Things I Love
Food:
Slow’s Bar B Q:
Inexpensive, great authentic BBQ, and full bar. Always packed, really fun. Featured on “Man vs. Food” in 2009. Opened in by one of Detroit’s premier Urban Pioneers.
2138 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
313 962-9828
www.slowsbarbq.com
Lonesome’s Pizza:
Even if he wasn’t my son, I would recommend this gourmet pizza in Portland, OR. Delivered fresh to your door-they also deliver home made ice cream! Check out their menu – it’s hilarious!
523 NE 19th Ave
Portland, OR, 92732
East side- 503 234 0114
West Side- 503 274 9570
www.lonesomespizza.com
The Common Grill:
In the quaint, small town of Chelsea, is this my favorite place to eat when I’m home in Michigan. The Parmesian Encrusted White Fish is excellent. The Creme Brulee is joy in a bowl. A jovial atmosphere, and GREAT waitstaff. Head Chef and owner, Craig Common also has two cook books, to date, for purchase.
112 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
(734) 475-0470
www.commongrill.com
Royal Street Deli
Delicious, fresh, mouth-watering food made by the “Chefs to the Chef” at the Food Channel. Try the Alligator Po boy , the ham and brie sandwich and the Fried Chicken Salad.
801 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70116-3114
(504) 529-3777
Cafe Amalie
Beautiful old New Orleans style brick home, turned into a wonderful restaurant, directly across the street from, of all places, The Antieau Gallery! Tables outside around the fountain, or inside for a cozy intimate, yet elegant experience. Try the Grits and Shrimp.
912 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 412-8965
www.cafeamelie.com
The Reading Terminal Market
All the flavors of the world under one huge roof, in the heart of Philadelphia. Here you will find “Oprah’s Favorite Macaroni and Cheese”, along with the best chocolate chip cookies, ever!
51 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215 922-2317
www.readingterminalmarket.org
The Verdi Mart
Great deli in the French Quarter, featuring delicious Home Made Food, in HUGE portions, for NOT a lot of cash.
1201 Royal St
New Orleans, LA 70116
504 525-4767
www.vertimarte.com
Stanley’s:
My favorite place for breakfast in the Quarter right on Jackson Square. Delicious coffee, great service, and great people watching! Try the Eggs Benedict, but EVERYTHING is good!
547 Saint Ann Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 587-0093
www.stanleyrestaurant.com
Shops:
Fantasy Attic
Quirky, wacky, scary costume store. Open year round.
19 E. Cross St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
(734) 482-5409
www.fantasyattic.com
Reprodepot
Great reproduction vintage fabrics sold only on the internet. Really clear images, good descriptions, easy to navigate. I find a lot of great fabric here.
The Peaceable Kingdom
A shop that has been a part of my life from “The Very Beginning”. I saw my first piece of folk art here in 1983. Reproduction toys, soaps, jewelry, art, cards, and a great selection of fun stuff for under $1.00.
210 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 668-7886
www.theaapk.com
Paradiso
Located in the cool shopping district of Hampden, MD. Great retro/deco furniture, art and jewelry. Owners, Rick and Sharona, have a GREAT eye.
1015 W. 36th St.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 243-1317
www.paradisohampden.com
Nostalgia, Inc.
Jam packed with comics from past to present. My favorit comic is called ”Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children”. A great way to spend an afternoon.
135 E. Michigan Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 784-8955
Atomic Books
Rare and “Flagged” books, in a hip atmosphere. Also underground magazines, and comics.
3620 Falls Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 662-4444
The Vault of Midnight
Another GREAT comicvs and zine store. Vinyl toys, art shows, DVDs, magazines.
219 S. Main St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 998-1413
www.vaultofmidnight.com
Found
Great shop in Ann Arbor. Wonderful collection of old stuff and new, artfully arranged and VERY inspiring
407 N. Fifth Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 302-3060
www.foundgallery.com
Solo
My favorite place to shop in San Diego! Books, antiques, furniture, found objects, art…all truly amazing! I spend hours there whenever I visit.
309 S. Cedros Ave
Salona Beach, CA 92075
www.solocedros.com
Ipso Facto
I keep using the words AMAZING and BRILLIANT, but this place is the definition of both. I will get in my car and travel the three hours to the other side of the state, just to get my “fix” of this great store. The owner’s eye, is truly exquisite. I am a huge fan of extraordinary ”display skills”, and I am always inspired by his sense of composition. Retro furniture, sculpture, found objects, curiosities, effemera. In the cutest little town, just 1 hour north of Chicago.
1 W. Ash
Three Oaks, MI 49128
(269) 756-3404
www.ipsofactoantiques.com
Museums:
American Visionary Art Museum
This Museum was/is an enormous influence on me. As is the amazing woman who founded it. (Rebecca Hoffberger is my one true HERO in life…) It is a museum devoted exclusively to self-taught, “outsider” artists. It’s difficult to describe the true experience of The American Visionary Art Museum. You have to go, and be enveloped by it. It will transform the way you feel about human existence. Pretty profound, I know, but true. It is my favorite place on earth.
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 244-1900
www.avam.org
The Library of Congress
The MOST BEAUTIFUL “lobby” I’ve ever seen. Every kind of knowledge and history under one roof. (The “Chief of Rare Books and Special Collections Division” is pretty great, too!)
101 Independence Ave SE
Washington, DC 20540
(202) 707-5000
www.ioc.com
Butch Anthony’s Museum of Wonder
Butch is an incerdible intuitive artist, and has built his own home, and an outbuilding which houses his “Museum of Wonder”. Every square inch is packed with his raw, insightful painting and sculpture. He is also the Founder and Organizer of the “Doo-Nanny Festival”, which is held on his beautiful acreage, and includes Live Music, a Film Festival, an Art Fair, and camping for the weekend.
41 Poorhouse Rd
Seale, AL 36875
butchanthony63@yahoo.com
www.museumofwonder.com
The Center for Puppet Arts
I screamed in sheer panic and delight when I first walked in this museum. (You will see why, when you go…) I love puppets. This place is the place to see every kind you can imagine. They also have daily performances.
1404 Spring St. Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 873-3089
www.puppet.org
The Henry Ford Museum
Everything from Thomas Edison’s last breath preserved in a glass bottle, the chair that Lincoln was assassinated in, to the Lincoln, Continental that JFK was shot in. I love the Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion House, complete with Jetson’s-like household inventions. (The only remaining prototype in the world!) A huge place full of American innovation.
20900 Oakwood blvd
Dearborn, MI 48216
(313) 271-1570
www.henryford.org
The Wolfsonian
Deco-themed museum dedicated to design in the center of South Beach, Miami. GREAT gift shop!
1001 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 531-1001
www.Wolfsonian.org
City Museum
An amusement park for ADULTS (and children)! Walk through a suspension bridge maze, climb flimsy ladders at least 60′ into the cockpit of a vintage fighter jet, slide down the 7-story slide, all created by one artist. Carnival side-show like atmosphere-giant underpants, fortune tellers, world’s largest pencil, (76′ long). You really have to see it to believe it.
701 North 15th St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 231-2489
www.citymuseum.org
Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Located in a strip mall in a Detroit suburb, you would never guess the wonders inside. Open 365 days a year, this museum is the life’s work and collection of one man. Full of mechanical, anamatronic, interactive carnival games, vintage toy airplanes “flying” on a track installed in the ceiling, video games, prizes, hot dogs, more games, and non stop fun. There’s nothing like it.
31005 Orchard Lake Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 626-5020
www.marvin3m.com
Entertainment:
The Michigan Theater
Beautifully Renovated and restored movie house, complete with live pipe organ music. Always interesting film, and live concerts.
603 E. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 668 8463
www.michtheatre.org
The Detroit Red Wings
My favorite sports team. In my opinion, hockey players are the best all-around athletes of any sport. From Gordie Howe to Johan Franzen, this team is pure hockey tradition.
Detroit, MI 48226
1888 583-6046
www.redwings.nhl.com
The Old Town Ale House
Indescribable atmosphere, filled with eclectic paintings by the owner, and one of the BEST juke boxes around. Be sure to get your “when Men Were Men” T shirt!
219 W. North Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-7020
The Village Tap
In my tiny town of Manchester, Michigan, a true gem. Family owned and operated since opening, this where the great minds of Manchester, (population 1200), meet. Great conversations from politics to religion, home of the alternative Chicken Broil, “Roosterpalooza”. Great burgers, too. (Tell Jack that Chris sent you!)
235 E. Main St.
Manchester, MI 48158
(734) 428-7032
The World Famous Chicken Broil
Every July, in my tiny town, we swell to over 45,000 eager chicken eaters. Huge outdoor barbecue pits are assembled on sight, while tens of Manchester men grill and flip poultry parts for the hungry throngs. For $7.00 per plate, you receive 1/2 a broiled chicken, a biscuit, a bag of chips, and at least one radish. Don’t forget to stop by the Bortmas’ for home made pie!
www.manchesterchickenbroil.com
Music: (a brief sampling, more to come…)
A Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis: Tom Waits
Midnight Train to Georgia: Gladys Knight and the Pips
Who’s that Lady? The Isley Brothers
Anything by TOM WAITS!
One Bourbon, One Shot and One Beer: John Lee Hooker
In Dreams: Roy Orbison
Crying: Roy Orbison
Poncho and Lefty: Townes Van Zandt
I Put a Spell on You: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Anything by the White Stripes
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