Geri Dietze | Author

Fingers Crossed for a New Era of Dining

July 22, 2023

When Garage Bar owner Bruce Viger finally decided to end his three-decade career in the restaurant business, it was hard on the legions of regulars who loved the Garage. But Viger’s exit was an opportunity for Detroit entrepreneur Dave Kwiatkowski, who already had nine eclectic, high … Read More >>

Draken, Kraken, and Nuts

July 8, 2023

An intrepid crew of sailors, aka Unsalted Nuts, left Port Townsend, Washington, on June 5 to compete in the Race to Alaska (R2AK), a grueling, dangerous, 750-mile run up the inside passage from Washington through British Columbia and Alaska.

The route is a labyrinth of islands with … Read More >>

Life is Just a Bowl of Tart Cherries

June 24, 2023

It seems that the whole world is catching on to the magic of tart cherries, both for their clean, fresh flavor and for their value as a nutritional powerhouse. Even Martha Stewart is singing the praises of this wonderful fruit. (We can’t help wondering about the collab possibilities: … Read More >>

Hidden Dragons in the Forest

June 17, 2023

Karl Rykert is a self-taught sculptor who was enjoying anonymity until he chose to carve a dragon’s head jutting out of the woods on a busy section of US-131 south of Boyne Falls, near the Charlevoix/Antrim county line. Drivers took notice, word spread on social media, and before he k… Read More >>

Dig This

June 3, 2023

 The Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City, with over 50 active members, is still going strong after a century.

The group enjoys an advantageous mix of skill sets: master gardeners trained in the science and art of gardening, enthusiastic novices, self-taught hobbyists, retiree… Read More >>

Introducing The Social

May 27, 2023

It’s tempting to call chef Eric Nittolo an overachiever, but perhaps he just channels his enormous energy and prodigious talents into doing what he loves and comes out the other side looking like a visionary.

If you know the name—and you probably do—you understand … Read More >>

Home Improvement, the Natural Way

April 29, 2023

What’s your style? Hip and earthy? Sophisticated and minimal? Current decorating trends are embracing natural materials, colors, and finishes, and they are finding their way into a variety of design styles. Because today, if it comes from terra firma, it’s cool. Below, read abou… Read More >>

Kingsley Inn Redux

April 15, 2023

Sometimes a name just sticks. Even after the Kingsley Inn was sold in 2020 and was briefly renamed the Judson Market and Restaurant, the place was still known to locals by its old name—or its nickname, KI, for short.

That name is back for good. Today, new owners Brian McAllist… Read More >>

Soup, the Universal Comfort Food

Feb. 11, 2023

Call it soup, sop, le potage, zuppa, or juha, among others, but they all mean the same thing: a big bowl of goodness. Northern Express has found seven standout soups from some of the region’s most popular eateries to fill you up and chase the February chills away.

Vi… Read More >>

The Beacon Beckons

Jan. 21, 2023

Searching for elevated comfort food? A menu that changes often enough to keep you coming back again and again? Petoskey’s Beacon Bistro fits the bill, thanks to the vision of owners Mark and Tawna Naturkas.

The Naturkas—she, a Mackinaw Island native, and he, a Detroiter … Read More >>

Resolution Dining: Vegetarian Dishes & Dry January Drinks in TC

Dec. 24, 2022

We all know the benefits of a plant-based diet—it’s good for us and good for the planet. But just how hard is it to make that transition to a new way of eating and experiencing food?

Thankfully, going vegetarian or vegan in Traverse City is getting easier and tastier all… Read More >>

Libby’s Downtown

Dec. 10, 2022

Libby Davis is a big part of the Cheboygan scene, and she’s come full circle from where she began; the original Libby’s Café, in operation until 2008, was right across the street from the new Libby’s Downtown. “I’m so excited to be back…for anothe… Read More >>

The Palette of the Pastry Artist

Nov. 26, 2022

Pastry chefs are wildly talented, serious about their art, and super busy this time of year. Northern Express talked to three baker-designers about craft, creativity, and business—though for the full experience, visiting each one is a must.

Ruthann’s Gourmet Ba… Read More >>

Never a Dull (Senior) Moment

Nov. 5, 2022

All people have one thing in common: We’re getting older day by day. Then again, Mick Jagger is 79 and still tours with that band of his…so clearly, this is not your grandfather’s retirement. While Jagger’s lifestyle may be anathema to the lives of most seniors, in … Read More >>

Fancy Feast

Oct. 15, 2022

There’s something special about autumn, when crisp days and nights lend themselves to cozy get-togethers. Cool-weather meals are substantial and worth lingering over, and changing colors create an enticing palette for decorating.

To help you get in the entertaining-indoor… Read More >>

The Perfect Pairing

Oct. 1, 2022

It all starts with the soil and the crops, and whether the result is a collection of award-winning vineyards or a dedicated cohort of sustainable farms and artisanal purveyors, the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula wine trails are a particularly fitting venue for fine dining. This is where… Read More >>

No More Wandering for This NOMAD.

Sept. 3, 2022

The Morrison family is on a winning streak. Their game? Some of the best food in the North, from waffles and omelets to ceviche and filets.

These are the folks who brought you Maple + Batter—the reimagining of the beloved Original Pancake House—just last year. Twins Phil… Read More >>

Retro Relaxation

Aug. 20, 2022

In the 1950s, when Americans were urged to “See the USA in your Chevrolet,” the typical roadside motel was a series of connected rooms, sometimes with a café and a swimming pool on-site. Over time, the interstate highway system diverted travelers away, and chains like Hol… Read More >>