vino wicked
GOOD EATS Off the Beaten Track! Foodie Gems you need to discover.
Gurney's Harbor Bottle Shop
If your last trip to Harbor Springs didn’t include devouring what many locals and loyal visitors call the Best Sandwich Ever, then you don’t know the secret of Gurney’s Harbor Bottle Shop. A little piece of heaven between two slices of fresh-baked bread! This fabulous establishment carries two of my favorite food groups: Bread and Wine. Nestled right on Main Street, this gem is hidden—you may have passed it, oblivious to Sandwich Utopia a mere few feet away. Family owned and operated, Gurney’s has been a Harbor Springs institution since Bill Gurney started the store way back in 1972, now taken over by his kids, Kate and Peter. On a busy summer day, it’s a Sandwich-Palooza with the line stretching through the store and out the door as sandwich chefs whip up over 800 blissful bread-blessed creations. Fresh-baked bread, mouthwatering meats piled high, incredible pickles and the oh-so-secret weapon— Gurney’s Deli Sauce that patrons rave about. Try the Train Wreck, Veggie, best seller Turkey or build your own, but don’t ask for tomatoes because this is a tomato-free sandwich zone. Why, you ask? I’m told that most of the year tomatoes are not good, and it makes for a messy sandwich. Gurney’s does not accept credit cards, cash only. No worries, there is a bank across the street. Grab extra cash for your booze, too— their selection is amazing!
UNCORKED Cider Time While most are well aware of the number of wineries in the Northern Michigan Region, many may not have noticed the rapid growth of Hard Cider producers. Hard Cider, not your child’s apple juice, is produced in numerous styles utilizing different apple varieties with varying styles. Very popular in the UK and other Northern European countries, the delicious flavors of cider can range from relatively sweet to bone dry. Usually slightly effervescent, most ciders are relatively clear and slightly straw colored to the eye with some of the more traditionally produced products being a bit cloudy. One of my favorite local ciders is the “Crabster” from Tandem Ciders; crisp, tart and dry to the bone. There is a flavor profile for almost everyone’s palate, so if you are traveling around Northern Michigan, you owe yourself the favor of stopping in at producers such as Tandem Cider, Black Star Farms, Left Foot Charley and I am sure I am missing a few. Enjoy the sipping.
Cheers, Darric
Folgarelli’s Market & Wine Shop 215 E. Main St., Harbor Springs 231-526-5472, gurneysbottleshop.com
MARCH/APRIL 2015 | BAY LIFE NORTH
21