so happy with these and I'm inventing new flavors as I type this. Pumpkin, cashew, pecan, mint, cherry, cinnamon...off to bake! Not really, I'm probably going to watch Intervention with husband. But tomorrow, will bake!

Mmmmeatball Sub. Bay Cities Style.

I have been meaning to try Bay Cities Deli for about 8 years. After watching Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger devour Godmother sandwiches there on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, I said that's it! I'm going. And I did.



I got a side of roasted vegetables, which were delicious. Perfectly seasoned and just a touch spicy (red pepper flakes?).



Husband's dinner: meatball sub, potato salad and potato chips (which he did not eat).



Mine. This was pretty damn perfect. The roll makes it, which they bake in house. It was just soft enough, just chewy enough, just doughy enough. Amazing. So happy right now. I'm easy to please. Just give me some bread and cheese. I did not try to make a poem just now.