MTTT - Bennucci's & Charlie Fosters

M's Thirsty Third Thurday for October was held at Bennucci's, which is a Chicago-style Italian restaurant. I have been there a couple times and have always had a good meal. Their ravioli is to die for and on Wednesday's they have a spaghetti special for $3.00 which is the best deal in town.

We had a good crowd at Bennucci's. A couple people had the ravioli and really liked it. John and I shared a deep-dish pizza, which was very good. Cheryl had one of their pasta specials.

Unfortunately, they gave us a new waitress but she did do a good job. And it certainly wasn't her fault that their computer died when she was attempting to cash us out.

A few weeks ago, the MTTT crew stopped at Charlie Foster's. I understand that Charlie Fosters Bar & Grill's use of peppedews, a new, trendy South African pepper, shows the three-month-old restaurant is ready to be a creative culinary player in Kalamazoo.

Never mind that most people have never heard of peppedews. Although the former fine-dining restaurant has been transformed into a sports bar, one can still find eclectic fare there.

The barbecue sauce sounded so good that I ordered The Charlie Foster ($7.95), smothered pulled pork with the barbecue sauce and coleslaw in the sandwich. The sauce was sweet and tangy and effectively pulled all the sandwich elements together. Cheryl had a chicken panini and said it was delicious. Both Kenn and Shannon opted for salads and they were not disappointed.

MTTT - Craftsman Chop House

The September MTTT (M's Thirsty Third Thursday) was a little off schedule due to the planner extraordinaire being in Germany for two weeks in September. We actually held the MTFT (Fourth Thursday) back on September 25 at Craftsman Chop House.

Cheryl and Gary

This actually is one of my favorite places to stop in to have a drink and have a dinner. It is impressive all the way around, from decor, to steaks, chops and seafood to the attention owners give to patrons. Decor resembles the Craftsman style associated with Frank Lloyd Wright. They normally serve the house-made potato chips, but now that I think about, we were not served them for some reason.

Liz, Kenn, Pam

We quickly discovered that on Thursday's they have all drafts at $2.50 and a prime-rib dinner special for $8.99. Talk about a deal. I had two beers, a martini (drink of the month for $2.50), and prime rib all for under $17.00! Cheryl and Liz also had the same dinner. It was a delicious cut of prime rib. Poor Girts had two Bombay Sapphire Gin drinks and this came to $16 alone.

Gary, Maddy, Girts

I know I'll be back since it is such a cool place, close to my office, and a smart place to hang out when you are by yourself.

MTTT - Bell's Brewery - 4th Anniversary

I can't believe four years have passed since I started organizing the M Thirsty Third Thursday events. As is our tradition, the MTTT'ers gather at Bell's Brewery where it all began in August 2004.

This month though it was a little bitter-sweet because we were saying goodbye to two co-workers - Krista & Kit.

Bell's Brewery is based in Kalamazoo and has a nation-wide following. One of their most popular and publized beer is Oberon Ale. I'm going to try to pack an Oberon and hopefully it will make it on the long journery to Germany next week. Our local paper, the Kalamazoo Gazette, has a special blog called KalamaBrew, which features the local breweries and photos of their products taken throughout the world. I will let you know if my photo makes it on their blog.

I also personally like their Amber Ale. The Ecletic Cafe' offers up great sandwiches. Their BBQ pulled pork is one of the best in the area.

As always, we had a great time at Bell's; although my drive home was eventful when a cop pulled me over for running a red light. I'm still not convinced the light was totally red, but I certainly wasn't going to argue with her. I was totally bummed. This was my first traffic violation ever! Not bad for someone who has driven for over 30 years.

MTTT - Fieldstone Grill

The gang of M's Thirsty Third Thursday decided no matter how hot it was, we were going to sit outside. Since summer here in SW Michigan is usually only three or four months, we try to take advantage of every warm day. Well warm it was - like near 90 degrees on Thursday.

Luckily the Fieldstone Grill has a covered patio area and it was just lovely sitting outside. Lots of alumnae showed up - Randy & Peat, Bob, Megan, and Bert. Plus Gary brought his family and Megan's fiance', Chris, also came along.

The eclectic menu is very impressive at the Fieldstone Grill, which is part of the Millennium Restaurant Group. The decor is among the best Southwest Michigan has to offer, and the outdoor patio offers a view of a beautiful marsh. And whether one puts down a bunch of cash or spends light on a pizza or hamburger, one is bound to get an unusual twist on the average. There is also an excellent take-out menu and house-made desserts.

John, Cheryl & I had the hamburgers. They were so huge, I could only eat half of mine. Megan & Liz both had nachos. Randy & Maddy split the calamari and Kristen had the Caprese salad. Bert took a chicken dinner to go. Everyone else just enjoyed their drinks and the good company.

The Fieldstone is one of my favorite places. I stop here when I have an hour or so to kill after work. The bar inside is very nice and classy and I fell comfortable sitting there by myself. If you haven't been to the Fieldstone, be sure to check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Check out the rest of my photos below:

More Photos From O'Shea's

Liz & JoseCheryl & Liz

Me & Bob
Kenn & Girts

MTTT - O'Sheas Pub

The M Thirsty Third Thursday gang visited O'Sheas Pub last week. O'Shea's opened this spring in the former Saladays location. Long salad counters have been replaced by handsome polished bars. Bright yellow walls have been painted over with mauve and chocolate hues.

O'Sheas prepares exceptional hamburgers. The burgers sit up tall, about six inches above the plate, on homemade buns that are plump and toasted. The thick ground Angus beef patty inside is fresh and cooked to a person's taste.

I especially liked the Loaded Dublin. Onion rings dipped by hand in batter laced with Guinness Stout were neatly tucked inside the sandwich along with mushrooms, bacon and provolone cheese. The Irish glaze was made from a reduction of Guinness that was sweetened with honey.

Cheryl also like her burger. Liz was disappointed that they had ran out of potato skins. So she opted for cheesy potato soup and a french dip. Her boyfriend, Jose, had the fish & chips and commented that they were very good. Girts just had the onion rings and they were delicious.

The pub had a huge selection of beer on tap. And the 16oz glasses were only $3.00. I will probably go back but only if I'm on the west side of Kalamazoo near the restaurant. It was over a 35 minute drive from the office to O'Sheas and the traffic was horrible. But this is probably due to the fact that nearly every other road in Kalamazoo is closed for road repair.

MTTT - Main Street Pub

What a beautiful Thursday night. M's Thirsty Third Thursday gang met at the new Main Street Pub on S. Westnedge. We started out inside in the circular room called the "the barrel" but it was way too warm in there. We asked if we could sit outside and if we could have our same waitress. They were happy to oblige.

After we moved to the patio, we enjoyed the warm spring evening. The service was fine and so was the food, which was familiar fare at comfortable prices. I ordered a gyro sandwich and Liz had the potato skins.

The waitress told me the The Bourbon Salmon is especially popular, as are the hamburgers. The extensive menu also includes pastas, salads, Mexican dishes and some homestyle favorites like meatloaf and pot roast.

We chose the Main Street Pub because they have a good reputation and because this new one was the first freestanding Main Street Pub in greater Kalamazoo.

During the dinner, our server was helpful and especially attentive. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was just a wonderful time sitting outdoors for the first time in 2008!

MTTT - O'Duffy's

The M Thirsty Third Thursday gang celebrated St. Patrick's Day a little bit late, but better late than never is my motto.

About a dozen of us gathered to celebrate the various holidays this week, plus to congratulate Maddy on her upcoming retirement, which we now refer to as her graduation. Maddy has been at the company for nearly 30 years and has been involved in nearly aspect of the business. You couldn't ask for better, loyal employee than Maddy. The stories she could tell always had me in stitches. She will definitely be missed. Another bigger party will be held later in April for both her and her husband Randy (co-founder and Chairman of the Board), who is also retiring on March 31.

I love O'Duffy's. It is one of the coolest "neighborhood" bars in town. But it is so expensive. My tab with tip was nearly $40 and this was for a hamburger, a beer, and a couple glasses of wine. They also had a band there called "Who Hit John?" Kristen and I thought this was especially funny and immediately text messaged one of our VP's of Sales, whose name just happens to be John. He got a kick out of it once he figured out what we were talking about.

To see more photos, click on this link:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=4wl3f2j.780bnvjr&Uy=-3of131&Ux=0

I just had the best time that night and was glad we got together. Until April 17 . . .

MTTT- O'Duffy's

Mark this date: March 22 - Pam wore sandles for the first time in Michigan in 2007. Spring is here!

March’s MTTT was held at O’Duffy’s Pub, Kalamazoo’s True Irish Bar, on March 15. We dubbed it “Saint Practice Day”. Another great turnout with nearly 20 of us taking over half the pub. Our sales managers were in town so they joined this lively drinking group. Plus a few newbies showed up. Since there are no TV’s in this pub to watch the NCAA basketball games, a small contingent headed to Wayside West later that night. As many know because I’m pretty vocal about it, I loathe Wayside, but they twisted my arm and I swallowed my pride and made an appearance. Luckily, the place was not that busy so the clientele wasn’t the normal college-age, drunken idiots that normally frequent this place. We played pool and had some good laughs. Luckily I had Friday off, which was a blessing since it was pretty late night.

Pam, John, & Bob

O’Duffy’s is an often overlooked Kalamazoo pub. It is located in an old residential neighborhood near old Central High School. The owners, Jamie and his wife, have created a nice establishment. O’Duffy’s is on the main floor and Cosmos Cucina is upstairs and is the main dining area.

With Saint Patrick’s Day just around the corner, the pub had a wonderful Irish Stew, which was very popular and delicious. Plus, of course, Guinness and Harps on tap.

Did you know there is a little-known art to pouring a pint of Guinness? While most bars transformed into madhouses full of green-clad patrons on Saturday for Saint Patrick's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to ease the foot off the pedal and take a careful look at one of Ireland's most famous exports.

If you prefer a green-dyed domestic beer, you may not have the patience to wait for the perfect Guinness, but to discerning beer drinkers -- or beer snobs, as those watery-beer-drinkers may call them -- there is a point to the proper pour. Few local bars follow the guidelines and fewer did it Saturday as I’m sure elbow-to-elbow patrons barked for drinks, but on Saint Patrick's Day it seems only proper to enjoy a pint as it was intended.

The best is O'Duffy's Pub where head bartender Amy Steger employs a rare three-stage pour and tops it off by drawing a shamrock in the head. Most bars pour Guinness all at once, and some will take two pours to finish the pint as recommended by Guinness. O'Duffy's was recently given the "gold standard award'' by Guinness for its delicate pour. When it’s done right, the rich smooth flavor of Guinness will be brought out.

Check out all my O'Duffy photos at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=4wl3f2j.665tcwv&Uy=-4fucz3&Ux=0

The April MTTT will be April 19 at an undetermined location. I’m open for any and all suggestions.

MTTT - Thirsty Third Thursday - Damon's

February's MTTT was held at Damon's Grill. Damon's has been around Kalamazoo for over 15 years and is probably the one of the best places for ribs and pulled pork sandwiches.

Sadly, Steve Montayne is selling the building (very hot intersection) and they are tearing it down to build a strip mall this spring. He said they will have small "Subway" type Damon's in the new strip mall for people to pick up ribs and BBQ. He is also refurbishing an old restaurant on the west-side of Kalamazoo and turning it into a Texas Corral. How many Texas-type places does this town need?? I personally don't care for these loud, obnoxious places so I highly doubt I will be frequenting it. I have always like Damon's and will miss it.

What a great turn-out for MTTT. Nearly 20+ people showed up. Fortunately, we had a large group of employees visiting this week from our other locations. Jillian was here from Tampa, Gina from Las Vegas, Jane from Indianapolis, Dave from Seattle, Larry from Raleigh, Walt from Chattanooga, and Catherine from Austin. Plus, of course, our regulars.

Me, Girts and Lindsey

I had my favorite sandwich - BBQ Pulled Pork. As always, it was perfect. Although, I was disappointed that Damon's discontinued their onion straws so I had to go with fries. I started the evening off with my favorite beer - Blue Moon. But after one glass (it is a very heavy Belgium beer) moved to their raspberry margaritas.

It was evening of laughs. Most notably, the group visiting us had asked me to set them up separately for dinner so they could talk shop. I told the waitress that at 7pm I needed a reservation for nine in the dining room. We were in the "clubhouse" area. The group settled up their bill around 7pm and everyone followed each other to the dining room. Seconds later, the hostess brought them back into the clubhouse and sat them at the table next to us. It was probably one of those things you had to be there, but those of us sitting at our table had never laughed so hard. I was tears and am still laughing as I type this.

Next month's MTTT is our Annual St. Patrick's Celebration at O'Duffy's on March 15.

Check out my photos at:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=4wl3f2j.d4bzd73&Uy=-d27vuh&Ux=0