الأربعاء، 9 أبريل 2014

Enjoy Great Food With Michigan Restaurants

By Anita Ortega


Known for its lakes, beaches, forests and freezing winters, the Mitten State is often associated with people who love the great outdoors. The state is also popular among sports enthusiasts. What not many people realize is that foodies will have plenty to rave about too when they visit, with plenty of excellent Michigan restaurants that show off the tastes of the region.

The Midwestern state of Michigan lies in the Great Lakes region. Two peninsulas form its surface area and it's the lower one of these that inspired the nickname, the Mitten State, because of its distinctive shape. Lansing is the capital but by far the largest city here is Detroit. Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are important cities too.

With its lakes and fertile soils, the Mitten State is a prime agricultural region. The variety of crops grown here is astounding, with cherries, berries, apples, beans and beets just some of them. Fish is plentiful in the waterways and livestock farming is an important industry too. Pork products, poultry and dairy are among the most popular animal products produced here.

Michiganders are a diverse people. People have settled here from all over Europe, including Germany, Poland, Ireland, Britain, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Italy. African and Hispanic Americans make up a sizable portion of the population too. The factories of Michigan have also attracted many people of Middle Eastern, Hmong and Japanese descent.

The different people who settled in the area brought their culinary traditions with them, such as the pasties of the Upper Peninsula, brought to the region by miners from the Cornwall region in England. The existing traditions were combined with the plentiful produce available to create unique regional specialties. For example, Michiganders won't settle for a plain old chicken salad if they can add cherries to it. Mackinac Island is the place to go for the most delicious fudge and throughout the state you'll find wineries and breweries for quenching your thirst.

The harvest seasons for the different products are the perfect excuse for food festivals. Not a month goes by without a mushroom, asparagus, cherry, strawberry or other festival somewhere in the state. Moreover, the local cuisine is celebrated with restaurant weeks in cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor.

While Traverse City is the current foodie hot spot, no self-respecting food lover should visit without checking out the Detroit dining scene. Down-to-earth specialties in the city include the Coney Island hot dog and Detroit-style deep-dish pizza. Expand your horizons in ethnic neighborhoods such as Greektown or the Polish suburb of Hamtramck and if you prefer fine dining, you have plenty of options. There are more than 130 restaurants just in the downtown area.

The one problem with a gourmet paradise is that there is so much choice that you may not know where to start. One way to get introduced to the delights of the Mitten State is to take a food tour. Otherwise, simply check the suggestions on food websites, consult the local listings, ask Michiganders for recommendations or follow the kitchen smells as you stroll along the sidewalks.




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