L E I S U R E

• Kitty's Kitchens, by Kitty Neumark, MBA1
• Review: Christian A Capella, by Cynthia M. Haupt, BBA1
• The MBA Gourmet, by John Lipinski, MBA2

Kitty's Kitchens

Kerrytown Bistro Offers Intimate Tavern Feel, But Its Food Lacks Gusto

By Kitty Neumark, MBA1

Photo by Chopo Gomez-Zoebisch

In No Rush: Citing food that lacks gusto, Kitty won't be hurrying back to Kerrytown Bistro anytime soon.

Tucked away in the back of the Kerrytown marketplace is Kerrytown Bistro, a relatively upscale (by Ann Arbor standards) restaurant specializing in French provencial cuisine. Probably starting off as a warehouse at some point in its life, the eponymous bistro feels like a wine cellar with its dark, brick interior and tiny, redish lamps hanging on the walls (perhaps a Christmas holdover), offset by a somewhat industrial interior given the high ceilings and black pipes running overhead.

The menu is enticing and eclectic. Unfortunately, what could have been ingenious and imaginative ingredient combinations turned out to be pedestrian, bland, and boring. The first appetizer sounded sumptuous: Brioche Au Fromage ($6.50) brie and pesto baked in a brioche with apples, grapes, and pecans. The resulting product was a thick calzone-like shell stuffed with brie cheese and an indiscernible layer of pesto, surrounded by (going clockwise) a pile of green apple slices, whole pecan pieces, and finally a group of red grapes, all of which appeared to be an afterthought rather than an integrated part of the dish. The tart apples nicely offset the rich blue cheese, but, sadly, the serving was just too rich and half was sent back to the kitchen. In stark contrast to our artery-clogging first choice, we redeemed ourselves with our next appetizer, Cre'pes Aux Fruit De Mer ($8.95), which consisted of thin, delicate crepes filled with shrimp, scallops, and lobster, in a light white wine and tomato cream sauce with fresh herbs.

The entrée choices include meat, poultry, and seafood with a couple of pasta dishes, and one vegetarian dish (ratatouille with roasted garlic baked in phyllo--$13.95). Still reeling from the filling brie appetizer, I chose a green salad with grilled scallops garnished with goat cheese in a light lemon-thyme vinaigrette ($7.50). The salad was the perfect follow-on: delicate yet filling. The lamb shanks we ordered ($13.95) was a meal fit for no less than Henry the VIII. Served with broccoli, potatoes and braised red cabbage, the lamb dominated the meal. Unfortunately, the consistency of the meat was uneven (imagine tasting a hacky-sack) and the tenderness was more a result of high fat content rather than high-quality meat. Unable to finish the massive entrée, we had the lamb wrapped up to take home--a fateful move, we later discovered. Like a phoenix from the flame, the lamb pieces rose from the ashes of the evening before and turned into a delightful lunch the next day! The meat this time was delicate and seemed to be leaner. The moral of the story? Some foods need time to mellow (or they just taste better on an empty, brie-less stomach).

Other entrée items ranged from the beef tenderloin filets marinated with dijon, fennel seeds, cracked pepper and garlic, grilled and served with a Roquefort sauce, carmelized onions, and carrot mashed potatoes ($21.95) to a half chicken braised with red wine, bacon, garlic, pearl onions and potatoes. Be sure to come on an empty stomach as most of these dishes could serve two!

While bemoaning our less than ideal menu choices, we were more than placated by our "perky" server who was able to fulfill our every whim, starting with fresh-out-of-the-oven French bread. Clearly trying to help us delight in the restaurant's culinary creations, the waiter was unfortunately fighting a losing battle. The food just wasn't spectacular enough to entice us to hurry back any time soon.

Review: Christian A Capella:

'Good News' Gracefully Sings Its Message

by Cynthia M. Haupt, BBA1

This past weekend many a cappella groups graced the U-M campus with their tremendous musical renditions. Friday night a sold-out crowd gave accolades to the various well-known groups such as The Gentlemen and The Friars at the "Monsters of A Capella" concert, which took place at Rachkam Auditorium. In comparison, a small lecture hall in the Modern Languages Building, speckled with family members and friends, was the place for the first official concert of the 12-member "Good News" chorus. Originally started two years ago, "Good News" has been playing various gigs at Nickel's Arcade while being a fun spiritual a cappella group for U-M students.

Various light-hearted notes and pitches of "Bop Bop Bop" laid the background for soloist Bonny Wang's joyful concert opener "My Lord and My God." Intermingled between songs were poignant skits which gave a clearer picture to the message portrayed by this group. One such skit featured three members parading around the stage glorifying their attributes while only speaking one word: "Me." Humorously, tenor Mark Palmer posed in Arnold Schwarzennegger fashion all the while taunting with the self-centered message. Soprano Su Ahn traipsed around the stage gazing into a mirror singing "Me!" in an angelic opera style voice. In contrast, Ed Sung reached out his hand and meekly whispered "You." Palmer looked on him in disbelief, grabbed hold of Sung's hand and pantomimed nailing it back to the wall. After Sun reached out his other hand, another actor did the same. Finally in reaching out to Ahn, Sung's feet were nailed back leaving the powerful symbolic picture of Christ's crucifixion. The group acted out many similar skits which gave witness to Christ's love.

As an unexpected surprise, a guest a cappella group from Carnegie Mellon sang two songs for the audience's enjoyment. A personalized rendition of "Stand By Me" succeeded in getting rousing applause. Another highlight was the barber shop quartet song complete with fake mustaches and beer steins. After a brief intermission, "Good News" captured the attention of the audience again with "There'll Always Be Jesus," a Christian version of the Coca-Cola advertising jingle. Before sharing with the audience the last song of the evening, various past members of "Good News" were invited up onto stage to sing. The theme song "And Can It Be" has been of special significance to the group, since it sums up the reasons why they sing. Written in their program and announced throughout their songs, skits, and testimonials, they voiced, "Called by God, we proclaim what we believe, so that others may join in our fellowship with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We sing to make our joy complete." 1 John a: 3,4. In retrospect, I found the concert to be of thorough enjoyment. Their harmonious voices and message filled me with excitement and awe. This group was truly on fire and as a result succeeded in igniting others to be moved by their message.

The MBA Gourmet

Good Times At Charley's

By John Lipinski, MBA2

For a good time, go to Good Time Charley's on South U. Only 2 blocks from the B-school, several students regularly stop by for lunch or happy hour. "Why," you ask? If you ask me, it's the great burgers and chicken sandwiches. I have personally sampled half the chicken sandwiches, ranging from the spicy Mardi Gras chicken to my favorite, the Honey Mustard Chicken sandwich. The burgers are also great. Again, they have a Mardi Gras Burger, but my favorite is the Sauté Burger, topped with mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese.

If you're one of those people who abstain from meat, never fear. Good Time Charley's also offers a pretty good Garden Burger. I sampled one last week with MSJ Advertising Manager Colleen Connor, a self-proclaimed expert on meatless burgers; and she said they're great...especially with cheese.

The menu also includes fresh salads, soups, Mexican specialties, and, of course, several great appetizers. If you don't mind the cholesterol, I recommend the Pepperoni Styx. Charley's also offers a variety of Single malt scotches, over 101 shooters, and whips up a great Long Island Iced Tea (so far as I remember). So, if you're looking for a great place to sit down and grab a quick, hot lunch or want to stop over and relieve the stress of the job search, Good Time Charley's is a great place. Happy hour is from 3 to 6, Monday through Friday, with specials on beer and mixed drinks every night. It's also a great place to stop on your birthday. If a friend buys a meal, yours is free!