Retired in Ann Arbor: Valentine's Day at GLCC

 Want to make someone feel special?  Great Lakes Chocolate and Coffee can help you look like you sweated the details.   Fantastic chocolate and the sweetest little flower arrangements, starting at $10.

You can find Great Lakes at 2891 Jackson Road, between Stadium and Wagner, just across from the entrance to I-94.

Retired in Ann Arbor: Amadeus

Beethoven anyone?

 Last weekend we headed to Amadeus for dinner with some of our friends.






It is a perfect winter destination, with cozy European decor, and pianist playing classical music.  We particularly love the chicken paprykash, as well as everything on the Polish plate.




And if you're ever going to have dessert, this is the place.  I had some remorse that I didn't order the Napoleon-- as it was particularly beautiful and delicious!

Parking is easy in the Washington Street deck across the street.

This restaurant has been family-owned and operated for 20 years.  The building dates from 1876, and provides the perfect backdrop for their Polish and Hungarian food.

Retired in Ann Arbor: Folk music festival

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is head to The Ark, to get out of the house and away from the TV!  This year, we kicked the year off right by going to the Ann Arbor Folk Music festival at Hill Auditorium.  This is like seeing 6 or 7 mini-concerts of some fairly diverse music over one evening, and also serves as a fund raiser for The Ark.  Unfortunately, it only happens once a year at the end of January-- but if you missed it this year, you can still see quality performances at The Ark home, at 316 S. Main Street.

If you have never been to The Ark, you are missing an experience that you won't find anywhere else.  They offer live music over 300 nights a year, that mainly falls in the large categories of folk or roots acoustic music.  The Ark is an intimate club-- where you can experience live music, close up and personal.

Check out the February calendar to see the huge selection, from jam band, pop, folk and bluegrass, to comedy and storytelling.  On a budget?  Check out the "take a chance Tuesday" for free!

What a great way to spend an evening.