Ann Arbor Restaurants

Pacific Rim offers Asian fusion food at 114 W Liberty. As I’ve stated earlier, adding the word Fusion to your title increases prices by at least 50%. Adding the word Teriyaki, Joint, or Chinese can lower prices significantly.

The food here was unique and tasty, and the decor mixed the ambience of Tokyo and Ann Arbor.

Service was snooty. I ordered an Oberon. Here’s what happened next,
Server: Would you like an orange with the Oberon?
Me: I don’t care. No.
Server returns and says: I forgot, did you want an orange with the Oberon?
Me: No
Beer arrives from a different server with an orange wedge.
Original server runs over to the table and says: “I told them not to put an orange”
Then a guy pops up from behind me and steals the orange slice. I think he said “yoink” as he takes the orange.

Kai Garden is next to my office so I end up there on occassion. It’s cheap for Main Street, has large portions, and is quick.

They also have a fish tank. For some reason I have thoughts of them reaching in the fish tank and picking out something to cook. Just thoughts though.

I love the Blue Nile. They offer shared style eating. A plate with about 8 different types of vegetables or meat is placed in the center of the table. Then bread called injera is used to eat. Their website states, “people who eat from the same plate and break bread together will create a bond of friendship and personal loyalty.” I would agree.

Location: 221 E. Washington Street

Panchero’s: another chain burrito place. Tastes pretty good, cheap, nothing special. I’ll eat there again if I’m in a pinch.

Location: 1208 S University Ave

Good Time Charley’s is located in the heart of the campus and is famous for 21st birthdays and its wide assortment of drinks. Their food menu has improved dramatically and the pizza sticks are awesome, especially with beer. Their prices have increased over time as they used to have $3.50 beer pitchers only a few years ago.

Location: 1140 S University Ave

Shalimar: Indian restaurant, 307 S Main St

I ate at Shalimar with my parents during the Ann Arbor art fair. We split 2 lunch specials between the 3 of us, and it was plenty. Great food, great service, and a nice assortment of different dishes. They don’t have a lunch buffet, but the lunch specials make up for this.

The Crazy Wisdom Tearoom is located just south of Huron on Main Street. I’ve walked by several times, looking up at the 2nd floor shop, and finally decided to try it out.

Inside is a peaceful setting with a friendly barista (is it called barista in the tea world?) He was able to pour tea, make quiche, and deal with a crazy lady all at the same time. Great place!

The name Vinology sounds a bit snooty, so I didn’t have a great first impression of this place. Then one day I went to an event catered by Vinology, and I was hooked, scarfing down half of the buffet line (a skill I learned to do discretely while in business school).

Since then I’ve been back a few times, including their happy hour with $3 drinks from 4-6pm and $5 sliders.

Blue Tractor, on 205 E Washington, is a brewpub. Good food, good beer. I didn’t see any tractors. They also operate Cafe Habana next door.

Siam Cuisine is located in a charming house in KerryTown. I had noodles in peanut sauce (can’t remember the name) and it tasted great. One notable thing during the meal is the teenage girl next to me complaining to her mother. For some reason, when teenagers enter my presence, they have the desire to whine to their mothers. Anyway, this place was great and I’d like to go back.

Location: 313 Braun Ct