Two James Spirits

2445 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48216
 (313) 964-4800

http://twojames.com/?age-verified=81d01d385c

Two James Spirits is located just west of the Michigan Central Train Station on Michigan Ave.  It opened mid-year in 2013 and is the first legal distillery operating within the city of Detroit since Prohibition.  Two James is located in a nondescript warehouse type building and it is easy to drive buy and not notice.  I think this is one of the attractions of Two James, a very understated facade sort of how one would envision a speakeasy from the '20's.

Once inside the tasting room you immediatly are focused on the circular bar made from poured concrete.  The decor also includes oak whiskey barrels and art work that is available for purchase.  Overall the decor is very warehouse loft looking.

The tasting room features cocktails based on the products that they produce:

28 Island Vodka

Old Cockney Gin

Grass Widow Burbon

Two James Rye Whiskey

Two James Bourbon

Two James 'Reserve' Single Malt Whiskey

 Of course you can order their products straight up.  The Vodka, Gin, Bourbon and I believe the Rye Whiskey are available for purchase by the fifth at the tasting room.  Two James features local ingredients in the production of their spirits.

The Two James drink/cocktail menu features most of the cocktail standards but it is not as elaborate of a drink menu that Sugar House offers.  Still I believe one will find something on the menu to their liking.  I myself usually order an Old Fashioned featuring Two James Rye Whiskey.  Overall, based on the four times I have visited Two James, they do change up their drink menu on a regular basis.  

Two James also offers tours for a nominal fee of their distillery that is located adjacent to the Tasting Room.  The tour includes tastings of four of their products.  Use their online booking system to register.

 Overall,Two James is yet another cool place to stop in Corktown, either as a final destination or as a starting point for other events/locales in the downtown Detroit area.  Their website also offers some interesting information on the production of their products as well as upcoming events. 

By the way, don't be concerned about the bikes in my photo above.  I took that photo during Two James opening celebration last summer.  The event featured vintage motorcycles as well as a very good Rock-A-Billy band.  :)

Mexican Village

 2600 N Bagley
Detroit, MI

 313-237-0333

http://www.mexicanvillagefood.com/index.html

In Mexicantown (yes, it is called Mexicantown) area of Detroit, everyone seems to have their favorite restaurant, specifically the three that are located at the corner of 23rd Street and Bagley.  One of my favorite restaurants is Mexican Village.  Like most of the popular Mexican restaurants in Mexicatown, Mexican Village predominantly features Tex-Mex fair.

 Mexican Village claims to be the original Mexican restaurant in southeast Detroit. It is located on the east side of the Fisher Freeway (I-96/I-75) on the eastern edge of Mexicantown and is about 1 mile from the central Mexicantown area..

I have been going to Mexican Village for about 40 years and it was probably one of the first  Mexican restaurants I visited including the old Old Mexico restaurant on Grand River east of Telegraph.  Over the years, I found Mexican Village to be very consistent in their food and service whether it is during dinner on weekends or for lunch during the week.  

I usually order and enjoy the  Enchiladas Suizas, Enchiladas Rancheras, Trio Enchiladas or the Arizonian (Beef Chimichanga, Beef and Cheese Burrito, Flour Beef Taco, Beef and Cheese Enchilada, Rice and Beans).  Yes the Arizonian is a lot of food. :) 

Mexican Village offers a variety of domestic and Mexican beers as well as standard and frozen Margaritas.  They, in my opinion, have outstanding tortilla chips.  When we have an event at our house for family or friends, I will take a run down to Mexican Village and buy a box of their chips for snacks.  The box is $12 and contains 6 bags of tortilla chips.  They also sell their salsa by the pint.    

Mexican Village is located a half block west of the Honey Bee Market (see my previous post).  So grab some Mexican groceries at the Honey Bee and enjoy a meal at the Mexican Village.
 

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The Heidelberg Project - Revisited

 3600 Heidelberg St  Detroit, MI 48207

http://www.heidelberg.org/
 December 10, 2013

 Obstruction of Justice "OJ" House

I am not here to debate the positives or negatives of the Heidelberg Project, but if you ever wanted to see this work of art, you better plan on seeing it soon.  There are obviously factions in the Detroit area who don't want it around anymore.  The last three photos were taken in May the Sunday morning after the first fire that destroyed the "OJ" House.  

While I was taking photos around the Project that morning, I met a man who was also taking photos.  He asked me where I was from, I said 'Livonia', I sensed that he did not know where Livonia is located, so I asked him where he was from.  He said 'San Francisco'.  As it turns out two co-workers and him flew in the night before to attend a Tech Conference in the Detroit area.  One of his other co-worker suggested that the first thing they should do when arriving in Detroit was to see the Heidelberg.  He was impressed with the Project.

 

Rocky's at the Historic Eastern Market‎

2489 Russell Street

Detroit, MI 48207

(313) 567-6871

rockypeanut.com

 ‎

Rocky's is located on Russell Street directly across from the main Eastern Market Pavilions.  Rocky's has been a fixture of the Eastern Market since the '70's. and it's current location since the '80's.

Rocky's features a large variety of spices, nuts, beans and dried fruits both in bulk and smaller packages.  When I visit Rocky's I usually purchase unsalted blanched peanuts, cashews and a couple of containers of their granola.  

Rocky's also offers, for those with a sweet tooth, and extensive bulk candy area.  You buy the candy by the pound.and there has to be over 40 different varieties of candy.  Besides the standards like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and mini 3 Musketeers and Mr. Goodbars, they also have classic Mary Janes, Slow Pokes and Black Cows. 

If you are going down to the Eastern Market for either the Pavilions or the Gratiot Central Market, stop by Rocky's and check out their nut and bulk products. 

Mudgie's Deli

1300 Porter Street Detroit, MI 48226

313-961-2000

http://www.mudgiesdeli.com/ 

Mudgie's is another fine establishment located in the Corktown area of Detroit.  Located on Porter Street about 1 block west of Most Holy Trinity Church, Mudgie's has been in business for about 5 years.  This part of Corktown has several blocks of nicely restored late 19th/early 20th century houses.  Drive around this neighborhood before or after visiting Mudgie's for a nice view of one of the better areas of Detroit.

The interior is a mix of early and mid 20th century decor.  Tables are 50's style and the chairs are classic Eames fiberglass.  


Mudgie's has an extensive menu that features locally products, including Better Made Potato chips and McClure's pickles.  Besides standard deli menu fare, they also offer a 'Comfort Food' Dinner Menu featuring standards like Roast Turkey and Meat Loaf.  On Sunday's Mudgie's has a brunch menu, I have not visited Mudgie's during brunch, but their entrees look interesting.

Among the items on their deli menu that I have sampled is the Lockwood and That's Jared (menu items have a local Detroit theme).  Both were very good.  Mudgie's is also know for their soup; I recently sampled their outstanding Cream of Pumpkin soup.  This year, Mudgie's has added beer & wine and have a very good selection of both including several local micro-brews.  You can't go wrong with a sandwich and a bottle of Atwater Dirty Blonde beer.

Since the Corktown area is a growing 'Go To' area of Detroit, Mudgie's fits in well with their atmosphere and great food and drinks.  I recommend visiting Mudgie's when one is going downtown for an event or if you have a knack for great deli fare (voted Best Deli in Wayne County for 3 straight years). 

Downtown Detroit's Coney Islands

 Lafayette and American Coney Islands

Lafayette Coney Island

 118 W Lafayette Blvd Detroit, MI  48226

American Coney Island 

114 W Lafayette Blvd Detroit, MI  48226

Coney Island restaurants are an institution around Detroit as there is probably not a single city in the Detroit area that does not have at least one.  The menus are very similar and offer American Greek food like Greek salads and Gyros.  However, the main menu attraction is the Coney Island Hot Dog which is a natural casing hot dog in a steamed bun dressed with meat chili (no beans), diced onions and yellow mustard.  You can also order various combinations of the main ingredients including ordering a coney without the hot dog.  This is called a Loose Burger which is similar to a Sloppy Joe but on a hot dog versus hamburger bun.  A standard order would be two coneys with 'Everything' and an order of french fries.  It is not uncommon to order a third coney for dessert :). 

 
The two Coney Islands featured in this post are the two original Coney Islands.  They are situated right next door to each other and have a common root, with the original restaurant, American, being established by Greek immigrant brothers Bill and Gus Keros in 1914. They got into a business dispute soon thereafter, and in 1917 split their restaurant into the two establishments that exist today.  I always got the impression that Lafayette was the original but apparently it was American.

Although they both feature Coney Islands, I believe American has a more extensive menu.  True coney island aficionados claim that the chili used at the two locations are different and that one features natural skin hot dogs with a crisper crunch then the other.  I myself can't tell the difference between the two coneys but again, I have never tried them back to back.  

Over the years, I have visited Lafayette Coney more frequently then American.  Mostly it is due to the more unique, old time atmosphere versus American's '60's/'70's decor.  Lafayette looks like it probably did in the '20's/'30's.  I usually order two with everything, fries and either a coke or a domestic beer.  Note that most other Coney Islands around the Detroit area do not sell beer, which makes these two locations unique. Depending on when you visit, part of the attraction of these two places is the clientele that frequents these establishments.

Because these two places are located in downtown Detroit, parking can be an issue depending on the time of day you visit.  Recently, buildings down the street from these places have been torn down and paid parking lots have been created.  Don't expect to be able to park in front of either of these two place and you will need to walk about 1 or 2 short blocks after you park your car.

If you want to sample some authentic Detroit delicacies, I highly recommend that you visit one of these fine establishments for the food as well as the atmosphere.

    

 

Dearborn Music

22501 Michigan Ave Dearborn, MI

(313) 561-1000

http://dearbornmusic.net/Home

Dearborn Music is a record store that has been in business since 1956.  Previously, until earlier this year, they were located at the corner of Mason and Michigan Avenue in West Dearborn in a 19th century building.  The current location is about 1 mile west of their old location in a strip mall.

Dearborn Music has been an institution in West Dearborn and to be still in business as an independent record store is a outstanding accomplishment.  The new location offers a much larger floor plan where they can expand their offerings of new and used CDs and LPs.  Dearborn Music also offers a great selection of Rock, Blues/Jazz & Indie genres T-Shirts and memorabilia. 

Besides in store sales, Dearborn Music also offers purchases through their website.  Since Dearborn Music is close by, I have been using only their in store service.  The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful.  I have purchased several new LPs of new and old music to fill out my record collection I started in the early '70's.  If there is any type of music that is not currently in their inventory, Dearborn Music will special order it for you.

If you are an audiophile that likes to browse racks of new and used LPs & CDs, Dearborn Music is well worth a visit.  You just may find that piece of music to help complete your collection.