Doug C. wrote:
>Anyone know the best restaurant in Lansing?
When I was there, I was a student so I couldn't afford "the best" if there was any such place!
For great, authentic Mexican food I went to Famous Taco (despite the name, it's not a chain or a clone) though I don't know if it's around any more. El Azteco in East Lansing was a popular student dive for Mexican food (also relocated). OTOH, forget about Italian food unless the situation has improved since I left.
I was there in October and ate at the place in the old train station on Michigan Ave (woman's name, begins with a "C".... "Christine's"? no, that's not it...). Cute atmosphere, food was decent, and across the side street is one of those microbrewery places.
Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!Michigan
Lansing, Michigan Suggestions
I've lived in Lansing for four years, and I like to eat. Suggestions: 1. Red Cedar Grill in Williamston. Yes, it's a bit of a drive (maybe 15 minutes if you take I96), but it is consistently strong -- a good representative of what is becoming "New American Pub Food", blackened this, Cajun that, seafood pastas, etc. I'm told it is owned by the same folks who give us the Common Grill in Chelsea MI. 2. Sultan's in the Hanna Plaza (E. Lansing). This place offers good-to-excellent Lebanese food. I've been there perhaps a dozen times and have had only one really bad meal. That's four stars by Lansing standards. 3. Villegas (Okemos). I had several dreadful meals at this new-eclecticism eatery. Then I came back for three meals last month (on other people's money) and ate very well. Perhaps it is finding itself. 4. Dusty's (Okemos). Similar to Villegas, down to the Pizza Rustica. Similar trajectory, I'm told. There is also a decent Indian restaurant in Hanna, and a new Ethopian place (small, formica) on Michigan in E. Lansing (next to the Silver Dollar) with a limited menu but good value. You wouldn't take anyone you're trying to impress there, however. Bangkok, in a somewhat seedy downtown setting, offers good Thai food. I've heard very good things about Ukai, but have no personal experience to go on. To be avoided: Clara's (an offense against conscious eating), Blue Coyote (although it's getting better and disappoints perhaps only 1/2 - 2/3 of the time; skip the beer too), Pistachio's (perfunctory food overpriced), El Azteca (mediocre gringo-mex). In the middle: Evergreen Grill (extremely uneven, capable of real highs and real lows), Beggar's Banquet (moderately ambitious new-American-pub, reliably executed, friendly ambience, good specials). And you can always hop in your car and head down to Nashville, MI (about 45 minutes to the SW) for a little-known but estimable German restaurant, Helmut's Kaffeehaus. Peter Dorman
Someone wrote:
> Anyone know the best restaurant in Lansing?
I'd go to Beggars Banquet in East Lansing.Good postie. At least Peter knows WTF he's talking about. I'd add Beggars Banquet in East Lansing. Just ate at the Red Cedar Grill today and it was great. Claras has never excited me. Dusty country inn was gross one New Years, but they have a good rep. Never been to Sultans, but we have a huge Lebo population here so I'd think it would be very good. Someone wrote: > I've lived in Lansing for four years, and I like to eat. Suggestions: > > 1. Red Cedar Grill in Williamston. Yes, it's a bit of a drive (maybe 15 > minutes if you take I96), but it is consistently strong -- a good > representative of what is becoming "New American Pub Food", blackened > this, Cajun that, seafood pastas, etc. I'm told it is owned by the same > folks who give us the Common Grill in Chelsea MI. > > 2. Sultan's in the Hanna Plaza (E. Lansing). This place offers > good-to-excellent Lebanese food. I've been there perhaps a dozen times > and have had only one really bad meal. That's four stars by Lansing > standards. > > 3. Villegas (Okemos). I had several dreadful meals at this > new-eclecticism eatery. Then I came back for three meals last month (on > other people's money) and ate very well. Perhaps it is finding itself. > > 4. Dusty's (Okemos). Similar to Villegas, down to the Pizza Rustica. > Similar trajectory, I'm told. > > There is also a decent Indian restaurant in Hanna, and a new Ethopian > place (small, formica) on Michigan in E. Lansing (next to the Silver > Dollar) with a limited menu but good value. You wouldn't take anyone > you're trying to impress there, however. Bangkok, in a somewhat seedy > downtown setting, offers good Thai food. I've heard very good things > about Ukai, but have no personal experience to go on. > > To be avoided: Clara's (an offense against conscious eating), Blue > Coyote (although it's getting better and disappoints perhaps only 1/2 - > 2/3 of the time; skip the beer too), Pistachio's (perfunctory food > overpriced), El Azteca (mediocre gringo-mex). > > In the middle: Evergreen Grill (extremely uneven, capable of real highs > and real lows), Beggar's Banquet (moderately ambitious new-American-pub, > reliably executed, friendly ambience, good specials). > > And you can always hop in your car and head down to Nashville, MI (about > 45 minutes to the SW) for a little-known but estimable German > restaurant, Helmut's Kaffeehaus. > > Peter Dorman