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(02-16-2013 11:28 AM)EA3 Wrote:  

(02-16-2013 09:15 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  Is the Beer Exchange and Charlie Fosters one in the same?

Yes. Charlie fosters is no longer.

Really?

No and I walked up to it after we had dinner at the London Grill, as we had parked in lots across the street from Charlies and it was hopping.

Was it the "exchange" then and we just didnt notice and the pic I saw on line must be old?

(02-16-2013 09:28 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  Ok, Just realized No and I grazed at the Union when in town 2 years ago on very snowy Jan 15 or so to see the BGSU game.

Friends son was the bassist in a C&W band playing and our party of 8 sat, listened, grazed and sipped our way into the night.

One door takes you into a Mall like area with two levels that house businesses, maybe even the Chamber of Commerce, is that correct? Also, Hawk's first wife, Lana has her biz in that mall or maybe down a door or two? Am I at the correct spot?

Does the back area have historical pictures of WMU, East Campus and then pics of WMU Presidents on the wall?

Can't remember what the back of the union looks like. Haven't gone out the back exit in at least 5+ years. You nailed the live entertainment portion of it though. Good times.

Yes, Lana Hawkins has a store downtown. Not far from the union.

Not sure what you are referring to in regards to the two level area you mentioned. Possibly the Tap House? Which is connected to Epic Bistro. The side entrance there has an escalator going to second level.

(02-16-2013 11:32 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  

(02-16-2013 11:28 AM)EA3 Wrote:  

(02-16-2013 09:15 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  Is the Beer Exchange and Charlie Fosters one in the same?

Yes. Charlie fosters is no longer.

Really?

No and I walked up to it after we had dinner at the London Grill, as we had parked in lots across the street from Charlies and it was hopping.

Was it the "exchange" then and we just didnt notice and the pic I saw on line must be old?

Yeah, Charlie fosters has been gone for two years. I believe they had problems paying rent and taxes. Mlive ran an article on it a couple years ago. Beer exchange took over both levels.

(02-15-2013 11:37 PM)gobaseline Wrote:  No and I will surf into town Friday and Saturday for the Pacific game.

I can't pass up watching teams wearing orange unis.

Dont have much current experience with eateries in town.

Do like Cosmo's Cucina on Vine Street. Have done brunch there for several years on tip from a former roomie.

Eat at the London Grill this fall (date of Buffalo FB game and Cornell BB game) as we were in for a wake and funeral. Didnt care for it. Over priced for the fare served.

Friends still in town are old foogy's. They like Ricksy's and Applebees.

Gone are the days of Dimitri's or Dionosys downtown for a good steak (It's all Greek to me), The Whistlestop, Gaspare's just down the hill from the Catholic church and up the street from Bruno's and some Rathskeller or sumpting down Oakland Dr in some sub neighborhood of Kalamazoo. Over near a lake I believe (Is that Milwood?). I hear the Red Brick Inn in Plainwell is long gone too.

So we are up for two din dins, bfasts and lunches. Thanks for the tips. Are there any other recommendations besides DQ and Bilbo's?

The one off Oakland was "the Black Swan" (off Whites Rd. near Oakland Drive)and that is not Millwood but considered the Oakwood neighborhood. Winchell is north of that. Millwood is way east of that, off Cork Street, which is the same as Whites Road, but the name changes as you go east.

(02-16-2013 09:28 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  Ok, Just realized No and I grazed at the Union when in town 2 years ago on very snowy Jan 15 or so to see the BGSU game.

Friends son was the bassist in a C&W band playing and our party of 8 sat, listened, grazed and sipped our way into the night.

One door takes you into a Mall like area with two levels that house businesses, maybe even the Chamber of Commerce, is that correct? Also, Hawk's first wife, Lana has her biz in that mall or maybe down a door or two? Am I at the correct spot?

Does the back area have historical pictures of WMU, East Campus and then pics of WMU Presidents on the wall?

You've pretty much got it. If you walk out the back of the Union, then yes there are some old historical photo's and an Rx Optical that faces the Kalamazoo Mall. The upper 2-3 levels are various law, real estate, investing offices - all of which are located in what's called City Centre. Mall Plaza is next door (through a set of double doors across from Irving's Deli) where Lana's used to be located. Now she's located further south on the Kalamazoo Mall down towards Terrapin and Fandango Tapas Bistro.

The Chamber was located at the corner of Michigan and Park - however it's since been absorbed by SW Michigan First so their old space is now vacant.

(02-16-2013 01:00 AM)stdatwmu Wrote:  

(02-16-2013 12:29 AM)gobaseline Wrote:  

(02-15-2013 11:54 PM)stdatwmu Wrote:  Shawarma King/House.

Outside of a Lebanese restaurant we stumbled across in St. Louis last fall, they still have my favorite Fattoush. And the Shawarma is all so, so good.

I never realized how hard it was to find great Middle Eastern food until I moved away from Kzoo - that place is a hidden gem.

Cool.




Anyone to recommend a place for Thai food in Kalamazoo?

We literally refuse to visit Kzoo without at least one meal there these days. Can't recommend it highly enough. The combo special (around $8 now, I think) is a steal - sandwich, rice or fries or hummus, pita, salad, and a drink.

They cater our meetings quite often. Great food.

Have eaten at Cosmos, Oakwood Bistro, Martell's, Martini's, all good food. Wanted to try something downtown that I haven't tried. We're going to the Beer Exchange. Thanks for the updates.

(02-16-2013 01:04 PM)Chipdip Wrote:  Have eaten at Cosmos, Oakwood Bistro, Martell's, Martini's, all good food. Wanted to try something downtown that I haven't tried. We're going to the Beer Exchange. Thanks for the updates.

Let us know how it goes...

Aldo, if any of you are having lunch downtown. I highly recommend the new Garden Cafe near Gazelles. Great food. And the cupcakes are friggin awesome.

Beer Exchange

The lawyer who drew up our will is upstairs in the Globe Building, so we've been in the place before. Very nice atmosphere, hopping place.

Beer was good. Had a cup of some kind of crab soup. Sucked. Fried pickles were good but very greasy. Split a fried bologna sandwich (recommended by our local dentist and his wife). Was okay. Bar chips (homemade potato chips) were good.

Nice atmosphere, food was okay, although probably had more to do with what we ordered. In the future I'd go with something on the main fare list.

For what ever reason Martini's got rid of their margherita pizza. That pissed me off even though I don't eat pizza anymore.

Also, I don't go to the Beer Exchange that often since I don't live in Kalamazoo but I'm kinda creeped out by the fact that the bar tenders remember who I am every time I go in. (Once every three or four months) I've never had the food their but I have had plenty of water and vodkas.

Bump (related)...

Pop City Popcorn (Chicago-style) opened up downtown on the Kalamazoo Mall today. Bought 2 bags to bring some home today... 1 bag might not make it home. This stuff is amazing. Check it out sometime.

Sounds yummy... but what the heck is Chicago-Style popcorn?

Ever been to Garrett's?

(03-01-2013 02:11 PM)BrianPersky Wrote:  Ever been to Garrett's?

Nope.

But I did do a little Google-fu... and I gather it's caramel + cheese, huh?

They've got an assortment of flavors...

caramel, butter-rum caramel, caramel cheese, chocolate peanut butter, movie-style, buffalo wings, dill pickle, banana, parmesan garlic, etc.

They've got sampling in the front where you can try all of the different flavors. It's great.

Long time Chicago guy and never heard of Garrett's until the holiday when we stopped for lunch at the Ogilve trainstation (commuter lines) taking our grandson in to see the musical Grinch.

No admonished me for not knowing and we bought a bag. Good stuff. Not sure it was worth the $5 for a bag, but then that's Chicago.

In Kalamazoo or maybe it's Gull Lake, I dont know but a former Bronco's wife runs/owns a popcorn place called "Taste of Heaven". Now that is good eatin.

Usually go to Garretts on MI ave., but there's one inside O'hara if you're flying