Monday, January 24, 2011
Grand Tavern has a burrito that could feed a small army, or one very hungry man.
I kid you not when I say that last Tuesday my husband ordered a burrito that was the size of a small child. I swear the thing weighed at least four pounds. Tuesday is Cantina Day at Grand Tavern restaurant on Marketplace Circle and they have a burrito that is not for the faint-of-heart. It's filled with your choice of shredded beef or chicken, beans and rice, smothered in sauce and cheese and served with lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa. When all was said and done, three-quarters of it came home in a doggy bag. Not that it wasn't delicious — it was. It was just that big. (It's actually rumored that this burrito has auditioned for "Man Vs. Food" on the Travel Channel.) Cantina Day also includes $3 Coronas, $3.50 Dos Equis and $4.50 …
42.642048
-83.199801
3512 Marketplace Cir, Rochester Hills, MI
Grand Tavern
/articles/are-you-hungry-i-mean-really-really-hungry
/locations/3145911
42.68186
-83.12773
Royal Park Hotel
600 E University Dr, Rochester, MI
/articles/are-you-hungry-i-mean-really-really-hungry
694023
/locations/3145912
42.68074
-83.190643
Whole Foods Markets
2918 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/are-you-hungry-i-mean-really-really-hungry
1404548
/locations/3145913
42.68205
-83.135436
UpDog Yoga of Rochester
210 W University Dr, Rochester, MI
/articles/are-you-hungry-i-mean-really-really-hungry
693295
/locations/3145914
42.68065
-83.194684
Massage Heights
3050 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/are-you-hungry-i-mean-really-really-hungry
1404669
/locations/3145915
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Updog Yoga offers a special Couples Workshop for Valentine's Day.
When I leave a good yoga class, I feel totally blissed out — mellow, relaxed and kind of dreamy. Wouldn't you like to share that feeling with your honey? Updog Yoga on University makes that possible with a Valentine's Day Couples Yoga Workshop from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 11. No experience is necessary to enjoy this gentle partner yoga class. Two people work together to support and be supported in various yoga poses. Breathe, stretch, release ... ahhhhhhh! Yes, it's good for you, but it's also fun. Instructor Lynne Baum sets her classes to great music, so it's easy to forget you're doing something healthful. Close your eyes, and you might imagine you're dancing. Sound sweet? That's not even the best part. The workshop includes an afterglow with wine…
42.68205
-83.135436
UpDog Yoga of Rochester
210 W University Dr, Rochester, MI
/articles/valentines-day-gift-idea-no-2-yoga-for-two
693295
/locations/3139607
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Brilliant Sky sells ride-on suitcases for children.
Do your winter plans include travel with the kids? Let me introduce you to Trunki by Melissa & Doug. It's a ride-on, pull-along children's suitcase. Yes, you read that right. Pack it, then ride it through the airport. Kids can either scoot along with their own leg power or get pulled with a tow strap. The kids will love it because it's colorful (there are six choices), they can ride it, it comes with "fun face" stickers to personalize it, and it's their own. Parents will love it because it's lightweight but sturdy (it can hold up to 100 pounds), it's approved as carry-on luggage, and you can pull your kid (or kids) through the airport at warp speeds — or what feels like warp speeds after moving at a kid crawl. Trunki and its sticker …
42.684403
-83.194186
Brilliant Sky Toys & Books
322 N Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/a-kid-approved-travel-solution-and-the-first-of-many-valentines-day-gift-ideas
694569
/locations/3097040
42.68065
-83.194684
Massage Heights
3050 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/a-kid-approved-travel-solution-and-the-first-of-many-valentines-day-gift-ideas
1404669
/locations/3097041
Monday, January 17, 2011
Heat up winter with this unique (and delicious) burger from a family-friendly restaurant.
A little birdie suggested that I try CK Diggs at the corner of Crooks and Auburn roads. I'm always open to suggestions, so we found ourselves tucked into a cozy booth on a recent Saturday night. With a large and diverse menu and a friendly staff, we looked to our waitress, Amanda, for some guidance. She highly recommended the Volcano Burger. When CK Diggs revised its menu two months ago, this became one of its most popular new creations. The Volcano Burger is 100 percent ground beef on a toasted kaiser roll. It is topped with grilled pineapple and melted cheddar under house-made onion crisps with a spicy-sweet barbecue sauce. It costs $7.99. When I asked my husband what he thought, he wasn't even willing to pause in his devouring to answer…
42.635028
-83.170701
CK Diggs
2010 W Auburn Rd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/come-on-baby-light-my-fire-with-a-volcano-burger-from-ck-diggs
1404002
/locations/3062488
42.637937
-83.131829
Target
2887 S Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/come-on-baby-light-my-fire-with-a-volcano-burger-from-ck-diggs
1403944
/locations/3062489
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Detroit newspapers forgot about us, so "Around Town Laura" wants to know what you think: What are the best places to eat in our town?
I don't know if you've seen the lists, but the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press have each named their Top 10 Restaurants of 2010. Here's the thing: Neither listed a single Rochester or Rochester Hills restaurant! Bologna, I say! I know there are plenty of wonderful places to eat in our town. And I know that you know it, too. I want to shine a light on the fabulous cuisine Rochester and Rochester Hills have to offer — and better yet, I want to reward you in the process. Here's how it will work: The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older. And this wouldn't be a contest without a complete list of official Patch contest rules; you can read them here. Of course, I …
Monday, January 10, 2011
O'Connor's Public House to honor 'Gus' with a traditional Irish wake.
Look for wild and crazy shenanigans in downtown Rochester this Thursday night. O'Connor's Public House is saying a formal goodbye to the Gus in its name with a traditional Irish wake. There are practical reasons for the name change: the O'Connor's in Doolin, Ireland, dropped its "Gus" and the Rochester restaurant feels the new name better reflects its business. For just one night, it is putting the practical aside and reveling in an excuse to have fun on a cold Thursday. Here's what you need to know about the wake: Gus may be going but he will not be forgotten. His white casket, signed by all in attendance, will find a resting place high above The Snug. In addition, a limited number of funeral mass cards will be distributed Thursday. …
Friday, January 7, 2011
All you have to do is bring the kids.
It's wintertime and your 4-year-old is turning 5. Of course, he wants to celebrate with a dozen or so of his closest friends. Of course, you want him to have a super fun party. But the thought of all that wild, weather-suppressed energy unleashed in your home kind of gives you the shakes. Steady, girl. Rochester Play has the solution. Actually, Rochester Play, located on West University in downtown, offers quite a few solutions with a variety of party packages. For my little man in the making, I went with the Mega Party Package. This is what it includes: All that is left for you to do is pick a date and time, send an e-mail and show up with the birthday kid. (Future obligations do include standing over the birthday kid to make him write …
42.68205
-83.135436
210 W University Dr, Rochester, MI
/articles/winter-party-hosting-made-easy-at-rochester-play
/locations/2976863
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Give Thanks has special Kings' Cakes available all week long in its downtown location.
Thursday is Epiphany, also known as the Twelfth Night. It marks the visit of the wise men (or three kings) and traditionally ends the Christmas season. In some countries and cultures, this is the day for exchanging gifts. It's also a day when people bless their homes. Here in Rochester, it's a day for indulging in a Kings' Cake (Galettes des Rois) from Give Thanks Bakery & Cafe on Main Street. Give Thanks' version of a Kings' Cake is a puff pastry filled with frangiapane, a creamy almond filling. Hidden inside is a collectible ceramic figure, called a feve, meaning favor in French. If you are lucky enough to find the figure in your piece of cake, all must hail you as king for a day! Give Thanks Bakery has been offering the Kings' Cake …
42.678512
-83.133693
Give Thanks Bakery
225 S Main St, Rochester, MI
/articles/for-epiphany-this-cake-lets-you-be-king-for-a-day
693531
/locations/2950550
Monday, January 3, 2011
Do you have some baby news to start the year? Now it's time to get shopping.
Are you starting the year with news of a much-wanted baby on the way? Joy to you! And how fantastic to live in a town with so many great baby gift options. A couple of my absolute favorite "new baby" gifts are located in downtown Rochester. Green Baby It's hard to go wrong with a gift from Green Baby on Main Street. Everything in the store is organic, non-toxic and eco-friendly. In addition to adorable clothes, books and toys, the store also sells baby furniture and cloth diapers. (They know a lot about cloth diapers there; I am glad my diaper days are behind me!) The perfect baby toy Sophie la girafe was born in Paris in 1961. She's so very perfect that she hasn't changed at all in the past 50 years. In fact, she continues to win awards …
42.679935
-83.133728
Plain & Fancy Gift Shop
342 S Main St, Rochester, MI
/articles/new-year-new-baby-not-me-people-im-talking-about-gifts-here
693576
/locations/2930420
42.681134
-83.133765
Green Baby
431 S Main St, Rochester, MI
/articles/new-year-new-baby-not-me-people-im-talking-about-gifts-here
694594
/locations/2930421
Friday, December 31, 2010
I hereby resolve to explore Rochester and Rochester Hills to the max in 2011!
There are so many things to love about our town; I have spent the past 10 weeks telling you about many of them. But here, I do solemnly vow to discover and report to you on even more hometown treasures in 2011. Here are my resolutions: There are 365 days in 2011 and 156 Around Town columns to fill. I've got a start, but I'd love to hear from you. What do you want to read about? What do you recommend? I can't wait to hear! Until then, Happy New Year; be safe and enjoy your night!
42.678512
-83.133693
Give Thanks Bakery
225 S Main St, Rochester, MI
/articles/my-new-years-resolutions-fattoush-karaoke-and-our-towns-best-hot-chocolate
693531
/locations/2902633
42.695562
-83.139671
Rj's Pub
288 W Tienken Rd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/my-new-years-resolutions-fattoush-karaoke-and-our-towns-best-hot-chocolate
1404184
/locations/2902634
42.679694
-83.133728
O'Connor's Public House
324 S Main St, Rochester, MI
/articles/my-new-years-resolutions-fattoush-karaoke-and-our-towns-best-hot-chocolate
694005
/locations/2902635
42.679385
-83.133728
Mind Body & Spirits
301 S Main St, Rochester, MI
/articles/my-new-years-resolutions-fattoush-karaoke-and-our-towns-best-hot-chocolate
694595
/locations/2902636
42.638033
-83.131833
Flirty Fashions
2881 S Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI
/articles/my-new-years-resolutions-fattoush-karaoke-and-our-towns-best-hot-chocolate
694575
/locations/2902637
42.679465
-83.133728
Dragonfly Boutique
307 S Main St, Rochester, MI
/articles/my-new-years-resolutions-fattoush-karaoke-and-our-towns-best-hot-chocolate
694480
/locations/2902638
42.67936
-83.13463
Talulah Belle
114 W 3rd St, Rochester, MI
/articles/my-new-years-resolutions-fattoush-karaoke-and-our-towns-best-hot-chocolate
694470
/locations/2902639
Laura Cassar
10:46 am on Sunday, February 13, 2011
Just in time for Winter Break, Brilliant Sky just got a new shipment of Trunkis in! more ›