Frugal Floozie Friday - Uptown Coney Island

After a day of thrift shopping, Craig and I needed a bit of sustenance. We were near Uptown Coney Island, so decided to stop there for dinner; a bit of comfort food, and a menu with a great deal of variety, sounded ideal.

You don't go to a diner for healthy options, so I didn't even bother looking at the array of salads. I ordered the Grilled Ham and Cheese pictured above, which came with pickles and chips for $4.99. A plain grilled cheese - triple stacked with your choice of American. Swiss, or Cheddar - costs $3.99. Or you could indulge in the classic BLT for $4.99.

A small order of the Chili Cheese Fries costs $3.29; a large costs $3.99. These were really good, as the fries were nice and crispy and held up to the chili. Often the fries are neglected in this dish (yes, I've tried enough samples to be able to discuss this!), since they're just getting buried anyway. But it's infinitely better when the fries are sturdy instead of soggy.

Craig ordered the Coney Island because, of course, it's what these places do best! A single costs $1.99, and the Coney Special - topped with seasoned ground beef, chili, mustard, and onions - can be enjoyed for $2.99. Add fries, cole slaw, or soup for $1.59, or add cheese for 39 cents. The onion rings cost $3.49, ordered separately.

There are other options at Uptown Coney Island that qualify for our mandatory $5 per person Frugal Floozie Friday budget: a Cheese Quesadilla costs $4.99; soup is available for $1.99 (cup) or $2.99 (bowl); and chili for $2.29 (cup) or $3.09 (bowl). A cheeseburger costs $4.99.

Breakfast also offers many inexpensive choices: a cheese omelette for $4.79; a cinnamon roll for $2.39; a bagel with cream cheese for $2.29; or a short stack of pancakes with either blueberries or pecans for $4.49. The Bagel Breakfast - two eggs with bacon or ham or sausage, a choice of cheese, and hash browns - costs only $3.99. And Donna's Biscuits & Sausage Gravy with hash browns or two eggs is only $4.99.

And, of course, don't forget dessert; options range from baklava for $1.99 to slices of pie ($2.99-3.99), homemade Rice Pudding for $2.29 to the Brownie Delight (a sundae) for $3.59.

A very friendly, welcoming place with good food for good prices, Uptown Coney Island is definitely worth a visit!

Uptown Coney Island
3917 Jackson Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-665-5909
Monday - Saturday: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - Gabriel's Cheesesteak Hoagies

When I first met Mary Catherine Smith, the fabulous host of "Brazilian Sol" on WEMU (Saturdays at 9 p.m.), she recommended Gabriel's Cheese Steak Hoagies as a great place to visit for my Frugal Floozie Friday column: good, honest food served for good, honest prices.

Well, it's taken awhile to get there, but Craig and I had lunch at Gabriel's recently and it definitely proved to be a tremendous value!

It's easy to stay within our mandatory $5 per person budget, with hearty sandwiches that are readily split. Costing just over $5 each, you can supplement your half with a bag of chips and a cookie to make a complete comfort food meal and still stay within our financial limits.

The menu is small, focusing on what the shop does well. You can order a cheesesteak hoagie, a steak hoagie, a Lunchmeat Special, or a ham and cheese sandwich. Prices range from $5.14-$5.54, with extras (cheese, mushrooms, peppers, or Provolone) costing anywhere from 20-69 cents to add on. A bag of chips will set you back a whopping 89 cents.

A small, quaint, tremendously friendly diner, Gabriel's is welcoming to everyone but vegetarians - there aren't any options for you beyond the Garden Salad for $3.49.

But carnivores can celebrate at Gabriel's for not much money!

Gabriel's Cheesesteak Hoagies
2585 East Michigan Avenue
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-483-5846
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - Cafe Habana and Lena

It was Girls' Night Out recently, and my BFF Wendy and I headed to a new restaurant - Lena - which is today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature. A sophisticated place, some have been surprised to hear that we found options that would qualify for the mandatory $5 per person budget. But if you share an appetizer or a dessert, you can definitely find value on the menu. Sometimes it's important to focus on the quality of the dishes, and on the social aspects of going out with a friend, rather than seeking gargantuan quantities of food.

Our evening began by heading downstairs to Cafe Habana, to visit my friend Bobby Hoffman who was tending bar. Although they are technically part of the same facility and share a chef and some staff, Habana and Lena are different spaces both physically and in terms of atmosphere. The latter is sleek, bright, trendy but welcoming; the former is darker, lively, and particularly giddy once the DJ starts playing and the salsa dancing begins.

Bobby didn't just bring us whatever beverage we'd ordered, but instead took the time to talk with us about what types of drinks we like, what sort of delicious treat we were in the mood for on an oh, so rare evening of frivolity. He brought us tastes of several liqueurs - as they came up in our conversations about food, travel, and amusement - telling us that Habana even makes many of its own from scratch. Bobby is passionate about food, about drink, about experiencing life - definitely a bon vivant. Be sure to ask for him when you go to either Habana or Lena, as he will spoil you rather than merely serving.

Bobby recommended a lovely appetizer to go with our Strawberry Mojito (me) and Posion de Bruja (Wendy, who was tickled to order a Witch's Brew): Baked Goat Cheese. This was a rich, creamy, indulgent treat topped with salsa and served with an abundance of tortilla chips. At $8, it was far more than one person could eat, and it was the perfect dish to go with our potent drinks. (Unfortunately, the bar was so dark that there was no way to get an acceptable photo.) It was an ideal dish to nibble at while talking about life and love ... the kind of stuff Wendy and I always tend towards when we go out.

Although we weren't particularly hungry anymore, we couldn't resist the temptations of Bobby's other menu recommendations; so we walked upstairs to Lena to continue our evening and try a few more treats.

Both Bobby and our waitress had recommended the Ecuadorian Humitas, which are fresh corn cakes with lemongrass-tomato stew and melted chihuahua cheese; essentially, they are layers of polenta filled with rich cheese and topped with a lovely light sauce. At $9, and with two portions served, this is another dish that meets our budgetary standards.

Because it was Girls' Night Out, dessert was mandatory. And who could resist a luscious chocolate treat, especially when it only cost $9 and offered plenty of decadence for two? Pasion de Chocolate, pictured above, is a gorgeous and delicious serving of chocolate cake that is filled with white chocolate mousse, topped with chocolate ganache, and accompanied by sweet lychee ice cream. This was ideal for Wendy's and my evening, and would also be perfect to share on a date.

There are a significant number of options on the Habana and Lena menus which cost only $7-9, such that you could share them with a loved one and still stay within our mandatory budget: the Ceviche Trio, beef or cheese empanadas, plaintain tostones, fried yuca rolls with queso fresco, the charred vegetable platter, and duck confit. Vegetarians will find that they have not been neglected, and that many inspired dishes await them.

For a lively and energetic party, head downstairs to Cafe Habana. And for a quieter, but no less delicious, option, stay upstairs and eat at Lena. But either way, stop by, say "hi" to Bobby, have a drink, socialize, and enjoy some lovely food.


Cafe Habana
226 South Main
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-994-2773
Monday - Saturday: 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Sunday: 5 p.m. - Midnight

Lena
226 South Main
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-994-2773
Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. - Midnight
Sunday: 12 - 10 p.m.



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Frugal Floozie Friday at Seva

I had read that Seva [say-VAH] - the long-time Ann Arbor vegetarian institution - had a "Happy Hour" menu with remarkable prices: $1, $2, or $3 for tasting-sized dishes. Well, how could a frugal eater resist?

Craig and I headed there one evening, to sample an inexpensive assortment of foods. So we tried a little bit within each price range.

For $3, we ordered the General Tso's cauliflower, which is deep-fried and served with sliced scallions and a spicy sauce. Another $3 item was the Gouda Tots - breaded, fried cubes of cheese with a creamy herbed dipping sauce.

From the $2 menu, we decided to go for the classic chips 'n' salsa; they were brought later than the rest of the food, by which time I completely forgot to give them their photo op while I grazed and chatted. The chips were thick and crisp, and I liked them best when dunking them into the sauce that had been provided with the Gouda Tots.

Finally, from the $1 menu we tried the spiced nuts, which had a hint of curry to them.

There are also daily drink specials, to complement the food, which could qualify for our mandatory $5 per person Frugal Floozie Friday budget: Tuesdays offer half-price wine, Wednesdays bring half-price draft beers, and on Thursdays and Fridays you can get $1 off all cocktails.

Small bites for a small price, available during Seva's happy hour every Monday through Friday!


Seva
314 E. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-662-1111
Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 4 - 6 p.m.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - Roger Monk's Yappy Hour

Roger Monk's is today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature for many reasons.  It's got great food, and it offers a wide variety of appetizers, drinks and desserts for $5 or less - our mandatory per-person budget - during its weekday Happy Hour.

But not only does this casual, comfortable, but still sophisticated restaurant welcome humans, on Thursdays it also welcomes dogs at its fabulous Yappy Hour.  Yes, well-behaved humans and their adorable leashed owners can gather on the back deck for food and fun - a chance to chat with fellow animal lovers and furry friends.

So, of course, I had to bring my grandpuppy, Poochie, one gorgeous sunny afternoon.  He's a very sociable beast - a veritable party animal!

Jeremy, Stuart (Jeremy's dad, my ex-husband), Poochie, and I recently took advantage of a perfect summery day to enjoy some fabulous food.  We started with appetizers, each of which costs $5: a very generous portion of chips with a slightly spicy salsa, crisp-coated and tender chicken satay with a creamy peanut sauce, and enormous mussels braised in a lemon-wine sauce.  These were delicious, as well as being perfect for sharing.   The two other options we could have chosen were hummus served with toasted pita bread and a duck liver mousse served with crackers.

We drank water - as did Poochie, who was given his own personal bowl of water even before the humans were taken care of; and it was served refreshingly with orange rather than the ubiquitous lemon.  But if you're in the mood for something a bit stronger, 20-ounce pints of draught beer cost $4; glasses of wine and drinks such as Martinis, a Daiquiri, or a Cosmopolitan cost $5.

And then there was the temptation of dessert.  Desserts, too, cost an even $5 - perfect for our budget.  As good as the appetizers were - and they were very good - these were absolutely the stars of the show.


Jeremy order the utterly decadent chocolate mousse pictured at the top of the post.  It was as thick as ice cream, rather than pudding-like as some can be.  It was intensely chocolatey and simply addictive.  You'd be tempted to keep eating if the portion were larger, but the full coffee cup of this treat was a perfect and generous serving.

As soon as I heard a few of my very favorite words - "bread pudding," "cherries," and "caramel" - all in the same sentence, as our server recited the dessert options, I knew that this would be mine.  Bread pudding featuring tart cherries and a bourbon caramel sauce ... oh, be still my heart!  This was rich, sweet, had a bit of a kick, and was just perfection.  I loved the dessert, but would happily have just taken a spoon to a jar of the sauce and eaten it "as is" even without the tender, fabulous pudding base.

Stuart was in the mood for a hot fudge sundae, which isn't on the menu; but our very kind and helpful server, Dennis, offered to bring a serving of vanilla ice cream (which is a standard offering) topped with the bourbon caramel sauce.  Although one of my personal pet peeves is customers who make special orders - hard-working restaurant staff are not personal chefs - I was very pleased to know that great service and keeping customers happy was high on the agenda at Roger Monk's.

There are many public places that dogs aren't welcome, so it's wonderful that on Thursdays you can linger over great food and cool drinks at Roger Monk's while your dog gets to play with new friends.  Poochie was fussed over by the staff and by other customers enjoying the fabulous weather, and he just loves being the center of attention!

We had a grand time at Roger Monk's, and highly recommend its Happy and Yappy Hours for fabulous treats at reasonable prices.  What a great opportunity to unwind at the end of the day!

Roger Monk's
5400 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-662-1647
Tuesday - Saturday: 3 - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 3 - 9 p.m.
Closed Monday
Happy Hour: Tuesday - Friday 3 - 6 p.m.
Yappy Hour: Thursday 4 - 7 p.m.



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Taqueria La Fiesta, Part Dos

Jeremy was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day recently.  We spent the entire day running errands, going to appointments, jumping through hoops, and getting delayed - with some unprofessional, unprovoked, antagonistic, confrontational, and threatening behavior thrown in at one location, just for fun! - although the day thankfully ended on an upswing.

At lunch time, I had planned to go somewhere new for a Frugal Floozie Friday post; I always need fresh material, after all.  But Jeremy was so stressed and unhappy that I was grateful to have had an epiphany.

We were close to one of his favorite places.  So instead of turning around and going to the buffet that Jeremy had suggested when I asked him where he wanted to eat, I said: "How would you like to go see George?"  Jeremy brightened and enthusiastically agreed.  A burrito gigante was calling to him!

And so, we boogied on over to Taqueria La Fiesta.

As always, we were welcomed warmly by George, whose family owns the restaurant; he makes us feel as though we are honored guests in his home.  He brought chips and the fabulous spicy salsa, which we enjoyed with tall glasses of jamaica [huh-MY-kuh], a gorgeous pink iced hibiscus tea.

We chatted about tres leches cake, which a mutual friend had been providing but which is no longer offered (though a cupcake version may appear, so stay tuned!).  We chatted about restaurant coupons.  And we chatted about the wonderful fish tacos that George brought for us to sample, which were filled with pollock and a mango habanero salsa.  These were so good that even my fish-hating son loved them!  They feature a great contrast between tender fish and crisp vegetables, and saltiness mixed with sweetness and a hint of spice.  There is an entire range of flavors all dancing together.

Because I always like to try new dishes, I ordered the pork tamales pictured above rather than relying upon anything I'd ordered and enjoyed before; I like to work my way through a menu, and wasn't concerned with our $5 per person Frugal Floozie Friday limits at this visit.  With no budgetary constraints, I could order anything that might brighten the day!

I adore tamales, and have such respect for the time-consuming handmade labor of love that they are!  These were fabulous - moist rather than crumbly, and the pork was tender and utterly delicious having simmered in a flavorful red sauce.  The portions - especially when combined with refried beans and rice - were so generous that I was able to take most of the food home to enjoy again the next day.

We left happy - no small feat, given how Jeremy's morning had gone! - and restored for the rest of our busy afternoon.  Thank you, George, for the fabulous food and for your friendship ... :)

Buffalo Celery Sticks

Cool and crisp, these blue cheese-filled celery sticks are a great snack.   The crushed corn chips on top offer a bit of contrasting spice, too, with Cajun flavoring.  These are not necessarily photogenic, but they're fabulous nonetheless!

The notion for this recipe came to me in a flash as I perused all the lovely goodies at the new Michigan General Store in Ypsilanti.  Oh, it's so much fun to shop there!  My favorite treats so far are the Great Lakes kettle cooked potato chips, made with potatoes grown in the state, and buttery, creamy tart cherry-flavored caramels ... sigh.  Garlicky pickles, hot sauces, beers, shortbread cookies, candies, smoked fish dips - there are so many amazing products, all proudly made right here in Michigan.  And the wines you can buy there are lovely served in beautiful glasses etched with the famous mitten shape of our state, which you'll also find just waiting for you at the shop.

As I admired the bounty, I saw Cajun tortilla chips made right in Ypsilanti ... I heard them calling to me.  With a clear vision, I thought of combining these treats into an homage to all the flavors of a traditional plate of Buffalo wings - cooling sticks of celery, blue cheese dip, spicy sauce - but without the chicken part of the equation.

Whether serving these while watching a sporting event or a movie, or serving them at a party, they're an easy and fun food to offer.  Buy dairy products and celery from Michigan to go with the tortilla chips when making this recipe, and your entire feast can celebrate the Great Lakes State!


Buffalo Celery Sticks

1 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
several splashes cayenne pepper sauce
2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
pinches of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large stalk celery, cut into 5" ribs
1 cup Cajun-flavored corn chips (see note below)

Combine sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, blue cheese, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl; cover and let rest overnight.

Spread the blue cheese dip down the center of the celery ribs. Crush the corn chips and press the celery ribs upside-down into the crumbs to coat the dip with them. Place onto a serving dish.

Makes 12 or more Buffalo Celery Sticks.

Note: If you don't have access to Cajun-flavored chips, you can use either corn or potato chips and sprinkle them with Cajun seasoning.

Michigan General Store
44 E. Cross Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-961-8039




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Greek Spinach Dip for the Michigan-Michigan State Game

I'm a proud graduate of the University of Michigan; my ex-husband, Stuart, attended medical school at Michigan State University. Needless to say, the intra-state rivalry has always been a lot of fun for us! When Stuart and I were married, we hosted a party each year in honor of the big Michigan-Michigan State football game.

After we met, Stuart used to follow me around, offering to take me to the game. It didn't happen that year, 'cause the tickets are extremely popular and hard to come by ... and expensive.

Stuart did get tickets for the game in 1990, when we were expecting Jeremy. I had to buy a large sweatshirt to wear to the game, to go over the "baby bump". We still consider it Jeremy's first Michigan-Michigan State game, even if he didn't get to see anything that time.

So, what to serve this year in honor of the game? My family's traditions have changed, as has the family unit itself; but the need for appropriate food for this important occasion remains a constant.

Michigan State's mascot is a Spartan, named for the famous warriors of the ancient Greek city of Sparta. So it only made sense to make a spinach dip - which would feature MSU's team colors of green and white - and to give it a Greek flair with oregano and lemon and feta.

This is gooey and rich, with a vibrant lemon flavor that is distinctive and shines through. And if you serve it with maize- and blue-colored chips, you've got Michigan's team colors invited to the party, as well!

Greek Spinach Dip

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, chopped fine
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
5 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 lemon
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
8 ounces mozzarella, shredded
5 ounces feta, divided
chips or crackers, for serving

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a flat 3-cup baking dish.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, salt, pepper and oregano; saute until the vegetables are translucent. Add the spinach; saute until wilted.

Zest the lemon, then juice it. Add the zest and juice to the spinach, then place the spinach mixture into a large mixing bowl.

Stir the yogurt, mozzarella, and 4 ounces of the feta into the spinach mixture; place the spinach into the prepared baking dish, then top with the remaining feta.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is starting to brown and the dip is bubbling. Serve hot, with chips or crackers.

Serves 4.

Plantain Chip & Black Bean Nachos for the San Diego State Game

Michigan's new coach, Brady Hoke, left San Diego State University this year for the honor of coaching in Ann Arbor and returning The University of Michigan to its former football glory.

And this weekend, Hoke's old team and his new team will be meeting at The Big House.

So, what to serve in honor of this occasion?

Nachos. Perfect game food, whether tailgating or watching with family and friends at home. Some Mexican influence, since San Diego is right at the border. And our opponent's team colors just happen to be yellow, black and scarlet.

So I used golden yellow plantain chips for the base instead of the traditional corn ones; they're lightly crispy and offer a unique and different flavor - almost slightly sour, with a hint of banana-ish familiarity peeking through the saltiness. I used refried black beans instead of pintos, and I tossed in chorizo and some fresh salsa for some vivid redness.

Nachos are easy to make, and always welcome at a football game - try these for a change!

San Diego State University at University of Michigan
Saturday, September 24 at Noon EDT
GO BLUE!!!


Plantain Chip & Black Bean Nachos

1/4 pound fresh chorizo
1 small yellow onion, chopped
half of an 8-ounce bag plantain chips
1 14-ounce can refried black beans
4 ounces Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup fresh salsa

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Brown the chorizo in a medium skillet, adding the onion when the sausage is almost done; cook for 3 minutes, just so that the onions aren't too raw.

Place the plantain chips into the bottom of a 9" pie pan. Top with the refried beans, then cover the beans with the chorizo mixture. Sprinkle the cheese over the top, and spread the salsa over the cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and the dish is bubbling a bit.

Serves 4-8, depending upon serving size.

Lenten Friday: 3-Ingredient Tomato Salsa Soup

After an unexpectedly long and stressful day last week, which came after several other long and stressful days, I arrived home one evening tempted to tear open a bag of potato chips but determined to treat myself with more respect than that and eat a proper dinner.

But I had little time, less inclination, and not too many ingredients at my disposal. What could I serve that would nourish me quickly?

Soup. I had a container of tomato-pepper soup, and it could serve as my base. It's okay on its own, though it kinda needs a bit of oomph-ing up. What to add to it ...?

Salsa. I still had fresh salsa in the refrigerator; that would be perfect! And then the final epiphany struck: I'd been saving some tortilla chip crumbs, knowing I could find a purpose for them in life. And this was it! Yay!!!

So I heated the soup and salsa, poured the soup into a bowl, placed the crumbs on top, and I enjoyed a warm, nourishing meal within maybe 5 minutes.

Cause I'm worth it ... :)

Tomato and Salsa Soup

1-1/2 cups roasted tomato and red pepper soup
1/2 cup fresh salsa
1/4 cup crushed tortilla chips

Heat the soup and the salsa in a small saucepan. Pour the soup into a bowl, and top with crushed chips.

Serves 1.