Casey's Tavern

Casey's Tavern 304 Depot Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104
http://www.caseys-tavern.com/frames/menu/menu.pdf

Ira and I went to Casey's Tavern over a wekk ago and I am just now getting to the review. Although this was not planned and we missed last month because I was ill, this was somewhat of a make up.

So, let's see if I can remember all the details. First, it was Saturday night and packed - good sign!! We waited 30 - 40 minutes for a table, and of course, since it is winter, everyone waiting was waiting in the restaurant. Which all in all, is not very big. So it was like being packed into a can, but we ordered two beers, found a corner, and waited for a table.

After we were seated we started with the fried artichoke hearts as an appetizer, these weren't bad, but my opinion is that they did lack a little flavor. Ira ordered a burger and I chose the Casey's Dip. Ira was pleased with his burger and I recall liking my sandwich, but frankly I had to go back and review the menu to remember what I ordered, so obviously it was not memorable.

I did also order some fresh, homemade onion rings to go with my sandwich. Good, greasy, and big. So, I didn't come close to eating all of these.

We did walk out full and satisified and since it is so close to home I would go back here for a beer and a burger.

I rate it 3 stars.

Metzger's Restaurant

Metzger's Restaurant
Baxter Plaza on Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI
Menu - http://www.metzgers.net/ourmenu.htm

Ira is our guest reviewer this week....
Since it was my turn to choose the restaurant, and my first successful attempt at choosing a restaurant, Sharon decided I should write this week's review. I promise that I will try to sound as much like Carrie Bradshaw as possible ;-)

In this festive time of year, as we merrily shop for loved(and not so loved) ones, we must stop and take time for the things that really matter. For me, one of those things is our dinners. It is fun to try new places, and actually trying different foods. My choice this month was Metger's Restaurant in Ann Arbor.

I wanted to try something different from the standard American food, wasn't in the mood for Mexican or Italian food and, PF Changs is on the "cannot choose list". So I decided that maybe German food would be a little out of the box. Sharon was hesitant at first, but you all know the rules.

I am a little familiar with German food, having been stationed there in the Army, but Sharon really didn't know anything, which was fun for me.

We decided on deep fried mushrooms for an appetizer, cause who doesn't like those right? I ordered a Franziskaner Weissbier(which is a wheat beer), and Sharon chose to have a Bell's Amber. Both beers were tasty, but I think she wished that she would have ordered what I had. She thought it tasted like root beer. I have to admit it reminded me of Germany.

We were having trouble trying to decide to on the entrée, so we figured that we'd order a double platter which gave us a choice of soup or salad, 4 sides, 4 meats. We both had salads as they were out of French Onion soup(at 6:45). The meats were bratwurst, knackwurst, mettwurst, and weiner schnitzle(veal pounded, breaded and fried), and the sides were German potato salad, spaetzle(a small dumpling), red cabbage, and sauerkraut.

I have to say that I am glad that we chose this restaurant. My favorite meal in Germany was the Wiener Schnitzel, and this didn't disappoint, it was cooked well and had a good flavor to it. Sharon fell in love with the potato salad, and I even ate sauerkraut. I think the only thing that we agreed left something to be desired was the bratwurst. Neither of us felt it had much flavor.

For dessert we had to have to apple struedel but were so full from the meal that we got it to go. It was light and flaky, but I have to be honest, I couldn't eat all of mine because I was too full(Sharon ate all of hers though-lol).

I think we would agree that this restaurant is a must try for the adventurous soul who wants to try something a little different. Or the person who longs for a little cooking from Deutschland. Either way, if asked I would say try it.

Oh yeah, Miranda has man issues, Samantha's a whore, and Charlotte is waiting for a dream that'll never happen. Oh, and I saw Mr. Big.

------Ira

The Metro Cafe

CLOSED
The Metro Cafe - http://www.metrocafea2.com/
303 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

This was our planned dinner for this month (actually there will be two this month, watch for another posting in 2 weeks). I actually found this restaurant through Channel 4's Best of Southeastern Michigan poll.

The Metro Cafe is located in Kerrytown, on the corner of Detroit St and Catherine Ave in Ann Arbor. It has a very modern setting, martinis, and a jazz pianist so, I automatically started the evening optimistic. They bring fresh baked rolls, that were absolutely yummy. We started with the crab rangoon dip and two martinis. Ira had the classic martini, while I enjoyed the raspberry tart martini. The dip had fresh crab and alot of it, served with fried wontons. The appetizer was very good.

There are two things I especially like about their menu, they have a little bit of something for everyone - salads, sandwiches, duck, lamb, lobster, etc. The other thing is that they have two different size meals - small plates and large plates. For our meals, Ira chose the lamb chops and I had the shrimp and lobster plantain cakes (both small plate meals). Ira has only had lamb chops once before, so he ordered them on the waiters recommendation of medium rare, after he was eating them he felt that they should have been cooked longer. My plantain cakes were delicious, along with my second martini. For dessert we ordered the lava cake, which was warm, creamy, and wonderful.

Due to the lamb, Ira gave them 4 stars, while I give them 5 - so concensus is 4 1/2 stars.