Moose's & Martinis - A Perfect Combination

I have to apologize for my recent hiatus from Below the Thumb.  Vacations & way too much fun has gotten in the way.  Priorities, priorities.

Previously a Caribou Coffee, Moose's Martini Pub located on Michigan Avenue in Downtown West Dearborn has taken some of the same concepts from Caribou - focused on serving your basic and specialty drinks (coffee vs. alcohol) & providing a social atmosphere to gather friends.  

There was great anticipation waiting for Moose's to open in 2010.  It definitely has yet to disappoint.  With such a great location on Michigan Avenue in vibrant Downtown Dearborn, it's hard for people to miss.  They offer more than 20 different martinis and a variety of cocktails with their own added twist.  In my personal opinion, Moose's has the best & most diverse drink menu in Downtown Dearborn. Their food menu isn't as diverse, but it's just as good.  Featuring mostly appetizers & sandwiches, I'd highly recommend the Feta Strips - very basic idea but unique & delicious!

Ready for the best part?  Moose's has the best specials around - daily "Nooner" specials from 12-3, daily Happy Hour from 3-7 & awesome nightly specials.  You can't beat their prices.  They also have several flat screen TV's to enjoy your favorite sports teams, a dart board & a wifi digital Jukebox! 

So grab some friends & enjoy Moose's outdoor patio before summer starts to wind down or before you know it you'll want to be sitting next to the fireplace inside!

A Chance Like No Other - Partridge Creek

Where else do you get to enjoy an assortment of fine dining, delightful entertainment, exquisite shopping, catch a movie AND be able to walk your dog?? Only at Partridge Creek - an open air mall in Clinton Township with 640,000 square feet of pure pleasure!

 The foundation of Partridge Creek includes Nordstrom, Parisian and MJR/Partridge Creek Cinema 14 along with 90 specialty stores.  No matter what the shopping list, Partridge Creek will be able to accommodate every need from clothing to jewelry to make-up to video games.

No mall is complete without a vast selection of restaurants.  There's a spot for every appetite!  I have a hard time passing up a plate of Bar Louie's nachos during their Happy Hour.  The newest addition is Rojo, an authentic Mexican restaurant located on the northwest side of the mall near Nordstrom. After a long afternoon of shopping, a margarita will be just what you need! Other restaurants include Brio, PF Chang's, Tin Fish & Max & Erma's.

 Every day throughout the summer Partridge Creek provides free entertainment for all patrons in front of the fireplace.  For the past few summers my family has immensely enjoyed the Dave Hamilton Band.  Definitely a crowd pleaser, Dave Hamilton performs a variety of songs from Motown classics to pop and loves to get his audience involved.  It's a great way to enjoy Michigan's gorgeous summer evenings.

Partridge Creek really is a chance like no other with all that it can offer.  Other unique attractions inside the mall include bocce ball courts, free WiFi, a TV court & a fireplace shown above.  Don't leave your dog at home! With several dog comfort stations on site they don't have to be left at home!  Whether it be July or January, Partridge Creek will never disappoint.

Zazios - Birmingham's Latest

No power at home, so I'm stealing power from Dunkin Donuts to blog - that's dedication!

It's easy to love a Michigan restaurant that supports Michigan products & farmers.  It's even easier to love a Michigan restaurant when it's absolutely delicious AND supports Michigan products & farmers - what a great combination!  Zazios is located at the corner of Maple & Woodward in downtown Birmingham - definitely a prime location.  A friend & I decided on heading to Birmingham for dinner a month ago with no plan exactly where we would be dining for the evening.  Immediately upon seeing Zazios we knew that was the place to go. How could you ignore a sign like that??

The vibrant, cutting edge atmosphere pulls people of all types inside. "A Modern Italian Experience" with two locations, Kalamazoo & Birmingham, has a menu for everyone's palate from their pizzas to their pastas to their entrees.  My personal favorite is their Funghi pizza.  Don't let the name scare you off, it's incredible.  The combination of forest mushrooms with tallegio, white truffle oil, provolone & parsley make it addicting.

They have an extensive drink menu & every Tuesday & Thursday select glasses of wine & martinis are only $5 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.  On Monday & Wednesday's from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. they have select Michigan Beers for $3 & select Michigan Wines for $5.  What's better than an ice cold beer & giving back to the Michigan economy?!

Since my first time to Zazios a month ago, I've re-visited twice & Birmingham is not close to home.  It's that good.  Have a girl's night, date night or any night at Zazios!
Enjoy :)

DTE or Pine Knob?

I've learned to just follow along anytime someone mentions they're going to a concert at Pine Knob.  It's a generational thing.  But DTE Energy Music Theatre has become the premier outdoor concert venue.  Every musical genre is represented summer after summer from Kid Cudi to Josh Groban to Rascal Flatts.  An entertainer for everyone.

You can't get much better than a summer Saturday night at DTE.  Last night I was lucky enough to enjoy a near perfect evening on the DTE lawn, listening to Sugarland & Sara Bareilles surrounded by thousands of avid fans, not to mention great friends.

First stop was at the exclusive Starlite Club (VIP dining area for season-ticket holders).  It pays to have connections (thanks Uncle Jim!).  Here we enjoyed a few adult beverages before venturing out to the crowds.  Our spot on the lawn was right behind Section 3, center of the stage.  Sugarland sure knows how to entertain a crowd of 15,274 devoted fans.  From fan favorites like "Stuck Like Glue" to the lesser known titles like "Everyday America," Jennifer Nettles won the Detroit crowd over.

Parking was a breeze - we were in & out quickly.  Parking is included in the price of the ticket - not an added cost.  Needless to say, DTE is the champion of outdoor musical theatres.  Don't hesitate to buy that ticket - it is well worth the money.

detroit

Coming to you on a typical July summer evening in Michigan, hot & humid. We complain when our winter drags into March but aren't happy when we walk outside and instantly begin sweating. Why can't every month be as great as June?

We are all familiar with the negativity that seems to be synonymous with Detroit these days.  From comedians to news anchors to writers, Detroit has become a national symbol of failure & despair.  From the outside looking in, it's easy to come to this conclusion.  But as an insider, I'd like to bring to light the many gems of Detroit & the surrounding area. 

"Below the Thumb" will highlight the many great attractions of our beloved Metro Detroit.  From restaurants to concert venues to shopping malls to stadiums, Metro Detroiters can boast & brag about all we have to offer.