Grand Rapids, MI~Marie Catribs

I'm glad that I checked out this restaurant while I was traveling.  Marie Catrib's is one of those restaurants that Mike would be hesistant to step foot in.  Mike tends to shy away from restaurants serving "vegetarian," "gluten-free," and "vegan."  But he may have given this restaurant a chance because they also serve hamburgers and other kinds of meats. 

Sweet potato  and quinoa burger. The "burger" is filled with sweet potato, quinoa, onions, almonds, cumin, and other spices. I am not sure if it was the additional vegannaise and the tomato-ginger chutney that made this sandwich delicious, of it was the creative combination of the ingredients of the swee potato burger. I want to attempt to recreate this burger at home. I've never had a vegetarian burger that contained the sweetness and dense texture of sweet potatoes, with the interesting texture of chopped almonds. 

Falafel with homemade hummus and tabouli. I ordered this thinking that I would be able to sample some of the salads that Marie Catrib's offers.  I think that the falafel fell inthe shadow fo the sweet potato burger.  If I had only ordered the falafel, then I would have thought it was a yummy falafel (although I've had better in Australia). 

Marie's Seasoned Potatoes-These are supposed to be famous potatoes, but I thought the flavors of the sweet potato burger and the falafel but these potatoes to shame. 

I really enjoyed this place. It's kind of eclectic and had a Berkeley feel to it. It would neat to own a restaurant similar to this hippie-type of place. But then agian, I'd feel like a poser if I owned this kind of restaurant. 

Marie Catribs

1001-1003 Lake Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-4020

Grand Rapids, MI~Grand Traverse Pie Company

This week I'm back in Grand Rapids, Michigan for some work travel.  Here's one of my favorite places to eat in the city, the Grand Traverse Pie Company.

The Grand Traverse Pie company is known for their homemade pies. (well, with pie in the restaurant's name, one would think they better have some decent pies). There's over 15 different pie choices each day.  If I end up traveling to Michigan more often, I might do a post reviewing all the different flavors. :P

Gourmet Chicken Salad- Chicken salad mixed with roasted pecans and Michigan dried cherries.  Cherry Chicken Salad-romaine and spring salad, garlic chicken breast, tomatoes, cucumbers, Parmesan cheese, dried cherries, and croutons. The sandwiches, soups, and salads are pretty tasty too!

Pie is not one of my favorite desserts, but I really enjoyed this mountain berry pie. Actually, I really enjoy any pie with that crispy butter crumble topping.  The Lakeshore berry pie consists of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and apples. I also enjoy their ABC Crumb Pie with apples, bluberries, and cherries.

Grand Traverse Pie Company

Multiple Locations in Michigan