(WZZM) - We in the WZZM Information Center are a pretty simple lot. We eat out a lot on the fly or have carry-out or pizza (or doughnuts) brought in fairly frequently.
So, when Restaurant Week released the menus for this year's event, we decided to let our intern Liza Parsons take a look at all 51 menus and make some selections for us. Here's what she came up with:
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I like to eat. I am the type of person who will pretty much try anything once, Some of the more unusual things I have tried are Shark, Ostrich and Kudu and I was suprised at how good it tasted. In the newsroom today we discussed the upcoming Restaurant Week GR, where several local restaurants are participating with select 2-course or 3-course menu items at a special price to bring in new customers.
I was assigned with the task of finding the top 5 weird/unusual items from these restaurants. I logged onto www.experiencegr.com , and was directed to 51 restaurants listed in alphabetical order. With a few clicks of the mouse, I was able to view the special menu for each participating location.
Here are my top picks for each category.
TOP 5 APPETIZERS
Amore Trattoria:Russa-roasted locally grown heirloom beets, potatoes, carrots, red onions, sweet corn and peas tossed with spicy pink dressing.
Marn E Walkers:Georgia Geek Soup-potatoes, Leeks,Sobie meats Bacon & Chicken, fresh local cream.
McFaddens: Great Lake Dip Trio-Smoked Coho Salmon, Harrieta HIlls Trout, Lake Superior Whitefish dips, with toasted pita chips and local vegetable crudite.
Monkey Bar: Chilled watermelon champagne soup, Honeydew and Mint Relish, Creme Fraiche.
Republic: Smoked Duck Rangoons.
TOP 5 MEALS
Bar Divani: Seared Pork Belly-Creswick farms pork belly, peach caramel, sour apple coleslaw.
Bar Divani: Paella mixta-Mussels, Clams, Rabbit, Lamb, Heirloom Tomato, Saffron.
Charley's Crab: Pecan Encrusted Great Lakes Whitefish topped with Apple Fennel Slaw; served with Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Gillys @ The BOB: Grilled Octopus-Michigan Whisky pri-pri sauce, hot-sweet & sticky nuts.
Marn E. Walkers: Our Award Winning Jambalaya- Sobie meats Ham hocks, Chicken, Andouille Sausage with Shrimp and Crawfish over Basmati rice(service for 2 only).
TOP 5 DESSERTS
Amore Trattoria: Tartufo-Hand rolled Chocolate Truffle with Toffee, Pop Rocks and Cayenne Pepper.
CitySen Lounge: C.W.M.- Chocolate Wine Milkshake with Michigan Raspberries.
J Bar: Pineapple Express-Local Artisan Spirits Rum soaked Pineapple, Orange-Rum-Chili Pepper-glaze, Palazzolo's Orange Pineapple Gelato GF.
Monkey Bar: French Toast-Nantuckets Artisan Bread soaked with Vanilla Custard, Michigan Maple Syrup, Fresh Cream, Local Berry Compote.
Spinnaker Restaurant: Palozzolo's Michigan Sweet Corn Sorbet.
Restaurant Week GR takes place August 15-25th, so get out there, try something new, and support local businesses.
If you see something on the menus that you think everyone should try, leave your comment in the Facebook comments below.