The Omelette Shoppe - Traverse City, MI

While I had some of my college friends visiting Traverse City this summer we decided to go out for breakfast one morning.  We went into downtown Traverse City and walked around until we found the The Omelette Shoppe, which looked tasty and didn't have a super long wait (which was surprising after we tasted the food!)  I started out with freshly squeezed orange juice... even the color is different!  Yum...

I ordered the West German omelet, not only because the name made me laugh but because it sounded amazing.  Ham, onions, and hash browns topped with cheese served with homemade toast. 

I have never had the hash browns in the omelet before, but it was really good!  I would go back here in a second, they had nice indoor and outdoor seating, and the staff was really friendly.  Also note that even if you do have a bit of a wait, they will call your phone so you can walk around and shop while you wait.  Very clever and convenient!

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Near my parents house in Traverse City there is a group of historic buildings that used to be a hospital and asylum.  It is a huge area that back in the day seemed like it's own little city.  They had their own farm, their own source eletricity, even one building entirely dedicated to peeling potatoes.  Pretty impressive!  Now it's been restored into restaurants, cafes, condos and shops.  Before I left Traverse City I wanted to take a walk around, so one sunny day that's just what my Mom and I did.  

First stop was Pleasanton Bakery, where they make all of their baked goods in a brick oven. 

Many choices available it was tough to pick one! 

We decided to share a gingersnap cookie, it was amazing!  They offer really great stuff and a large variety.  Breads, cookies, pies, you name it!  They also have baking classes.  If you're in the area make sure you check them out.  The people are uber-friendly too, which always makes the experience that much better. 

Next we decided to walk around on the bottom floor of some of the buildings.  There are shops and restaurants in abundance.  They also have pieces of the building's history lining the hallways.  

I was really impressed with how nice and cute the inside was! 

This is one of the buildings that they have turned into condos. 

Last stop was the Underground Cheesecake Company.  I had already tried some of their cheesecakes, so we opted for lunch which was just as good.  I had to take some pictures of how great their cheesecakes look though.

They were tough to turn down.  Next time I'm going crazy ;)

If you're in the Traverse City area make sure you stop by the Village, and check out their website here.  In addition to shopping and great food they have a variety of events going on that you don't want to miss. 

Wordless Wednesday (w/ 3 words)

Fishing with Dad. 

Giovanni's Roadhouse - Traverse City, MI

It took my parents and I a little bit to find this place, but we were lucky we did.  My Mom had driven by Giovanni's and thought it looked good so we were on a mission!  It's a quaint restaurant, but in my experience those usually end up being the best.  I started with the caesar salad, it was creamy with homemade croutons.  Yum! 

My Dad tried the soup of the day.  Add a little crackers and what a perfect way to start out dinner.

My Mom and I shared their pasta special.  Pumpkin, mushroom tortellini with goat cheese and almonds.  It came in a light creamy sauce.  It was really tasty, and I was a little sad I split it because I could have eaten it all up by myself.  Then again.. it made sure I had room for dessert.

All three of us split two desserts, the carrot cake.  The cake had coconut shavings on top of the frosting which was interesting and very delicious.

And at the request of my Dad, we had to try the ice cream brownie sundae.  

Our whole meal was really great.  It's a low key place with really good food, can't go wrong with that.  See you back here tomorrow. 

Simply Cupcakes - Traverse City, MI

Now that you've seen my vacation pictures, part 1, part 2, part 3, and finally part 4; you know what a great time we had.  It's become a tradition now that every year we have one big birthday party for all of us, since we're not usually together for our birthdays.  This year, instead of a big cake we thought cupcakes could be cute, and ventured to Simply Cupcakes to help us out.  They had great customer service and really delivered.  Melted white chocolate into each of our names was super cute!

We tried all the flavors they offered, and weren't disappointed in any!  I had the strawberry.

C got the chocolate peanut butter one, which I think was my favorite.  All were so tasty though, and the people at Simply Cupcakes were great.  I think we'll be back next year too!  If you're looking for a tasty cupcake treat in Traverse City, Simply Cupcakes will not disappoint. 

Wordless Wednesday

Recipe for Vacation Part IV

Win a wiener at a baseball game.

Laugh your butt off doing weird things like milking a fake cow.

Successfully take a group picture with everyone looking at the camera. Which leads to a random group dancing session on the lawn.

Tell "spooky stories" by the campfire.  

Have a campfire that is still blazing the next morning. (No joke, thank you boyscout John.) Only in 'Merica.

It was such a great vacation, glad I was able to share the pictures with you.  Counting down the days until next year already :)

MOOmers - Traverse City, MI

We recently found out that one of the best ice cream spots happens to be very close to where we stay in Traverse City.  We decided to try MOOmers one night on vacation, and in a way I wish I hadn't.  Ice cream will never be the same, nor will waffle cones.  Nothing else will measure up, my taste buds have been spoiled and now ruined.  I highly recommend it though, it's so worth it!!!  Plus, they have these cute little kid creations, which Ms V loved!

I ordered a regular waffle cone with two flavors, and to be honest I don't remember what I chose.  I think one was vanilla chocolate chip, but the other has slipped my mind.  We've been back a few times and the flavors change a lot!  To sum up though: no matter what flavor you get, you'll like it.

When was the last time you had a banana split?  

This one deserved two pictures.  Looks so amazing!

I can't get enough of MOOmers and am glad it's so close!  If you're ever in the Traverse City area you'll notice a lot of restaurants and shops that serve MOOmer's ice cream; but please make the trek out to the original store, that's where all their flavors will be displayed.  Plus the scenery is pretty interesting too.

Happy Monday!

Recipe for Vacation Part III

Double duty: Find a great hat and giggle with old friends while doing so.

Play games and yell at the other team who obviously cheated. 

Get kicked out of playing games because you've had too much to drink and are doing more harm than good.

Share a banana split with your Mom.

Wine taste, wine taste, wine taste.

Recipe for Vacation Part II

Lay in a hammock.

Get some kind of tour or lesson from Mawwk.

Stop watching TV and watch the sunset.

 Catch some fish.

Eat a smore, in the messiest way possible.

Happy Monday! 

Recipe for Vacation Part I

Play in the sand. 

Eat a turkey dinner on the deck.

Learn how to drive a pontoon, and how to lay on the horn.

Float at the sandbar.

Take an afternoon nap.

More vacation recipes to come!  

Dish Cafe & Ambrosia Gelato - Traverse City, MI

Before all the visitors arrived in Traverse City my Mom and I had a day to run errands, get groceries and spend some time together before the craziness began!  We took some time out from running around to have lunch in downtown Traverse City.  I had heard great things about Dish Cafe, so that's where we ended up.  They are known to have all natural ingredients in their food and specifically their great smoothies.  Smoothies would have to wait for the next visit, we both ordered soup and sandwiches this time.  First cane the tomato curry soup, which was so delicious!

For my half of sandwich I had the smoked turkey which came with tomatoes, avocado, cheese and honey mustard.  And a pickle side of course!  I really liked the lunch selection at the cafe, and will hopefully be back soon to try more of their menu and the famous smoothies.

On our way back to the car we walked by Ambrosia gelato, and it twisted our arms and we had to stop!  They had a lot of flavors and my mom ordered the cherry gelato.  While in Traverse City you have to get your fill of cherries!  

I ordered the salted caramel.  It was so tasty!  I loved the little chocolate A's they put on top of each scoop. This place was really new, when we went it they had only been open for two weeks, so make sure if you're in the area you try them out and help support new businesses in the area!