UNNOTICED TREASURES

I went to the Sweet Spot today. It's the coffeehouse at the Baker Culinary School downtown Muskegon. They had a bunch of gourmet pastries and desserts. The place looks sharp and I peeked in a class. It made me want to go to school there because I love food.

A lot of people might know about spots like The Station or the Hearthstone, but I think Muskegon has a lot of unknown treasures (there's a lot in Grand Haven too). If fact, downtown has some upscale tastes for a beer tent town. Here's a few...

MIA & GRACE - One of my favorites. It's downtown - a few blocks away from the Frauenthal and the lake. Great gourmet food, pastries and sandwiches. It's all local and fresh.

LAKESHORE EMPORIUM - this old fashion candy store is in the Lakeside community. I went there yesterday for yogurt covered pretzels, peanut butter & chocolate malted milk balls, and some other old fashion favorites. They have a soda fountain, homemade fudge, old skool pop and almost anything you can dream up covered in chocolate.

THE CHEESE LADY - I went there today. I love cheese almost as much as my kids. They have a bunch of fancy cheeses from all over the world. Stop in a get the mini-panini's for lunch sometime.

DOCKERS FISH HOUSE - by Pere Marquette but on Muskegon Lake. Go there in the summer, sit on the porch, watch the boats come in and have some good fish - (owned by the Pints & Quarts group).

BERNIE O's - In North Muskegon at the 4 corners. You have to try the Twist. It might sound crazy but you won't forget it and you'll probably love it and then crave it.

US31 BBQ - If you've never had one of these messy delights, stop in and get a couple pork sandwiches with extra slaw. Real good.

I feel we are really missing some good ethnic foods but there's some other great local places like Pints & Quarts, Handsome Henry's Pizza, The Station, The Hearthstone, Hobo's, Mango's, Toast & Jams, Pita Place, and Pablo's Tacos - so skip the big chain or chinese buffet and support something local.

Hey - has anyone been to Bonfire yet? (formerly the Sardine room)

FYI - The Farmer's Market opens in downtown Muskegon this Saturday.

Comments

[Tvanderschuur]

I am drooling reading this. And I do love Mia & Grace, and not just because my daughter works there :)

[Wendy]

Bonfire is very good. A friend of mine's nephew is one of the owners. The double wide is awesome, the lobster tacos are my favorite, and they have good prices. (Menu is online, too.) The salted butterscotch pudding at Mia & Grace is amazing...I don't even really like butterscotch and I basically licked the bowl clean. The pumpkin pancakes at Toast 'N Jams are the best I've ever had. Yikes, I must be hungry. I feel like I could write a novel about food.

[Julie]

I think you're reading my mind. Adam and I love all of those places also and you're right that they are hidden. We've lived here now for three years and are still finding little treasures. It's great to be a "foodie"!