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The World's Shortest Restaurant Review

Posted at 8:12 PM on November 3, 2008 by Donna McClurkan (5 Comments)

I have absolutely no desire to be a restaurant reviewer/food critic. Nothing in my background would indicate I'd be good at it, and I'd probably gain back all the weight I've lost eating locally for the last 10 months.

I do, however, know good food when I taste it. And we have a new local food themed restaurant within easy driving distance of Kalamazoo that, frankly, I just want to shout about. So here it is ... the world's shortest restaurant review: EAT HERE. THEN TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS. REPEAT.

My friend, Karen and I met for a late lunch last Friday. We were warmly greeted and ushered to our table, where placemats with "Michigan Food Facts" provided the perfect springboard to a conversation about local food with our excellent server, Renee'. She answered a barrage of questions concerning the origin of the ingredients - and then, probably sensing an inquisition - promptly sent Executive Chef/Owner Jared Dellario to our table, followed by two giant bowls of incredibly delicious cream-based, chunky tomato basil soup. What happened next was almost 90 minutes of animated conversation, starting with this obvious question from a locavore:
Me: "Why did you decide to open a restaurant featuring food from Michigan?"
Chef Jared: "Quality! Locally sourced food tastes better. I love Michigan and I love the food we have here!"

This guy, a self-described "former ski-bum turned culinary school graduate," is really jazzed about local food. So is the restaurant's General Manager, Brad Whittle, and Jared's mom (and business partner), Cheryl. They stopped by to say hello and chat long enough to learn about the word "locavore" and compare notes on the rising interest in local food in Kalamazoo.

Chef Jared talked with Karen and me about relationships he's forging with local growers and farmers and the challenges of procuring local food. Coincidentally, a friend sent this article from USA Today the afternoon of our visit to A Food Affair, and it covers many of the same topics.

The highlight of our lunch was dessert - a sample plate of SIX locally-sourced treats:

The best dessert? Talk about tough choices. The Real Pumpkin Crème Brulee was, in Karen's words "the best crème brulee I have ever tasted," and I have to agree.

Though A Food Affair has only been open since the end of June, Chef Jared and the restaurant are already receiving rave reviews. Check out this glowing article by Bill Wood, food writer for the Kalamazoo Gazette, about a Local Food Showdown at Kalamazoo College in September.

It was a wonderful lunch. Seriously - eat here, then tell all your friends.

Comments (5)

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Thanks for the tip, we'll be going soon Donna. Can't wait!

Posted by Molly | November 4, 2008 9:06 PM

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Hey Molly, let us know about your restaurant experience ... Donna

Posted by Donna McClurkan | November 6, 2008 7:19 AM

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Excited to try it, and it's only about 7 miles from our home in Hickory Corners. We'll let you know what we think. Thanks Donna!!

Posted by JacLynn | November 6, 2008 11:05 AM

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JacLynn - make sure to let Renee' and/or Chef Jared know about your awesome, best on the planet Kalamazoo Granola!
Donna

Posted by Donna McClurkan | November 6, 2008 3:50 PM

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Wow, a delcicious desert sampler plate....an idea whose time has come.....and they all looke so good.....I think I am feeling envy in my heart.

Thanks, Vera

Posted by vera schabicki | November 17, 2008 8:30 PM