The Camelot Dinner - Southern Exposure Herb Farm

It's been a while since we last made our trip to Southern Exposure Herb Farm. Last Fall, I visited this unique destination in the beautiful countryside of Calhoun County, Michigan, with my friends, Lynne, Jill, and Al - for an evening of "A Taste of Tuscany" specialty dining. We definitely fell in love with everything there. This past weekend, I joined Lynne and her girlhood friends for another wonderful dining experience by Southern Exposure Herb Farm, "The Camelot".

Here's what we had...
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Black Bean Soup with Sour Cream and Cilantro

Romaine and Endive Salad with Tangy Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

Roast Prime Rib au Poivre
Orange-dilled Carrots
Mashed Potatoes with Herbs and Parmesan

Optional Vegetarian Entree

Chocolate Pecan Supreme Pie with Caramel Sauce
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The setting was magical and inspiring. Dinner preparation was done with love and care. Food was delicious. And lastly, excellent service by great staff members really impressed me.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Being so far away from home and from my family in Thailand, I am so fortunate to be able to spend holidays with good friends, who are like a family to my son and I here in the US. Everyday, I am so thankful for those special friends of mine - for having them in my life, and for the time we spend together.

We has such a great time! Turkey was perfect, all the dishes were delicious, and desserts were wonderful. It was so much fun playing all those games after the meal, we had lots of good laugh. we definitely enjoyed spending time with good friends, and also getting to know new ones. Thanks Beth and Joe for opening your lovely home to us.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Ricotta Cheese

This is very delicious and easy to make appetizer for a party. You can use variety of cheese instead of ricotta per your preference -- blue cheese, goat cheese, or cream cheese -- all work well. I love the combination of the sweet date and salty bacon, it's quite addictive! I made this recipe for our Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone loved it.

What you need:

- 24 Medjool dates, pitted
- 12 slices bacon, cut in half crosswise
- 1/3 cup ricotta cheese
- 24 Wooden picks



Directions:

- Preheat oven to 400 degree F.
- Fill each date with ricotta cheese.
- Wrap stuffed dates with bacon slice, and secure with the wooden picks.
- Place all prepared dates on a rack within a sheet pan.
- Bake until bacon is crisp, about 15-20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Beggar's Banquet

We had a belated birthday celebration for Lynne, my die-hard foodie friend, last Sunday at one of our favorite eateries - Beggar's banquet, in East Lansing. Catching up with girlfriends and having spicy Bloody Mary was absolutely fun!

Fish Tacos Two soft tortillas stuffed with cajun dusted grilled tilapia, pico de gallo, and avocado lime aioli. Served on a bed of mixed green.

Seafood Linguine Jumbo tiger shrimp, scallop, baby spinach, pico de gallo and cream tossed with linguine and finished with Asiago cheese. (half order)

Gnocchi Potato gnocchi, sun-dried tomato, baby spinach, and mushrooms tossed in a sage brown butter cream sauce. (half order)


Beggar's Baquet:
218 Abbott Rd
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 351-4540

TGIF at Maru

Blushing Geisha

Land and Sea Tempura
Zucchini, sweet potato, mushroom, asparagus, onion, shrimp,
served with Maru dressing
Archer
Asparagus, mango, organic tofu, roasted red pepper, avocado,
served with Maru green goddess dressing

Green Turtle
Sprout, cucumber, avocado, tomato, organic spring mix, asparagus,
pickle gourd, in soy paper, served with Maru dressing
Diva
Eel, salmon skin, egg custard, avocado, cucumber, masago,
topped with baked spicy conch salad,
served with seaweed salad and eel sauce


Spent Friday evening with best friends enjoying delicious sushi creations and lovely cocktails at Maru Sushi & Grill. That's a way to get a great weekend started! Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

Western Ave. Bar & Grill

I went to this casual fine dining, located in scenic downtown Glen Arbor, MI, during our Sleeping Bear Dunes trip. Lynne, Beth, and I enjoyed our cocktails and light lunches on the outdoor patio -- while the guys finishing climbing the dune. It was delightful, and we had a nice meal.

Extra Spicy Bloody Mary - bloody mary with a kick!

Dirty Martini with Extra Olives

Warm Goat Cheese Salad
Lightly breaded montrachet cheese over a bed of spring and baby spinach, with crushed pecans and granny smith apples

Cold Platter Starter
Smoked salmon, jumbo shrimp, and whitefish pate


Western Ave. Bar & Grill:
Downtown Glen Arbor
6410 Western Ave.
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
(231) 334-3362

Sleeping Bear Dunes Trip

Here's my long overdue post. A Labor Day weekend recap of our getaway at the majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes on Lake Michigan.

We stayed in Empire, home to the Headquarters of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We were pretty much right next to the beautiful beach.

After settling in the first night, we were off to climb the dune the next morning.

After that we went to Glen Arbor for lunch and shopping. Then, we visited Historical Fishtown in Leland.

The next day, it was a gorgeous sunny morning so we went kayaking for a couple of hours along Crystal River, in Glen Arbor. Then, after the storm passed, we visited the Dune Overlook.

We also visited Lake Michigan Overlook. It was stunning!

Absolutely, one of my most favorite vacation spots -- right here in #PureMichigan. We'll be back!

Glen Arbor on Dwellable