Christmas Holiday Favorites - Tortellini with Lemon and Brussels Sprouts and Pistachio Bundt Cake

We here at the Undercover Divas would like to share with you, two of our favorite Christmas Holiday recipes.  We have found these recipes to be as special as the holiday, itself.

 Tortellini with Lemon and Brussels Sprouts

 (For meat lovers, omit the butter and cook 4 slices of bacon in a skillet.  Drain bacon on paper towels, then saute brussels sprouts in the rendered fat.  Top pasta with crumbled bacon.)

Ingredients:

  1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered

  3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

  1 pound frozen cheese tortellini

  Zest and juice from 1 lemon

Directions:

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook brussels sprouts until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium, add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes.

With a large slotted spoon, transfer sprouts to skillet.  Increase heat to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until sprouts begin to brown, about 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, in pot, cook tortellini according to package instructions, then drain.  Toss tortellini with vegetables.  Top with lemon zest and juice.

(Based on a recipe by Martha Stewart)

                      

Pistachio Bundt Cake

Cake Ingredients:

2 packages Pistachio Instant Pudding

1 White or yellow cake mix (without pudding best)

1/2 cup corn oil

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup milk

5 eggs

Mix and pour into greased and floured Bundt pan.  Bake 350 for 50 minutes.

Filling:

9 oz container of Cool Whip

1 pkg. Pistachio Instant Pudding

After cake has cooled completely, cut into 3 layers.

Mix together and spread cool whip combination on each layer.  Sift powdered sugar over cake when finished.

(Recipe from the kitchen of Mary Pyler)

The Haunted John A. Lau Saloon in Alpena, MI - REVIEW

Our travels took us to the northeastern coast of Michigan for a visit to a restaurant loaded with personality and historic character. The Undercover Divas stopped by the “haunted” John A. Lau Saloon in Alpena, alleged to be the most notoriously haunted place in Alpena, if not one of the most in Michigan, itself.

Entering this restored, historic Alpena saloon, past Indian Bob, your attention is drawn to the bar that looks like it came out of the Old West. There is even the portrait of a lady from the past, hanging behind the bar in a gilt-edged picture frame. This is the original section of the saloon. From the life-sized model Indian nicknamed Indian Bob, to the lady in the bathtub and large moose head on the wall, the atmosphere is fun and funky. Fortunately, it still has this historical theme.

A young German immigrant by the name of John A. Lau opened the John A. Lau Saloon in the late 1800s to supply the liquor to the lumberjacks and longshoremen from the Alpena forests. John and his wife, Agnes, ran the saloon for many years. Today, many people believe it is Agnes' spirit that haunts the restaurant. If she doesn't like an employee, they are in trouble. She has been known to throw things and make employees drop their trays.

According to Mid Michigan Paranormal Investigators, restaurant customers and employees have seen a woman move up the stairs, felt cold spots, and smelled unusual odors. Most things seem to point to Agnes, but the haunting could be from one of the former customers of the Owens Funeral Parlor, which is now part of the restaurant. It is in this space that many sightings of a woman dressed in period clothing have occurred.

To the right of the entrance, the area that is now the restaurant's banquet room, is where the Owen's Funeral Parlor was located. The basement is where the embalming took place more than a hundred years ago.  Antiques, local photographs and trophy mounts highlight each of four dining areas, The Main Room with an overlooking loft, the Pub, the outdoor Beer Garden, and the warm, private dining area, the Antler Room.

Like the people inside, the restaurant's menu is diverse and casual. One DIVA had the Blue Babe ($10.99), an excellent blue cheese burger. I had the Porker ($9.99). The Porker is a pulled pork sandwich with home-made chips. It was also very good. Saturday Night features the Prime Rib of Beef, ranging in price from $19.99 to $26.99, depending on size. The John A. Lau Saloon serves six Michigan Micro Beers on Draught. They open at 11:30 a.m. for the lunch crowd.

The John A. Lau Saloon's fascinating history takes us back to Michigan's early lumbering days and a very colorful period in our state's history. The region, known as the "Sunrise Side" from its location on the east shoreline of Michigan, was first a site for commercial fishing activity, and is still home to much of those same commercial fishing activities.

The John A. Lau Saloon is loaded with personality and historic character.  We may never know all the violence or tragedies this saloon and town have seen.  Their food is good but a bit pricey. The servers were friendly and delivered the food in a timely manner. Although it is a saloon, they are family-friendly at lunchtime. The next time you are in Alpena, stop by the John A. Lau Saloon. They are located in the “old town” section of Alpena at 414 N. Second Ave.  Phone:  989-354-6898.  You may get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the ghost of Agnes or John.

Lakeside Family Restaurant, Polish Food in Sterling Heights - REVIEW

Hello my Undercover Divettes.  Hope everyone’s Thanksgiving was great.  I know we all were very happy to see our family.   Before the holiday we Divas had a pretty great food experience.   The place is called Lakeside Family Restaurant, with Polish-American Home Style Cooking.  They are located at 43734 Schoenherr Rd., just south of Hall Rd., in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

We have heard they had the best Polish food in town. The dishes they make are 100% genuine. We were known to visit Hamtramck (Michigan) when we needed a good Polish dinner in the past, but were looking for a place closer to home. Lakeside Family Restaurant fits the bill. The food is as good as the Polish grandmothers make in Hamtramck, and portions are as generous, too. We arrived about 7 pm on a Friday night and the place was jumping. We were lucky to get a table at the back of the restaurant so that we can get a full view of this place. Turnover is swift, so there really wasn't much of a wait.

I was anxious to see the menu and I wasn’t disappointed. Shellie was our waitress and she was all smiles. Suse ordered Dill Pickle soup (her favorite). Gini and I had the Chicken Dumpling soup, loaded with spaetzle (German egg noodles). The soups were $2.69 for small and $3.79 for the large. You can also order soup to carry out. We enjoyed our soup with their great fresh bread. Since we ordered an Entrée the soup prices are .89 or large $1.39.

Lakeside has quite a few specialty dishes, from homemade pierogies, city chicken, stuffed cabbage or just go with the Polish Combo, so that you get a taste of everything. Suse ordered the Cheese (Nalesniki) Crepes ($6.69), they can be filled with your choice of cheese, apple, strawberry, cherry or blueberry. She wasn’t disappointed with her decision. Gini had the same as myself because of course it was our favorite. It's called the Lakeside Combo. This consisted of one stuffed cabbage, three pierogi, one city chicken, kielbasa, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes ($11.99).

Wow, I was surprised at the amount of food we received. I had to try the stuffed cabbage first because that is my favorite. It melted in my mouth, I was in heaven. Gini started out eating her city chicken and mashed potatoes, which is her favorite. I took a taste of the kielbasa and sauerkraut. The kielbasa had that snap when I bit into it and the kraut wasn’t so sour, which I enjoy. Gini was enjoying her potato and cheese pierogies and I couldn’t fit any more food in my stomach so I decided to take home the pierogies for lunch the next day.

Lakeside has more than Polish food. You can get chicken broasted, grilled, breaded or chicken tenders, breaded or grilled pork chops. As a side bar my pierogies were supposed to be potato and cheese but they were sauerkraut. I was a little bummed but I actually never tried it that way and they were still very good.

How can you go wrong with Grilled Tilapia, Fried Smelt or Liver & Onions. Prices range from $7.39 -$8.49. Those Entrees come with homemade mashed potatoes, and vegetable. If you want something light, check out the grilled or crispy chicken salad, tuna, Greek or chef salad, ranging from $5.99 - $6.49. The menu lists burgers and chick tenders for your kids.

The food was exceptional and the portions were generous. Our waitress, Shellie was the best. Prices were very reasonable and food came quickly from the kitchen. They open at 8 am for breakfast, daily. They close every night at 9 pm, except Sunday at 8 pm.  Phone:  586-262-4250.  The Undercover Divas were so impressed, we gave our first FIVE DIVAS review to Lakeside Family Restaurant.  It really couldn't be any better!

Our Favorite Spaetzle Recipe

1 cup plus 2 tab. sifted, all purpose flour

1/8 tea. freshly grated nutmeg

½ tea. Salt

1 extra large egg

6 tab. Milk

3 tab. Butter (unsalted preferred)

Combine flour, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl and make a well in the center.

Whisk egg and milk together, then pour into the well in the dry ingredients.

Beat hard with a wooden spoon until all is blended well.

Boil salted water in a large cooking pot. Keep water boiling.

Push the batter through a spaetzle maker into the boiling water.

(or use a slotted spoon or colander to drop batter into boiling water)

Cook spaetzle, uncovered, for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

With a slotted spoon, lift spaetzle to a large bowl of ice water.

Let stand until ready to serve but no longer than an hour or two.

To serve, drain spaetzle well in a colander, then warm in melted butter in a saute pan.

Serve at once when warmed. Four servings.

Can be used in place of potatoes, or in soups.

Thanksgiving Dinner at The Redwood Steakhouse & Saloon, Lewiston, Michigan - REVIEW

Over the river and through the woods, in search of … a turkey roasting in the oven, stuffing, potatoes and gravy, veggies, the smell of cloves and cinnamon, and lots of pumpkin pie. The DIVAS traveled to our favorite Thanksgiving gathering, to be with friends and family, to share a meal and to consider all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. We journeyed to Lewiston, MI, for our annual visit to the Redwood Steakhouse & Saloon, where they put on what we consider the BEST Thanksgiving buffet ever.

A road trip on Thanksgiving Day is special. You head off knowing the only things that are open are gas stations and diners, which creates this unique quiet we rarely experience in our fast-paced world. It does a soul good to give thanks and contemplate all those reasons we have to be grateful. Our travels took us to Lewiston, Michigan, located in Northern Lower Michigan, about 100 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge.

Thanksgiving is also a time to eat … a lot! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry sauce, rolls and butter, and lots more. The Redwood Steakhouse & Saloon, known for their Steaks and daily specials, go all out on Thanksgiving with a buffet that can't be beat.

We travel here every year for the turkey and fixings ($15.99). Included is their nightly salad bar with their home-made salad dressings, all the salad fixings, peel and eat shrimp, and their many home made pasta dishes. They also bake their own bread, corn muffins and biscuits on site.

Their Thanksgiving buffet also included a large selection of pies and assorted desserts. We really thought we had no room left for dessert, but couldn't pass up a piece of pumpkin pie. The cobbler looked really good, too. Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete unless you end your feast on a sweet note, and we did!!

The Redwood Steak House opens daily at 4:30 p.m. with Early Bird specials (Sunday thru Thursday) until 6 p.m. Thursday and Saturday are their Roast Prime Rib specials ($17.99). The Redwood Steak House first opened 50 years ago and is located in Lewiston, Michigan, on the corner of County Roads 489 and 612, at one of the cities only stoplights. The address is 4965 Salling Ave. (Country Road #612). The restaurant was bought by Rob Chapman in 1980, and Mr. Chapman expanded the dining room to a capacity for 150. On this Thanksgiving day, it was near capacity all day, beginning at 1 p.m.

We highly recommend the Thanksgiving Buffet at the Redwood Steak House. The everyday menu is good stuff, too! They do have live entertainment during the summer and fall months. For more information, they can be reached at 989-786-4600.   

The Engine House Restaurant (Mt. Clemens) and the Michigan Transit Museum - REVIEW

The Undercover Divas traveled to the outer reaches of downtown Mt. Clemens to a converted firehouse, now The Engine House restaurant, looking for a new dining experience. Housed in an antique red brick building near the train tracks, The Engine House is located just east of Groesbeck, on Cass Ave. at Floral Ave., and caught our eye. The outside of the building has a very appealing look, resembling a working firehouse, with the main entrance and parking in the rear. To enter the restaurant, we needed to walk through an outdoor patio that we would love to enjoy in warmer weather.

 The inside is very welcoming and has a local pub feel. It is located by the railroad tracks and when a train goes by and the engineer blows the train whistle, there are free jello shots for all! The Engine House caters to the many fans of the Detroit sports scene. Large projection screens and numerous plasma and flat screen TVs are everywhere.

The menu had lots of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees. There were many pizza options but we decided to pass for a daily special. I had the Cheddar Chicken Bacon rollup ($7.95) which was grilled chicken and bacon, stuffed with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and ranch. I ordered it deluxe ($2.95) with coleslaw and onion rings. The meal was exceptional. 

The other Diva ordered off the menu and had the daily special, baked 6-cheese Lasagna ($8.95) with grilled, Parmesan cheese bread. It was all delicious.

Tuesday is (dine in) half off pizza day. We had heard that their pizza is some of the best pizza around. Wednesday is Italian night and Saturday there is a $6 special- your choice of a burger or a Slim Jim with a 16 oz domestic draft. Their specialty pizza choices are many, and each sells for $10.95 (small) and $15.95 (large). Cheesy bread sticks (that looked and smelled delicious as orders passed our table) for $7.95.

The building has been around since the early 1900s. It was first a grocery and meat market. The Engine House opened in 2007 by two Detroit firefighters. This new bar was completely restored inside and out. The interior is home to an extensive collection of unique firefighter décor, artwork and memorabilia.

It is a unique restaurant with good, reasonably priced food. Servers are very upbeat and friendly and prices are fair, making it a great place to stop in for a meal or a drink. Open seven days, 11am - 2am. They are located at 309 Cass Ave. in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. From pizza to steaks and sandwiches, and many different daily specials, it's the perfect place to come and enjoy friendships.

Special Attention: Across the street on Grand Ave. is the Michigan Transit Museum, formerly the home of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot. Named a Michigan State Historic Site and on the National Register of Historic Places, this one story Italianate structure opened in 1859. This was when GTWR opened their Port Huron to Detroit line, traveling through Mt. Clemens. The interior has been transformed into a museum, complete with a waiting area and a re-created ticket office. The railroad once hired 12 year old Thomas Edison as a newsboy and candy salesman on the Port Huron to Detroit run. There is memorabilia everywhere to look at and volunteers are available to answer your questions.

Town Tavern in Downtown Royal Oak - REVIEW

Hello my Diva friends! This is Annod with a review on a great, newer restaurant in Royal Oak called the Town Tavern. I love coming to Royal Oak, it’s always hustling and bustling. We decided on the Town Tavern because quite a few people told us what a nice place it is. The Tavern opened in 2007 and is a 1930’s inspired taproom decked with mahogany and marble and serves American comfort food and cocktails.

Upon entering, we noticed the décor and the music were at the right volume and perfect for this environment. We were seated by a nice young man, but sneaky as we were, we re-seated ourselves so we could get a great look at the whole restaurant. Our waiter, Josh, was there to greet us. He immediately asked us what we wanted to drink.

We took a few minutes to order because we wanted to see all that was offered. When Josh came back to the table with our drinks, he also had some parmesan breadsticks. There was one problem, Suse is allergic to garlic and we were sad, but then Josh went to speak to the kitchen and he came back and said that the cook would make some for her without garlic, **bonus**

Now we are ready to order! Gini ordered the French onion soup ($7) and Suse ordered the Wedge salad ($6). Suse ordered the Filet Mignon and a red wine Demi with braised Brussels sprouts and smashed potatoes ($32). The problem was that the Brussels sprouts and the smashed potatoes had garlic in them so Josh gave her another choice. She chose the broccoli and the red skin potatoes. (What a great place to offer other choices, when many restaurants feel substitutions aren't welcome.)

Gini decided on the Fish and Chips with red skin potatoes and coleslaw ($16). Gini said the fish was amazing and loved the coleslaw that was made with a vinegar/oil dressing (just like Dad used to make) but had an issue with her red skin potatoes, they were dry and not very fresh. I’m sure it was a fluke because everything else came out excellent.

It was my turn to order. I had Nueske Bacon Meatloaf with Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce, sweet corn cheddar mash and green beans ($17). I loved the meat loaf, it tasted like I was eating a steak. The Cherry Cola BBQ sauce was surprisingly very good and I gobbled it up. The Mash was amazing, also. I love mashed potatoes with corn and cheddar cheese. My only problem is that my green beans were not cooked and too hard for my liking. Josh took them back but they came back the same. I was given an alternate, which was asparagus (cooked perfectly.)

The Town Tavern is located at 116 W 4^thStreet in trendy Royal Oak, Michigan. The hours are Monday –Thursday 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30 am to 12 midnight. Sunday hours are 11:30 am until 10 pm. When you visit downtown Royal Oak, you notice parking is at a premium. We chose the Valet parking ($5.00 plus tip) over the parking garages, as it was located at the corner of the street. What a lovely time we had and a great spirited place to have a family dinner, a date or just come with friends for a drink.

***FYI: Town Tavern arranged a partnership with Autism Alliance of Michigan to once again provide meals to hundreds of families of children with autism.   They were provided early admission and assorted meals at Royal Oak's Arts, Beats and Eats festival this year.

The Ransom Gillis House Rehabbed by Nicole Curtis - Revisited

This week, we took a ride to our favorite spot, The Ransom Gillis House, located in midtown Detroit. It was exciting to notice that the boards are off the windows, flowers were being planted, and everything seems to be just about completed. There were workers everywhere, painting, raking, planting, installing, and making things ready for the big reveal in November.

The Ransom Gillis house in Brush Park is being rehabbed by a team led by Nicole Curtis of HGTV's Rehab Addict show, and Dan Gilbert's Quicken Loans & Bedrock Real Estate Services. The house was built around 1876, for a wholesale dry goods merchant, Mr. Ransom Gillis, at a cost of $12,000 and holds 5,000 square feet of living space. The Ransom Gills House brought the Venetian Gothic style of architecture to Detroit. Sadly, it has not been occupied since the mid-1960's. The home was recently featured in the movie, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, as the rumored Wayne Manor.

The Ransom Gillis house will be part of the Rehab Addict television show's eight part series beginning in November. The star of the Rehab Addict show, Nicole Curtis, has been coordinating the effort to bring the house back to its former glory.

The house is being renovated into two separate units. The roof appears to be slate with lots of iron detailing. The iconic southwest-facing turret was saved and stabilized. It is accented by five rows of tiles of simple, geometric designs in hues of bright blue, red, yellow and brown. The turret was decorated with stone carvings of flower blossoms, similar but all slightly different. Similar tile work was spread throughout the rest of the structure. Upon completion, the house should contain all hardwood floors, new Pewabic tiles and lots of stained glass. Work is non-stop, with an average of 20-40 volunteers at the site, daily.

The house is located in Detroit, at 205 Alfred St. (at John R) near Comerica Park, Ford Field, General Motors' Headquarters and the soon to be built Detroit Red Wings hockey arena. Nicole Curtis will be holding an open house for the completed rehabbing of this house, on November 1^st. There will be a requested charitable donation at the door.

As we drove around the immediate area near the corner of Alfred and John R, we noticed many homes built around the same time as the Ransom Gillis house, mostly abandoned and in need of restoration. There are two homes on the next street that have been restored and are occupied. Notice in one of the photos here, the homes in the background. Let's hope they are in future plans for restoration, as they are truly beautiful historic structures that are irreplaceable.

If you are a fan of Nicole Curtis, and her show on HGTV, The Rehab Addict, as we Undercover Divas are, we can all look forward to her renewal of the Ransom Gillis house from ruin to a stately historic landmark in the revival of our hometown, Detroit. We will be watching this transformation in November.

Up North - Michigan

Metro Detroit residents for generations have taken advantage of the state’s rich natural beauty by partaking in the ritual of going “up north”. Most Americans would say “going to the country” or “getting out of the city” but, our state’s geography lends itself to an almost magical phrase of imagery of vast forests, plentiful inland lakes and waterways, bountiful wildlife, and four seasons of varied beauty, all summed up in the simple phrase, “going up north”.

Where Does “Up North” Begin?

There is the obvious psychological effect of being out of the city, and for that we could state it almost begins at Clarkston. It is, after all, more of a lush landscape, and the suburbs seem hours away when visiting Clarkston or driving past that area on I-75. But we know better, there is a long way to go and more variables to consider. We could say there is no right answer, and there shouldn’t be, but we offer three milestones:

Driving past Flint; about Exit 126 or so on I-75. This is the most common description by people of an older generation that traveled up north when I-75 was not a major freeway. If you hadn’t experienced the much slower commute back in the early 80’s and before, this won’t make too much sense, but getting past Flint was a bit of an undertaking back in the day.  

One of Michigan’s great vacation spots, Frankenmuth, is a journey to a whole different world; the old world, so anything past this, up I-75, definitely seems like you have ventured into a sort of “frontier” beyond the city.

There is a geological line that goes from about Pinconning on a southwest diagonal across the state. You know it when you get there, maybe around exit 190 on I-75. This divides the lower peninsula into two unique environments, with farms dominating south of it, and forests covering north of it. It is even defined by the USDA Hardiness Zones for you gardeners out there. We included the map above with the red line separating the great “Up North Line”.

The “Sunrise Side”

Most Michiganders venture toward what is called the “Sunset Side,” better known as the Traverse City side. This includes the Traverse City area, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Charlevoix, Petoskey, etc. It is loaded with wonderful resorts, camping, golf, skiing, and many other popular places and experiences that are well known to most Metro Detroiters. However, the “Sunrise Side” is perhaps Michigan’s hidden treasure. This entails normally one of two routes: 1) Getting off at Standish and getting on the old 23 route up the east side of the state through Au Gres, Tawas, Oscoda, and Harrisville among others. You will travel through state and federal forests, passing undisturbed rivers, discover quaint towns, and find yourself enjoying every mile of the drive up toward Alpena. 2) Getting off at Exit 202 to Highway 33 through Rose City, Mio, and Fairview (and sometimes through Lewiston). This route takes you directly through several major protected forests and provides a very relaxing route up to the heart of the northeast lower peninsula.

For this post, we would like to concentrate on the I-75 to M-33 route, as it is what we are most familiar with and share our favorite stops that we hope you will consider:

Exit 164 (Wilder Road), which takes you through Kawkawlin and Pinconning. Here is the skinny- If you get off at 164, you follow that north and over the course of about 20 miles there are three key stops: The Turkey Roost, Judy’s Pies, and Wilson’s Cheese Shop. You can stop at one, two, or all three of these stops and at anytime take a road directly east to get back on I-75.

The Turkey Roost serves Thanksgiving style meals all year long, and is known to many old-school, up north travelers. The meals are savory, rich, and come very quickly! If you are only stopping here, you can take the road back to I-75 and will be joining at Exit 168.

Judy’s Pies is Michigan’s best Pie Shop. It is small, has short hours, and does not have a huge selection, but that is all in the interest of quality. Check times and days open before you plan on going here… but this is where you get your pies for your up north trip. If you are ready to head back to your journey, you hop on the road there east and will join 75 at Exit 173.  But if you want to go to Wilson’s Cheese Shop, you head north a few more miles.

Wilson’s Cheese Shop is the place to buy artisan cheese, smoked fish, local wine, homemade mustards, jams, and many other specialty items for your trip up north. Pinconning used to be loaded with cheese shops, but this is the primary one left. They have a tasting counter and are very helpful with recommendations. From there, you can hit the road east and catch 75 at Exit 181.

Exiting I-75 at 202 – Rose City and Mio

There are several gas station/ markets right at the 202 Exit, but we recommend going up about a mile or so to Narski’s Meat Market. There is a gas station there, and a small market, but the bonus is the meat counter that has a nice selection of specialty cuts and smoked meats.

About 15 minutes up M-33 North, there is a small vegetable stand on the eastern side of M-33.  It is seasonal, and you will see many signs on the right side of the road before the stand appears.

In Rose City, don’t miss the small indoor Flea Market that is about a half mile north of McDonald’s.

In Mio, don’t miss the outdoor Flea Market north of town. The main indoor facility burned down, but there are still many outdoor tents full of hidden treasures.

Just north of Mio, if you are lucky, you will see the sunflower farm in full bloom. It is on the east side of the road when heading north, maybe 5 miles north of town.

This will take you into your journey up to many of the amazing destinations on the sunrise side. What makes this part of the state so unique is that most people that have discovered it treat it much like when people move to Alaska—they want the secret to themselves and to be the last one through the door. We, however, hope more people take the time to learn more about the area as it is a wonderland of outdoor activities, resorts, scenic drives, and hidden gem towns and businesses. Here are some of our favorite activities in various towns:

Lewiston: Garland Resort in Winter. This is one of the most well known golf resorts, but every winter they have magical events that include amazing cross country skiing, but is just as enjoyable as a place to enjoy a winter wonderland getaway.

Fairview: The Michigan AuSable ValleyRailroad. The trips are short, about 20 minutes, but are worth the trip, traveling through scenic northern Michigan woods.

Alpena: A lot to see, and a bigger town than one might think. The glass bottom boat tour of shipwrecks is one of the most underrated activities of up north.

Hillman: The Thunderbay All Season Elk Viewing / Sleigh Ride is something that can be enjoyed year round. Many Metro Detroiters are unaware of where the state’s Elk range is, and seeing the animals on the preserve is awe-inspiring for kids and adults alike. There are packages that include dinners in a log cabin, and they have many packages that include lodging.

Finally, we have always made one of our family recipes before heading up, and it is one of the great traditions that always brings the family together and makes the home or cabin smell so welcoming. We suggest cooking such dishes only when going up north, as smells are so associated with memory. A favorite of ours is a German cabbage soup:

Kahlsuppe - German Cabbage Soup

3/4 Head of Cabbage, quartered then sliced thinly

6 slices of thick cut bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 large onion, chopped thickly (leeks work as well)

4 carrots, thickly cut

5 large celery stalks, thickly cut

12 cups chicken stock

5 pork chops, cut into 1 inch cubes (sausage or pork ribs work as well)

3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
3-4 Morel Mushrooms (optional, but recommended - a specialty of Northern Michigan)

Flour

Salt and Pepper

Caraway Seed

Fry the bacon in a pan and save the grease.

Cut the pork chops into cubes and toss in flour.

Brown the pork in the bacon fat for a few minutes and set aside.

Add a little oil if the flour from the pork absorbed too much.

Add onions, carrots, celery, and cook and toss for about 10 minutes.

Add pork, bacon, potatoes, veggies into your cooking device.
Add salt and pepper, caraway seed, cabbage and chicken stock.  

Crockpot- low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Roaster: 350 for about 2 hours. 

Dutch oven: 2 hours at 350.

The Pantry Restaurant, Morley Candy Makers - The Home of Sanders Candy, in Clinton Township, MI - REVIEW

It was Saturday morning, we were hungry and needed a new place to try, for that is what we do. The Undercover Divashad been thinking about The Pantry Restaurant on Hall Rd. in Clinton Township, as many of our friends have recommended it, so off we went. The experience was really something to write home about.

We arrived early and the place was full, in fact there was a line at the door. Their bacon, french toast and omelettes are oven baked and the bacon, coffee and cinnamon smells coming from the restaurant were enough to make your mouth water. While waiting in the lobby, we noticed pictures of many of their specialty dishes. I wanted to try them all. Fortunately, we were seated in only a few minutes. The place is pretty large inside and they were able to keep all the tables full, with a quick turnover.

The menu had many options, There were lots of made-to-order choices for both breakfast and lunch. Their omelets are baked in the oven! There were so many unusual offerings, it was hard to decide. Gini ordered their Egg Baskets with Pecan Pancakes ($8.99).  The baskets were hollowed out potato skins filled with eggs, cheese and your choice of two other ingredients.

Annod ordered the eggs plate with potatoes and toast ($5.39) and a side order of bacon ($3.75). I decided to try the German Pancake ($8.99) with a side of link sausage ($3.75). We noticed other orders while we were waiting for our food, and everything looked wonderful. The serving sizes were larger than average. The Apple Pancake seemed to be the popular choice of many. It smelled delicious, the mix of pancake, fresh sliced apples and a cinnamon glaze. They came out piping hot from the oven, all bubbly and steamy with an incredible smell that filled the restaurant. We also saw fruit covered pancakes, waffles, crepes and many different types of their oven-baked omelettes. Our food was exceptional and we were pleased to each have enough left over for a second meal later.

The Pantry Restaurant was founded by Joe Moceri and friends in 1978. This family restaurant believes in their motto “We fuss a lot to make it better!” They now have three locations: Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and Washington Township.

The place is spotless and the servers were cheerful, informed, and on the ball. Food came out in record time. We went on a Saturday morning, and it was packed with a line out the door. It moved quickly, but we will make sure to go next time during the week. Yes, we definitely will be back. They are open seven days a week from 6am to 4pm. The Pantry Restaurant is located on Hall Rd. (20 Mile Rd.) between Gratiot and Groesbeck in Clinton Township, Michigan. It's a breakfast and lunch place. It is also one of our new favorites. Don't pass this place without stopping in.

Special Attention: How nice it was to find out that right next door to The Pantry Restaurant, with a shared entrance to their parking lot (so you don't have to get back on busy Hall Rd.) was Morley Candy Makers – The Home of Sanders Candy. You can shop their store items or you can take one of their free factory tours. Part of the tour is sample-tasting the Sanders candy. There is an Observation Hallway where you can watch the expert candy makers create luscious treats, such as Pecan Torties, Coconut Clusters and Sea Salt Caramels. They are open Monday - Saturday, 9am – 8pm and 10am – 5pm on Sundays.

Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills, MI - REVIEW

With the changing of the leaves comes fall traditions, and one of the major ones is cider and warm donuts. The DIVAS were ready, and off we went to the Yates Cider Mill, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It's a great place to walk around in the woods and enjoy nature. What really makes it the best is the relaxing nostalgia of enjoying a place like you did when you were a kid.

Yates Cider Mill is a Michigan landmark and a registered historic site. It was originally built in 1863 as a grist mill to grind grain into flour. They have progressed to apple cider, beginning in 1876. Their mill is powered by the Clinton River, and the traditions at Yates have not changed much since then.

You will find the Yates Cider Mill alongside the Clinton River, across from Yates and Bloomer Parks, and it joins with a Shelby Township walking trail. There are more than 1200 acres total. The best time to visit is in the fall, when you can take a tour of the cider-making operation.

There is no longer an orchard on site, they have their apples shipped in on a flatbed truck from Michigan orchards near and far. As each week passes, different apple varieties can be blended to round-out the taste. By mid October, as many as six different types of apples are intermixed. They do press the apples on site, to make their delicious cider. Their cider is made without preservatives and is an excellent source of fiber.  Cider isn't all they do at Yates. They make their own assortment of apple pies, apple turnovers, caramel apples, apple butters, delicious types of fudge, ice cream, jams and jellies.  We purchased a hunk of caramel fudge for later, it tasted amazing.  

We were able to visit Yates one morning during the week, as we don't like waiting in lines. Traffic was not a problem and we were able to park close, had no line at the counter, and we walked around and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the river. Weekends are packed with long lines everywhere, but they do move quickly. There are lots of things to do for kids on the weekends. There are pony rides and a petting zoo with goats and other outdoor entertainment. They can enjoy the railroad crossing lights and bells, announcing the Pulp Car hauling its load to the dumping area. The Apple Tent is also open on the weekends, with a great selection of the best fall fruit, meat and cheese snacks, candy, gifts and apparel.

The workers at the inside counter will sell you whatever you might need for a nice picnic snack to take outside. Cider is sold in different sized containers and free plastic glasses are available on the wall by the counter. There are lots of picnic tables and benches outside on the property. But be prepared for the bees, they love buzzing around open cider and they appear instantly when you open your jug.

It is the perfect place to walk the nature trail along the river and enjoy the beautiful fall colors. The cider, the smell of the warm, fresh donuts, the sound of the water wheel... it would not be Fall without a visit to Yates.  

The Undercover Divas loved the visit.  You will, too!!

Yates Cider Mill's fall hours are Monday – Friday – 7am – 7pm and weekends – 9am – 7pm. The Mill is located at Dequindre and Avon Roads (23 Mile Rd.) in Rochester Hills. They are just 35 minutes north of Downtown Detroit in Oakland County.  

Big Al's Firehouse Restaurant in Shelby Township, MI - REVIEW

We were passing through Shelby Township at lunchtime and the DIVAS were hungry. As we reached the corner of Schoenherr and 22 Mile Rd. in northern Macomb County, we noticed Big Al's Firehouse in the strip mall. Lots of cars in the lot so we decided to stop and try something new.  

We were greeted at the door, and directed through a bar area where people were having a good time watching a Detroit Tigers game on the TV. The hostess led us to the main room to be seated. There was a small salad bar on the back wall and firehouse memorabilia decorated the room. It was a bit past lunchtime and there were still lots of customers. Our waitress brought us a “bag” of hot rolls and an assortment of butter and a ranch spread for the bread, they were very tasty.  

There were a number of lunch plates on the menu, but I decided to try a daily special, which was a half slab of BBQ ribs with Big Al's special sauce ($11.00). The rib plate came with two pieces of Texas Toast, and the Texas buttered toast was almost as good as the ribs. The rib plate included a trip to the salad bar. The other DIVA had a BBQ Brisket and Cheddar sandwich with fries. It also included either a trip to the salad bar or a bowl of homemade soup ($10.00). The ribs were mouthwatering, and the brisket was delicious.

Big Al perfected his rib recipe cooking for the guys at a firehouse when he was a fireman. With his refined skills, he opened Big Al's Firehouse Restaurant. The tender meaty bones of these ribs are smoked with his secret dry rub. I was glad I ordered the ribs because they were really fall-off-the-bone good, with his signature sweet sauce.

Service was quick and friendly. The food was really good, portions were large and prices were reasonable. Everything from the salad bar to the sandwiches were fresh and appetizing. Big Al's Firehouse Restaurant is located at 49035 Schoenherr in Shelby Township, Michigan. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.  

The Iron Kettle in Lewiston, MI, and Sunflower Farms - REVIEW

Lewiston is a small town, located in the northeast area of lower Michigan. The town was named after Lewis Jenson of the M.H. Lumber company, in 1891. The lumber boom ended shortly thereafter but logging continues in the area. It is being done very selectively, to preserve and protect the remaining old-growth forests. You can find just about anything in this little town. While visiting Lewiston, The Undercover Divasdecided to visit one of our favorite family style restaurants, a small diner called the Iron Kettle. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anything in between.  

The Iron Kettle is open all day, all year round, unlike most restaurants that cut back hours during the off season. Their great soup and salad bar is the reason we chose the Iron Kettle. That was probably our biggest disappointment. What used to be great was now only average. There was a bowl of lettuce, but nothing appetizing to help dress it up. Side pasta salads and extras were a letdown. But there was a good choice of home-made salad dressings. What saved the soup and salad bar was the soup. The Iron Kettle has some of the best hot soups anywhere, and we've been many places. The soup of the day is your only choice, and it was chicken rice, and delicious, and the price of the salad bar ($2.99) was still a bargain.  

The menu is extensive, with just about every type of diner food you could imagine. There is also a menu board when you enter the restaurant, listing the day's specials. I usually get the dinner special, which often is the fish of the day, and have never been disappointed.

We arrived at noon and found some appetizing lunch specials. One DIVA had the South West Chicken sandwich with fries ($6.99) I had the Turkey Club with their kettle chips ($7.50). Both were really good.

It's not a steak house, you can find that next door at the Redwood Steak House, but a home-cooking diner. Lots of country people, in the middle of farm country, gave the place it's charm. Dress was definitely jeans. It's great to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and just breath the clean air and enjoy the fresh, country atmosphere.

We have always experienced fast and friendly service at the Iron Kettle. Portions are large and prices are reasonable. The Iron Kettle is located at 4737 Salling Ave. (Co. Rd. 612), in the heart of downtown Lewiston. They open every day, seven days a week, at 6am, for good, hearty, country breakfasts. It's well worth a stop by.   

Special Attention: Acres upon acres of sunflowers, with fully bloomed flowers... It's beautiful indeed! If you are like us, you love the sunflowers and how nice is it to run into actual sunflower farms. That's just what happened to us as we were driving up north. Fairview, Michigan, is home to several sunflower farms along with an Amish community. Located in Comins Township within Oscoda Township, centered in the Huron Nation Forest, it runs along the Au Sable River. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers and wild turkeys. We passed the farms while driving north on M33 after exiting I-75 at Exit 202 (Alger). The farms were just north of Mio, and there were a couple of them. What a sight to behold!!

Capers Steakhouse in Detroit - REVIEW

Hello again my Diva friends. We really have a good one for you today. The Undercover Divas traveled to 7 Mile and Gratiot, in Detroit. We have heard good things about a restaurant called Capers Steakhouse. This restaurant sells and prepares steaks by the ounce. Delmonico ($.85 per oz.), New York Strip ($.85 per oz.), Filet ($1.65 per oz.) and most others, subject to market availability. What a great idea for all types of appetites, the hungry to those with the small appetite.

We walked in and a nice young lady greeted us. We decided to sit near the bar so that we could get a view of the whole place. It was pretty full when we arrived, a Saturday afternoon. Often, you can tell what type of restaurant it is by how many are waiting to get in.

They have a great variety to their menu: ribs, shrimp, chicken, pork chops. They also have a few different types of fish dishes, including Icelandic cod, salmon, shrimp and cat fish (southern fried.) They also have sandwiches, burgers and Spaghetti. We were greeted by our waiter, Nathan, and told to take our time deciding what we wanted, so we ordered drinks and looked through the menu.

We noticed two customers at the bar getting ready to be served huge, impressive drinks. Intrigued, we asked what it was. Get ready for this, it’s called the Shady Lady Strawberry Margarita ( 8 shots of liquor and priced at $16.) It looked amazing and it was served by Ray, one of the waiters.

When Nathan brought our drinks, we were ready to order. Gini ordered French onion soup loaded with cheese and croutons ($3.75) the New York Steak medium well, baked potato ($3.25) and a side of broccoli . Suse ordered the Filet with red skinned potatoes ($2.50) and an individual salad ($3.95 build your own). I had my favorite the Delmonico with Cajun spice done medium well, the baked potato, and garlic bread ($.60). (Note: The have an excellent mushroom soup, but it's not available on the weekends.) To my surprise, Nathan didn’t write anything down, which amazed all three of us, as everything came just the way we asked for it.

Oh my goodness my steak melted in my mouth, I enjoyed my meal so much. Nathan, along with other wait staff, were very friendly and always asked if we needed anything. Very nice service. After dinner was complete we were asked about dessert. They had a Capers Brownie, hot fudge brownie, carrot cake, cheese cake and Apple Pie, the prices range from $1.55 to $5.25. Unfortunately we were too full to dive in for the sweet tooth we all have.  Our total bills ran about $15 a person.  

All in all what a great experience. The wait staff, the food and the hustle and bustle of a full restaurant was worth writing about. Capers is located at 14726 Gratiot Avenue , near 7 Mile, in Detroit. It's easy to find, look for a large red awning. It is not a good area of Detroit, but there is secured, attended parking on the side and behind Capers for added customer safety. Their hours of operations are M-Thursday from 11am to 11pm, Friday 11am to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday 3pm to 10pm.

The “Cheers” atmosphere, quality and quantity of food, and value of service make Capers a winner. If you are a steak lover and don’t want to pay an arm and a leg at other steak establishments, give Capers Steakhouse a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Special Attention: It's always good to have that go-to place when you need a breakfast at 3am or maybe a dessert with friends. We found just the place. They never close, it's a 24/7/365 restaurant and they are located everywhere. The DIVAS hit the Denny's in Roseville (just south of Macomb Mall on Gratiot) and had desssert and coffee, 'cause that's what we wanted. You can go at 3 am, 3 pm or any time in between and find a bustling restaurant with an extensive menu. A go-to place, ready to meet your hunger needs, at any time.   

HAPPINESS - A Choice!

Life is what happens as we are planning our future. Many of us make the mistake of believing that all of our expectations will happen down the road, as we prepare for what we expect our life to be. We believe that once we get there, everything will be perfect and we will finally be happy. We forget that there is much to be gained if we enjoy our journey as we are living our life. We should revel in every moment that we're moving toward that higher goal. We need to enjoy the accomplishments we gain while we achieve our goals. We should make it a worthwhile journey, and in doing this, we will savor the end result that much more.

The most important thing we need to understand about Happiness is that it is a choice we make from moment to moment. We should try to not let the little things bother us because this will block the happiness we would otherwise feel. Embrace happiness, smile, and enjoy the moment.  As The Undercover Divas, we enjoy happiness when we discover and experience new things and then share those experiences with others through our blog.  It is a hobby that makes us happy.  Try finding something that you love doing, and enjoy that time while you experience doing it.  And don't forget to always be kind to one another.  

Author Carol Holmes said, “A happy life is made up of little things: a gift sent, a letter written, a call made, a recommendation given, transportation provided, a cake made, a book lent, a check sent.” Success and happiness is not in getting rich or rising high to fame. Happiness comes when we are big of heart, and clean and broad in mind. It is being faithful to your friends, and to the stranger, be kind. Learn to enjoy the little things, there are so many of them.

A hidden part of us rejoices when we reach out to one another in everyday life. We search for happiness in romance, achievements, possessions, exciting experiences, and all of these bring us some satisfaction, but not enough to bring us real joy. When we help others, we receive happiness back, tenfold. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

Tin Fish Restaurant in St. Clair Shores, MI and Mastro's Ice Cream Shoppe - REVIEW

Hello, all my Divettes, this is Annod again with a review that has been a long time coming. Myself and the other Undercover Divas, Suse and Gini, just love the water so we decided to try the Tin Fish, located on a canal in St. Clair Shores. It is so close to the water, just what we were looking for.

Upon entering the restaurant, we were disappointed at the response we received by two young ladies at the front desk. They were more interested in speaking to each other than they were in greeting us. We were told “there is a 30 minute wait,” even though there were lots of empty tables. We wanted to sit out on the deck but the clouds were looming and we wanted to enjoy our meal inside. Twenty minutes later we were seated in the dining room on the right. There was a huge “Tin Fish” hanging from the ceiling, and the booths were all decorated with a nautical flair and curtains for privacy. Gini was so impressed she took a few pictures for this post.

Our waitress, Ariana, was a joy. The menu had a great variety of choices, from fish to Filet Mignon and salads to pastas. I decided to try the Panko Encrusted Tilapia with asparagus and red skin potatoes. She was fine with my substitution of mashed potatoes ($12.00) Suse ordered the Pecan Pickerel, French green beans and red skinned potatoes ($14.00) Gini had the Tin Fish & Chips with seasoned fries ($10.00). Most meals are available as half servings for half price. They call it the Seniors Discount but it was available for all, if you really want a half order. Even though we are too young for the Senior Discount, we did take advantage of the offer.

To start the meal, Suse and I ordered the Wedge Salad with crumbled blue cheese dressing (small portion, $4.00). The dressing was amazing. Gini had the French Onion soup, which was good, but a little small for the price ($5.00). Ariana brought our salads and soup and some homemade rolls.

When our food came, it looked like it was pulled from a magazine! My tilapia was mouthwatering, it fell apart. Suse enjoyed her Pecan Pickerel, and Gini loved her beer battered cod (a little too much breading, though) and liked the seasoned fries. We all enjoyed our meals, but the consensus was that prices were a bit high for what you got, and half orders were just that, half a meal.

Ariana brought over a tray of desserts. They looked amazing but we had our minds set on frozen yogurt, which was located across the street from the Tin Fish. What started out as a dud in the beginning, turned out to be an enjoyable meal and great service. Thanks, Ariana! As a side bar, we think they should monitor the outside of the restaurant as we witnessed several females that were so drunk, one fell in the street. Thank goodness a cab showed up and, hopefully, drove them home.

The Tin Fish is located at 24420 Jefferson Ave., (north of 9 Mile Rd.) in St. Clair Shores, MI. Hours: Sunday through Thursday, Noon to 9pm. - Friday and Saturday, 11am to Midnight. Their phone number: 586/778-8330.

Special Attention: Now on to dessert. Just outside the long ride out of the Marina from the Tin Fish, and across Jefferson, we headed to an Ice Cream/Yogurt shop called Mastro's, for dessert. They have everything needed for a treat after a great meal. Stroh's Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt (my favorite) with all the toppings, was featured. They had regular cones, waffle cones, chocolate with sprinkles cones, soft serve ice cream, and many flavors of ice cream by the scoop. Prices are reasonable and your taste buds go crazy. What a successful evening for all three of us.

Tuesdays at Eastern Market, Detroit, Michigan

Looking for somewhere fun to go on Tuesdays? Why not try Detroit's Eastern Market. Parking is not as congested as Saturday mornings, and there are less vendors, but you can still find everything there on Tuesdays that you find on Saturdays.

Eastern Market is the largest historic market in the country, a 4.5 acre display of the freshest fruits and vegetables in the metro Detroit area. Surrounding the market area are several blocks of restaurants, boutiques, wine, cheese and candles, art and coffee shops, bakeries, and antique and resale shops.

Available in the market area are many types of blooming flowers, whether it be hanging baskets, potted sunflowers, other potted flowers or flowers cut for your dinner table. We found (fresher than anything you've ever experienced) produce from area farmers, super-sized, and ready for smoothies or family meals. Real farm-fresh eggs were also available. Specialty products, art, jewelry, Michigan-made products and several food trucks are also nearby. Vendors are independently run businesses and can change week to week, so it is always a surprise at the hidden treasures available that day.

The Undercover Divas left with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, nectarines, and beets for smoothies, a couple of potted sunflower plants, reading material from Michigan State University's Extension Program on healthy growing and eating of fruits and vegetables, hanging baskets, potatoes and onions. Be sure to bring a wagon, if you plan on buying like we did.

Tuesdays at Eastern Market starts the beginning of June and ends the last Tuesday of October. Stands open early-early and are usually gone by 3pm. Driving to Eastern Market, take I-75 to the Mack exit. Then travel past McDonalds to Russell St. and turn right. It is an open-air market located in the downtown Detroit area. Make sure you allow plenty of time as there is so much to see and experience in the Eastern Market area.  

JJ's Steak and Pizza House, Shipwreck Tours and The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Visitor's Center, Alpena, MI - REVIEW

Alpena, Michigan, always surprises us with their vast selection of intriguing dining establishments.  The Undercover Divas noticed a bustling restaurant in a stone building called JJ's Steak and Pizza House, and wandered inside.  What we found was a busy, but still comfortable setting with families and friends enjoying mostly pizza and the fascinating up-north decor of stuffed, wild animals.  There were many displays of wildlife in glass cases and on the walls. We noticed a long bar area with drink specials written on the mirror behind the bottles of liquor.  This area seems to be the gathering place for the locals.  We sat down in the dining area enclosed by all the glass displays and checked out the menu.  

Before we ordered, a couple at the next table said hello and recommended JJ's Top Sirloin Steak ($12.99) as they were just finishing theirs and said they drive to Alpena regularly, just to have a steak at JJ's. Our waitress suggested we try the daily luncheon special ($6.99) which was a salad bar that had several different kinds of pizza, cheese bread, full salad bar fixings with lots of veggies, different pasta salads, beans and two kinds of puddings. 

The Lunch Special goes until 3pm, then several homemade soups are added to the buffet for the dinner crowd.  We decided to stick to the menu and ordered a large, deep dish, meat-lovers pizza ($17.99) that was recommended to us by friends, and it was superb. They do take the time to make the pizzas well, and while waiting, everyone at the table gets to go to the salad bar, included in the price of the pizza.

Lots of choices on the menu, salad bar in itself was a meal, portions of everything were generous, servers were all friendly, place was clean, and our pizza was loaded with meats, cheeses and plenty of flavor.

If you have a big family, and need a place to take them out without being afraid of your kids being a bit unruly, this is the place- but don't be afraid of the kids, this isn't a daycare center- it is quite under control. It is just what a family pizza place should be, but with even better food than you would expect.

JJ's Steak and Pizza House is located in the heart of downtown Alpena (right by the bridge) at 411 North 2^ndAve. There is some street parking in the front, but the best parking is around back, and you can enter through the marked back door. JJ's opens at 7am for breakfast and closes at midnight. We do plan on returning on our next trip up north and might even switch to one of their premium steak dinners, or maybe the ribs.

Special Attention: When in Alpena, be sure to take a “Shipwreck Tour”. During the 2½ hour cruise you will see magnificently preserved shipwrecks, scenic shorelines and majestic lighthouses. Departing Alpena, the 65 ft. “Lady Michigan” will take you on a comfortable adventure into the heart of Lake Huron's Shipwreck Alley. The open upper deck has ample seating and the lower deck has glass bottom viewing wells, to allow you to view shipwreck remains during the cruise. Adults - $30, Children 12 and under - $10. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Visitor's Centeroffers over 11,000 sq. ft. of exciting exhibits and a shipwreck that visitors can explore. It is located with the tours and has free admission.   

Atwater in the Park Microbrewery in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan -- REVIEW

The DIVAS have gone German. While in the Grosse Pointe Park area, we came across an old church at the corner of Kercheval and Lakepointe that had been transformed into a proper German biergarten, the Atwater in the Park microbrewery, and decided to stop in. 

 We passed through the public seating outside, very reminiscent of a Bavarian beer garden. Upon entering the dining room, we noticed the former altar, occupied by brewing equipment. The bar area is the whole sanctuary with 40 taps underneath a cork-lined ceiling. Stained glass windows take up the front wall in the dining room and “pews” from the former Grace United Church (outdoor marker dated 1936) surround the two side walls. We took a seat.

The food is German biergarten fare. Smoked knockwurst, kielbasa, bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnitzels, German Platters and bar classics were on the menu. I had Wiener schnitzel (veal cutlet) with lemon-caper sauce, German potato salad and asparagus ($14.00). The other DIVA had a Bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut ($10.00). The food was a very Americanized version of German food. It was good, but not as German as I was hoping for.

The craft beer at Atwater in the Park is the star of the show, as it is a fresh alternative to many local small breweries. Since the microbrewery "revolution" that started in the mid 1990's, the vast majority have produced Ales as opposed to Lagers. There are several reasons for this, which include the ability to create more diverse styles of beer when brewing ales, but most probably is because lagers take longer to create (more expensive) and are generally more difficult to master. What is disappointing with this is the large part of the population that are from great Lager producing countries, in particular Germany. In tandem with that, is the fact that the Metro Detroit area has a very large German population, but has only a few German restaurants. The Atwater brewery locations provide a much needed influx of craft made lagers and German fare.

The Atwater's beer selection is not locked into just traditional German styles, and they create a wide variety for all types of beer lovers, and includes specialty and seasonal offerings. Any of the beers offered at Atwater can be served in a sample-size pour. Included in this collection are house-brewed Cottonwood Golden Ale, HG Brown, HGP Imperial IPA and Quaker Oatmeal Stout.

Atwater in the Park is laid out with community seating both inside and out, to invite people together for drink, food and conversation. Their main focus is their microbrewery with over 25 Atwater beers available. The food was an American version of German fare. Atwater in the Park opens daily at 11:30am for the lunch crowd and closes at midnight. The place was impressive, clean and service was friendly. It's a great meeting place for fun and laughter after work and on weekends.

Marco's Italiano Ristorante, Roseville, MI, and the Gratiot Cruise -- REVIEW

Hello Undercover Diva followers, this is Annod, we have been on double duty for the last few days. It was dinner time and we were in the mood for something and it happened to be Italian. I knew of a place I pass frequently and I wanted to try it.  It is located north of 13 Mile Rd. on Gratiot, in Roseville, MI.

The place is called Marco's Italiano Ristorante, located in the Days Inn & Suites. We walked in and the owner said we could sit anywhere. Looking around, it reminded me of an Italian Villa with the exposed brick plus a bonus, a natural fireplace. We will love that when the chill is back in Michigan. Marco’s menu offers a selection of both Italian and Mexican items, but we never got past the Italian menu. We noticed a full service bar with a nice selection of wines and beers. We were pleased by the great oldies music and watching a Detroit Tiger game.

Suse was running a few minutes late. Once she was there our waitress Keri asked what we wanted to drink. We all chose water. Well clumsy me spilled it everywhere. Keri was so nice and laughed with me.

Marco’s is hidden in a hotel formally known as the Georgian Inn. It’s a shame that no one knows it’s there because the food is wonderful. I was looking at the menu and I noticed that they had zip sauce for the steak dish I was thinking about. I asked for a sample and she brought it out. Wow, it was amazing.

Gini and Suse decided on a house salad ($2.99) with great raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Keri brought over a bread basket with Italian olive oil infused with spices, very good. Suse decided on the Steak Medallions topped with a Portobello mushroom and melted cheese, with zip sauce and a baked potato ($14.99).  Gini had the Spaghetti and meat sauce ($13.99) with a side of Italian sausage ($3.99). I decided to get the New York Strip Steak ($20.00) grilled and topped with the wonderful zip sauce with a potato, but I asked to substitute a side of pasta with marinara sauce. That wasn’t a problem with Keri.

We all were enjoying our meal but I requested my steak to be more cooked, it was a little too rare. (Tim the cook brought it back out and wanted to make sure it was done correctly). It was awesome. Because we just had to try a dessert, I ordered the tiramisu. It was good but I had to share since the other DIVAS noticed how delicious it looked and wanted a taste.

The service was great, pricing reasonable, very clean surroundings and the food was authentic Italian. They are open at 11:30 am Monday through Saturday and close at 10 pm. Sunday’s hours are 11:30 am to 8 pm.  If you’re in the mood for Italian, it’s a hidden GEM.

Special Attention: Just up the block, the 12^th Annual Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise will take place on Sunday, August 2, 2015. They expect 200,000 people and thousands of classic cars to line Gratiot Avenue from 14 Mile to north of Metropolitan Parkway (16 Mile). This is a FREE public event for friends, family and out-of-towners, with or without classic vehicles. You may find a spot on the route to drop a blanket or bring your own lawn chairs. Cruise hours are from noon until 6pm, with festivities starting as early as 8am.