6
Restaurant News
Traverse Citians who recall the all-too-brief build-your-own salad shop Radish, on Union Street in the late aughts, will be happy to hear that the Grosse Pointe Woods-born The Big Salad is opening at 332 Front St., this July. With more than 38 veggie and assorted “dry” toppings, 30 dressings, eight meat and seafood choices, plus, 11 signature entrée salads and a variety of soups and sandwiches, The Big Salad is a quickly spreading fast health-food chain with locations in Troy, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Charlotte, and more. Due west of The Big Salad’s location, another build-your-own concept — this time with tacos — has readjusted its targeted spring 2021 opening date to early summer: the Ohio-based Barrio Tacos chain. The Traverse City location, on the ground floor of the new 4Front Credit Union, is Barrio’s second Michigan location; its first opened in East Lansing in March 2020. Up in Petoskey, Mi Tequila Bar & Grill opened its doors at 751 Spring St. (formerly Big Boy) last week — just in time for Cinco de Mayo). The family style Mexican restaurant offers all the tacos, enchiladas, ensaladas you’d expect, plus specialties like homemade carnitas, la parrillada, and camerones mi tequila, as well as a variety of seafood, vegetarian options, and of course, gordo lindo cocktails like the one shown above.
Family PJ Party: Interlochen Arts to Livestream The Little Prince Opera You and your kids love the book but know nothing about opera? Then here’s the best opportunity to “get” what all the fuss is about. Every weekday during the week of May 10, the classical channel of Interlochen Public Radio (WIAA) will use its usual Kids Commute show to introduce young listeners to the story, music, and performers of Interlochen Arts Academy’s upcoming performance of The Little Prince opera. The performance of the opera — composed by Rachel Portman and based on the beloved book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry — will entertain both ears and eyes at 7:30pm May 14, when it’ll be streamed for free on the Interlochen website at live.interlochen.org. Opera novices, be not afraid: With an English libretto by Nicholas Wright, an easy-tofollow plot suitable for all ages, and rich cinematic music that Interlochen Arts Academy Instructor of Voice Dr. Laura Osgood Brown calls “ear candy,” IAA says its take on The Little Prince is ideal for experienced opera listeners and newcomers alike. And, bonus: Just before the curtain rises, kid viewers can enjoy another pre-show experience designed for them: a virtual watch-along pajama party with Kids Commute host Kate Botello and producer Tony Bero. • To sign up to join the May 14 Zoom watch party, email kidscommute@interlochen.org. • To listen to the Kids Commute preview, tune in to Classical IPR (88.7 FM, Interlochen, 94.7 FM, Traverse City, 88.5 FM, Mackinaw City or online at InterlochenPublic Radio.com) at 7:40 am the week of May 10. • To livestream the IAA performance, go to live.interlochen.org at 7:30 May 14.
Stuff we love
New Course at Shanty Creek
Shanty Creek Resort is expanding with the addition of Hawk’s Eye Golf Club. This is the fifth 18-hole course at Shanty Creek’s nearly 5,500-acre property. Since its introduction in 2004, Hawk’s Eye has been named to several “Best of” rankings, including “Top Courses in Michigan” three times from Golf Advisor and Michigan’s “Best Public Courses” by Golf Magazine. It joins the Tom Weiskopf-designed Cedar River course and Arnold Palmer’s Legend, along with the Schuss Mountain and Summit courses. All told, the resort now boasts 90 holes, making Shanty Creek one of the 10 largest golf resorts in North America. Mike Mooney, director of golf for Shanty Creek, said having five courses adds significant appeal to golfers looking for a world-class getaway. “The addition of Hawk’s Eye is huge, literally and figuratively,” he said. It’s the latest addition to the resort, which also includes its Topgolf Swing Suite golf simulator in The River Bistro.
tastemaker Brasserie Amie’s French Cruellers
8 Gifts
A r t Ti l e
Jewelry
Pottery
Vi s i t o u r s t u d i o and gallery shop Alden, Michigan by beautiful To r c h L a k e O p e n Ye a r R o u n d Winter/Spring hours Thurs - Mon
-
pm
Shop our online store!
w w w. w h i s t l i n g f ro g. n e t
It is said that French girls (and guys) don’t get fat — or at least not as fat as Americans — despite the fact (or perhaps because) they typically take le goûter. The tilted-beret version of the Brits’ high tea, le goûter is the French’s afternoon tradition, a languorous and fortifying pause between lunch and the traditionally light, traditionally late French dinner, which usually happens around 8pm. Le goûter fare is always sweet — think bakery-made cream cakes, a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissants), or fruit-filled crepes — but never just a snack. It is, in fact, considered a meal. And Brasserie Amie makes certain nothing is lost in translation with its French Cruellers ($6). Deep-fried croissant pastries that are in no way petite seem to have rolled around in a bathtub of powdered sugar before dancing under a stream of honey. We ordered some on a whim while waiting for brunch (a Crabe Benedict of soft-shell crab, Canadian bacon, choron; and a Choucroute omelette, filled with house sauerkraut, country ham, and raclette — both outstanding), and nearly fell off our barstools at the first warm, buttery, sweet, crunchy yet pillow-soft bite. We had the good sense to stop, albeit regretfully, after six bites to save room for our main courses. But we need not have regretted a thing. That afternoon, with nary an American tool of microwave or air fryer in sight, we bit into them again, and sacré bleu! Their refrigerated hours had degraded neither taste nor texture. Seems some of their compatriots — looking at you “French” fries — could learn a thing or two. Find Brasserie Amie, currently open for brunch and dinner Thursday through Monday, at 160 E. Front St., (231) 753-3161, brasserieamie.com
Northern Express Weekly • may 10, 2021 • 5
