The 2008 Tastes of Detroit Food Tour

[primesuspect]

Greetings my fellow foodies.

I had some trouble with my choices this year. The biggest LAN yet, coupled with the ideal of not duplicating any restaurants combined to narrow the choices down quite a bit. I'm always trying to raise the bar as far as meeting my criteria.

In case you aren't familiar with the Tastes of Detroit Food Tour, the premise is simple: Every year I try to pick 3 restaurants to take everyone to. I have a certain set of standards that I try to adhere to:



The restaurant must be unique.
The restaurant must have some compelling theme or specialty that makes it truly a step above the normal establishment. This can be service, a menu item, decor, price, character, etc.
The restaurant must able to at least try to introduce people to something they've never had before.

I love Detroit, and there is a huge variety of cuisine to be had here. I try to introduce out-of-towners to a side of Detroit that they may not have realized could be found.

To sign up for the food tour, you simply post in this thread that you are interested, and what visits you are interested in. I need to get a count so I can call ahead for reservations.

The food tour can be expensive. I would recommend allocating at least $25 for yourself for your meal and tip. Definitely more if you will be quaffing fine ales or spirits.

None of the restaurants have any special attire requirements. They're all casual.

On with the list:

THURSDAY, JUNE 19
XOCHIMILCO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
A Detroit staple for two generations. Xochi's is a place that families make a tradition out of. Mostly authentic, yet with items that cater to the American palate, you can find dishes that most other "Mexican" restaurants don't carry such as Mole and Nopalitos.

FRIDAY, JUNE 20
SALA THAI DETROITOf the four family-owned Sala Thai restaurants in the Detroit area, the one downtown in Eastern Market is the flagship. Very authentic, fresh, and delicious, I think Sala Thai represents some of the better Thai food in the Metro area. Also, it's big enough for all of us.

SATURDAY, JUNE 21
HU HOT MONGOLIAN GRILL
While not 'actually' Mongolian food (no horsemeat or stuffed prairie dogs, etc.) This place wins on character and value. You have a buffet of raw meat and veggies, you fill a bowl with things and sauces and spices, and you hand it to a scenester to have him cook it on a giant round piece of steel while you watch. It's fun, all you can eat, and relatively cheap.

[primesuspect]

Of course, the traditional Saturday morning Original Pancake House visit is on. It's not a part of the food tour, but EVERYBODY usually goes.

Also, Sunday brunch, for the last two years we've gone to Thang Long (vietnamese) since people love that place too..... We may go there or to our favorite local BBQ joint, Red Hot and Blue. We'll see.

[fatcat]

mexican

srsly

wow

HU HOT FTW tho

(i love mexican, we have an awesome mexican place here, just didnt think prime wanted everyone having gas the first night ;) )

[pigflipper]

I'm in for the Mongolian Grill, sounds wonderful! Wish I could make it to the others, but budget constraints (cost of gas) means I can only choose one :-(

[][v][AGIC]

Seen as how ive never went to one of these before, ill try to go to all three.

[QCH2002]

All three assuming I can get there and back before the late tourney. :thumbsup:

[CB]

I will go to all of the ones that I'm there for, but I don't yet know if I'll be there on Thursday evening (depends on my teaching schedule, and whether or not Sharky and Zan are taking Friday off work. neither of which I'm sure of yet.)

[Snarkasm]

IN FOR PANCAKES


Also I guess I'll try that there Mongolian thingy. Not sure if I'll be there for the others yet, so I'll refrain.

[jared]

I'm in for all 3 although I'm bit skeptical about the Mexican place since I practically live in Mexico myself. Should be interesting.

Regardless, the food tour was one of the highlights of last year for me - I wouldn't miss it! Socializing and beerz at its best!

[rolleggroll]

I am in for any and all food places to visit.

[Gargoyle]

I'm in for all three +pancakes.

[Thrax]

Yes/no/yes + pancakes. Kthx.

[DogDragon]

no/yes/yes That English Pub place would be cool to hit again ( I was part of the :)
party that didn't want to leave last year.:D )
That place was Great

[GHoosdum]

I'm in for all of it.

[Cyclonite]

All three!

[Zanthian]

I am in for everything i am there for, should arrive friday.

[Kwitko]

All three plus OPH. For those of you who have not been to the Pancake House, the delightful scoop of creamy butter on top of your pancakes is just that- butter. It is most definitely not- as I can attest to- a scoop of whipped cream.

[StainMeNow]

In for all three and pancakes!

<3 the food tour.

[FreeC8675]

I would like to go to as many as possible. But I have complicated food issues, a.k.a. food allergies. I am Celiac (http://www.celiac.com/) which limits some of my dining opportunities. However after living like this for almost 10 years now I have gotten pretty good making sure stuff is ok for me to eat. Just a heads up, I'll try to bring/buy lotsa snacks to prevent starvation. But seriously it isn't as bad as I make out to be.

I should be able to find something to eat at all of those establishments.

[GHoosdum]

Actually, you stand a much better chance of being able to avoid gluten in many of the foreign cuisines Brian presents than you do with typical American fare. :thumbsup:

[TiberiusLazarus]

I would like to go to as many as possible. But I have complicated food issues, a.k.a. food allergies. I am Celiac (http://www.celiac.com/) which limits some of my dining opportunities. However after living like this for almost 10 years now I have gotten pretty good making sure stuff is ok for me to eat. Just a heads up, I'll try to bring/buy lotsa snacks to prevent starvation. But seriously it isn't as bad as I make out to be.

I should be able to find something to eat at all of those establishments.

You and your silly food allergies ;). Hmm, might have to avoid teh biarzs (http://www.celiac.com/articles/327/1/Is-Beer-Gluten-Free-and-Safe-for-People-with-Celiac-Disease/Page1.html) for more than just one reason :sad2:.

I'm up for food tour for whichever days I'm there (if at all :().

[FreeC8675]

Ya, I figure I should be alright. Italian wouldn't be good, but all of those that prime picked have decent alternatives to stuff I can't eat.

My mom is corn intolerant, which is really freaking impossible to live on. EVERYTHING has corn in it, crisco, diet pop, white bread, soup, its ridiculous. My dad doesn't know how to feed us :bigggrin:

LOL, ya beers are a no go.

[Keebler]

LOL, ya beers are a no go.
It's ok, we have liquor.

//edit: Wait... are you 21? :skeptic:

[FreeC8675]

Well technically...no. But I'm old for my age lol!

[Gnome Queen]

Ehhh...I'll go with yes on all three, but I'm willing to substitute an English Pub run for the Mongolian place if anyone else wants to go with me. Steak and ale pie FTW :D

[drasnor]

I'm in, as usual.

-drasnor :fold:

[UPSWeezer]

Never had Thai before. Ive heard its really good. Im in fo sho. PANCAKES!!!

[mertesn]

I'm probably getting in too late for Thursday, but I'm in for everything else!

Also, Red Hot and Blue please!!! I haven't been to one since my time in Colorado Springs.

[primesuspect]

ugh the LAN is too short :-/

[mertesn]

ugh the LAN is too short :-/Well, who posted those dates? Seriously, I'd have shown up for whatever days it was announced for. Haven't been to an out of town LAN before and I didn't want to be "that guy" that showed up WAY too early. Oh well.

[primesuspect]

You should come early.

[fatcat]

I didn't want to be "that guy" that showed up WAY too early. Oh well.

I'm that guy.

[StainMeNow]

I'm becoming that girl. It's awesome.

[][v][AGIC]

ill try to hit them all this year, seen as ive never went to one in all the lans ive been to.

[Buddy J]

Well, who posted those dates? Seriously, I'd have shown up for whatever days it was announced for. Haven't been to an out of town LAN before and I didn't want to be "that guy" that showed up WAY too early. Oh well.

Dude, I told you that it starts before the official date and usually ends days after the official end. Pretty much the LAN starts when fatcat and/or DogDragon get there, and ends when the beer can collection goes to recycling.

[DogDragon]

Dude, I told you that it starts before the official date and usually ends days after the official end. Pretty much the LAN starts when fatcat and/or DogDragon get there, and ends when the beer can collection goes to recycling.
I want to beat Fatcat this year :D

[UPSWeezer]

Looking at fatcat's beer consumption from last year, you're going to die trying dogdragon. Unless you are talking about arrival time...

[fatcat]

he definetly talking about arrival time

DogDragon can beat fatcat

this is fact

MiracleManS can beat anyone

that is also fact

I'm happy with 3rd ;)

[mertesn]

Dude, I told you that it starts before the official date and usually ends days after the official end. Pretty much the LAN starts when fatcat and/or DogDragon get there, and ends when the beer can collection goes to recycling.Yeah. I found that out AFTER tickets were purchased. Oh well. I know for next year.

[rolleggroll]

Well, who posted those dates? Seriously, I'd have shown up for whatever days it was announced for. Haven't been to an out of town LAN before and I didn't want to be "that guy" that showed up WAY too early. Oh well.

I'm that guy.

Does that make the that 2nd guy or 3rd guy as well? I'll definitely be that jerk that made everyone wake up early to pick me up.

[fatcat]

Does that make the that 2nd guy or 3rd guy as well? I'll definitely be that jerk that made everyone wake up early to pick me up.

we will get even.

that is all.

[DogDragon]

Looking at fatcat's beer consumption from last year, you're going to die trying dogdragon. Unless you are talking about arrival time...
HEY wait I can give Fatcat a run for his money in drinking (LMAO)

I know that :) But if Fatcat want we cat play beer pong with
Captain just to make it interesting :D

[fatcat]

HEY wait I can give Fatcat a run for his money in drinking (LMAO)

I know that :) But if Fatcat want we cat play beer pong with
Captain just to make it interesting :D

has to be bourbon, i dont do shots of rum :crazy:

[Gnome Queen]

Beer pong with SHOTS? God that would be bad for me.

But I'll be happy to watch you guys go at it. :D

[UPSWeezer]

YAGGERBOMB PONG!!!

[Gnome Queen]

YAGGERBOMB PONG!!!

The only thing you will be drinking, Mister, is a diet coke! :wink:

[GHoosdum]

How did the Food Tour thread become a duplicate of the Games List thread?

[UPSWeezer]

The only thing you will be drinking, Mister, is a diet coke! :wink:

Ill be havin Bawls Guarana. And that doesnt mean i cant watch people drink until they puke.

[UPSLynx]

Ill be havin Bawls Guarana. And that doesnt mean i cant watch people drink until they puke.

Precisely why I go to bars.

I think I'd be up for all 3, definitely up for pancakes. It's going to have to depend on my financial situation at the times. These are important days where I must be quite shrewd with money. We'll see.

[DogDragon]

has to be bourbon, i dont do shots of rum :crazy:
I'm not a bourbon man so we need to find a happy middle :)

[MiracleManS]

Lookin' like I do be in for all 3. Good choices and variety again this year!

[QCH2002]

Google Calender (http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71483) has been updated with all the food stops. The "events" have all the info you need. Address, phone number, and even the ability to map the place out.

[QCH2002]

Oh... I request Indian food on Wednesday. That place from last year. That Chicken Vindalou was AWESOME!!!

[primesuspect]

ADDED: Wednesday Passage to India
Sunday Blue Nile :)

[Cyclonite]

Hooray!

[shwaip]

SHWAIP MAEK POAST.

down for all of them.

[CB]

I will go to all of the ones that I'm there for, but I don't yet know if I'll be there on Thursday evening (depends on my teaching schedule, and whether or not Sharky and Zan are taking Friday off work. neither of which I'm sure of yet.)

I'll be arriving on Thursday morning, and leaving after dinner on Sunday, so I'll be going to all of the planed food places except the Wednesday night one. (I might also skip OHOP, depending on my mood, so count me in tentatively for that one (we can't make reservations anyway, so it doesn't matter (ironically, inability to make reservations is the reason I might not feel like going)).

[QCH2002]

AWESOME!!!

[Gnome Queen]

PRIME JOO LIE TO ME

[shwaip]

SHWAIP MAEK POAST.

down for all of them.

actually, i lied. I don't like indian food.

[CB]

actually, i lied. I don't like indian food.

That's not a good enough reason not to eat it.

[StainMeNow]

actually, i lied. I don't like indian food.

I had tried several places before Passage to India and I thought I hated Indian food as well. Now I crave Indian like nothing else.

ZOMG BIRYANI.

[primesuspect]

Shwaip, I can change your mind on Indian food. Try me. Close your eyes and put yourself in my capable hands. I'll order for you. Relax and let the scents and sounds of mystical India wash over you as I guide your mouth to places it's never been before....

:wtf: wait....

[Snarkasm]

Well if we're getting THAT kind of service... I might be in.

[Black Hawk]

Indian food makes my tummy sad.

[Thrax]

Brush your teeth, Shwaip. Prime's #$!@ will be expecting you.

[StainMeNow]

Brush your teeth, Shwaip. Prime's #$!@ will be expecting you.

*sighs dreamily*

This will be the best LAN ever!

[shwaip]

do not want.

i don't enjoy the taste, and also, prime's toilet will not enjoy the after-effects.

[Thrax]

Look, shwaip, don't be a wang. I used to hate Indian food also, but Passage to India changed my mind completely.

Just get something small and try it.

[Keebler]

Don't bother with all this Internet convincing. We'll just duct tape him up and toss him in the trunk.

[Gargoyle]

Don't bother with all this Internet convincing. We'll just duct tape him up and toss him in the trunk.
http://life.icrontic.com/draco/images/livin-the-life.png