Frugal Floozie Friday - Cafe Ambrosia

On one of our recent wretchedly hot days, I stopped by Cafe Ambrosia for an iced tea to take with me as I continued on my afternoon of appointments and errands.  Just as I was walking up to the door, a very nice gentleman passed by and told me, "They make great coffee there."  He smiled as he walked away.  Unfortunately, the temperature was hovering 'round 100 and I don't like iced coffee, so I'll have to take this suggestion some time when it's merely summery rather than sweltering.  But it was sweet of him to make the recommendation.

Once I found myself in the blissfully cool shop, I found that not only was the iced tea properly brewed (rather than the instant "tea" that is often served in restaurants), but I was also able to stay within my mandatory $5 budget and buy an utterly decadent chocolate-almond croissant to go with my drink. Sugar and chocolate are good, even when it's hot out. Thus, Cafe Ambrosia meets all the criteria to be today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature!

When I do go back for that cup of great coffee, I'll happily be able to splurge on another treat to go with it  and still not have to spend a fortune; coffees - from a basic house cup to specialty drinks - range in price from $1.25 to $4.50.  Chai and cocoa are also available within the same price range.

Baked goods are provided by the Pastry Peddler Bakery and are lovingly made by Kathryn Loy, a graduate of the French Pastry School in Chicago. My flaky, crumbly, perfect croissant - authentically made in the French manner with sticks of chocolate rather than chips - cost a mere $3.25, an extraordinary price for such an exceptional item.  Palmiers and oatmeal raisin cookies cost only a $1 each; and other sweet treats - from pecan sticky buns to almond croissants - are less than $4.

So whether you're looking for a hot drink or a cold one, be sure to stop by Cafe Ambrosia to find what you need.  And don't pass up the pastries ... they are utterly sublime!

Cafe Ambrosia
326 Maynard
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.



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Orange Pomegranate Iced Tea

It's Memorial Day - a time to honor those who have died in service to our country.  Traditionally, parades and events at historic sites take place, followed by picnics and barbecues.  Please don't forget the sacrifices that were made, which are being commemorated today, in the midst of planning for the food and fun later on.

A great drink to serve along with your holiday dishes is iced tea - a classic.  But why serve just plain ol' tea when you can spiff it up a bit?

Although I'm noted for my sweet tooth (teeth!), I have to say that I'm not a fan of the sweet tea that is so popular in the South.  It's just too, too much for me.  I'd rather plain tea, or sometimes I add just a spritz of juice from a lemon wedge.

So this citrusy tea - with hints of spice and a touch of tartness from the pomegranate molasses - will be perfect today and throughout the summer.  Make a pitcher of it, and enjoy!


Orange Pomegranate Iced Tea

4 Constant Comment tea bags
2 orange spice tea bags
12 cups boiling water
1/4 cup sugar
4 ounces pomegranate molasses (available at Middle Eastern markets)

Place the tea bags into a pitcher; pour boiling water into the pitcher and let the tea bags steep for 10 minutes.  Remove tea bags, then stir in sugar and pomegranate molasses.  Refrigerate until cold, then serve over ice.

Makes 12 cups.

Frugal Floozie Friday - My Favorite Cafe

I was in Saline recently with Jeremy, on a day that involved a lot of schlepping here, there and everywhere.  By late afternoon, we were in need of refreshment and sustenance.  And so we stopped by today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature: My Favorite Cafe, on a side street in the quaint downtown area.

I just needed an iced tea, which was bright and cold and wonderful.  Jeremy wanted a little something to eat, and it was difficult to resist the inexpensive Sandwich Special posted on the chalkboard.  The Turkey Club was generously portioned, and served with both potato chips and a pickle.  It would be a great deal to split, followed perhaps by a $2 single scoop of Michigan's own Guernsey Farms Dairy ice cream, but it was also a great lunch that didn't even exceed our frugal monetary limit when serving only one hungry person.

There are so many treats at the cafe that meet our mandatory budget of $5 or less per person!  Beautiful, tempting baked goods range in price from $3-3.75, and you can choose from chocolate or carrot cakes, lemon bars, tiramisu, cheesecake, and more.  Quiche is available for $3.95 per slice, and an espresso sundae costs the same amount.  Breakfast bagels are available anytime for $3 or less, and there is a wide variety of sandwiches to choose from beyond what's offered on the $5 menu; there are even kid-friendly grilled cheese and pb&j sandwiches for $3.50.  Many coffee and tea drinks are available, as well as milkshakes; all of these cost less than $5, and many are even under $3.

So whether you come in for breakfast, for your caffeine fix, for a light lunch, for "coffice"-ing, to hang out with friends, or to satisfy your sweet tooth, My Favorite Cafe - which is bright, welcoming, and friendly - will definitely become one of your favorite places!

My Favorite Cafe
107 South Ann Arbor St.
Saline, MI 48176
734-944-4054


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